If you have never had a Reiki treatment, these frequently asked question will provide you with some answers to the most common questions. Please feel free to contact me if there is anything else you would like to know.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is an energy healing system, developed by a Japanese scholar Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 20th century. During a treatment, the natural healing energy is transferred from the Reiki practitioner to the client, where it brings about balance and reinforces the body’s natural ability to heal itself.
Reiki supports, and enhances, other forms of treatment, and as such is a complimentary therapy.
Reiki is taught by Reiki Masters who pass the teaching on in person, from Master to student. Students go through a process of initiation/attunement to the Reiki energy. They are then able to treat themselves and others, not only from a healing perspective, but also as an aid to personal development and spiritual growth.
Is Reiki safe?
Yes, it is safe for everyone. It’s a non-invasive complimentary therapy with no reported side-effects. Reiki is offered as a complementary therapy to cancer patients by the Barts Health NHS Trust and also at many hospitals in the USA.
What about Reiki and religion?
Reiki is not a religion. It’s a form of energy healing with no religious affiliations.
Many Christians who practice Reiki, say it creates a closer connection for them with God. I even have Christian clients who pray before receiving a Reiki treatment and ask God to bless the treatment and my hands so that they might get from Reiki what God wants them to receive.
If you wonder about Christianity and Reiki, you might be interested in the collaboration of Rev. Victoria Lovell and Reiki Master Danielle Groth who are redefining ministry by blending Reiki and faith together. Read more about them here.
I also wrote a blog article specifically about reconciling Religion with Reiki. Read it here. (The article is also available in Afrikaans.)
What does Reiki feel like?
The Reiki experience differs from person to person, but common sensations you might become aware of while receiving a Reiki treatment are warmth or cold at some points along your body, you might see colours or visions, have a tingling sensation, feel a vague “pulling” sensation from your head or your feet, slight pressure, or a floating sensation. Reiki can also sometimes cause a release of emotions. You may also feel absolutely nothing. Or all of these. Whatever you feel, or don’t feel, is absolutely perfect for you. Reiki works whether you “feel something” or not.
The Reiki Stories page is filled with examples of Reiki experiences my clients have had.
The most significant effect that Reiki will have is deep relaxation. So even if you don’t have a physical sensation, you can rest assured that your energy field is becoming balanced, which starts the process of self-healing and leads to a greater sense of calm and stress relief.
If you ever feel uncomfortable during a session, just open your eyes and ask me to stop.
What can Reiki treat?
Reiki has the ability to reinforce the body’s natural ability to heal itself at all levels, whether physical, mental, emotional or spiritual. This means it can alleviate pain and aid in the healing of injuries and post-surgery soreness. Reiki can aid in detoxification of the body and improve overall health. On an emotional level, it can be used to treat anxiety, stress, grief, sleep problems, release emotional blockages. On a mental level, it can increase concentration and provide mental clarity.
Please remember that Reiki is a complementary therapy. As such, it should not be used in the place of medically directed treatments or medicines.
Natasja King 