One of the most common questions I receive from my clients following their Reiki session is how often can a person receive Reiki treatments? The answer is as often as you like. There are no negative side effects from receiving Reiki every day. In fact, a lot of Reiki practitioners give themselves Reiki daily as a method of self-care.

I like to use the analogy of consistently working out or practicing yoga to explain the cumulative effects of Reiki. The more you work out or practice yoga, the quicker your body responds to these healthful activities. If you recurrently work out, your muscles become enhanced and stronger. If you practice yoga regularly, your body becomes toned and limber. This same concept applies to Reiki.

Through repeated sessions, your body begins to respond more rapidly to any stressors in your life. For example, if you have a demanding job that makes it difficult for you to sleep at night because your mind chatter won’t stop, a bi-weekly Reiki treatment will benefit you by calming your mind and allowing you to fall asleep. A well-rested body can address a host of health-related issues from risk of memory loss and impaired immune function, to name a few.

How does this happen? A Reiki treatment puts your body into homeostasis or a balanced state. Once your body is in balance it is able to cope with any stressors it comes up against.  Our bodies are wise and know how to heal when they are in a state of equilibrium.

Typically most of us don’t get our minds and bodies calm and balanced regularly, therefore a lot of people are battling stress management in their daily lives. With frequent Reiki sessions added to your lifestyle, you can expect to feel calmer, sleep better and be clear headed because your body will be in balance.  You’ll notice that the little irritants that can build up over time are easily addressed once your body is able to respond, thanks to a balanced state. I regularly have clients tell me how surprised they are at how calmly they react to situations that “used to” set them off.

The question of how often should I have Reiki is easily answered by how often do you feel that you need it? What are your goals with Reiki? Are you struggling with pain or a medical condition? Are you suffering from a loss? Are you going through a difficult life transition? Your answers can guide you in the frequency needed. I encourage all of my clients to listen to their bodies and trust their instincts. If you feel worn down, depressed or overly stressed out, honor yourself and have Reiki sessions regularly to help you cope with struggles in life.

Personally, I need to have Reiki at least once a month to stay balanced and grounded. However, if I was going through a difficult transition in life or had a medical condition threatening my health I would quickly adjust that to weekly or bi-weekly treatments until I felt balanced again.

Reiki is a wonderful tool to utilize in conjunction with other beneficial lifestyle options such as exercise, meditation and counseling. It’s gentle and will not conflict with other modalities of medical treatment or any medications that you may be taking. It can support your health and well-being, even if you are just maintaining a healthy lifestyle and not in crisis.

In an effort to support clients who regularly seek Reiki, Reno Tahoe Reiki is now offering Reiki Value Packs. There are four different packs to choose from, with savings up to $90. A Value Pack is a nice way to treat yourself or a loved one to the benefits of regular Reiki while saving you some money, too.

 

One of the most rewarding aspects about my Reiki practice and my own Reiki journey is witnessing the sense of empowerment that people are given through their Reiki treatments. During a Reiki session our bodies come into homeostasis or balance. Being in a state of complete balance and relaxation, people often notice sensations in the body that they have not noticed before. For example, as tightness in their shoulders releases, they realize that they have been carrying a lot of stress and discomfort there. From a point of deep relaxation, one can view their stress triggers without the stress. This separation gives a person space to look at their life with new insight.

Having the opportunity to look at stressors from this removed state of stress is enlightening and empowering. Often clients notice that once they can look at their stressful triggers without the stress, it’s far easier to make needed changes in their lives. All of a sudden there is a choice to make about how they react to their stress without feeling overwhelmed. It’s a new opportunity to look at their life. Frequently people question, how can I reduce this discomfort the next time it crops up? What are the catalysts in my life to this discomfort? Why haven’t I noticed how tight my shoulders were before? These questions and others may arise in the clear, calm mind. Questioning from a peaceful place is an empowering feeling to have.

In our day to day stressful lives it’s easy to become overwhelmed because we don’t take an opportunity to be still, relaxed and quiet. In the stillness and tranquility that Reiki provides, we can recognize that stress is something that occurs in our lives but can also be controlled and reduced. Reiki creates that stillness and peace in the body. Noticing how we feel in our bodies is a huge step in healing. Harnessing the power to choose how you respond to your life is a key component to healing your life.

The next time the stressor presents in our life we can take a deep breath and choose how to respond instead of just continuing on autopilot. The constant strain of daily routines makes it easy to keep up the status quo of compiling more stress into our lives, but Reiki teaches us there is another way.

When I was first introduced to Reiki I was surprised to see how little I had been paying attention to my body. I had almost taken for granted the stress I carried in my body. Once it was gone I was able to take a look at what had caused my stress in the first place and choose to respond differently to my stressors.

Owning my own feelings was the first step toward healing. This type of healing is empowering because Reiki energy creates a safe, calm and relaxing environment for this to occur. I was astonished to learn such a thing, for I had ignored feeling angry or sad and had inadvertently stored those stressful emotions in my body.

Clients are usually interested to find that I have picked up on worry in their hearts or anger in their hips. The reality is that we hold emotions and life experiences in our bodies. Our emotions are guides to let us know when things are challenging or upsetting to us. Emotions are meant to help us to make decisions to better our lives, not cause discomfort or undue stress. Reiki helps us to make peace with our emotions by owning them. Trust me, feeling stored emotions in your body is incredibly freeing. It’s like cleaning out a closet of clothes that no longer fit or suit your tastes. You can look at them and say thanks for your service but I am no longer in need of you. It frees you to make new choices and have new opportunities.

Our fast paced society, forces us to keep up with deadlines and schedules making it easy to ignore how we are feeling in our bodies moment by moment. Reiki creates a gentle space to feel safe and comfortable in our body to begin that healing process. Our bodies hold a lot of wisdom, once we take time to listen to them and respond lovingly, a great deal of stress will be released.

For me and for my clients, Reiki has provided that much needed safe, quiet space to reflect, explore and heal. Savoring the opportunity to choose how to respond and feeling better about it is another wonderful gift Reiki has given time and time again. I feel fortunate to have witnessed this healing in myself and others.

If you are interested in reading more about Reiki, please see my article in Healthy Beginnings Magazine relating to how Reiki brings balance into the body.

Recently I have had several clients asking if Reiki is suitable for animals. The answer is a resounding yes! Reiki is a gentle and non-invasive way to treat everyone including your beloved pets or even wild animals.

Reiki can be administered to animals “hands on” or through a distant manner by a Reiki practitioner. Distant Reiki is recommended for large, wild or injured animals.

My experience with my own pets is as unique as each of them. I have two cats and two dogs. My dogs only prefer to have Reiki when they are not feeling well.  My dachshund will actually move her body where she would like my hands to be placed. My Siamese cat loves to be around Reiki energy but doesn’t love to have “hands on” Reiki. My calico cat purrs pleasantly whenever it is offered, rubbing her head on my hands.

Our pets are just as individual in their needs and interests as we are. Therefore when providing Reiki to animals it is important to pay attention to the response signals that the animal gives. Instinctively they know just how much they need and sometimes just where to give it. In my experience animals only require a short amount of time before they feel satisfied and move on. My cocker spaniel will get up and move away from me when he has received enough Reiki, wagging his tail happily as if to say, “Thanks mom.”

You may be wondering what use would an animal have for Reiki? The answer is the same use that humans do. Reiki will calm, soothe and restore balance and healing. I have effectively used it to relieve anxiety with my dogs during veterinary visits. My dachshund shivers with anxiety whenever she enters our veterinarian’s office. After giving her Reiki she calms down within minutes.

Reiki can also be effective for animal’s pre- and post-operatively. It will help comfort them prior to surgery and speed up their recovery after.  Reiki is safe; there are no side effects and it can be used in conjunction with any prescribed medications. Next time your pet is feeling under the weather consider Reiki as a treatment option.

If you are interested in learning more about Reiki for animals I would recommend checking out Animal Reiki Source. It has a lot of information I found valuable. I am available by appointment for animal Reiki sessions if you live in the Reno/Sparks area. Please contact me for more information.

 

 

In life, I have always aspired to learn. One of the best local resources for learning is Healthy Beginnings magazine. This magazine is a monthly publication that focuses on healthy living. They cover a lot of interesting topics – health-related articles, recipes, book review, alternative healing practices, astrology, a calendar of upcoming events, a professional directory and more.

It’s nice to have such a helpful publication available in the Reno Tahoe region, and best of all…it’s free! If you are someone that values up-to-the-minute information on health-related topics, fitness and even natural pet care, you should be picking up this fantastic source of valuable information for healthful living.

Recently, I chose to advertise in this magazine. I chose Healthy Beginning’s magazine because I rely on it myself. I’ve been picking up my monthly issue for years. It’s a great resource!

I was fortunate to have been featured in the Provider Profile in the March 2012 issue. I had the opportunity to talk about how I was introduced to the healing power of Reiki. If you run across this magazine, I encourage you to pick up a free copy; it’s available at many local locations. Enjoy this free gift of knowledge!

 

 

 

Frequently people ask me what a Reiki session feels like. This may be the most challenging question to answer. The truth is it’s so difficult because it’s never the same for any two people. I’ve tried to articulate what a person might expect and often clients say that they do experience some of the things I say but just as often they describe their own unique experience.

Recently I realized that a Reiki session is a bit like falling in love. The sensations are different for everyone, and yet everyone seems to have sensations. I Googled “What does it feel like to fall in love.” There were thousands of answers to this question. Some were romantic and dreamy and some were bittersweet. My favorite one was this, “Scary. Then the best thing to ever happen to you.”

In honor of Valentine’s Day, I thought I would list some similarities between falling in love and a Reiki session.

• Tingling or warm sensations in the body
• Heart rate change
• Thoughts and memories coming and going quickly
• A change in breathing
• Feeling nervous at first, then comfort
• Calm and excited at the same time
• Feeling like you are loved
• Feeling compassion for yourself

 

The most important thing that you feel is a connection to your true self. As your heart opens you feel a sense of inner peace that is hard to describe but trust me it feels fantastic.

According to Professor Arthur Aron from State University of New York Stonybrook, “The primary motivation for falling in love is to expand the self and to increase our abilities and our effectiveness.” Professor Aron has been studying why people fall in love. He goes on to indicate that “people like to feel that they are effective in relationships.”

In my experience, Reiki feels like an energetic hug engulfing you in love. Even when I’m feeling insecure or upset, a Reiki session never makes me feel alone. I feel supported and worthy. I feel empowered. This is very similar to what Professor Aron describes as the motivation for falling in love.

As scary as it might seem to try out in the beginning, the peace and calm felt during a Reiki session make it difficult to not give into, just like falling in love. I know I’ve fallen in love with Reiki and if you haven’t already I hope you will too. Happy Valentine’s Day!

To read full article go to: http://health.howstuffworks.com/relationships/love/why-do-we-fall-in-love.htm

 

Whenever I look at newspapers, magazines and television, there always seems to be something on the subject of meditation and its many benefits. From reducing stress to helping you live healthier and longer, the results are in and they are all in favor of meditation. I see this and I agree. However, I also have to admit it’s difficult for me to meditate.

One of the best things that I have found for bringing meditation into my life has been a complimentary gift from Deepak Chopra’s Meditation Center. He offers a 21-day meditation challenge a few times a year.  These five to ten-minute guided meditations are led by master teachers from the Chopra Center. The short daily meditations make it simple to stay quiet and centered. The teachers choose subjects to help you focus on the mind, body and spirit in a calm and soothing way. I believe that five to ten minutes a day is easy to commit to.

The next opportunity for a 21-day meditation challenge is about to begin!  It starts on February 20^th, 2012.  Just go to www.chopracentermeditation.com and sign up. I assure you that it’s easy to stay focused. You will notice the benefits from this meditation challenge and it’s free!

I chose to listen to the meditations at night before bed. I found that it made me feel calm and relaxed. It allowed me to let go of the day and wake up with a refreshed sense of well-being. Maybe you’re a morning person and it would work better for you to listen to while you sip your morning coffee? The point is it’s not a huge time commitment and the gifts that you receive from doing it are amazing.

There are several master teachers that lead the meditations. Each brings a unique viewpoint to consider. My favorite teacher is Davidji. His voice is perfect for guided meditation. It’s deep, rich and inviting to listen to. His voice sounds friendly, supportive and thoughtful.

I hope that you will consider trying meditation. Whether your meditation preference is sitting, breathing, chanting, gong meditation or another way you prefer to find that peace, I encourage you to do it. For me, I’ll be accepting the next 21-day challenge from the Chopra Center.

 

 

Every January millions of us choose to focus on changing our habits, bodies, diets and a plethora of other things that we believe are not beneficial to our lifestyle. The focus starts with what we think we are not doing right.

Each year I attempt to make changes that I think will make me healthier or less stressed. I usually keep my resolutions going strong until about mid-February. Then slowly, I lose momentum until I’m no longer bothering with my new year intentions. In a sense I give up on myself and end up feeling worse than when I started.

I have this notion that part of the reason I can never keep up with my new year intentions is because I’m starting off believing that I’m not good enough to begin with. This year I want to change how I feel from the start.

I plan to pay attention to those things that I have done right and honor those. I can make some improvements and I can look at the new year with the intent that I don’t have to change everything.

For example, I exercise regularly, however maybe this year I can stay focused on challenging myself at the gym instead of resolving to go more. I eat well most of the time. Maybe this year I can focus on what foods make me feel better and eat more of those.

This year my intention is to be kinder to myself from the start. I’m going to strive to do better and try not to be disappointed when I’m not able to put forth my best efforts. I’m hoping that by setting this intention I will have better results.

Recently a friend recommended a lovely new year’s resolution. It is to try something new once a month. I love this! It’s simple, it’s refreshing and I think it is something that I can do that will make me feel good. I can try a new restaurant, or a new haircut. The point is, it’s easy and it starts off positive from the start. The change is one that doesn’t hinge on me not being good enough from the start.

As we celebrate a new year of opportunity I wish you well with all of your resolutions. I hope that you are inspired to be kinder to yourself from the start and have a happy and healthy new year. CHEERS!

I recently experienced my first Gong Meditation. I had no idea what to expect. I wondered if I would even like it. A friend recommended I try it and I’m delighted that I did.

The gongs are quite large and each one emits its own sound. Each sound seemed to evoke a different emotion and visual image for me. Judy Strauss, who owns the gongs, has a number of them. She also incorporates singing bowls, chimes, rainsticks and other lovely sounding instruments that she utilizes throughout the meditation. She was a one-woman orchestra of beautiful sounds.

What do you do for a gong meditation?  The answer is simple…you lie down comfortably on a yoga mat with pillows and a blanket. You close your eyes and listen. It’s that simple. However, the experience was very powerful.

Everyone I spoke to after the gong meditation had their own personal experience, but profound for all. For me I saw many beautiful images in my mind’s eye. It was almost like dreaming, but being awake. I felt energized by the sound. My body was tingling as the sounds escalated from the gongs. At one point she had three gongs  going at once and it was so intense. It was loud, but did not hurt my ears at all. I wondered if it could get any louder, and it did. I could feel the vibrations bouncing off the floors and the walls. I found it exhilarating.

A close friend went to the meditation with a sprained ankle and said that it was aching the entire time. However, when she awoke the next morning she noticed that the pain in her ankle had disappeared completely. Judy mentioned that spontaneous healing can sometimes occur.

I  encourage you to try one of these meditations. I found the experience deeply calming, and my friend had a healing occur. If nothing else, I can guarantee that it will be one of the most unusual experiences you’ll ever have.

For more information and dates for the next gong meditation, visit www.pathtobliss.com.

Rooted in Love is my way of sharing the knowledge and information I gather regarding all forms of healing, inspiration and the goodness to be found in our world. It is my intention to share what I learn about Reiki, Shamanism and all other healing modalities with you. I hope to inform, inspire and share the love that I find. May this blog be a source for uplifting thoughts, quotes and knowledge for all of us.

Namaste,

Teresa