What Is Reiki?
Reiki means 'Universal Life Force Energy', it originates from Japan and dates back to the teachings of Mikao Usui in the 1920s. Reiki is a gentle form of energy healing which can be given through direct one to one treatment, either with the client laying down or seated, you can also send Reiki at a distance to the client, known as 'distance healing'. When you receive a Reiki treatment, the energies are channelled through by means of a non-intrusive, gentle touch, or by no touch at all, these healing energies help to restore balance to the mind, body and emotions, by removing blockages from the system and realigning your chakras, restoring balance to the flow of energy throughout your energetic field and the physical body, it can assist in treating mental, physical and emotional trauma, by releasing imbalances within the flow of 'chi', increasing your overall energy levels and inducing a sense of deep relaxation, reducing stress and other related health issues and symptoms such as anxiety or depression and promoting an overall improvement in your general wellbeing. Scientific evidence has proven that, when stripped right back, everything is made up of 'energy' including that for which we may perceive as being solid matter, for example, a great analogy of this is to imagine a leaf, on a tree, when Autumn comes and this leaf 'dies', it doesn't really do so, it just simply changes form, it breaks down, leading to a new cycle from the nutrients and energy within, in most cases, feeding the very tree from which it has fallen, so that it may continue to grow and transform, the following Spring. Reiki taps in to this energy that is not only within us, but all around us, channelling the universal life force energy to wherever it is needed. There are many different forms of Reiki, the original form being 'Usui Reiki' named after the founder, Mikao Usui, as well as, 'Holy Fire Reiki, Angelic Reiki and Karuna Reiki, to name but a few.
What are the benefits?
Reiki healing energies induce a deep sense of relaxation and rebalance the 'chi' energy of our bodies, enabling us to feel more rested, peaceful and calm, realigning the natural flow of energy can significantly improving our health and wellbeing. Some of these benefits include, but are not limited to:
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Deep relaxation of the mind, body and spirit
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A reduction of stress, anxiety & depression
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Can assist in lowering blood pressure
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Reduces pain & inflammation
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Improves quality of sleep
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Calming the nervous system
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Increase and rebalance energy levels
The Chakras
The word 'chakra' is a Sanskrit word meaning 'Wheel of Light', they are the energy centres of the etheric body and appear as wheel like vortices of spinning energy. When in 'balance', these vortices of energy are spinning fast, but when 'blocked', they are spinning much slower, there are seven main chakras, which appear along the nave of the spine, as follows: - Crown Chakra, Third Eye Chakra, Throat Chakra, Heart Chakra, Solar Plexus Chakra, Sacral Chakra and Root Chakra. Each chakra has it's own purpose, association and connection, representing a specific part of the human body and connect in to the nervous system, corresponding in turn to certain nerve 'bundles' and organs. Balancing the chakras is important as it helps to maintain optimum well-being of the mind, body and soul, below I explain a little about each chakra, including the importance of balancing the chakras, and how this assists with improving your health and wellbeing.
Crown Chakra (Sahasrara)
The Crown Chakra is situated just above the head and has a Violet/ Pink colour. It represents the doorway to pure consciousness and enlightenment. When balanced, you are living in peace and at one with the divine, when unbalanced it can mean you are unable to let go of anxiety and fear. The associated part of the body is the brain, as well as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Associated foods are White foods, such as Parsnip, Coconut, White Onion, Garlic and Potatoes, as well as herbs and spices such as Lavender, Valerian Root, Chamomile and all-spice. The element associated with the crown chakra is 'thought' and the seed mantra represented is 'Aum'.
Third Eye Chakra (Ajna)
The Third Eye Chakra is situated just between the eyebrows, on the forehead and has an Indigo colour. It represents knowledge of being, vision, inner knowing, intuition, imagination, intelligence and self assurance. When in balance it brings awareness to the spiritual side of being and when unbalanced you can be afraid of intuition and see only obvious surface meaning. The associated part of the body is the brain, as well as the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. Associated foods are Red Onion, Purple Grapes, Beetroot and Aubergines, as well as herbs and spices such as Hawthorn, Rosemary, Mint and Dandelion Root. The element associated with the third eye chakra is 'light' and the seed mantra represented is 'Om'.
Throat Chakra (Vishudda)
The Throat Chakra is situated at the base of the throat and has a light Blue/ Cyan colour. It represents expression of being and it's function is to help us find authentic self expression, faith, inspiration and the ability of communication. When in balance it means you know balance of expression, silence and speech and you are able to listen to your inner voice, and trust your intuition, when unbalanced you can be fearful of being judged and rejected, as well as being afraid of silence. The associated part of the body is the thyroid gland. Associated foods are Blue and Brown foods, such as Blueberries, Bilberries, Dark Chocolate and Almonds, as well as herbs and spices such as Peppermint, Sage, Coltsfoot and Lemongrass. The element associated with the throat chakra is 'Ether' and the seed mantra is 'Ham'.
Heart Chakra (Anahata)
The Heart Chakra is situated at the centre of the chest and has a Green colour. It represents love and loving self, trust, passion, compassion, immunity and peace. When in balance it means you exude feelings of wholeness, tolerance and acceptance of life and relationships, when unbalanced the love you give is in-sincere, you look for rewards and you can have difficulty accepting love given by others. The associated parts of the body are the heart, lungs and thymus gland. Associated foods are Green foods, such as Celery, Kale, Courgette and Green Peppers, as well as herbs and spices such as Basil, Thyme, Parsley and Cayenne Pepper. The element associated with the heart chakra is 'Air' and the seed mantra is 'Yam'.
Solar Plexus (Manipura)
The Solar Plexus Chakra is situated just below the diaphragm, in the centre of the navel and has a Yellow colour. It represents will power, personal power, ego, anger, digestion and assimilation of nutrients. When in balance you have feelings of wholeness, inner calm and peace, inner tolerance of others and acceptance, when unbalanced there could be no trust in flow, a need to dominate, emphasis on the material world and material security. The associated parts of the body are the Pancreas, Liver and Stomach. Associated foods are Yellow foods, such as Banana, Celery, Pineapple, Yellow Peppers and Sweetcorn, as well as herbs and spices such as Spearmint, Cinnamon, Anise, Ginger and Turmeric. The element associated with the solar plexus chakra is 'Fire' and the seed mantra is 'Ram'.
Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana)
The Sacral Chakra is situated one hands width below the navel, in line with the top of the pelvis and has an Orange colour. It represents creativity, procreation, desires, self-worth, sexual function and promotion of vitality. When in balance you are considerate, open, friendly and are able to share emotions and feelings with others, when unbalanced you can be unsure and unstable in sexual and emotional matters, have difficulty in expression of feelings and suppress natural needs. The associated parts of the body are the large intestine, bladder, kidneys and reproductive organs and the Gonads. Associated foods are Orange foods, such as Oranges, Papaya, Melon, Sweet Potato and Carrots, as well as herbs and spices such as Liquorice, Coriander, Fennel, Caraway Seed and Paprika. The element associated with the sacral chakra is 'Water' and the seed mantra is 'Vam'.
Root Chakra (Muladhara)
The Root Chakra is situated just below the base of the spine, between the legs and has a bright Red colour. It represents energetic function, survival, inner stability, self-sufficiency and a sense of being grounded. When in balance you have a profound connection with nature and a deep understanding of its ebb and flow, when unbalanced you have an inability to trust in nature, are unable to focus on material possessions and a need to satisfy your own desires and wishes. The associated parts of the body are the adrenal glands, large intestine and rectum. Associated foods are Red foods, such as Red Peppers, Tomatoes, Strawberries and Pomegranate, as well as herbs and spices, such as Ashwaganda, Burdock Root, Rosemary, Ginger and Cayenne Pepper. The element associated with the root chakra is 'Earth' and the seed mantra is 'Lam.