What is Reiki & How It Changed My Life
Reiki is a subtle hands on healing modality that is becoming more widely known and used. As a practitioner, this is such a wonderful thing to witness and hear. This essentially means folks are tuning into their own energetic bodies, and they’re realizing how the health of their energetic body affects the physical (and mental) body. That addressing the whole of our existence is essential for health and well-being.
Dr. Usui, a Japanese MD, was the “originator” of Reiki back at the turn of the century. As stated by the Reiki Association, “The Japanese word ‘reiki’ can be translated as ‘universal life energy’ and the Usui System is a way of working with reiki for healing of self and others. The word healing is used in the sense of regaining harmony and wholeness.”
Dr. Usui started bringing this hands-on energy work into his hospital and immediately started to see results from blending more western approaches in tandem with Reiki. He went on to teach others, including Mrs. Takata who brought Reiki from Japan to the West in 1938 (My teacher learned from this lineage).
Reiki essentially is a practice of listening to the hands and seeing where energy is stagnant and needs to flow. Having knowledge of the Meridians, chakras, and much more enhances one’s understanding of the physical and energetic bodies. When I have a client coming in with hip pain, I will often ask about what she is experiencing in her mental and emotional states. “Well, I’m navigating a nasty divorce, and I’m so angry with my soon to be ex husband.” Know that the hips and kidneys in TCM are often linked to anger, this gives me greater insight to the whole of what she is experiencing and what her body might need.
Even though I take time to connect with clients before and after sessions… we never know what might present itself on the table. I have had clients experience somatic releases, shake, cry, “sound”, have visions, and so much more.
Reiki serves anyone and everyone. Whether you’re experiencing insomnia, anxiety, grief, sadness, physical pain, heartache, malady… Reiki is sure to leave you feeling better than when you walked through the door. Reiki, if we allow it, helps us release the wounds, stagnant energy, and hurt that resides within. It’s an invitation to allow the vitality of life force energy to move through us and support us.
Reiki helped me continue my journey of healing and deepened my capacity as space holder, intuitive guide, and energy worker. I continuously facilitate Reiki AND receive. Whenever I facilitate Reiki - I also receive. I also take care to receive wholly from friends and my mentor. This has helped my personal expansion and evolution more than I can say. Reiki is a true teacher and guide. It continues to guide me in each session, in my daily life, and as a business owner.
Reiki truly helps us on a physical level. I have always found it truly remarkable to see what our bodies can hold…
So many folks have no heard of or read the book, ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ which highlights how the intelligence of our bodies can actually keep us in patterns. Our nervous system is easily imprinted by our life experiences, and it stores these experiences, both good and bad, in our bodies and nervous systems. Evolutionarily, we do this to protect ourselves against future harm. So, if we experience a sound (say sirens) and then pain.. our system stores this sound as a warning for the next time we hear the sound to “protect” us from harm again. So, hearing sirens might send you into an anxious state or even panic… because your body stored this experience as detrimental… even if the next time you hear sirens it has nothing to do with your current state or experience.
Often imprints from life experiences are not needed for our safety in future circumstances, but our body stores them as such; energetically they’re a stored trauma that sends our system into a “defense” or protection mode - even when we don’t need it.
Becoming aware of these holds and patterns is important for change. Reiki can be a gentle and easy teacher to recognize and befriend these parts of ourselves. It brings the subtle to the surface. Our body innately wants to heal itself. Look at nature - it’s the same. And we are nature. Our body can rectify and “self-heal” when presented with the intentional support and opportunity.
While I’m entering my 4th year of serving clients, I find myself more humble than ever. The power of reiki continues to be my teacher and be the true guide and support to whomever is on my table.
If you’re seeking support or you’re just interested in reiki - find a local practitioner. Or reach out to me - I see clients both in person and virtually (yes, reiki is just as powerful via zoom or the telephone!). I promise you will thank yourself, if you’re ready to receive, for taking a step toward healing & renewal through Reiki.
Reiki sessions with Brooke are 75minutes and $125. You can book HERE. Recipients lay on a massage table to receive this work; wear comfy clothes & plan some down time after your session to be slow and integrate this powerful work.
