Reiki and Indigo Energetics

As I work more and more with energy healing, I realize that I, like everyone, have many types of energy healing within me. I often see the color indigo, and am always drawn to it. Indigo Energetics popped into my head as a way to describe what I do and feel. Below is information about Reiki, as that is the primary healing modality I use for energy work right now. Please let me mknow what you think and if you have any quesions!

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese “hands on” energy work technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes physical and emotional healing. It can be performed by laying hands on the animal, or just offering my palms close to the animal if touching is too intense for them.  It can even be done from any distance.  It allows us to access the ‘life energy’, which is the energy that all living things are made up of and share.  It is unlimited in its uses and availability. Research shows that Reiki probably originated in Tibet thousands of years ago, and was rediscovered by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist in the early 20th century.

Reiki is based on the concept that since humans, animals, and even plants are energy, we can positively effect the health of that energy through strengthening and balancing it. When our energy is in balance, we are healthy, creative and strong. When we are out of balance, we feel sluggish, distracted, and even get sick.  Along with Reiki practices such as Yoga, Tai Chi, and Chi Gong, are all based on the idea of strengthening and balancing Chi/Ki. 

Reiki can be explained by the scientific fact that we are all made up of energy, as explained with Quantum Physics. It is harder to explain in standard scientific terms, however, when you try to understand how it was discovered and why it is so powerful, especially for animals.  We know it works because we see the animal’s (and humans!)  positive response and the healing results, time and time again.  In fact, more and more research is being done in the scientific community to validate the effects of Reiki on healing.  See below for links on the history and science of Reiki and how it is being studied and used in hospitals.

So how do I know it is working? Each practitioner feels Reiki is his/her own way. For me, I feel a tingling and almost tickle in my palms and hands, and it will go all the way up my forearms when it is flowing heavily. Sometimes when the Reiki is "deep" in the animal, I feel as though my arms are immersed in something. When the animal has had enough, they normally move away, and my hands will feel less, or even stop all together. Often I get images or phrases in my head, letting me know I have made the connection with them. I also know it is working as many times the animal will relax and even fall asleep. As a funny side note, for those of you who are cat owners, when they are done, they often make me move instead of them moving away. Gotta love cats!

The word Reiki is composed of two Japanese words - Rei and Ki. 

REI is defined as the higher intelligence that guides the creation and functioning of the universe. It is a subtle wisdom that permeates everything, both animate and inanimate. Some refer to Rei as God (remember Reiki is not a religion, it is a healing art.) 

KI (Chi) is defined as the non-physical, or “life force” energy that animates all living things.

Reiki can then be defined as a ‘non-physical healing energy made up of life force energy that is guided by the Higher Intelligence’, or ‘spiritually guided life force energy’ is a little easier to remember.

Given that Reiki is spiritually guided, it only has positive effects, cannot cause harm, and is independent of the practitioner.  It is even safe for pregnant animals, which most healing options are not, especially mares (massage, chiropractic, herbs, etc.)  In other words, when I give your animal a Reiki treatment, I am just the conduit from which the Reiki flows from the Universe to your pet.  My influence is that I can direct it at a specific spot that I know will benefit (such as a pulled muscle or recovering injury), but ultimately, the animal and Reiki work together to accomplish whatever healing is needed, and leave what is not.

Here are some links that will help you further understand Reiki and Energy Work in general. 

http://www.reiki.org/FAQ/WhatIsReiki.html

http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/research.html#3

http://nccam.nih.gov/health/reiki/

How Does a Reiki Session Work?

Individual Sessions

I will work wherever the animal is, and can be directly with or just close to him/her.  This includes in your home, in a stall at the barn, in a kennel at a Vet’s office or Boarding facility, etc.  Some animals like me to place my hands directly on them, while others just want me close by.  Some will start out far away from me and then move closer to me as they realize what it is and that it will relax and help to heal them.  I will attempt to direct the Reiki to a specific area if I know it is needed, or I just let the Reiki flow and find where it needs to go.  Often times the healing is on an emotional level and not just the physical level.

Two Examples:
I treated a cat who is recovering from surgery.  She started out across the deck from me, and by the time I was done, she was curled up in my lap.  She slowly came over to me, and started rolling around, then settled in next to me on the lounge chair, and eventually just climbed right on me.  When I went to put my hands directly on her, she looked at me and “spat” at me, but did not move.  She was telling me that the physical touch was too much.  So I kept my hands about 3 inches from her and she purred for another 15 minutes.  When she was done, she simply hopped off my lap and went inside.  The whole session lasted about 30 minutes, and she was receiving the Reiki from the start, not just when she came to my lap.  Her humans reported to me that she ate all her wet food and then went outside and played, something she had not done in weeks.

Another example is a mare who has been in rehabilitation for months, on and off for a few years.  She was tired of Vets, Chiropractors, and Farriers poking and prodding her, and even tired of me massaging her.  Her hind end was very sore.  I placed my hands on her hips and just stayed still and let her take in as much Reiki as she needed.  She calmed, her eyes got soft, her neck and backline relaxed, and by the end of the session, her nose was almost touching the ground.  I did not direct the energy or even try to move, I just stood and let her figure it out.

Group Sessions

I also travel to where the animals are, and sit in a general location and let the Reiki flow to any animal that wants it.  Sometimes I don’t see much “evidence” that the animals are accepting the Reiki, other times they will come right over, or lay down and rest/sleep when before they were pacing, playing, etc.  I also notice that the area in general feels calmer and more safe.  If I feel that, than the animals feel it even more than I do, which can only be a good thing in settings that are anxious, high energy, or that you want to be calm. 

Some Examples:
Any animal boarding facility, horse events and shows, Veterinary offices, doggy day camps, training classes, a home with a new addition to the family (animal or human), a new litter of puppies, etc.

I hope that you will give Reiki a try if you have not yet.  It truly is a gentle yet effective way to give your animal a calming, healing session.

	Client Testimonial   - Kathleen Miller and Solace
"My mare Solace, has been transformed not only physically, but mentally and emotionally as well, now that she is free of pain. Giving her the gift of body work was the greatest investment towards our overall health, and greatly enhances our time together."