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What is Reiki?

The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese words: “rei” and “ki“. Translating Japanese into English is very difficult, especially if we are seeking a definition from a more spiritual context. In this case, Rei can be defined as the Higher Intelligence that guides the creation and functioning of the universe, both animate and inanimate things. It is available to help us in times of need and to act as a source of guidance in our lives. Ki is the non-physical energy that animates and flows in all living things, including plants, animals and humans. When a person’s Ki is high, they will feel strong, confident, and ready to enjoy life and take on it’s challenges. When it is low, they will feel weak and are more likely to get sick. We receive Ki from the environment and everything around us, like the air, light, etc.

So, Reiki can be defined as a non-physical healing technique made of life force energy that is guided by the Higher Intelligence. The source of health comes from the Ki that flows through and around the individual, rather than from the functional condition of organs and tissues. Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvment that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and psychological issue and always creates a beneficial effect, such as a deep relaxation. It also works with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

To administer Reiki, a practitioner channels life force energy through his or her hands unto another. The spiritual guidance enables the Reiki to flow through the affected parts of the subject’s energy field and charges them with positive energy. It raises awareness in and around the physical body where negative thoughts and feelings are contained. This causes the negative energy, such as stress, anxiety, physical pain, sadness, confusion, etc. to loosen its grip, allowing the touch of the Reiki healer to swoop in and clarify the energy pathways. A treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. This healing technique cannot be guided by the mind, therefore it is not limited by the experience or ability of the practitioner. Neither can it be misused as it always creates a healing effect, the worst it can do is nothing.

Reiki is different from almost all other healing modalities. It’s actually transferred to each student from a Reiki master during what is called an “attunement” process. This process opens the crown, heart, and palm chakras and creates a unique connection between the student and the teacher. Once you have received a Reiki attunement, you will have Reiki for the remainder of your life. It does not “wear off” and you can never lose it.

There are actually three or four levels of Reiki, depending on your teacher, for which one must be attuned before becoming a master:

  • Reiki Level 1: it is all about learning the history of Reiki, proper hand placements, the basics of how to use Reiki on others, and the practice of self-Reiki. This encourages students to use the technique on themselves in order to work through personal hardships.
  • Reiki Level 2: it is often defined by a focus on practicing Reiki on others, as well as an expanded opening of the energy channels. Additionally students receive the Reiki symbols and Level 2 attunement. The Reiki symbols allow the practitioner to connect more deeply to the universal energy, as well as draw on the qualities that the symbols represent. This includes the ability to provide distance in space and time treatments.
  • Reiki Level 3/Master: in many courses the Third Degree and Reiki Master are the same designation, because it is traditionally considered the teacher’s level.

Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use it. Infact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not.  Many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it, but that is only up to you and your beliefs.

Most agree that Reiki has its origins back to the late 19th or early 20th centuries and the teachings of a Japanese monk named Mikao Usui. He had “rediscovered” this ancient concept of an inexhaustible energy source that can be harnessed for healing. Through attunements, a Reiki master (Usui was the first) can teach others to master this healing power as well. In 1937, a Japanese-American named Hawayo Takata brought the practice of Reiki to the West when she returned to her native Hawaii.

The secret art of inviting happiness,
The miraculous medicine of all diseases.
Just for today, do not anger,
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude.
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth.
Usui Mikao, Reiki: Treatment for the improvement of body and mind

The Healing Technique of Hand Reflexology

Every single part of the human body is connected through the nerves through feet, hands and ears“. This is what the ancient healing technique of reflexology believes.

According to this principle, the different organs in the body have nerve endings that culminate in the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet. These nerve endings and their associated organs have been identified by reflexologists and divided into various zones or pressure points. Any disfunction or blockage in the organs causes pain in the associated pressure point and when this one is stimulated, the blockage is removed and the organ returns to its proper function.

If you would like to compare, the prime difference between the hand reflexology and foot reflexology is that the first one uses the key points in the hands, instead of the feet, for stimulating the nerve to relieve tension, stress and imbalances of various connected parts/organs. Hands are also more flexible and the reflexes are much deeper beneath the skin as compared to the feet where the reflexes lie close to the skin surface. This means that one needs to reach deeper and hold for a longer time period in hand reflexology to stimulate a point in the hand as compared to the feet reflexology, where the effect in much efficient and quick.

Nowadays our hands are perhaps the most active parts of the human body, as most of our daily activities involve the use of the hands in a more sedentary lifestyle. It is no wonder that most people’s hands and bodies are in such agony! Hand reflexology is actually a natural form of alternative massage therapy that targets the key body zones of your body right from the palm of your hands. There are people who get instant relief from various conditions by doing this and even more who get gradual benefits only by doing it daily.

Studies conducted to measure the efficacy of this olistic massage have shown that it is beneficial for the whole body circulation and heart and produces the same positive effects on the brain as meditation. Plus, reflexology can help you to beat stress. It is also used to treat diseases and conditions such as constipation, headaches (migraine or sinus induced), and asthma.

Hand reflexology is a popular and easy self-massage technique. A simple massage takes only about ten minutes and it does not require any special oil or lotion, unless you want it, but only thumb, finger, and hand massage movements. One should be familiar with a hand chart, which is a graphic display of how each part of the body is represented in both hands. Using this chart as a guide, you can focus the massage on specific problem areas.

hand-small-reflexology

By following a series of simple steps, an easy hand reflexology self-treatment can be performed. You should follow these steps first on the right hand, followed by the left.

  1. Sit in a comfortable chair in a quiet room, use relaxing music, pillows, incense or candles as you wish. Enter a state of relaxation using a bit of your favorite oil hands, if you like.
  2. Rub the cream on your hands for several minutes until completely absorbed. This will relax your hands and increase flexibility in preparation for applying reflexology. Be sure not to use a cream or oil greasy your hands are not slippery.
  3. Close your eyes and focus on any area of your body where you feel an uncomfortable pain. Sometimes you just feel as if some part of your body feel misaligned.
  4. Consult a hand reflexology map to identify the points of reflection in your hands that correspond to the parts of your body you want to work.
  5. Firmly press the reflex point you need to stimulate. You can gradually increase the pressure to make sure you’re “activating” the reflex, but loose a little if you feel some pain.
  6. Hold the pressure for 30 seconds and release. Wait a few seconds and repeat. You can press either 30 seconds or you can press and release the point of a pulsed for 30 seconds.
  7. Use your thumb to apply light pressure technique pressure if you are uncomfortable. To do this, use a circular motion over the same point of reflection for about 5 seconds, then rotates in a circular in the opposite direction for 5 seconds. Repeated several times for each point of reflection.
  8. Reflexology applies to all areas in both hands, but lend him more attention on problem areas.
  9. When you’ve finished your reflexology session sit quietly for at least 10 minutes. If possible, lie down and rest well for half an hour.
  10. Drink several glasses of water after applying reflexology. Water will help to drain the toxins released from your organs and muscles during the session.

 

 

 

Picture taken from: http://www.massageiraniyan.ir/fa/galleryfa/the-pictures/category/1-anatomy

UPDATE

Dear Abundy's supporters and friends, It is with sadness that I have to announce the temporarily closure of Abundy Studio due to unexpected circumstances. During this time you can stay tuned and read the Abundy blog, but all the treatments will be suspended until further notice. Hopefully we won't stay close for long! Thank you for your understanding and support. With Love and Gratitude.