June 11, 2007

Fabulous Finds: "Soleful" PurposeNo "Knead" for Reiki

by Bonny Osterhage

As the busy mom of two little boys, I crave pampering and beauty treatments the way an alcoholic craves booze, a junkie craves a hit, a nicotine addict…well, you get the picture. However, I also believe that it must be tangible to be effective. If it’s going to cleanse, it must lather. If it’s going to remove, it must hurt. And, if it’s going to relax, there better be some touching and kneading involved!

That is why I scoffed when a friend suggested I try Reiki, an ancient form of spiritual healing that claims to balance the mind, body and spirit through the flow of energy. Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) originated in Japan and, although it offers some of the same benefits as a massage, there is little to no touching involved. Instead, the energy flows through the hands of the practitioner, balancing the body’s seven chakras, or energy centers, and resulting in a healthier and less stressed individual.

Healthier and less stressed? Hmmm…..

I put myself in the capable hands (so to speak) of a local Reiki Master with more than 18 years experience. She explained that I might see colors, hear music or even see a departed loved one that has “crossed over to the other side.” Okay…that part sounded a bit more frightening than relaxing, but I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and tried to place my skepticism on the back burner. As the practitioner’s hands hovered above my body, I found it hard to believe that she was not actually touching me. (I peeked a few times to make sure!) Her hands radiated warmth and there were sensations of pressure and heat in the areas where she worked. I even saw two vivid purple circles behind my closed eyelids.

Although the experience lasted a mere thirty minutes, I left feeling as relaxed as if I’d had a full-body Swedish massage. It was an incredible experience, made even better by the fact that the departed stayed where they belonged!

My Reiki Master recommended that those new to the procedure begin with three treatments in the first month, in order to give the process a chance and to develop an understanding of how it works. After that, you simply come as you need it. As someone for whom off-balance is the norm, I think “as needed” could become habitual. And while I won’t give up massage completely, I am more open to being less kneady!

To find a Reiki practitioner in your area, an excellent resource is the International Association of Reiki Professionals at www.iarp.org.

Any comments?