What is Energy (and Energywork)?
Everything around us is energy. Atoms, molecules, light, sound and color all have measurable frequencies and all interact with one another. Our bodies produce a type of magnetic resonance energy, and our brains produce an electrical frequency all of which can be measured by special scientific devices.
Even our thoughts, emotions, and physical actions produce energy and all forms of energy have vibrations or frequencies which can be scientifically measured.
Energywork is a form of alternative or complementary healing which uses energy to help heal or soothe the body. The energy fields can be measured and can also be adjusted and manipulated to bring about change. Energywork presents itself in a number of modalities and varies from one practitioner to another, and from one custom to another. The first recorded material on energywork came about 3000-4000 years ago in 18 volumes of the Neijing written in about 200 BCE.
At its most basic, energywork is the manipulation of energy fields within and around the body to promote healing in three levels of an individual: mental/emotional, physical, and spiritual.
There are many forms of Energywork including SHEN, Therapeutic TouchTM, Reiki, Intuitive Energy Work, Chakra Balancing, and so many others.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique (see Energywork above) which promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's life force energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.
Reiki "is a method of natural healing that uses energy channeled through a practitioner’s hands to restore a sense of well-being and health to an individual. This is thought of as an ancient healing method for the modern world.
A Reiki treatment looks like a massage. There are two main differences, one, the client lies on the treatment table fully clothed, and the practitioner’s hands on the client are usually still and move only when the practitioner notices shifts in the flow of the channeled energy. There is a laying on of hands as the practitioner’s hands lay gently and lightly on the client. This however is not “faith healing”. No faith of the effectiveness of Reiki is required by either the client or the Reiki practitioner. The energy simply goes where it is needed. Even if a client is skeptical the energy still goes where it is needed." (Introduction to Energywork, Energy Healing, and Reiki, Nelan & Soldon, 2010.)
The word itself, Reiki, is actually made of two different Japanese words - Rei which means "Universal", and Ki which means "life force energy". It is a simple, natural and safe method of healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not, and many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their own religion.
Even though Reiki is not a religion, it is still important to live and act in a way that promotes harmony with others. Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of the Reiki system of natural healing, recommended that one practice certain simple ethical ideals to promote peace and harmony, which are nearly universal across all cultures.
Treatments
A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing warmth flowing through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person, not just the phycial, and provides many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing. Many have reported miraculous results.
We do offer a sliding scale fee system so please do not hesitate to let us know you have special needs. Due to our sliding scale we do not post the costs of our services, but on average you can expect to pay about the same, (usually less) than you would pay for a massage. We do NOT charge extra for team Reiki. You may express your gratitude by rounding up should you choose, but tipping is not required.
"A Reiki session will last exactly as long as it needs to, however a typical session will last about fifty minutes to one hour, though some sessions can be as short as ten minutes and as long as several hours. The client should be asked to remove their shoes and should be dressed comfortably in clothes that will not bind or constrict them in any way. The client should also be asked to remove jewelry and eyeglasses. Treatments can be done seated or lying down. The practitioner may begin the treatment with some form of a clearing ritual or prayer and affirmation that the energies are invoked for the highest good of the client or recipient. The Reiki energy flows through the crown of the practitioner's head and flows out through the hands to treat the client. The Reiki practitioner treats the client by putting their hands in specific Hand Positions..."
"[You] may feel tingling in the body, or may actually feel the flow of Reiki [energy]. [You] may feel the practitioner's hands becoming hot or cold. [You] may see colors or may not feel, or see anything at all. [You] may even fall asleep during the treatment. Regardless, the energy will flow and go where it is needed." (Reiki I: A Manual, Nelan & Soldon, 2010)
Learning About Reiki
Learning Reiki is not dependent on one's intellectual capacity or spiritual development and therefore is available to everyone. It has been successfully taught to thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds.
An amazingly simple technique to learn, Reiki is taught in the usual sense by attending a class provided by a qualified Reiki teacher. In some traditions a Reiki Master has been attuned to the Teacher level, but not all Masters are Teachers.
There are several different classifications of Reiki practitioners which reflect the different bodies of an individual. Just as there are three different bodies, so too are there three different “Levels” or “Degrees”.
- 1.) The First Degree / Physical Level.
- 2.) The Second Degree / Emotional or Mental Level.
- 3.) The Third Degree / Spiritual Level (Master Level)
Some schools or traditions, such as the Master/Teachers at Sacred Wandering, have broken out the Teacher level from the Master level to better instruct a student and give them an opportunity to adjust to the spiritual nature of the Reiki Master level. There is also a large difference between being a practitioner attuned to all three levels of Reiki, and teaching and performing the three attunements of the various levels.
If you would like more information about learning Reiki, please visit our NCBTMB Courses page.
You do not have to be part of the NCBTMB to take any of our classes. They are open to anyone wishing to learn more and grow.
