By definition, Reiki is a healing technique based on the principle that the practitioner is able to channel Universal energy into someone or something by means of touch, or over distances, to activate the natural healing processes of the person/thing and restore physical, emotional and spiritual well-being.

Because it is Universal energy, it is not draining to the practitioner, and you are able to heal yourself as well as the person you are treating!

Rei (ray) means Universal Life Energy; Spiritual Consciousness; All-knowning

Ki (kee) (or for those of us in the Chinese Medicine world, Qi), means Breath; Life Force; Vital Radiant Energy

It is said that the body takes 21 days to detox, and so you must wait at least 21 days before you can receive another Reiki attunement. Everyone works at their own pace. You must heal yourself and sort through your own mental, emotional, and spiritual clutter before you are able to advance and help others.

My journey began when a classmate of mine performed a Reiki treatment on me in class. She placed her hands on 7 major Chakras of my body, and channeled energy into me. Theses Chakras are: Crown (Top of head); Third Eye (Between eyebrows); Throat; Heart; Solar Plexus; Sacral; Root. Some of the chakras were more “active” than the others, and she explained to me that this meant that work and balancing was needed in those areas. To me it felt almost like a rush of heat, or Qi, or energy. Afterwards, I felt amazing! I felt balanced, and this sparked my interest.

I began, like most things, searching the Internet.  I stumbled upon a website that listed Reiki practitioners in my area (New Jersey), and their contact information.  I contacted multiple practitioners, two of which responded!  The first practitioner to contact me just felt “wrong.” Not that there was something wrong with her specifically, our energies just did not seem to match well, if such a thing can be conveyed through an email! The second practitioner who responded, Deborah, just seemed to “fit.” We sent emails back and forth, and she was extremely informative and helpful, and answered all my questions with patience! You can view her page here.

Reiki I

Reiki I basically went through the history of Reiki and what Reiki is. The class included myself, and one of my classmates from acupuncture school.  After going through the history of Reiki, Deborah gave us our first attunement. An attunement is when a Reiki Master channels energy into the student. This balances the body, mind, and spirit, and gives the student the ability to practice Reiki. After the attunement, my classmate and I practiced on each other, and Deborah showed us basic Reiki treatments.

Reiki II

In June I received my second attunement. The class included myself, another student that I had never met, and Deborah. We were given the second attunement, and then were taught three symbols. The first symbol is a Power symbol, the second is a Mental/Emotional symbol, and the third is a symbol for Distance healing! I was very excited to learn the distance healing, because sometimes you are not able to physically be with the person who needs the energy.

We were instructed to bring pictures of someone who might be in need of Reiki healing. I brought a picture of my boyfriend, Oscar (my hedgehog), my brother, and father. After shuffling the pictures, we each chose a picture of someone we did not know. We were given a name of that person and nothing else, then we sent that person Reiki. I cannot disclose the personal information of that person, or the reading I received from them, but I can say that I felt a profound connection! After the distance healing, the other student and I practiced different Reiki techniques on each other with symbols.

Where I Am Headed

I recently contacted Deborah about continuing my Reiki education, and becoming a Master-Practitioner (Reiki III).

Because I am going into a practice (acupuncture) that is an energy based medicine, Reiki seemed like a natural thing for me to learn. I feel called to it. I believe that expanding my knowledge in all different modalities, especially different types of energy work, will only help me become a better practitioner and person.