A practitioner performing a Reiki technique on a patient while also combining Reiki with other holistic practices
Article written by Tanya Douglas
Holistic practices aim to improve one's physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being by treating the whole person instead of just the symptoms of a specific illness or ailment. In recent years, Reiki, in particular, has begun gaining recognition. This Japanese healing technique has shown to be an excellent complementary therapy. That means that while great results can be achieved by implementing it alone, combining Reiki with other holistic practices has proven to amplify the benefits of both drastically. For that reason, holistic practitioners around the world are encouraged to combine several techniques alongside Reiki. But what practices work best when used in correlation with this ancient approach? Luckily, this article will explore a couple of them and see how they might be used together for maximum healing.
Understanding Reiki
Before we understand how Reiki can be combined with other techniques, let us first define what it actually is. Reiki is based on the idea that a universal life force energy connects all living things. This energy is said to be what animates and sustains us. The belief is also that, should this energy get disrupted or blocked, that's when physical, emotional, and mental problems arise.
Moving, for instance, can be a major disruptor of such energy, causing mountains of stress in the process. And while managing anxiety during moving it isn't the easiest thing to do, luckily, there are ways to make it stress-free. You can recuperate from the adverse effects of the relocation by practicing mindfulness, doing something you love, or simply engaging in a Reiki session.
That begs the question of what does a Reiki session look like? In general, during a session, a practitioner will place their hands on or near the patient's body, moving them in different directions to channel the energy into all bodily parts. The idea is that, then, the energy will flow to where it is needed most, thus promoting healing and restoring balance.
But how does Reiki differ from Western massages? Well, as opposed to them, Reiki is a non-invasive therapy that includes little to no physical contact. Furthermore, it is typically done with the patient fully clothed. As far as symptoms that people might feel due to undergoing it go, some report experiencing warm and/or tingling sensations. Others, however, feel utterly relaxed, while some describe feeling highly emotional or experiencing vivid dreams after a session.
Combining Reiki with Meditation
It's common to combine the therapeutic characteristics of meditation and Reiki for a more profound healing effect. With Reiki, the practitioner channels universal life force energy to aid in healing, whereas, in meditation, the practitioner learns to still the mind and heighten consciousness. Reiki and meditation are mutually beneficial techniques, meaning their effects can be enhanced when used together.
Reiki, in combination with meditation, can bring relaxation to another level and promote mental clarity. During a Reiki meditation session, a practitioner will typically guide the patient through certain visualization and/or breathing exercises to help them achieve a meditative state. This, in turn, helps the patient become more receptive to the positive energy and allows it to flow more freely, thus resulting in more remarkable healing.
Using a guided meditation audio recording is one way to integrate Reiki and meditation. While the Reiki practitioner does the treatment, the patient can listen to the recording that will help them meditate. As a result, they will find themselves immersed in a profoundly restorative, stress-reducing experience.
Combining Reiki with Aromatherapy
The therapeutic use of essential oils, known as aromatherapy, has benefitted mental and physiological health. Combining Reiki with other holistic practices, such as aromatherapy, allows the patient to feel calm and at ease during the healing process.
There are multiple ways in which essential oil can be utilized during a Reiki session. For instance, one can put a few drops in a diffuser or burner to fill a room with a pleasant, relaxing scent. As an alternative, diluting essential oils in a carrier oil is possible and then applying them directly to the skin.
Some of the popular choices, essential oil-wise, include lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus. Lavender is notorious for its calming properties, while peppermint and eucalyptus help clear the mind and promote mental clarity.
Combining Reiki with Yoga
Yoga is a discipline that aims to improve one's health on all fronts via the coordinated use of specific physical postures, breathing exercises, and meditation. Its soothing effects, stress-relieving capabilities, and ability to stimulate the body's natural healing mechanisms make it an ideal complement to Reiki.
Reiki may be integrated into the asanas (postures) themselves or used to facilitate relaxation during the meditative and respiratory practices of a yoga session.
To include Reiki into your yoga practice, you can use a mat that has already been infused with Reiki energy. The Reiki energy embedded into it is meant to facilitate a more balanced flow of Chi throughout the body as you practice yoga. During savasana, the ultimate resting pose in yoga, the practitioner can also employ Reiki to help the patient unwind.
Combining Reiki with Crystal Healing
In crystal healing, crystals and gemstones are used to improve one's mental, emotional, and even spiritual health. Combining Reiki with other holistic practices, crystal healing being one of them, can boost the effectiveness of both by increasing energy flow and, ultimately, restoring chakra balance.
Reiki crystal healing and Chakra Balancing involves the practitioner placing crystals on or around the patient's body. This is done to promote energy flow. Alternatively, a therapist can infuse the stones with Reiki energy, thus enhancing the healing properties of crystals.
Crystals that are commonly used during such a session include amethyst, clear and rose quartz. Amethyst is known for its stress-relieving properties, whereas clear quartz has been shown to amplify other crystals' energy. As far as rose quartz is concerned, it promotes emotional healing and balances the heart chakra.
Combining Reiki with Massage Therapy
While combining Reiki with other holistic practices is exceptionally beneficial, combining it with traditional, Western approaches has shown great results, too. Massage therapy, in particular, can be used in correlation with Reiki to relieve built-up tension in the body.
Speaking of massage therapy, it is a practice that involves muscle and soft tissue manipulation to reduce pain and improve physical function.
Those undergoing medical treatment or having surgery and recuperating from surgery might utilize Medical Reiki as a supplemental therapy for before, during or after surgery. The joint use of the two has proven to hasten recovery.
If you want to combine massage and Reiki, remember that not all massage therapists have received Reiki training, so you'll need to find one that has. As a bonus, certain massage therapists may provide Reiki massage or Reiki-infused Swedish massage.
Conclusion
While this Japanese technique alone is an excellent form of therapy, combining Reiki with other holistic practices is how you will get the best of both worlds. Of course, before booking a session, ensure that the practitioner you are entrusting your body has adequate knowledge and training. Only that way can you reap Reiki's full benefits, which we know are numerous.
Thanks once again Tanya for the great information! Please share this article if you know someone who could benefit from it!
Love & Light to all!