Benefits of Reiki
Some fitness professionals have found that offering Reiki (ray-key), a Japanese healing technique intended to reduce stress and promote relaxation and healing, not only helps clients reach their fitness goals but also provides a safe space for wellness to thrive.
Benefits of Reiki
While the evidence of Reiki’s benefits is anecdotal, this list highlights some of the outcomes reported by people who have had Reiki treatments:
- relaxation
- pain management
- reduced anxiety
- a decrease in depression symptoms
- improved sleep
- improved digestion
- accelerated surgical recovery
- greater self-awareness
Source: Miles, P. 2014b. Reiki, medicine, and self-care: What is Reiki healing? Can Reiki help me? http://reikininmedicine.org/reiki-can-help-you; accessed July 17, 2014.
How To Become A Reiki Practitioner
For people interested in becoming Reiki practitioners, there are generally three progressive levels of Reiki training, with educational requirements varying from teacher to teacher (and lineage).
In addition to reviewing the history of Reiki, its methods and principles, and the hand positions, training includes a hands-on “attunement” from a master teacher. No central governing body determines the curriculum; however, many teachers and practitioners strive to remain as true as possible to the original material brought to the United States by Hawayo Takata.
Training programs may last anywhere from a day to a few weeks or even years, depending on the level of training and the teacher. Level 1 (beginner) typically costs $100–$200, and the cost rises from there for Level 2 (intermediate) and beyond. A Reiki master program can cost between $400 and $1,600 or more. Look for a teacher who has invested in a “live,” in-person (as opposed to online) training program, since the attunement process involved is unique. Ask about years of experience, lineage and philosophy, as well as professional association memberships.
To view the full article which ran in the November 2014 issue of the IDEA Fitness Journal click here.
PHOTOGRAPHY: Teresa Ostos