Reiki (pronounced Ray-key) is a Japanese word meaning

Universal Life Energy, an energy which is all around us.

Reiki is a form of natural, energy healing.  It is not reliant on any particular belief system: anyone can receive this lovely form of healing.  Clients usually lie down on a couch, and the reiki practitioner's hands may be laid on the body, or just above it, to allow the healing energy to flow.  Healing at a distance is also possible, and is useful for people who cannot get to a practitioner.

Reiki was created in Japan by Dr Mikao Usui, through a mixture of ancient wisdom, research and meditation.

There is no need to remove clothing, Reiki energy passes through anything, even plaster casts!  A full treatment (and case history, if appropriate) usually takes about an hour with each hand position held for several minutes. Treatment may also include other methods of reiki healing and rebalancing, such as chakra work using crystals.

Reiki may heal at all levels: physical, psychological, emotional , social or spiritual. It can be given alongside any other form of treatment, whether NHS-based or complementary in nature.

What about long-term illnesses and disabilities? The Reiki Association has an extremely useful and informative site, where it makes the following comment.

"Acute injuries can be helped to heal very quickly but more chronic illness takes longer. In some cases such as terminal illness, there is not enough time for the progress of the disease to be reversed. However, in such cases there is usually great benefit and enhancement of the quality of life giving a sense of peace and acceptance during the time remaining."

 What is it like to recieve Reiki?

Reiki evolution website is a great for further information, click on their logo:

This is just some of the information that you will find there:

"Receiving Reiki is a very simple process, but usually produces quite profound effects. The session begins by lying down on a treatment couch, fully clothed, closing your eyes and listening to gentle, soothing music, which helps to produce a state of deep relaxation. Then the Reiki practitioner will gently rest their hands upon you, non-intrusively, in a series of positions from the crown of the head to the feet.

Each hand position is held for a few minutes, and during this time healing energy will flow into you, balancing your energy system, releasing stress, soothing pain, and promoting your body’s natural ability to heal itself. As the energy flows, most people will feel warmth, or heat, or tingling from the Practitioner's hands. It is usually a very relaxing experience: some people fall asleep. Other sensations may include seeing coloured lights or feeling as if you are floating. Sometimes people have an emotional release, as emotional turmoil is brought to the surface and dissipated.

While Reiki is very effective, it is not a miracle cure, and the effects of Reiki treatments build up cumulatively. To experience the full benefit of Reiki we would recommend four to six full healing sessions. In our experience, this number of sessions are usually enough to sort out stress, tension, anxiety, sleeplessness and emotional problems; physical stuff can take a little longer, but not always. Reiki generally produces long-term beneficial changes, so you do not need to keep coming back for endless Reiki sessions. However, once you have felt how wonderful it feels, you may want to keep coming back and back!

No matter what your particular complaint, the general effect of Reiki treatments seems to be to make you feel more laid back, more calm, less stressed and more able to cope. It seems to boost energy levels, raise spirits, and make you feel more positive about things. Stressful situations seem to wash over you.

Reiki brings things back into balance."

I offer sessions that usually last about an hour.  I may also offer to bring reiki into other types of healing that you might be having from me. Likewise, if you come for reiki, I may offer other healing modes as part of the session should I feel it relevant.  The choice will always be yours.  Besides the standard hand-on treatment, the session may also comprise crystal and other reiki work, you will be kept informed, and in control, at all times.

I normally offer the peace and quiet of silence during a treatment.  However, if you feel that you would relax more easily with gentle music in the background, please let me know beforehand.  You may even have a favourite tape or  DVD you'd like to bring along.