REIKI- What's Old is New Again

DO YOU HATE IT when you're feeling sad and someone innately reaches out to hug or touch you? Whether or not you are a touchy-feely person, that touch can help. The person is using his or her instinct of human touch to try to heal you.

IN MY HEART I've always known that there was something natural and complementary that I could do to help my autistic son with anxiety, sensory overload and sleepless nights. Years ago, I became attuned as a Reiki healer in order to help him in these areas. At first, the improvements were gradual and subtle, but with patience and consistent practice, my son has experienced what I call, "a cumulative breakthrough."

WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki is an ancient form of energy medicine (also called healing art). It began in India, was adopted in the Far East and has become increasingly popular in the West. In a Reiki treatment, energy is transferred from one person to the other. It is energizing and relaxing at the same time.

At our core, we are a network of electrical impulses, firing off from the central nervous system (CNS). The electricity is fueled by energy, which has ebbs and flows, depending on environmental stressors. In alignment with the CNS, energy flows in a cycle from the base of the torso to the crown of the head- a system called "Chakras." Chakras have seven main segments that relate to different areas of our physical health and emotions. When energy flows smoothly, we experience ease, comfort and vitality. When energy does not flow smoothly, it becomes blocked and we experience lethargy, disease and distress.



Energy moves about freely from person to person, object to person, and so on. Physical proximity and physical touch results in a more direct transfer of energy. Ever experience a mood lift when in the presence of highly-enthusiastic or loving people? That's energy at work, or what we have come to know as "catching the vibes."

A Reiki practitioner will place his or her hands over each of the seven Chakras, delivering a "zap," of energy, if you will, to the patient. Some patients feel a light buzz of energy, others feel a warm tingle. Others feel nothing, but fall into a deep sleep, and awaken feeling extremely revitalized.

While the use of hands and the Chakra system is customary, it isn't always necessary. As mentioned earlier energy moves freely about, whether or not we are intending to give or receive it. Hands, however, have exponential number of nerve endings, which make for superior energy conductors. Also, the human body is covered with "meridians," also known as "pressure points," that are directly tied to the CNS. A touch to the finger tips sends messages to relieve sinuses. A touch to the forehead sends messages to clear emotional stress. However, the chakra system is a more direct line to those same points, making the hands/Chakra method most effective.

FIVE WAYS REIKI HAS HELPED OUR AUTISTIC SON

I'm always ticked to pieces when my son and I share an ever-fleeting bonding moment. By the end of the session, he feels good and thinks I'm Queen Mother. So, that's "way" number one.
Here are "Ways" two through five:
2. Decreased anxiety. Heart rate slows significantly after a ten minute treatment
3. Deep relaxation. Helps to settle down and decompress before bedtime.
4. Increased energy. Reiki practitioners can "move" energy with hand movements and positions that bring about an "increase" and awakening.
5. Improved visual perception. This photo shows Justin's attempt at drawing the model before and after a brief Reiki treatment. <

Whether you hug someone, shake their hand or use Reiki, human touch has the undoubted power to heal.

Read more about Reiki in the book, "Essential Reiki," by Diane Stein

CHAKRA IMAGE FROM Malay Martial Arts Silat