Posts Tagged ‘energy medicine’

An Unexpected Exchange

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010


Yesterday at the Animal Reiki Share we had a small group, which provides an opportunity to talk and share more within the group. Those attending were fairly new to energy healing and Reiki, and in the previous shares had been getting their “sea legs” or “Reiki legs” so to speak. Learning what energy felt like, how to connect with animals, and how to share the energy.

During our time with the horses at Luv Shack Horse Rescue, Christina experienced the energy being given back to her as she was sending it. The natural flow of give and take as the horse reciprocated in the energy exchange. Beverly also indicated she was experiencing the same. Is that possible?

Most definitely YES! If you’ve been close to animals yourself, you probably know how healing and giving they can be. They sense when you are down or not feeling well. Often simply spending time with an animal will lift your spirits and make you feel better. Numerous studies have been done reporting the positive effects animals have on depressed or sick people. Therapy animals are successfully used in many different programs in hospitals, psychiatric wards, hospice, and nursing homes just to name a few.

With this in mind, can you imagine the increased awareness of the animals healing energy when sharing Reiki with them?

I frequently hear comments like Christina and Beverly’s from Animal Reiki Share attendees and Reiki students alike. Completely amazed at what they experience when working with the animals. It is commonly said at our Reiki Shares that often we leave having received just as much from the horses as we gave.

This type of experience often changes the way people think of Reiki in regards to animals. It removes doubt, fear that they will not be able to connect with the animal, and uncertainty of not being able to speak or communicate with the animal. Experiences like this instill confidence of what is possible within a Reiki session, expands one’s heart and mind far beyond any limitations we may have placed on Reiki, and helps connect one to the Whole – the world and everything in and surrounding it.

Personally there are many times I’m working with an animal that I feel shifts and changes within me, which I’m certain are affects of the energy being shared by the animal I’m working with. I remember feeling the energy exchange for the first time and having tears of joy stream down my face as I basked in the energy and love of the moment. It’s an experience that changed my Reiki practice forever. It deepened my experience and connection with the animals and helped me remove some very limiting beliefs I had about my Reiki practice.

I’m often asked by people why they aren’t feeling this or how long it will take to experience this type of energy exchange. The only answer I can give is that when you are ready it will happen. This may happen the first time you share energy healing with an animal or it may be a while. (For me it was the later.) Continue practicing with faith, unconditional love, and most of all without placing restrictions on your Reiki practice. Then it will happen.

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Reiki at 112 Degrees

Monday, July 19th, 2010

Let me just start out saying, it’s HOT in Phoenix, AZ!  And believe it or not even at temperatures above 110 degrees, there were some wonderful Reiki practitioners that came out to the monthly Animal Reiki share yesterday to work with the horses at Luv Shack Horse Rescue.  The conditions that met us that day were a good reminder of being prepared for your environment and the importance of being able to stay present and focused when offering a treatment.

As we sat in the shade cooling off we talked about the difficulties of offering Reiki that day.  The temperature, and resulting discomforts
(sweat, blowing dust, hot breeze, sticky flies, etc.) made it difficult to focus for very long on Reiki.  Each of us expressed that we were not at our best, and found it difficult at times to stay grounded and focused in the Reiki.  Our conversation was a good reminder of the importance of being prepared for the environment you are going to be in, as well as knowing when you’re personally not in the frame of mind to offer a Reiki treatment.

Here are a few things to consider when offering Reiki to animals if you will be outside or at a shelter/rescue.

  • Dress appropriately for the weather.
  • Bring plenty of fluids if working in the heat.
  • Take whatever time you need to center and focus your own thoughts and intentions for offering Reiki.  Depending on distractions around you, it may be necessary to do this even during a treatment if you lose your focus.
  • Be honest and compassionate with yourself.  While Reiki works under any circumstance, if you find you are distracted and not able to focus, stop.  Do not push or force yourself.  Forcing Reiki does not work for you or the animal you are working with.
  • Do not endanger your own health.  Extreme heat or cold can quickly take its toll.
  • It may be more appropriate and effective to give several short sessions, rather than push through one long session.
  • If possible find appropriate shelter, etc. that you can move the animal into to offer the treatment.  (Shade, a warm building, protection from wind, shelter from rain/snow, etc.)
  • Be aware of the environmental effects on the animal you are working with.  If they are showing signs of discomfort or distraction you can either find a better space to work in or simply stop the treatment.  If you are overheating or too cold, it’s likely the animal is as well.  And if the animal is not physically well they may be feeling the effects of the environment more than you.  A Reiki Level II distance treatment may be a good option.
  • If there are other animals nearby (i.e., in an open herd or pens/stalls/kennels) distractions from other animals are likely.  In a herd a higher ranking member may come by, resulting in the animal you are working with to become agitated or walk away.  In an open area another animal may become curious and disrupt your treatment.  If the animals are in kennels, pens, or stalls, a nearby animal may disrupt the session.  Simply be prepared for these events and if possible find an area to work where you will avoid these scenarios.  I often have nearby animals gather close and partake of the Reiki all at the same time.  You never know what wonderful experiences await you when working in an open area.

NOTE – A distance treatment is always a good option if you are a Reiki Level II or higher practitioner if the environment is not ideal for offering an in-person treatment.

By being aware of different possibilities you may encounter and preparing for them, you’ll find your Reiki experiences are more rewarding and fulfilling for both you and the animal.

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The Nature of Healing

Monday, June 14th, 2010

I’m often asked, “What are the effects of a Reiki session?”  At the very most basic and beneficial level it promotes relaxation.  Why is relaxation so important?  There are many reasons and we’ll simply focus on the 3 million new red blood cells created each second in our body.

When our bodies are under stress, new cells are created within that stress, and have the potential to be less healthy.  On the other hand, those created while relaxed tend to be healthier.  With the relaxation of Reiki we give a gift of health to ourselves.

“We know that repeated exposure to stress or stress sustained over a long period of time can have damaging results on one’s health and lead to dis-ease (a body not at ease).

When a person is stressed, whether mentally, emotionally or physically, the natural protective stress response releases various chemicals into the blood to activate the fight or flight response.  Those chemicals are designed for a short-term response to help a person “survive” a perceived threat.  If stress continues over a long period of time, these same chemicals can create an unhealthy environment for the cells to live in and can influence their growth or repair in a negative manner, moving them towards disease.

Reiki induces the relaxation response and puts the body in the best condition so it can do what it is designed to do – heal itself.  Relaxation through Reiki promotes the release of health-affirming chemicals, which bathe the cells in a sea of life force energy, promoting normal growth and development.  It is interesting to note that the traditional Reiki hand positions are located over the major glands and organs of the body.  These major glands secrete the hormones that regulate all of our bodily functions.  By placing our hands in these positions, we automatically nourish and help to balance the glands and hormonal system.”*

I hear many wonderful from clients after a session.  Some of the most common in regards to relaxation are:

  • They were amazed they relaxed that deeply
  • Feel more relaxed than after a massage
  • Because they were so relaxed felt they were able to connect with their higher self

During an hour Reiki sessions you have the potential to create 180,000,000 million relaxed red blood cells a minute or approximately 10.8 billion cells in an hour.  And even if you lose count of all these new cells being created, you will leave relaxed and reconnected with yourself.  And who couldn’t benefit from that?  Treat yourself and experience a Reiki session!

*Kathie Lipinski, RN “Reiki Myths and Misconceptions”

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I Heard Fiona Say No

Tuesday, June 8th, 2010


Fiona is a beautiful miniature horse recently taken in by Luv Shack Ranch Horse Rescue. She seemed a bit down as if something was bothering her, so on my regular visit I stopped by to offer her Reiki.

I make it a practice to ask permission of anyone I’m offering Reiki too. I made a connection with Fiona and asked. I didn’t seem to get a response, so asked again. This time I heard “No” in a quiet, timid way. Just to make sure, I shared with her what Reiki was and even offered a distance treatment. Again I heard a soft “No” and this time she turned and walked away. I thanked her for the connection and let her be. This does not happen very often so I found myself reflecting upon the situation, grateful that I had asked before assuming she wanted Reiki.

We easily recognize when a person does not want Reiki, they will speak to us or move away. While animals will do the same, sometimes we aren’t in tune with their response. Here are a few suggestions when working with animals.

  • Animals often have things done to them or forced on them. Reiki should not be one of those things. Allowing the animal freedom of choice will build a trusting partnership for healing.
  • Always ask permission. This can be done verbally, silently within your mind, through a heart connections, or however you wish to connect with the animal.

If they do not wish to participate in a Reiki session there are many signs they may give. You may simply receive through intuition a “No”. Body language is often the first and best indicator that an animal does not want a treatment. Here are just a few physical signs:

• Walking away
• Stomping feet
• Swishing Tail
• Growling
• Signs of irritation
• Pacing

If you receive such signals adjust how you are offering the Reiki (hands-on, hands-off, short distance, further distance, etc.) If the signs persist and you do not feel Reiki flowing simply thank the animal and do not force Reiki upon them.

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One Reiki Students Experience

Sunday, June 6th, 2010

In talking to people about Energy Healing and what it takes to learn Reiki I often hear that people believe it takes years to develop the ability.  And while years of practice at anything does improve your skills, even a beginning student can, and often will, have a profound moment when they feel the energy and see it’s effect on others.

Yesterday in the Reiki I class I taught we learned about the system of Reiki, as well as practicing various techniques, self-treatments, and working with others.  By the end of the day, even those who at first experience ‘nothing’ as we began to practice Reiki had moments where they felt or experience the energy working through them.

Last night I received an email from one of the students in class that day and thought I’d share it with you.

My husband and I pulled up to our house after leaving the Reiki I class this afternoon.  He had asked me questions about what the session was about and had let me know several times he was only interested in what healing he could receive from the Reiki.

Bill’s hand was in intense pain from arthritis and having worked on the Honda all day replacing the compressor.  As we started to go into the house I was thinking to myself, “Let me get set up before I attempt Reiki on him.”  The distress he was in though, gave me second thoughts and I said, “Here, give me your hand.”

Lo and behold as I held his hand and prayed to be used for his healing, and started visualizing the energy, I FELT IT! (the energy, that is) in my hands and lower arms! It was “heavy” and tingly and constant and was there almost immediately.

I held his hand and Reiki flowed on and off for a couple minutes.  He said it felt better when we were done.  I tried to be alert to what other factors were occurring, but honestly it felt good just to be feeling the energy and attempting the practice.”

Reiki opens the door to new possibilities and opportunities in the world around us.  I’m confident in saying that the students in my Reiki I class yesterday have many wonderful opportunities and experiences that await them by simply being open to the gift of healing within.

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Energy Healing – A Gift Within Us All

Friday, May 28th, 2010

When people learn that I am a Reiki practitioner it is common to hear something like “Wow, I wish I could do that.”  I believe we all can.

Energy healing has been done for thousands of years in cultures around the world.  It may likely be one of the oldest forms of what we today call “medicine”.  Merriam-Webster defines medicine as “the science and art dealing with the maintenance of health and the prevention, alleviation, or cure of disease”.  This is also a fitting definition for Reiki, as well as energy healing in general.

Just as we are born with the ability to communicate, we are born with the ability to heal ourselves and the world around us.  True, as young infants communication may be rudimentary, but as our communication skills are refined, we interact with the world in a much more effective way.

Energy healing is a gift we come into this world with.  Modalities such as Reiki are systems that teach one how to use this gift.  We have the ability, we just need to learn to recognize and use it.

As a Reiki Master/Teacher I regularly teach Reiki classes.  Before we begin to learn Reiki I share my belief with students that they each already have the ability.  By taking the class and receiving the attunements (blessings) I am not giving them anything they don’t already have, I’m simply teaching them how to recognize and use this gift.  I then lay on my Reiki table and encourage each student to place their hands on me and share what they experience.  For some there is an instant recognition of the energy and for others it may take a bit longer.  Yet every student I’ve had recognizes this ability within themselves long before the first Reiki attunement is given.

Reiki is a system of personal healing and empowerment.  It is a foundation and structure upon which to experience our own energy, energy in the world around us, as well as learning to direct and use it for the highest and best good.  Inviting it into your life and practicing regularly is life changing.  The only thing needed is an open mind and a willingness to learn.

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