Submitted by Cynthia MacNeil-Sola.
I have been a Reiki Master Practitioner for some time now and I find a lot of people have not heard of Reiki and if they have they really are not sure what it is or what benefits it gives. I find when a client comes in for the first time they are nervous or unsure of what to expect from the session. Â The first thing they need to know is Reiki is natural and safe; nothing negative will happen.
Reiki was developed in Japan in 1922 by Mikao Usui and brought to the West in 1937 by Hawayo Takata. Popularity of Reiki has grown exponentially in the past few decades, more people have been willing to schedule sessions and are finding some sort of benefit after just a session. The benefits differ for everyone, but the realization that Reiki works seems to be unanimous.
What is Reiki? It is a natural simple Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation which promotes natural healing of the emotional and physical body.  It is a non-invasive hands on and off healing technique that will travel to where the healing is needed and to clear any blockage you may have. It is energy channeled through the hands of the Reiki practitioner that will work on four main levels of existence: Physical, Emotional, Mental and Spiritual.  You will leave feeling more grounded, relaxed and a feeling of wholeness and well-being.  It will strengthen the immune system and balances the energies in the body to relieve pain, clear toxins and increase blood flow which in turn quickens the healing process. I have had reports of help with headaches, insomnia help with cancer treatments, GI issues, arthritis, addictions among many other things.
What is a Reiki session like? The client is lying fully clothed on a massage table and assisted into a relaxed frame of mind by hearing soothing music, closing their eyes, and taking themselves to a place where they want to be; it could be a beach, forest, by a brook.  The practitioner places hands at locations around the head and shoulders with a light touch, the hands will be above the client’s body at the chest, stomach and abdomen area, they may touch legs and will touch the feet unless requested not to. The client will feel a warmth or vibration from the practitioner’s hands, they will feel a glowing radiance that surrounds and fills them with relaxation, peace and well-being and this promotes healing where the body needs it. A session usually lasts 30-60 minutes.
Reiki has become popular with our hospitals as a standard part of care and the medical community. A research study was done at Hartford Hospital showing Reiki improved sleep by 86%, reduced pain by 78%, reduced nausea by 80%, and reduced anxiety during pregnancy by 94%. Nurses report Reiki has helped patients heal faster with less pain, reduces stress, improves mental attitude and will improve appetite and reduces the negative side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and other medical procedures.
Reiki is taught in 4 levels
- First Degree level is an entry level with the overview of the history of Reiki, hand placements and Reiki on one’s self, it focuses on opening the energy channels on a physical level allowing you to connect with life force energy with activation of Reiki in your hands. This is fulfilling and enough for personal needs.
- Second degree Level is practicing Reiki on others, distant Reiki, expanded opening of the energy channels, and the student is given the three Reiki symbols to allow the practitioner to connect more deeply to the universal energy and they learn to clear energy blockages. This is a huge leap from level 1 and provides many new and exciting tools for the advanced practitioner. At this time the student through attunement is now a Reiki Practitioner. This is a certified course.
Some time should pass and practice is needed before moving onto the Master levels. Both level 3 & 4 are also certified courses.
- Third degree Level is the Master level and final level of training for people interested in taking their Reiki practice to the highest level without the desire to teach Reiki to others. This workshop is a huge leap in personal and spiritual growth and represents a deep commitment to the Reiki practice. The student receives a more powerful attunement at completion.
- Fourth degree level is the Master Teacher training and this is a review of everything the student has learned and it will prepare the student to teach and give attunements. This represents a deep personal commitment to the Reiki practice. The attunement is much stronger at this time.
Find a good Reiki practitioner and try it!Â
Cindy MacNeil-Sola, the owner of Spirit and Balance, LLC, located at Three Oaks Plaza in Higganum, is a Reiki Master Teacher, and psychic medium, who offers guided meditations, psychometry and Reiki.
