All About Reiki
“Reiki is love,
Love is wholeness,
Wholeness is balance,
Balance is well-being,
Well-being is freedom from disease.”
— Mikao Usui
Since discovering Reiki in 2017, I have been asked by friends, family and clients all about energy healing. Sometimes I give the short answer everyone can understand, and at other times, the longer, more scientific answer when someone needs more than simple words. Today, I will explain Reiki as I know it, so you, the reader, can get to know what it's all about without too many puzzling words.
Reiki (ray-key) translates to “Universal life force energy” and is a holistic energy-based healing technique developed by a Japanese Buddhist, Mikao Usui. Universal life force energy (also known as Prana, Ki or Qi) is channelled by a trained practitioner, healing mental, emotional and physical blockages in the body. It is a very gentle yet powerful way to support well-being.
Even though Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to experience a Reiki session and its benefits. All you have to do is be open to receive!
During a session, the practitioner gently places their hands (just above the body) in various positions within the client’s auric field while the client lies down, fully clothed, in a comfortable, quiet environment. Clients can experience warmth, tingling, deep relaxation and a sense of peace as their body enters a very deep meditative state.
Now that you know what Reiki is, you might be wondering: how does it work? This involves some scientific explanation. But do not worry, it will not go over your head.
Modern physics has shown that we are all made of energy, including the human body. This concept is rooted in the idea that disruptions in this energy flow can lead to illness, and restoring balance promotes overall well-being. This is where Reiki and modern science converge.
Life force energy flows within the body through pathways (chakras and meridians), nourishing the organs and cells and thereby supporting their vital functions. Negative thoughts, trauma, stress, and other unhealthy habits can block these pathways, leading to an imbalance. Reiki clears the energy pathways, allowing the life force to flow freely and naturally.
Reiki focuses on recipient-directed energy flow. The practitioner does not impose energy onto the recipient but rather allows the individual’s body to draw in the energy it needs for healing and restoration. The energy does not come from the practitioner but from an external, Universal life force.
Over the years, I have read a lot of research on Reiki and its use in modern healthcare, as I was curious about it. There is moderate to strong evidence supporting Reiki as a viable therapeutic healing modality.
Reiki has integrated into modern healthcare as a complementary, non-invasive therapy to reduce patient pain, anxiety, and stress while enhancing overall well-being.
Used alongside conventional medicine in hospitals, it has shown reduced procedural side effects and shorter recovery time. It is considered safe and is utilized for cancer, palliative, and postoperative care.
I have recently learned that Vancouver General Hospital occasionally offers Reiki as part of specialized wellness initiatives, such as the Self Care Cafe for staff and as part of the Spiritual Health Services. My hope is that Reiki becomes more widely used in the local healthcare around me as part of a patient’s treatment plan, and not just seen as “woo woo”. I think there is so much potential in enhancing the lives of everyone who is open to it.
I wanted to talk about the benefits of Reiki.
There are many but I wanted to list a few :
Deep relaxation & improves sleep
Reduces fatigue, stress & anxiety
Helps with pain management
Improves energy & clarity
Enhances the body’s own self-healing mechanisms
Boost immune system function
Complements other medical treatments & recovery time
I know that something bigger than me led me to explore Reiki and listening to that nudge was the best thing that I’ve ever done. Looking back on how far I’ve come, it brings me joy and peace to share this incredible energy healing with others. I will continue to let beautiful energy guide me as I grow as a Reiki practitioner and teacher.
