What is Reiki?

Pronounced ‘Ray-key’, Reiki is a holistic Japanese energy balancing method that is used by hundreds of thousands of people all over the world. It is most well known as a type of hands-on treatment technique and many people have regular Reiki treatments. Beneficial changes can take place over a fairly short space of time.

Reiki was introduced by Dr Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1900’s and is now practised worldwide as a natural method of bringing balance to the body, mind, and spirit. The word ‘reiki’ describes the flow of energy or the animating life-force operating within and around the body.

Why choose Reiki?

Reiki can provide comfort and support during a variety of challenging personal circumstances.

Reiki can produce deep relaxation, reduced stress and anxiety, boosted energy levels, feelings of inner calm, contentment and serenity, a speeding up of the natural healing process.

Reiki can also help you to feel more positive, confident and better able to cope, deal better with stressful people and difficult situations, develop a strong sense of purpose and clear thinking, remove some of the ‘clutter’ from your life, enjoy a better quality of life.

If you are currently experiencing ill-health, stress, anxiety, pain, sleeping difficulties, or low energy levels a series of Reiki sessions can provide an opportunity to rest, relax and rebalance your body, mind and spirit.

There are no known medical contra-indications to receiving Reiki as either a stand-alone therapy or in conjunction with mainstream medical interventions or other complementary approaches. For example, many centres for conventional palliative care now offer Reiki to patients and their families, over difficult times.

Reiki may be given and received without physical contact for clients who feel uncomfortable with this approach, or whose medical condition makes physical touch painful or impractical.

What happens during a treatment?

Receiving a treatment is a simple process. The recipient remains clothed throughout the session and usually lies on a treatment table, but where it is more comfortable or convenient, Reiki may be received while seated on a chair. The practitioner will gently lay their hands on the body in a series of hand positions on the head, torso and legs, sometimes letting the hands hover over the body rather than touching directly.

As with all approaches at Ilkley Complementary Therapies, client confidentiality and comfort are a priority and will be discussed with you during your initial consultation

Your therapist will assist you in making yourself feel as comfortable as possible and will provide restful background music and comfort aids to help you relax during the session. You are also welcome bring your own comfort aids and relaxation music if you prefer.

During the session your therapist will gently place and hold their hands on or near specific areas on your body in a sequence of hand positions.

Clients respond differently to Reiki treatments and no two sessions are alike. There is no right or wrong way to respond. Each person takes what their body needs from the session. Common experiences include feelings of tingling or warmth, and heaviness or lightness in the body. Clients usually find receiving Reiki to be a deeply calming and relaxing experience.

What is Reiki good for ?

A series of Reiki treatments can provide support physical, emotional and spiritual support during periods of ill-health and other challenging personal circumstances including bereavement and loss, life stage transitions, periods of upheaval and change.

What is the cost?

Individual sessions: 1 hour session to include 45 minutes ‘hands-on’ time- £45

A series of three sessions may be booked and paid for in advance for £120.

A series of three consecutive treatments is recommended for help with a specific health issue or concern.

Individual treatments can be useful as a ‘top up’ session, a one- off self- care treatment or as a ‘relaxation and restoration’ aid to counterbalance the stresses and strains of everyday life.