Reiki review
I first discovered Reiki around eight years ago after suffering from regular migraines. Reluctant to carry on my usual routine of chewing painkillers and losing whole days in bed I was willing to try anything. To be honest, I wasn’t exactly sure how Reiki worked or frankly cared, but I knew my migraines were brought on by lack of sleep and stress and I’d had enough.
Initially I had three one hour sessions, immediately my sleep pattern improved and my stress levels dropped dramatically. As I looked further into Reiki I was intrigued and began learning more and practising meditations. Then, as often happens life got in the way and I stopped meditating and practising Reiki on myself. So, when the chance to have a treatment again popped up I was more than happy to go. I haven’t been having headaches but my sleeping patterns hadn’t been great, my mind always felt ‘busy’ and I never felt fully relaxed.
What is Reiki?
The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word (REI) which means “Universal Life” and (KI) which means “Energy”. Reiki is based on the idea that this unseen "life force energy" flows through us all and when this energy becomes, weak or blocked it can lead to symptoms of physical or emotional imbalance. Channelling this ‘life force energy’ through Reiki treatments can therefore promote the body’s natural ability to heal itself, rebalancing it physically, emotionally and mentally.
My treatment at The Zentist lasted for an hour and cost £36.50. I was given a short questionnaire on my general wellbeing and asked if I had any particular concerns. My therapist Irene has been a certified Reiki practitioner since 2004 and teaching since 2006.)
Laying (fully clothed) on a warm comfy treatment table in a dimly lit room with the sounds of meditative music in the background was in itself bliss but as Irene began time seemed to fly past. Starting at my head area she explained that she felt my mind was ‘non-stop and spinning’ and she would work there until I was totally relaxed. She placed her hands gently on the crown then slowly moved them around to the back of my head until I drifted into a deep relaxation. Moving down to the torso hovering her hands over me she stopped at particular points to concentrate the energy and clear any blockage (my stomach and hip area) ending at my feet to ‘ground my energy’. There is no pain or discomfort during a treatment as the Reiki energy is offered through a light, non-invasive touch. You may feel a ‘warmth’ or a tingling sensation under the therapist’s hands especially if they concentrate on a certain area for a while. At the end of an hour’s treatment I was incredibly relaxed but not in a sleepy way; I felt refreshed and calmed. Sleeping better than I have in a long time that night, I would go for Reiki session again, maybe not regularly but definitely if I felt my stress levels were rising.
Hannah x
*Reiki does not take the place of conventional medicine. Always consult a GP for an acute or infectious condition, and problems of urgent concern.
https://www.reikiassociation.net
http://www.reikifed.co.uk