My answer may surprise you, considering I am a Reiki Master. Is Reiki Woo-Woo? Yes, I do believe it is (plus, I like the word Woo-Woo. It’s fun to say), and it does give your body a much-needed rest.
The definition for Woo-Woo is “unconventional beliefs regarded as having little or no scientific basis, especially those relating to spirituality, mysticism, or alternative medicine.” So there you have it. There is not a ton of scientific research (which is true of many alternative therapies), and some may say it is unconventional and weird. (hey, who am I to argue?)
You can relax now. I am not in the convincing business (I’m in the sharing business), so I won’t be trying to persuade you to give it a try or ask you to change your belief system. I am going to share how I came to know Reiki because after we were introduced, we became the best of friends.
Now, here is where I advise you that Reiki or any type of alternative therapy should not replace traditional medicine or professional advice. Always speak with your physician first before starting an alternative treatment, and do some research on the alternative practitioner before booking your first appointment.
Today, Reiki is a fairly well-known word, even if people are unsure what it is. Hospitals offer Reiki either by volunteers or as a part of their Healing Arts Centers. There are monks, even some nuns, and other religious ministries that offer Reiki as part of their Healing Ministry Program. Massage therapists often incorporate Reiki into their massage packages. However, when I first discovered Reiki, I knew very little about it.
How it all started
Back in 2012, my ten-year-old son was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer. It was his second brain tumor, the first one (at age eight) being benign and the second malignant. I made the immediate decision that I would try everything, both traditional and non-traditional, to save his life. I remember thinking that if my son did not make it, I wanted to know in my heart that I tried absolutely everything possible. I made a promise to myself that I would explore every option and leave no stone unturned. As long as it was safe and would not interfere with his treatment plan, I was interested in exploring it. I have been asked over the years why I did not start with alternative therapies first, and the answer was simple. There was no time. I am not a doctor, but it did not take long for me to understand that this rare, stage 4 cancer would not only require a unique treatment plan (his cancer was something seen typically in babies and not in someone his age), but it also needed to start immediately.
To be honest, I am not even sure how I knew the word Reiki. Back then, no one in my circle was talking about it, but I must have heard about it somewhere. Today, if you wish to locate a practitioner in the healing arts profession, it is easy to do so. A quick Google search can pull up several options near you, depending on where you live. However, it was a bit more challenging back in 2012. Thankfully, my sister-in-law, who was a nurse manager at a local hospital, said that she knew of two Reiki practitioners who could offer Reiki sessions to my son.
This was the start of my journey with Reiki. Two Reiki practitioners (one who was also a nurse, the other a lovely volunteer) would take turns with weekly visits. My son would lie on the bed, and I would sit quietly in the corner in my rocking chair, watching. The more I saw my son relax and fall into a deep sleep, the more I could finally breathe. My son was suffering from nausea, pain, neuropathy, and just about every side effect that comes from 18 rounds of chemo, surgery, and seven weeks of proton therapy, and I was desperate for anything that might provide some type of relief.
At first, I barely took in what they were doing. All I cared about was that at that moment, my son was safe, able to relax, and seemed to feel better. Soon, he began to ask when one of the healing ladies was coming back. I found that an interesting choice of words. I had never called them “the healing ladies” or even talked about healing with him. Since I really did not know what to expect, I told him that I was having these ladies come over to help him relax, and he was fine with that.
From there, my son had weekly sessions that went on for at least two years. At first, I was too exhausted to think about much of anything other than caring for my son, but eventually I started to study Reiki myself. I took all the classes and then became a Reiki Master (which simply put means I have completed the highest level of the three courses and that I may teach others if I wish). I believed it would be nice to be able to offer this on my own to my son, other family members, and friends. I had no way of knowing at the time that my son’s health journey would last for so many years and change our lives forever. I am in no way saying that Reiki cured him. I am only saying it did help both of us to relax and deal with physical and mental pain. (he went on to have Leukemia, a stroke, seizures, and many other complications, but I am not going to get into all of that)
Strange how life works out..
A short time before my son had his first brain tumor, I had just started a non-profit for women who were in treatment for cancer. I had volunteered once at Gilda’s Club with my friend and mentor (which provides a social and emotional support program for men, women, teens, and children living with cancer in a nonresidential setting) by offering some pampering services, and we thought, this would be so nice to offer something like this to my community.
So, that is how The Healing Nest was born. (https://www.thehealingnest.org) In the beginning, we offered free facials and massages once a month. I had to take a long break from my non-profit to care for my son, but when the time was right, we added other servies including reflexology and Reiki. Licensed and trained volunteers would reach out to us and offer to help. It is such a beautiful, feel good for all day full of laughter and bonding, and we finish the day with a lovely, sit-down lunch.
Like me, most of our guests at The Healing Nest back then had not heard of Reiki, but I found it interesting that once they had tried it, they asked for that service on their next visit. One of my dear friends and fellow coordinators of The Healing Nest went on to become a Reiki Master as well after watching the guests respond to a Reiki session.
What does a typical Reiki Session look like?
I beleive that each Reiki practioner has thier own unique style and set up, however I will share what my sessions look like. I have borrowed ideas and implemented some tools that I admired from Reiki sessions that I have had myself or have watched.
My goal is to make the room comfortable and cozy so that the minute they enter the space, they can start to unwind. I have my client lie on a massage table, fully clothed; however, it is just as effective sitting up in a chair. (but in my opinion, less comfortable) I did research on sound healing music, which is different frequencies that are believed to help the mind and body relax, and I play those as well. (you can find many on Spotify, Pandora, or simply Google it) Soft glowing lights and a heated massage table tell the body, hey, it’s time to chill out. Reiki practitioners are taught a series of symbols and words to use before and during the session, which I use, but I also pray to God.
Is Reiki a religion?
No, Reiki is not a religion; however, as I mentioned, I do pray when doing a Reiki session. I cannot speak for other practitioners, but I pray to God, the Archangels, and the Blessed Mary for the person in front of me. I ask that (and I say their name) that whatever needs healing, be healed. I pray for peace for both of us and that for that peace to spread to others. The Reiki practitioners that I have learned from and that volunteer at The Healing Nest follow the same approach.
So, is Reiki just another name for a massage?
Reiki is not a massage. The word Reiki is derived from Japanese words rei (“universal” or “spiritually guided”) and ki (“life force energy”). It involves practitioners placing their hands lightly on or just above a client to induce deep relaxation, relieve stress, reduce pain, and support the body’s natural healing processes. As I mentioned before, the recipient stays fully clothed during a session.
I see Reiki as a helpful tool for navigating stress, healing, and simply feeling better in our everyday lives. I’m not saying it’s a cure-all — just one of those gentle practices I keep in my wellness toolbox that helps me slow down, reset, and feel more like myself again. (both in giving and receiving Reiki)
If you decide to give it a try, I’d love to hear what you think and how it makes you feel. ✨💛
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