Restore & Relax – Reiki at Enhance of Cheshire

Here we are, in March already! Spring is definitely in the air – birdsong, later sunsets and the pure, unadulterated optimism of crocuses all herald brighter days ahead. As well as the roadmap to Covid freedom, we have Mother’s Day and Easter to look forward to (yes, yes – shameless plug. GIFT VOICHERS!) Happy days are (almost) here again!

What’s New at Enhance of Cheshire?

Time to start thinking about treats and treatments? Girls (and boys, we’re an equal opportunities enhancer) we all know, don’t we, that looking good on the outside is just as much about FEELING good on the inside? And that all the external enhancements in the world won’t help if you’re tired, stressed, anxious, poorly or in any way unbalanced. That’s why, as part of the ever-growing Enhance of Cheshire repertoire, I also deliver blissful and restorative Reiki.

Twelve months of training and attunements with a Reiki Master mean I’m an Advanced Practitioner, qualified in Eastern and Western Reiki. You can now experience this incredible energy treatment in the lush Enhance of Cheshire clinic. Never tried Reiki? Curious as to its popularity? Read on. And then book in…

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a popular complimentary therapy. A form of ‘energy healing’, Reiki originated in Japan in the late seventeenth century. Treatment involves energy transferring from my hands to you. Much-loved as a treatment to relieve stress and aid relaxation, Reiki is also thought to promote healing. Reiki practitioners believe that stagnant energy in the body, perhaps from physical injury or even emotional pain, can cause energy blocks and subsequently illness.

The ‘energy medicine’ aspect of Reiki aims to promote energy flow and eradicate blocks, much like acupuncture or acupressure. Enhancing the flow of energy around the body, say practitioners, can support relaxation and possibly even reduce pain and expedite healing.

A reiki treatment is administered by “laying on hands” and works on the concept of a life force energy which flows through us. The theory is that it is this life force energy which contributes to life itself. When this life force energy is low, illness and stress can be more prevalent. When high, happiness and health abound.

The name Reiki comes from the Japanese words Rei – God’s Wisdom, or the Higher Power – and Ki – life force energy. Reiki is “spiritually-guided life force energy.”

What Happens in a Reiki Session?

The aim of the Reiki session is to reconnect you to this wonderful life force energy, which flows gently through the body. The intention is that the energy finds its way to the source of any pain or disease. The energy is believed to unblock the chakra system, which should facilitate rebalancing and healing. I will place my hands lightly on, or just above, up to twenty specific areas of the body.

What Are Chakras?

Chakra is a Sanskrit word which means wheel, or wheel of life. The Chakras are centres of energy throughout the body. Each important chakra’s position corresponds with an endocrine gland. The endocrine systems is responsible for hormonal balance.

These seven chakras are located as follows:

Root chakra:

base of the spine; corresponds to the adrenal glands, kidneys, spinal column, and leg bones. The root chakra is thought to be grounding and an imbalance can lead to lower back and leg pain as well as a fearful nature.

Sacral Chakra:

pelvic area, just below the naval and relates to the reproductive system and organs. This deals with sexuality and an imbalance can lead to addictive behaviours, low self-esteem and jealousy.

Solar Plexus Chakra:

just above the naval; the solar plexus chakra is linked to the digestive and nervous systems and is connected to intellect. And imbalance could lead to financial problems and even controlling behaviour.

Heart Chakra:

central chest area and corresponding to the circulatory system as well as the skin and hands

Throat Chakra:

middle of the neck – linked to the thyroid gland as well as the throat and jaw, plus the lungs and digestive tract. Imbalances are thought to contribute to respiratory disorders and communication problems.

Third-eye Chakra:

above the brow. Believed to correspond to the pituitary gland and central nervous system.

Crown Chakra:

top of head, corresponding to the pineal gland, this Chakra is thought to be directly connected to the spirit.

Though you know I do like my pretty things, those colours aren’t merely decoration. Each Chakra has its own colour, and often, patients will ‘see’ colours as I treat that area. I place my hands over the corresponding chakra to any imbalances. The intention is to rebalance the area and thus lead to better health. In the case of specific pain or injury, I may hold my hands directly over that area. Some Reiki practitioners feel heat, tingling – or energy – in the hands while treating each area. Once that has abated, the hands can move on to a different area of the body.

Can Reiki Really Heal?

Different forms of energy healing have been used for many hundreds of years. Us Reiki practitioners believe that the energy permeates the body. Reiki experts and advocates know that although this energy is not scientifically measurable, it is absolutely and genuinely felt.

Even the most cynical would concur that Reiki is exceptionally relaxing. A relaxed state can bring better sleep and lower stress levels. This can aid the body’s natural healing processes, as well as improve emotional, mental, and spiritual well-being.

People even with serious illness say they feel somewhat better after Reiki. Cancer Research U.K. attribute this to the soothing effect of the treatment, the attention of the practitioner and the power of touch. This must bring a welcome break, a world apart from necessary, yet scary and invasive, treatment and procedures. Indeed, Manchester’s world-famous Christie Hospital employs a team of reiki practitioners; isn’t that incredible?

Feel Good with Reiki

Whether you fully believe in the healing power or Reiki or not (please ALWAYS bear in mind that complimentary therapies are NOT and should NEVER be an alternative to medical advice and treatment) it’s an irrefutable fact that the power of touch alone has a range of benefits.  If we can then also harness universal energy that can only be a force for good – and for FEELING good.