Reiki is pronounced RAY (like a ray of sunshine) KEY (like you open your door with). It's a Japanese hands-on energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, reduces stress and brings the body into balance so it can heal.

There are many theories about the origin of Reiki as a practice, but the vast majority of Reiki work you find today was developed in the 1920's in Japan and spread to the rest of the world.

Reiki is universal life force energy that the practitioner channels from the universe and transfers into you through their hands. It's a holistic practice and affects the body, mind and spirit. It's very similar to many other traditions of laying on hands.

Reiki works by getting the body in balance so it can heal and be at its best. The theory behind Reiki is that when the body is in balance, it has a natural ability to heal itself. Often we're not really in balance.

Stress, illness, toxins and more all stop the energy in our body flowing optimally, and then we get sick or we feel crappy. Reiki gets the energy in our bodies flowing better, so they can function better, which makes us feel better physically, emotionally and spiritually.

A Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit for Reiki energy and directs it where you need it most. They connect to universal energy, channel it through their hands which they place on you so it can flow into your body.

During a Reiki session, you lie down or sit comfortably while the practitioner puts their hands on you, or near you. Most people feel really relaxed when they receive Reiki, and some people feel sensations in their bodies like tingling or warmth.

Reiki balances the energy in the body. In energy medicine, all issues, be they physical, emotional or psychological, are believed to be caused by blocks in our energy. So clearing those blocks, which Reiki does, can help with almost anything.

It's great for general wellbeing and there's been a lot of research into the effectiveness of Reiki and some of things it's been shown to help with in studies are:

Stress

Pain (including the pain of labor)

Sleep

Blood pressure

Anxiety

Depression

As well as physical and emotional benefits, there are also spiritual benefits. People usually feel more peaceful, more connected to themselves and to the universe.

Reiki is for everyone. It was designed as something everyone could do and that everyone could receive. We can receive Reiki at any age, including as a baby, animals can receive it to.

Reiki is extremely safe. There are no contraindications, which makes it especially helpful during pregnancy and birth when we want gentle treatments.

Reiki is a complementary therapy, so it's not a substitute for medical treatment, and shouldn't be the sole treatment for serious or life-threatening conditions.