Energy Flows Where Attention Goes

If you've ever wondered, "WTF is 'energy work'," or "What is Reiki," then this is the blog for you. I'm going to break down what I personally do, as an Usui Reiki Master/Energy Worker, the historical origin of the practice, and 7 reasons why this kind of healing is something you should try. I'm not sitting here to say Reiki is for everyone (even though I really do think it is lol) - trust me, I'm not looking to defend my practices to non-believers. But if you're someone who already knows and acknowledges the presence of your energetic body, then you'll easily understand that Reiki is simply another way to move, mend, and manipulate energy. We move, mend, manipulate, injure, and block energy all the time, through all kinds of things, whether we acknowledge it or not: spoken word, dancing, exercise, sexual activity, fighting, singing, and what we consume. That last one is a BIGGIE: foods, drinks, drugs, entertainment, media, etc., the list goes on and on. It all has an affect on our energy.

Energy work, to me, is classified as any kind of embodiment work that promotes someone's overall energetic health. In my opinion this includes, but is not limited to: Reiki masters, massage therapists, talk therapists, life coaches, chiropractors, yoga teachers, pranayama facilitators, and more. All of these practices can help us clear, cleanse, or open up our energy to bring it to a more healthy space. I dabble in several of these fields, but today we're going to talk specifically about Reiki.

Reiki is not a new thing, it is an ancient Japanese practice that is well over 100 years old, and has grown significantly since then. You may find there are practitioners (of anything and everything, really) who seem to skip over the historical and cultural elements of whatever is it they do, but I'm not one of those people, so let's dive in. Reiki translates to mean "Universal Life," or "Soul" (Rei) "Energy" (ki). I personally say that Reiki is "life force energy in motion." This practice is the channeling and directing of source energy (something we all have access and connection to) through the body. Where it's directed, and in what manner, will be specific to and figured out by, the master/practitioner who has spent hours upon hours practicing and feeling this energy. The practice itself was established by Dr. Mikao Usui who was born to a Buddhist family in 1865, and opened his first Reiki Clinic and school in 1922. Read more about him here: https://iarp.org/history-of-reiki/

A Reiki session is called an "attunement," and it can be thought about like someone tuning the strings (chakras) of your guitar (body). There are seven main energy centers of the body (chakras) and those are primarily where Reiki healing is channeled, but it can also be directed toward physical injuries. Each chakra is related to certain aspects of our physical, mental, and spiritual health, so for example, if someone is having a lot of gut or digestive issues and/or has a lack of self-confidence or a hard time with decision making (or struggles with control issues), Reiki should probably be channeled to the solar plexus chakra. Over time, we experience stress, trauma, pain, anger, etc., and our bodies hold onto that. Even if you have not experienced a large physical injury that needs healing, or a big emotional trauma, there are likely some blockages in your energetic body, simply from living life. Reiki is the tune-up to clear those things out.

Below are 7 reasons every person could use a Reiki Attunement:

1. Energy becomes stagnant over time

It doesn't matter who you are, what you do, or how you live: over time our energy becomes stagnant. We can think of this like a "build up," or a "piling," of all our old feelings, thoughts, and even actions. Especially if you've never had a Reiki attunement, or don't participate in any energy work, it's likely that you may not even realize all the energy that is dormant in your body. We want our energy to flow freely through our vessel, so we're able to release feelings that don't serve us, and face life with an ever-fresh perspective.

2. Reiki opens and clears energetic blockages

Reiki Masters are able to quickly identify where these stagnant areas, or energetic blockages, are in your body. We typically start by "scanning" the body with hovering hands, to get a feel for what's going on (there will likely also be an open conversation about what's happening in your life and body). Once we've identified areas that need healing, we channel source energy into and around the needed locations. There are many different symbols, chants, and motions the Master will use to deliver and move energy. Some Reiki Masters use an entirely hands-off approach, and others will use touch, it's important to discuss what you're comfortable with, with your practitioner.

3. Trauma (even years old) can linger in the body if it's not intentionally released

We have all experienced trauma, whether we admit it or not. Some is "Big T" trauma (physical abuse, sexual abuse, injuries, etc.) and some is "little t" trauma (childhood bullying, not having emotional needs always met, etc), but nonetheless we all have some, and it is stored in our body. A great book to further understand this concept is "The Body Keeps the Score," by Bessel van der Kolk M.D. Reiki is a great way to tune into and listen to our body and release the trauma that has been stored over time. Many people will experience an emotional release (crying, shaking, even screaming) during or after their session, and some even experience more physical releases, like purging.

4. It can speed up the physical healing process

When Reiki is applied to a physical injury (like broken bones, chronic pain, or illnesses) it can speed up the recovery process. A specific example I have here is with my friend Cameron, who pretty severely broke his leg, and decided to do a Reiki session, in conjunction with his physical therapy and other medicinal healing. He said, "About ten minutes in I felt a new sensation in the ankle of my broken leg. It was something completely different than anything I’ve had. It wasn’t nerve, muscle, or bone pain. Malana hadn’t touched me at all either. The only way I can explain it is as energy moving. My leg wasn’t feeling anything after that, which was pretty amazing. As it went on, I felt more of that feeling moving up my leg. Eventually I reached a zen moment of relaxation. It also is worth noting that after the session one part of my knee that was previously numb to feeling started feeling again." Reiki is not a "cure-all" but it certainly assists in an over-all healing process.

5. Your master is holding a safe, sacred, space for healing/releasing (judgement free zone)

At least they should be. I can't speak for every practitioner, but when someone enters my space (or I enter theirs) to receive Reiki, it goes without saying that it is a judgement free zone. Clients are free to express any and every emotion without fear. Often times healing comes with deep acknowledgement of darkness and our personal shadows, and that can be ugly. It is always my intention to hold space for those shadows to be revealed and honored without shame or guilt. We must feel it to heal it.

6. It can be relaxing and meditative (during and after the attunement)

I say "can be" because the experience is different for every person, but almost always, people say they feel relaxed and comforted during and after their session. It's quite a meditative process; personally, I play frequency music that resonates with each chakra during the attunement, use essential oils to bring an added layer of sensory experience, and provide a weighted eye mask which helps bring the client into a state of zen. Generally, people leave feeling "lighter" and more calm than when they arrived.

7. You will develop a stronger mind-body connection, and even strengthen intuition

This is perhaps my favorite part about Reiki; it helps us develop a stronger mind-body connection because we are taking time to intentionally listen to the intuitive wisdom our body has to share with us. Many people are pretty disconnected from their body, and/or their intuition (likely because of trauma, or fight/flight responses). Yes, this practice is led by a Master, but the truth is, we all have connection to this energy, and the more we tap in, the easier it becomes to recognize the language of energy, and become able to manipulate it, or self-heal. Most good practitioners will led from a space of teaching, meaning: they will educate you about the chakras, and what they felt in your body, as well as what you can do on your own to grow your own practice.

If you have questions or are curious about this healing modality, please feel free to reach out to me to chat, or schedule a session.

Your growth and peace are within reach.