What is Reiki?

How does an animal Reiki session work?

What are the benefits of an animal Reiki session?

Reiki reading list

Animal Reiki workshop description

Register for an Animal Reiki workshop

Schedule a Reiki appointment

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle, hands-on, Japanese healing practice and system. It is similar to Healing Touch or laying on of hands. It is not massage. Human Reiki is done with all of your clothes on. Reiki is a very gentle energy that you must experience to fully understand. Some people feel heat or warmth, slight tingling or even coolness coming from the practitioner's hands. Reiki rebalances your energy so your immune system can kick in and you can heal yourself.

The name Reiki, pronounced "ray-key", comes from the Japanese syllables, "rei" meaning spiritual, and "ki" meaning energy. The translation is spiritual energy. Rei represents the source of this energy and ki represents the energy's movement within and around us. Ki is the Japanese term that refers to the life force that connects us to everything and sustains our life breath. Reiki is used at hundreds of American hospitals to speed healing, relieve pain, is used for cancer patients, for both pre and post surgery patients as well as other hospital programs. Reiki works well with allopathic medicine, holistic medicine, massage, and most other modalities.

       Maggie - Reston, VA                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Reiki originated in Japan in the early 1900's. Reiki is a gentle, complete holistic energy healing system that works on all levels of the body: physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. When using Reiki to heal, the practitioner channels healing energy through their hands to the client either directly (hands on the body) or from a distance. It is ideal for use with animals because with Reiki, the animal controls the treatment, accepting Reiki in the ways that are most comfortable for them. Reiki is easy for people to learn and use. Reiki can do no harm, even when used by the beginning practitioner, always goes to the source of the problem and always works for the highest good.

There are 5 elements in the system of Reiki.

1. Attunements or reiju (spiritual blessing)
2. Hand positions (self treatment, hands on healing for others)
3. Precepts (affirmations)
4. Meditations (techniques)
5. Symbols & mantras (level II & level III)

If you have never had a Reiki treatment, you are in for a treat. Treat yourself to an hour of deep relaxation and healing. The client usually meets with the practitioner before the treatment begins to discuss any thing that you might want to focus on during the treatment. Other wise you can just have a general Reiki treatment and relax. The client remains fully clothed and no private parts of the body are ever touched. The treatment can be done seated, but it is best if done on a massage or Reiki table. The client is made as comfortable as possible with pillows under the head and knees (to support the back). A light blanket may be offered in cool climates. The practitioner goes through a set healing process agreed upon prior to beginning the treatment process.

*Recommended reading - Your Reiki Treatment by Bronwen and Frans Stiene. Helpful for both clients and practitioners.

How does an animal Reiki session work?                                                          Minu - California

An animal Reiki session is a bit different from a human Reiki session. Many animals, especially shelter animals, are not comfortable being touched. Unlike massage, the practitioner does not have to touch the animal to offer a Reiki treatment. To begin a session the animal is asked by the practitioner if they would like to have a Reiki session. If they are willing they are told that they can take as much or as little of the energy as they need. The session begins at a distance. The animal is allowed to come closer or stay at a distance. Many times the animal will present the part of its body that needs attention, to the practitioner, insisting that the hands be placed there. A session can last from 10 minutes to over a hour depending on the needs of the individual. An animal will usually let you know when they are finished with the session by waking up, being distracted, wanting to play or walking away.                                                                                                              

Physical

• Reiki works on all chronic and acute illnesses including heart disease, cancer, skin problems, back pain, arthritis, headaches, fatigue, viruses, etc.
• Reiki strengthens the immune system allowing the body to fight off illness easier.
• First Aid - emergency situations (it speeds healing, can help with shock, etc.)

Mental

• your mind becomes calmer
• you relax and no longer feel stressed
• you become 'clearer' in your thinking

Emotional

• helps you sleep and helps if you have insomnia
• can ease depression, lack of confidence, phobias or fear based illnesses, can help with addictions, etc.

Spiritual

• Increases intuition
• you feel more connected to the source of all that is and grounded giving you a balance on all levels.

What are the benefits of a Reiki session for an animal?                                 Puddin - Victor, Idaho

• Reiki works/heals on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels.

• Deepen the bond between human and animal companion.

• Reiki complements both conventional (allopathic) and holistic medicine.

• Reiki can lessen the side effects of medicines and other procedures.

• It can help maintain health on all levels

• Help and support for a dying animal and his humans to ease the transition at the end of life.

• It is very helpful for any animal that has been in a shelter situation.

• Reiki induces deep relaxation and stress-reduction.

• Over time, Reiki can reduce nervousness.

• Reiki can accelerate healing after surgery or illness.

• Can help with behavior issues.                                                                                                    

To learn more about what Reiki is and how it works, see the Reading List under Reading List.

Animal Reiki workshops click here

To register for Animal Reiki workshop click here

To schedule an appointment for a Reiki session for you or your animal companion click here.