Reiki

 
 

Energy flows through all living beings.

When illness, injury, or trauma occurs, our energy can become blocked. This blocked energy can lead to further issues and even illness if not addressed.

Reiki can help reduce and remove these blocks to help you fully heal. It also promotes deep relaxation and reduces stress.

Reiki is accepted in most hospitals as a complementary option for people undergoing treatments for cancer, healing from surgery, experiencing chronic pain, or for peace and comfort while they are in an active dying process.

  • Like Chinese qi or Sanskrit prana, Reiki is, simply put, universal life force energy.

    Reiki (pron. ray-key) as a practice is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan and has developed over time. “Rei” meaning “universal” or “spiritual wisdom” and “Ki” meaning “life energy.”

    Reiki has been studied for conditions like pain, anxiety, and depression, but it is not a replacement for medical treatment or therapy. This ancient form of healing is, however, a beautiful complement to more traditional, evidence-based medical treatments and therapy that we think of as more “western” in our culture.

  • Reiki can be given hands-on or without touch, seated or lying down—however you are most comfortable.

    In addition to the Reiki itself, your session can include guided meditation and a sound bath, as well as intuitive interweaving of toning and song, complemented by quietude.

    Those who receive Reiki sometimes report feeling relaxed, others feel energized by it. I, myself, have experienced both! And no two sessions are ever the same. Some also have dream-like visions or see images. Some receive messages and answers to guidance they seek. Reiki can be extremely meditative and complement your spiritual practice. And, at minimum, deeply relaxing.

  • When you arrive, we’ll begin in conversation, exploring any questions you may have, physical discomfort or ailments, and any guidance or direction you may be seeking in your life. Then, you’ll make yourself comfortable, either lying down ((massage table for comfort)) or seated. I’ll take a moment to center and prepare myself while you settle in.

    I’ll begin by doing a scan of your body, placing my hands just above your body to sense your energy. Usually this scan goes from head to toe.

    Then I let intuition and Reiki guide me with hands-on touch at various places: head, eyes, ears, throat. I tend to give attention to the chakra areas: heart, solar plexus, sacral, and root ((via the energetic space above your root chakra)). And then to your legs and feet.

    I often end with a sound bath using a crystal singing bowl and optional singing or vocal toning.

    Once the Reiki session is complete, you’ll be invited to return to the space and your full awareness when you’re ready. I offer tea or water and an opportunity to share what you experienced with me or journal about it—or not! This is your time and your space for healing, rest, and Self-care.

 
 

Interested in receiving Reiki?

I am excited to announce that I am now offering 1:1 Reiki sessions at my N. Portland studio. Click below to schedule your session.

Not finding a time that works for you? Feel free to send me an email. Or, if I don’t have any openings coming up, I recommend Scarlett Lynsky, owner of Hatchlings Doula Service in N. Portland, from whom I receive Reiki regularly. Or, my Reiki teacher and dear friend Lea K. Tawd, artist + Reiki master/teacher.

 

Reiki + me

I first learned about Reiki from a friend of mine who told me about her friend who slammed her hand in a car door. “And then she did Reiki on herself and was fine.” I had no idea what Reiki was, but I was intrigued.

Fast forward 15 years, and I’m about to give birth to our little one. My doula and friend Scarlett tells me she’s been learning how to practice Reiki and asks if I’d be interested in receiving Reiki during labor. Sure! I was down for any and all of the natural, gentle energetic practices available to me.

A year and a half later I was seeking all of the ways to heal my body and mend my spirit in the midst of postpartum anxiety and depression, moving into a new home, and feeling generally disconnected from mySelf. I saw Scarlett was offering Reiki, and I immediately knew it was for me. Even though I still didn’t really know what it was. Something told me to reach out. And I’m so glad I did.

My sessions with Scarlett over the past year+ have been full of insight, guidance, beautiful visions and messages, and some of the deepest relaxation I have ever experienced. For me, receiving Reiki has been deeply spiritual and healing.

Then, this past spring, I attended an art + Reiki grief retreat hosted by my friend Lea. Receiving Reiki in a group was a whole new experience, and I felt so held and supported. So when Lea sent a message out that she was offering a Reiki training this past fall, I leapt at the opportunity to learn from her.

And now, here I am!

I have offered Reiki as a stand-alone session or as an add-on in my singing + soul care sessions. I am finding it is the perfect complement to the heartwork I am already doing—weaving voice, sound, meditation, and embodied practice with healing physical touch—and I can’t wait to share it with you.