Reiki: check out step by step how the therapy is done

Universal energy working on human energy. This is the meaning of the word Reiki, which is derived from the Japanese words “rei” (Universal energy) and “ki” (vital – human energy).

Shirley Aiko Fonseca, holistic therapist at Instituto Ave Lux, explains that Reiki is an energizing system, through the imposition of hands, which transmits well-being, harmony and balance. “Reiki is not tied to a religion, it is pure divine energy,” she says.

Holistic therapist Shirley adds that those who apply Reiki must be initiated by a master, who will place sacred symbols in their hands, making them “vehicles” for the energy to flow. “The applicator is simply a channeler of energy, at the time of application, he gets 70% of that energy and 30% of it is passed on to the receiver”, she explains.

Eduardo Martins Cardoso Junior, Reiki Master, psychoanalyst and complementary therapist at Merkaba Espaço Cultural e Holístico, summarizes Reiki as a natural healing therapy
which allows the capture and subsequent transmission of universal energy with just the hands.

The History of Reiki

Much information about the origins of history, as well as the knowledge and path taken by Reiki, were lost in time, as they were passed on orally from master to disciple, and with them they went, as Edna T. Rigolon points out, who is a Reiki Master (with Masters in Traditional Reiki and Tibetan Reiki).

But generally speaking, history says that in the late 19th century, Mikao Usui, a Christian priest and scholar of religions, was looking for answers about the healing method used by Jesus and Buddha.

In this way, explains Shirley Fonseca, Usui began a search that lasted ten years. He undertook travel and theological studies and went to Buddhist monasteries and holy sites.

“During this journey, he found manuscripts that contained sacred symbols used by the Buddha for healing. However, the manuscripts were incomplete. One day, Usui decided to do a period of fasting on Mount Kurama (Holy Mountain). After 21 days under this condition, with increased consciousness, the teacher found Enlightenment and thus managed to rescue the method of healing through the hands, initiating Reiki. In April 1922 he created the Usui Shiki Reiki Ryoho School, which still exists today,” says holistic therapist Shirley.

Reiki in Practice

The holistic therapist Shirley Fonseca cites a step by step of Reiki below (from the preparation of the environment to the practice itself):

1. Find a quiet and peaceful place, if possible.
2. For those who are going to receive Reiki, it is recommended not to ingest alcohol, drugs, or red meat, 24 hours in advance. Otherwise, the absorption will not be the same.
3. Those who apply should also not ingest red meat, drugs or alcohol.
4. Preferably it is necessary to clean/purify the environment with incense, aroma or apply Reiki itself.
5. Music is very important for ambiance, the quieter the receiver is, the better its receptivity.
6. The applicator should wash hands well up to the forearm with soap.
7. The receiver can be lying, sitting or even standing.
8. At that moment, he asks the person who is going to receive Reiki to take three deep breaths, and raise the thoughts to places of nature and to have peaceful thoughts.
9. When everything is ready, the applicator also takes a deep breath and concentrates.
10. With his hands in the form of a prayer, he asks the Reiki masters for permission, so that the purest cosmic energy is transmitted through his hands.
11. At that moment the Reiki practitioner imagines a beam of white light coming from the sky and entering through the top of his head, traveling all over the body to the feet and up to the hands.
12. Place your hands with your palms facing the receiver and imagine this light coming out of your hands and going towards the person.
13. This light will be applied to all power input points. They are as follows: crown chakra (top of head), forehead chakra (between the two eyebrows), throat chakra (throat), heart chakra (in front of the heart), solar plexus (a handbreadth below the heart), umbilical chakra ( navel), sexual chakra (a span below the navel), and the base chakra (perineum). There are other points, which are secondary, where it can also be applied. They are: hands, shoulders, ears, knees, feet.
14. It is not necessary to put your hands on the person, Reiki is applied from a distance of 5 to 10 cm.
15. At the same time the practitioner imagines the light, the sacred symbols (received by the Master) are placed.
16. The application time at each point depends on the degree of the Reiki practitioner. It can be 1 minute for advanced degree and up to 5 minutes for beginners.
17. At the end of all the points, the right hand is passed, about 10 cm from the body, from the head to the feet, removing the negative energy that was left in the aura. The action is repeated three times.
18. Finally, the practitioner joins the hands in the form of prayer and thanks the masters, then washes the hands and forearms with soap.

Shirley points out that this is the face-to-face method. “Reiki can also be applied remotely, however, this type can only be performed by those who have a more advanced level of practice (grades II and III). In this case, the therapy is applied through a photograph or on a paper with full name, date of birth and address written in pencil. Reiki can also be applied to the walls of the house, plants, animals, objects,” she adds.

Reiki Principles

The five Reiki principles provoke and stimulate further reflection. Shirley Fonseca highlights which they are:

• Precisely today, let go of annoyances;
• Precisely today, eliminate worries;
• Precisely today, do your work honestly;
• Precisely today, be grateful for the blessings you receive from life;
• Precisely today, love, respect and be kind to all that is alive.

Benefits that Reiki offers

Holistic therapist Shirley Fonseca explains that Reiki works on three levels:

• The first is the physical body (diseases) and the enteric body (sensations);
• The second, the astral (emotional) body, feelings and the mental body, thoughts;
• The third, the spiritual body, reconnects our soul with spiritual peace.

“The benefits go beyond traditional medicine, as they aim not only at healing, but also at physical, mental, emotional and spiritual balance. Reiki allows the alignment of the chakras, reestablishing the field of your aura, increasing vital energy and the subtlety of the bodies”, highlights Shirley.

Edna T. Rigolon reinforces that the benefits and indications are infinite. “The more you practice, the more you receive, and so you become healthier, more balanced, calm and, in this way, you are more likely to clearly observe the possibilities and options that life brings you”, she highlights.

Also according to Edna, the feeling of well-being when applying Reiki to another, to a pet, to a plant, to cooking is indescribable.

Possible reactions and contraindications

Shirley Fonseca highlights as possible reactions to the practice of Reiki:

• Pain in unbalanced regions;
• Headaches (mental resistance);
• Intestinal release;
• Excessive sleep;
• Aversion to some foods (especially red meat) and to cigarettes, alcohol;
• Sensitivity increase.

Holistic therapist Shirley adds that the contraindications of Reiki are as follows:

• Fractures that have not yet been healed;
• Amputation of part of the body, or need for an implant;
• It is not recommended to do it during surgery. It is best to perform before or after the surgical procedure.

Where to study Reiki in Brazil?

Below you can see some examples of places that offer Reiki courses:

Songs for Reiki Practice

Edna Rigolon explains that there are specific CDs for the practice of Reiki, with bells ringing every 3 or 5 minutes, helping the practitioner to change positions at the right time.

Shirley Fonseca adds that, in addition to these specific CDs, tranquil piano, guitar, violin, classical, instrumental, nature sounds and similar music can be used for the practice of Reiki.

Patrícia Pirozzi, body care specialist at Centro de Bem Estar Khora, suggests the songs below:

Eduardo Cardoso cites yet another suggestion:

What is Shamanic Reiki?

Shirley Fonseca explains that Shamanic Reiki is very similar to Usui Reiki in technique and form. “The difference is where the channeled energy comes from. Usui Reiki comes from Reiki masters, and Shamanic, which can also be called Ama Deus, comes from the Tupã Divinity and mother nature,” she highlights.

Eduardo Cardoso reinforces that Shamanic Reiki is also a therapy based on the channeling of universal energy through the imposition of hands (as well as traditional). “The difference is that the shamanic ritual is based on indigenous and tribal experiences, coming from ancient traditions. The aim is to restore the recipient’s vital energy balance,” he adds.

Now you have a complete guide to Reiki! And if you are interested in practicing it, look for a place and a qualified professional in your city to serve you. As you can see, the benefits that the practice offers are many!