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Reiki can be administered by anyone who has been attuned and has had training in Reiki I. This can be a professional practitioner, a healthcare provider, a volunteer, a friend or family member, or even you, yourself, if you have been attuned to Reiki.

What is the length of a Reiki Session?
My sessions are typically 2 hours long.
Sometimes 2hrs can be a big time commitment in our busy lives and so a colleague and I can coordinate to work together and simultaneously over a period of one hour giving Reiki. These treatments are equivalent to a 2hr session and more time efficient.

Those receiving Reiki in a hospital, hospice, nursing home, or other healthcare settings may have a shorter session (15 or 20 minutes).

What is the setting?
A quiet setting where you are not disturbed is always desirable.
 
What does the session consist of?
The first session will consist of a brief interview to find out what the person would like the Reiki for, to give a brief explanation of what the session will consist of, and, if the reiki is for a medical problem, to ascertain if the person has seen a doctor and what medical treatment they may be following.
The next sessions will start with a brief chat about how the person is feeling, what experiences they may have had, and to answer any questions they may have. The the actual Reiki session will start.

A complete Reiki session is offered to a fully clothed recipient who is lying on a treatment table or sitting comfortably supported in a chair.

Most commonly, Reiki is offered through light, non-invasive touch with the practitioner's hands placed and held on a series of locations on the head and front and back of the torso. The placement of the hands should never be intrusive or inappropriate, nor should there be any pressure.

What might I experience?
"I feel very refreshed and seem to be thinking more clearly." "I think I fell asleep." "I can't believe how hot your hands got!" "I feel more relaxed than even after a massage." "My headache is gone." These are some of things people typically say after a Reiki session.

The experience of Reiki is subjective, changeable, sometimes very subtle and very personal.

People often experience heat, cold or a tingly sensation under the practitioner's hands. Other common experiences are subtle pulsations where the practitioner's hands are placed or cascading waves of pulsations throughout the body.

Some people fall into a deep, sleeplike meditative state, some fall asleep, sometimes the experience of Reiki is dramatic, while for other people, the first session in particular may be uneventful, although they feel somehow better afterward. The most common experience is an almost immediate release of stress and a feeling of deep relaxation.

Reiki is cumulative and even people who don't notice much the first time usually have progressively deeper experiences if they continue. Besides the immediate experience of the Reiki, you may notice other changes that continue to unfold as the day or week goes on: perhaps a deep sense of being more calm, centered and less reactive, or improved sleep, clearer thought processes or more energetic. These are just some of the positives

What should I do during the session?

1. Use the rest room before your session so that you are able to lie down comfortably.
2. Especially if you have any shyness about being touched, ask your practitioner to show you the hand placements before starting so you are very clear what to expect.
3. Let the practitioner know your needs before you start. For example, if you have trouble breathing and lying flat is uncomfortable, say so. Or mention if you have had surgery recently and don't want to be touched where the scar is still tender. If you are pregnant or have digestive complaints, it may not be feasible to lie on your stomach. Inform your practitioner.
4. If you become uncomfortable or feel restless you can adjust your position at any time.  

What happens after the session?
Do not expect a diagnosis, as that is not part of Reiki. Some practitioners may make common sense suggestions for after-care, such as drinking water and following your body's needs.
Although people typically leave a Reiki session feeling refreshed, sometimes they notice feeling more tired in the evening than usual. This is not viewed as an adverse reaction, but rather as the body's natural healing response, something to be heeded. People commonly report a sense of calm and mental clarity.

How many sessions should I receive?
Your practitioner may suggest a series of sessions. Four sessions is a traditional recommendation and gives you time to evaluate what benefits you are receiving. Discuss with your practitioner how best to space the sessions to suit your needs and your schedule.

In the presence of a serious health challenge, Reiki practitioners often recommend four sessions over four days. These need not be given by the same practitioner.

Toastmasters International is a world leader in communication and leadership development. The organization is in 142 countries and members learn to improve their speaking and leadership skills by attending their local club.  

I am a member of Toastmasters Sagrada Familia.  I am on my 4th speech and hold the position of Club Secretary for 2017/2018.  As the Toastmaster website says: "The world needs leaders. Leaders head families, coach teams, run businesses and mentor others. These leaders must not only accomplish, they must communicate...."  

I joined Toastmasters to learn how to communicate with the world around me and to learn how i can be the best teacher i can be, when it comes to teaching Reiki.


This is a speech i gave at my Toastmasters Club.  I wrote the speech taking into account that some of the audience would be very skeptical and i hope it helps someone who may read this blog.

What is Reiki?
 
Reiki is a energy healing treatment that works holistically on the whole body, mind and spirit of both humans and animals.  It is not a system of religious beliefs.  It is simply a relaxing treatment using natural healing vibrations that are transmitted through the hands of a Reiki practitioner (acting as a channel) into the body of the recipient.
 
How could Reiki possibly work?

Reiki works through the energy systems of the body. A human being is known to be made up of at least four levels of energy.
 

1. First the aura which is an energy field surrounding the body.  In my research I found that the aura was first measured scientifically at Yale school of medicine by Harold Burr in the 1930’s. (picture of aura) The aura has electromagnetic properties, like light.   
   
2. Second research by Valerie Hunt (not my sister) from the university of California has proven that there are concentrated local energy centres on particular areas of the body. These local energy centres are commonly known as Chakras.  For those of you who practice yoga you may be familiar with this word. Chakras are vortexes of energy constantly moving and vibrating. 
   
3. The third is a network of pathways within the body that transport energy. These pathways are called the meridians.  Meridians are the basis for any acupuncture treatment. These pathways are similar to the circulatory system.  WE have veins and arteries that transport blood to and from the heart, the meridians on the other hand are pathways that transport energy.
   
4. The fourth are known as subtle energies. Albert Einstein described these energies “as known because of their effects but that we do not have the instruments to detect them directly”.  An example of a subtle energy is how the energy field responds to human intention or thought.  This was directly measured by William tiller of Stanford university. 

 
The palms of our hands have been recorded as transmitting an electromagnetic wave.  We have a chakra in each palm of our hand.  Reiki works through this chakra or electromagnetic wave adjusting the imbalances of all of the body´s energy systems.  Remember imbalances of energy are known to cause illnesses so Reiki travels to the cause of the illness activating the bodies natural ability to heal itself.
 
But in reality we know very little about Reiki.  So what is the scientific community doing? Why do we know so little?
Studies require funding … and funding is more driven and directed by the pharmaceutical companies and their profit margins.  They want to focus on the chemistry processes of the body and surgical proceedures rather than the positive biological responses of the body in relation to energy.
 
Is reiki effective?
My reiki master healed herself from a degenerative spinal disease after 6 months of self treatment with reiki.
Cancer patients in the pittsburg university hospital reported significant improvements in sleep, attitude, appetitie, decrease in stress, lonliness and anxiety
A friend of mine with a bleeding head wound used reiki to stop the bleeding.  When he got to the doctor the doctor was amazed as the wound had pulled together and did not need stitches
 
Reiki is being used by millions of people to heal themselves It is also being used in thousands of hospitals all over the world, incuding 2 here in Barcelona, Hosptial Llobregat and Hospital Clinic.
So for reiki and we say in English ¨ the proof of the pudding is in the eating ¨.  In spanish this means para saber los afectos del reiki tienes k probarlo .  So try it.
 
Anyone can have reiki in their hands.  I have it, and it has changed my life.  Let it change yours.
 
 
 
 
 
 

February 2017 closes an era with a beautiful sunset.

I am so wonderfully fortunate to have been able to travel with my Reiki Master, Arvick Bhagramian, all the way from Barcelona, Spain, back to my home in Zambia to receive the Mastership Initiation.  I felt strongly that i wanted to celebrate this Initiation on the continent of my birth, and, with my family.
My Dad's garden was vibrant with color, rich in foliage and singing with bugs and birds. This same garden carries the footprints of my mother. She attended to it with patience and love, and it played a significant part in her own spiritual path.  At 3 o'clock every afternoon she would have tea on the verandah and look out onto layers of foliage ending in the massive gum trees that stand in a straight line so formidably at the far end of the garden. A pair of binoculars and The Southern African book of birds beside her, my mother's 3 o'clock ritual was something that we all looked forward to. 

Arvick sited the ceremony beside the garden's ancient and busy ant hill, underneath the acacia trees and surrounded by the colorful Flame trees that remind me of my youth in Kenya.

So at 3 o'clock in the afternoon on the 14th February 2017 when the farm was at its quietest, my dad, Simon my brother, Adrienne my sister in law and the family dogs sat in a semi circle around me with their eyes closed, as i was initiated into Mastership.  In the african "stillness", also with my eyes closed, i experienced the initiation to the afternoon call of a barbet, the burble of the Oriole, birds that i love, to the caress of the summer breeze on my legs and face, the buzz of an insect and the distant chatter of farm employees working in the Stevia nursery.

I am truly very grateful to Arvick for making the journey with me, she united my life in Barcelona with my African heritage a moment very special and significant for me.  I am grateful to my family for hosting us both and for being so open hearted, generous and welcoming. I am grateful to my mother for her unconditional love and to my dad for his very, very kind heart.

Feb 2017 also set the stage for a new dawn.  

What is a Reiki Open House?

This is a group of people who have already attended a Reiki I course, getting together to give each other Reiki. Our Open Houses are organised in one of our homes (we take it in turns) and normally lasts a period of two hours.
 
What happens in a Reiki Open House?

We all take it in turns to lie on the Reiki bed (bliss!) and receive Reiki from the other people. The two hours are divided amongst the number of people who are attending.
Some maths for you; if 8 people attend an Open House, one of them will be receiving Reiki and the other 7 will be giving. For 8 people to each receive Reiki, we divide the 2 hours into 10min slots per person. This means there is time between each slot for getting on and off the table drinking water and feedback.  10 min slots, given by 7 people, means that each person receives the equivalent of 70min Reiki.  
From personal experience these 10min slots are like little battery packets that can totally recharge our energy, relieve pain, significantly reduce stress and anxiety and bring about relaxation ... of the many things that reiki has to offer us. 

Who can host a Reiki Open House?

In our case, each of our Reiki Open Houses is hosted by our Master or by one of the Master Students.  This is only to offer a forum for sharing experiences, talking about doubts or asking questions, but, we don't need to be a Master or a Master student to hold a Reiki Open House. We only need the Reiki I in our hands.  After all, Open Houses are about receiving Reiki.

What are the benefits of attending Reiki Open House?

• Reiki Open Houses offer a back up to the courses.  
• They provide a forum for each of us to share our experiences  
• They keep us connected to the energy and provide us with encouragement to continue giving our self treatments
• They provide a forum for questions and advice
• oh! and we sometimes visit a nearby bar or restaurant for a drink or pica pica! 

When we first receive Reiki I in our hands we are just beginners of the energy. We have to use it for it to work, and for us to see the differences within our lives. The more we give the energy to ourselves and others the more we grow with it and become aware of its infinite possibilities. But, wherever we are, on our path with Reiki, it is good to meet and connect with like minded people to share, receive and give.

I have to say that i do find it difficult to write regularly on this blog.  As you can see the last post was in July 2014!!  Oh dear!  

This does not mean i have been inactive with REiki. Far from it! I have continued to offer reiki to animals and give treatments to humans.  I continue to gather more knowledge and the most exciting news is that in July 2014 i started my path towards becoming a Reiki Master. 

But as 2017 starts I have decided to regularly update this page with my reiki adventures. Many things have changed since 2014 and i have lots to share.  My love and respect for the energy has grown in a lovely way.  I am maturing and learning how to trust.  I never for a moment regret my decision to attend a Reiki 1 course and I now cannot imagine my life without Reiki. It has become my ever present, daily companion guiding and healing with its own wisdom.
So, I open 2017 with this little message to say hello, and I look forward to writing and sharing on this blog.

Un abrazo a todos

Animals are very sensitive to Reiki.  Very often the hands on approach is too much for them. They feel the intensity of the energy, become fidgety and will then walk away.   I like to respect their choice and will not insist on placing my hands on their bodies.  They seem to instinctively understand reiki and at the right time they will lie there and accept a hands on treatment.   The gentlest way of treating an animal in an urgent situation is by using Reiki II - the distance healing.  I will often send while the owner is with their pet so that they can observe the behaviour of their animal.  This is equally as effective as hands on treatment and in many cases is more powerful as the animal receives Reiki for a full 20 min without interruption.

Becquer is an old, wonderful cat of 15 years old. When Susie came into his life he was just.... I know now... leaving us, eating badly, super skinny, not moving, not present, not purring, and just making his way as a pancreatitis and tumor in the stomach was eating him slowly. Susie's reiki and understanding of his situation, her advises towards my reaction to his illness, has make him get better and better. After each season of reiki he seem to be very concentrate, then inmediately goes to eat, running happy like a child. Little by little he is back, warm, present, peaceful, just peaceful, he purrs a lot, has a better hair and has won some weigh. Tumor and pancreatitis in a 15 year old boy is really something, we don't know how that will evolve, but what is clear is that the cat now wants to stay with some time more and wants to do it in the better posible way. I have no words to express what energy, love and understanding of cat's nature can lead to. Thank you, Susie.
You are a wonderful soul. Thank you for your supportBecquer and Elena

I had the privilege of pet sitting for Becquer, this very much loved and adored ginger.  Becquer has been diagnosed as possibly having a tumor in his stomach. He has been put on a treatment of cortisone by his vet.  Becquer has lost a lot of weight and has moments when his energy is very low.
I visited him and although he was in the room, he received a 20min distant treatment as the hands-on treatment was too powerful for him.
On speaking with his human-parent, a couple of days later, i learned that since the treatment, he was acting like his previous self, with more energy and a joy of living. His mood had also changed, the pain seemed to have gone from his face and he was smiling.  I continue to visit him next week and with the agreement of his mum i will continue to send him reiki for 4 consecutive days.

On a rainy April 27th I attended the Barcelona Womens Network (BWN) Wellness and Beauty Day, organised to raise money for the charities supported by the BWN this year. I was there to offer 20 minutes of Reiki on a chair. The hand positions for this treatment mirror the 7 major chakras as per the diagram opposite and I was thrilled to have 4 people receive the Reiki.
I have been practicing Reiki for over 18 months now and this was my first outing into the 'public eye'.  There is nothing like a deadline (the 27th of April) to motivate me to mobilise myself for the work that was required in designing the website and fliers.  I thank all the people involved in helping me to arrive at this point, and i thank Reiki over and over again for its healing power.