Is anyone here familiar with Reiki?

[karebear1]

According to mostly everything I'm reading, Reiki is "a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing" . I've been reading up on this practice and wondering if anyone has any experience with it in terms of helping with medical conditions and depression? Actually- ANY experiences would interest me. thanks!

 

[Aisling]

I have some experience with Reiki in a few different ways.
First, my father is a Reiki Master and swears by it. He's an 85 year old conservative, non-new age guy, but has studied Reiki for 30 years and thoroughly believes in it.

Second, I have had several Reiki sessions with a couple of Masters and although I was a skeptic, I have to say there was something really going on while I was being "energized". After a few minutes, I felt so relaxed in mind and body that I was amazed.

Third, I used to work for a newspaper and I wrote an article about Reiki. I interviewed a medical doctor who used Reiki in his practice (he's a surgeon), two Reiki Masters (not my dad), and people who have used Reiki for everything from drug addiction to stress to pain, and every single one said there was some benefit, whether great or small.

One thing to look out for...most Reiki practioners believe in the human kindness aspect of it and don't charge a lot for services. Their fees are supposed to be to help them continue their education of Reiki and not to get rich off people. So if it costs a lot, the practioner might know how to do the service effectively but their "soul" isn't in the "giving" mode. Find one that practices in that spirit of giving.

 

[MIGrandma]

My cousin, who is more like my brother, does it. I really don't know that much about it though. I guess I am kind of neutral. I've never had the need for it, so have never participated or whatever you would call it. I'm not sure if I believe in it or don't. I would have to know more to make a judgment like that about it. My cousin really feels that it works, and he says he has helped a lot of people. He also says it can be done by phone, and I'm more skeptical about that though.

 

[shortbun]

I've had a couple Reiki treatments and loved them. I come away feeling relaxed and having had the stress removed from my brain-the noise is gone. I had my son treated at a big chess tournament and he played the best he's ever played. He loves new age stuff and massage so I'm sure he helped by just making it so,

All of my treatments have been accompanied by heat which translates to energy as far as I'm concerned. I wish I had the time and money to get regular Reiki. I think it's good for me.

 

[karebear1]

I have some experience with Reiki in a few different ways.
First, my father is a Reiki Master and swears by it. He's an 85 year old conservative, non-new age guy, but has studied Reiki for 30 years and thoroughly believes in it.

Second, I have had several Reiki sessions with a couple of Masters and although I was a skeptic, I have to say there was something really going on while I was being "energized". After a few minutes, I felt so relaxed in mind and body that I was amazed.

Third, I used to work for a newspaper and I wrote an article about Reiki. I interviewed a medical doctor who used Reiki in his practice (he's a surgeon), two Reiki Masters (not my dad), and people who have used Reiki for everything from drug addiction to stress to pain, and every single one said there was some benefit, whether great or small.

One thing to look out for...most Reiki practioners believe in the human kindness aspect of it and don't charge a lot for services. Their fees are supposed to be to help them continue their education of Reiki and not to get rich off people. So if it costs a lot, the practioner might know how to do the service effectively but their "soul" isn't in the "giving" mode. Find one that practices in that spirit of giving.

Can you tell me how your dad got started with it? 30 years is a long time, and this idea of reiki sounds so new to me.

When you say something was really going on when you were 'energized" what exactly does that mean AND what do they actually do in a treatment?

Your last statement is very revealing to me- and actually makes me feel good! Where'd you learn that from?

My cousin, who is more like my brother, does it. I really don't know that much about it though. I guess I am kind of neutral. I've never had the need for it, so have never participated or whatever you would call it. I'm not sure if I believe in it or don't. I would have to know more to make a judgment like that about it. My cousin really feels that it works, and he says he has helped a lot of people. He also says it can be done by phone, and I'm more skeptical about that though.

I've read the phone thing- not real sure if I believe that either though?!!?

I've had a couple Reiki treatments and loved them. I come away feeling relaxed and having had the stress removed from my brain-the noise is gone. I had my son treated at a big chess tournament and he played the best he's ever played. He loves new age stuff and massage so I'm sure he helped by just making it so,

All of my treatments have been accompanied by heat which translates to energy as far as I'm concerned. I wish I had the time and money to get regular Reiki. I think it's good for me.

Can you tell me how you got interested enough in reiki to try it and how your reiki treatments work? When you say that your treatments have been accompianied by heat- what do you mean?

 

[Aisling]

You can lie down, sit or stand. I've had it done all three ways, but lying down is obviously more relaxing.

The practioner never lays a hand on you...just moves his/her hands over your body (very close) in a set way according to the need. Some movements are rapid, some slow.

By energized, I mean manipulating the body's outflowing energy, much like acupuncture does with needles or with shiatsu. My eyes were closed, but I knew the process was started because I felt warmth over parts of my body. Usually it's done from head to toe and then back toe to head. I actually felt nauseaus the first time for about a minute, and then suddenly very peaceful. It was like my body energy was "vomiting" out the negative. It's hard to explain, but I can tell you I didn't want it to stop. It can be an emotional experience as well as physical, like a release.

My father was a university professor years ago who had a Japanese collegue that was a Reiki practioner. My dad was always big into holistic health (mind, body, spirit connection to health), even back when it wasn't popular. So this was right up his alley. He studied with this man and became certified. He even does Reiki on himself. He compares it to massage...kneading and working the energy we give off to correct the flow.

Does this help?