Reiki (ray-key) is a multi-faceted spiritual energy that can be used to help us with meditation practices, spiritual growth, healing relationships, manifestation of goals, and activating the Divine healing power within all living beings. Reiki is a tool to help us develop “wellness consciousness” and also to understand, on an experiential level, what it truly means to be “One with all Creation”.

Mikao Usui, the founder of what we know to be Usui Reiki, was born August 15, 1865. One day he went to Mount Kurama, a sacred mountain in Japan, on a 21 day retreat to fast and meditate. At the end of this period he suddenly felt the great Reiki energy at the top of his head, which led to the Reiki healing system. He first used Reiki on himself, then tried it on his family. Since it worked well for various ailments, he decided to share this knowledge with the public at large. He opened a clinic in Harajuku, Aoyama, Tokyo in April of the 11th year of the Taisho period (1922). He not only gave treatment to countless patients, some of whom had come from far and wide, but he also hosted workshops to spread his knowledge. In September of the twelfth year of the Taisho period (1923), the devastating Kanto earthquake shook Tokyo. Thousands were killed, injured, or became sick in its aftermath. Dr. Usui grieved for his people, but he also took Reiki to the devastated city and used its healing powers on the surviving victims. His clinic soon became too small to handle the throng of patients, so in February of the 14th year of the Taisho period (1925), he built a new one outside Tokyo in Nakano. Everything in our Universe is energy. There are many forms of healing energy and Reiki is one of many healing rays. Reiki is unique in that it is truly guided by the Divine heart and the Divine mind. This energy is infinitely wise and knows precisely what we need to relax, release stress, and activate the healing power within. All forms of healing whether traditional, complementary or alternative have an impact on the human subtle energy system. Each method also carries a unique vibrational frequency and consequently will create different effects. A beautiful characteristic of Reiki is that it has the ability to harmonize energies that may normally be incompatible and can create the best possible outcome. Therefore Reiki enhances anything we do. Many people are practicing techniques to improve their health such as meditation, exercise and improved diet.

As this is done, a deeper awareness often develops concerning the flow of subtle energies in and around the body and the connectionbetween these subtle energies and one's health. This developing awareness validates the ancient idea that strong life force energy contributes to good health. Conversely a diminished supply of life force energy can contribute to illness. The existence of life force energy, and the necessity for it to flow freely in and around one's body to maintain health, has been studied and acknowledged by health care practitioners and scientists. Our body is composed not only of physical elements such as muscles, bones, nerves, arteries, organs, glands, etc.; it also has a subtle energy system through which life force energy flows. This subtle energy system is composed of energy 'bodies' which surround our physical body and assist us in processing our thoughts and emotions. The energy bodies have energy centers called chakras, which work somewhat like valves that allow life force to circulate through the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies. We also have energy meridians and nadas. These are like rivers, or streams, which carry our life force energy throughout our physical body, to nourish us and assist in balancing our body’s systems and functions. Our physical body is alive because of the 'life force energy' that is flowing through it. If our life force is low or blocked, we are more likely to become ill, but if it is high and free flowing, we more easily maintain health and a feeling of well-being. One thing that disrupts and weakens the flow of life force energy is stress. Stress is often caused by conflicting thoughts and feelings that become lodged in one's subtle energy system. These include fear, worry, doubt, anger, anxiety, etc. Medical research has determined that continual stress can block the body's natural ability to repair, regenerate and protect itself. The American Institute of Stress estimates that 75%-95% of all visits to doctors are the results of reaction to stress. The effects of unreleased stress range from minor aches to major health concerns, such as heart disease, digestive disorders, respiratory and skin problems. Stress can also activate our fears and cause our life force energy to diminish. When this happens we weaken our ability to respond to fear appropriately and to transform it. Reiki is a technique that aids the body in releasing stress and tension by creating deep relaxation. Because of this, Reiki promotes healing and health. The Reiki system is comprised of techniques for transmitting this subtle energy to yourself and others through the hands, eyes or chakras into the human subtle energy system. Reiki restores energy balance and vitality by relieving the physical and emotional effects of unreleased stress. It gently and effectively opens blocked meridians, nadas and chakras, and clears the energy bodies, leaving one feeling relaxed and at peace. Reiki is truly “Limitless Love”. There is nothing that Divine Love cannot heal, and Reiki is a form of Divine Love that can be learned by anyone and used to help themselves, others and the planet.

A treatment feels like warm, gentle sunshine, which flows through you, surrounds you and brings comfort. Reiki treats the person’s body, emotions, mind and spirit as a whole. Reiki is powerful, yet wonderfully gentle and nurturing. During a treatment, the recipient remains fully clothed. Reiki supports any medical, or supplemental healing methods a client may be using and is of growing interest to chiropractors, medical doctors, physiotherapists, psychotherapists, psychologists and hypnotherapists. Anyone can learn to tap into an unlimited supply of 'life force energy' to improve health and enhance the quality of life by learning Reiki, or by receiving treatments from a Reiki Practitioner or Master.