Reiki (therapy): learn about music, symbols and benefits

Reiki is considered a healing system through the laying on of hands, which can be used for physical, emotional and spiritual treatments. It is a complement to drug treatments, bringing concepts such as self-care and self-knowledge.

The practice can be carried out by anyone and, best of all, it does not need any kind of material, only goodwill , besides of course, the knowledge and mastery of the practice !

Are you interested to know more about this technique? Then check out the full article below

Contents

What is reiki?

Reiki is a Japanese technique considered by the World Health Organization (WHO) as an integrative and complementary practice, in addition to being one of the 29 integrative practices of the National Policy of Integrative and Complementary Practices of the Ministry of Health, present in SUS .

It consists of a healing system through the laying on of hands , made from a trained professional, known as a Reikian.

The goal is to promote well-being, serenity, harmony and happiness through the alignment of chakras, which are centers or points of energy.

Reiki can be used as a complement to drug treatment, aiding self-care and providing well-being.

The technique can be performed in person or remotely, and can also be applied individually or in groups.

No type of contraindication related to reiki is known, since the practice is considered a therapy for relaxation and well-being. It is just necessary for the person to feel comfortable when conducting the sessions;

Integrative practices, in general, have an approach that considers health as a whole and should not be pursued only in times of pain, discomfort or illness.

That is, aimed at maintaining the quality of life and, along with other approaches can prevent health changes or aid in the treatment of conditions such as postural problems, muscle weakness or even in chronic pain, together with conventional treatments.

Therapy has been part of the list of procedures offered by the Unified Health System (SUS) since 2017.

What are chakras?

When we are explaining reiki, complex concepts always arise, as is the case with chakras.

This concept is essential for us to understand the vital energy of our organism and how to balance it.

Originating in Sanskrit, the word chakra means “wheel of light”.

It represents the regions and energy centers that we have, each acting in a specific energy area of our body, in order to ensure balance.

There are 7 main chakras, which are located along the spine up to the head. Are they:

  • Muladhara Chakra : red in color, considered the basic chakra, it is located on the backbone and is related to the survival instinct. Their energies are linked to physical, mental and emotional security;
  • Svadhisthana Chakra : orange in color, the sacral chakra represents sexuality and self-esteem. It is associated with the kidneys, reproductive system, circulatory system and bladder;
  • Manipura Chakra : solar plexus, this is how this chakra is known. Yellow in color, it represents power and wills, both determination, ability to learn and self-confidence;
  • Anahata Chakra : located between the heart and the lungs, this is the heart chakra. Represented by the green color, it is the center of the energy system and its main representation is the union by love;
  • Vishuddha Chakra : this chakra is known to be “the gateway to high consciousness and purification”. Represented in blue and known as the throat chakra, it is directly related to communication and creativity.
  • Ajna Chakra : works by controlling intuition, imagination and knowledge of perception. The frontal chakra or also known as the third eye is represented with the color blue;
  • Sahashara Chakra : also known as the crown chakra, it is represented by the color violet. It is considered the portal of spirituality and once out of balance it can mean neurological problems, suicidal disorders and depression.

How and where did reiki come from?

Reiki was created in 1922 by a Buddhist monk named Mikao Usui.

After traveling for years, the master arrived at Mount Kurama and meditated there for 21 days. After this process of internalization and personal understanding, Usui made the true technique of healing and self-healing official, calling it reiki.

A few years later, in 1922, Usui went to Tokyo and there opened a school called Usui Reiki RyohoGakkai.

Principles of Reiki

Reiki is a practice that predominates good intention and the desire to provide vital energy to other people. The technique aims to maintain ethical principles and respect for those who are receiving this energy, in addition to providing health and well-being.

There are 5 principles to be followed:

1st Principle: Just for today, don’t be angry

Considered a negative energy, anger ends up blocking other healing energies from entering. Thinking about it, reiki affirms the importance of understanding the evolutionary processes of each person in order to achieve spiritual and mental peace.

2nd Principle: Just for today, don’t be worried

Another important point that is reinforced by reiki is the idea that we only have the present. To worry about things that have passed or are yet to come, only makes us lose time, being that now is the only certainty we have.

3rd Principle: Just for today, feel gratitude for the blessings you receive

According to reiki, we receive what we emit. Thinking about it, so that we can receive everything we want, we need to be grateful for what we already have.

4th Principle: Today and always, work with dedication and honesty

According to the philosophy of reiki, whenever we have to perform a task, the most important thing is to do it in the best possible way. We should never think about harming someone in order to achieve our goals.

5th Principle: Today and always, be kind and show gratitude to all living beings

One of the main characteristics of reiki is the law of return. The practice aims to recognize the blessings that life gives us daily, making us position ourselves in the same way with the rest of living beings.

Reiki therapy: what is it for?

Studies point to reiki as a practice that has enormous benefits for physical, mental and spiritual health.

Although there is no medical-scientific consensus, some studies have mentioned the benefits of reiki as an aid in managing stress and emotional conditions in general.

An example is the study by Bowden, Goddard and Gruzelier in 2010, in which 40 university students were evaluated after 6 sessions of 30 minutes of reiki.

Participants who had high levels of anxiety and / or depression showed a significant and progressive improvement in general mood.

Thus, reiki can act providing relaxation, reducing anxiety and offering more quality of life for people.

What are the benefits?

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Reiki is a practice that can be used as a complementary therapy for various problems and conditions. Among the benefits are:

Reduces insomnia

When practiced, reiki provides a feeling of well-being and happiness. As a consequence, the body releases hormones such as serotonin and endorphins (related to pleasure and well-being), improving sleep quality.

Read more: Change your habits and find out how to sleep well

Decreases anxiety and depression

Due to the well-being and relaxation it provides, reiki can be combined with anxiety and stress treatments. The practice promotes a feeling of calm, inner peace and relaxation.

Assists in the treatment of chronic pain

Many pains can be related to emotional or psychological background and this is where reiki works, in the emotional field of the person.

Within the philosophy of reiki, the pain is eased because the Reikian is able to unblock some chakras related to emotional balance, that is, aligning the flow of energies and consequently improving the physical symptoms that were caused.

But there can also be other relationships.

A study published in the Scientific Journal of Latin America stated that through the combination of reiki and relaxation techniques, combined with non-pharmacological strategies, it is possible to perceive pain relief, reduction of anxiety, nausea, stress and insomnia .

With improved well-being and less tension, the patient suffers less from pain.

Improves the body’s response

When a person’s body is in homeostasis (balance of the organism to maintain the proper functioning of all systems ), naturally it will react better to any intervention that has to be done, from surgery or other medical treatment.

With that in mind, integrating the practice of reiki with medical procedures can bring positive results for those who are facing some type of treatment such as cancer .

How does it act in the organism?

Reiki practitioners believe that there is a universal energy, which resides in all the lives of planet Earth. This energy can have different nomenclatures depending on the line with which each person identifies, being able to be known as God, Prana , Chi, among other diverse options.

Reiki believes each person has an energy field that surrounds him, always in interaction with thoughts, feelings and the outside world.

From that, whenever we have bad or negative thoughts, we decrease the frequency of our energy, creating blockages in the flow of these energies that permeate us.

Considered as a bioenergetic therapy, reiki acts on the body’s energy flow, improving thoughts and behaviors, in addition to bringing countless benefits for the body and mind.

The Reikian therapist must have this free and fluid path, being able to act as a vital energy channel for the patient, removing obstructions and annoyances.

Usually the practice is performed in hourly sessions, in which the patient is lying down so that the Reikian can apply the energy in the chakra regions.

How is a reiki session?

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Before beginning the practice, the Reikian separates the symbols that represent him and performs a procedure to protect his chakras.

The environment has a sound in the background, to relax the person who will receive the energy. Throughout the session, the person remains lying down, eyes closed.

To begin, it is necessary to “open” the energetic channel , the patient’s aura , with the laying on of hands.

After the process of releasing the flow of energy, the Reikian will begin to apply his hands under the chakras in order to begin the practice effectively. In other words, the Reikian places his hands on the energetic region.

Each energy point, or chakra, receives the application of the hands for about 2 to 5 minutes, as the Reikian deems necessary.

After the necessary time, the patient turns on his back to perform the same procedure, only now done on the back chakras.

To conclude, the Reikian says a prayer thanking the “higher self” and the energy of the universe, with his hands on the head of the patient who is receiving the reiki. In addition, the Reikian “closes” or “seals” the person’s aura again, following the same principle as the beginning of the process.

What are reiki symbols?

The symbols used in reiki can be understood as mechanisms that control the flow of vital energy. They represent intentions and beliefs, acting in a way to energetically clean people, places and objects.

Reikians have a comprehensive knowledge of symbols, their functions, fields of action and specific names, always with the aim of channeling energy to the recipient.

Among the most well-known symbols are:

  • Cho ku rei;
  • Sei is to;
  • Hon sha ze sho nen;
  • Dai ko myo.

What does music represent in reiki?

The moment you are practicing or receiving reiki, it is important to be focused on the present moment.

It is in this sense that music becomes so important to the process. It helps to raise the energy vibration, in addition to relaxing and strengthening the spirit and connection of those who are receiving with those who are passing.

It is not a mandatory factor for practice, however, it may be required during the process.

Read more: Music therapy: what it is, what it is for, how it works and benefits

Who can do it?

Anyone can receive reiki. The practice can be used as a complement to traditional medicine, that is, it does not replace previously established medical treatments, but it can improve the results.

In addition, reiki can be applied to animals and plants.

The general objective in these more specific practices is to bring vital energy to beings who live with you, as if it were a kind of purification of the environment and those present in it.

Read more: Quality of Life: what can it help me with?

Price: How much does a session cost?

The values ​​of reiki sessions may vary depending on the duration and location. In general, the values ​​can be around R $ 30 to R $ 190 per session.

But, since 2017, reiki has been part of the Unified Health System, and can be performed by anyone free of charge, according to the service units’ offer, according to the management of each municipality.

Do you have contraindications?

Reiki is a safe practice, with no side effects or any kind of contraindications. It is a method without negative consequences and collateral damage, and can be used by anyone who feels comfortable with the therapy.

Reiki course and levels

Within traditional reiki, the practice is divided into 4 stages, the last one being separated into A and B. In the first level, the principles and traditions of the practice are studied.

In addition, it is possible to learn about the subtle energies and how to become a healing channel.

In the second level, reiki symbols are covered, in addition to learning about mental and emotional work.

The Reikian learns more about healing techniques, the use of the pendulum and how to measure the health of the chakras.

At level 3A, the main theme to be learned is about self-knowledge, the sense in which we are here, what is our mission and purpose in life.

The last level is dedicated to tuning learning, in order to pass this teaching on to others.

The level is intended for people who want to teach reiki classes or courses.

The courses are considered extension and, in general, lasts at least 20 hours.

Common questions

Many people have heard about the practice, but still have questions related to development. Thinking about it, we brought you some frequently asked questions related to reiki, take a look:

Who can learn reiki? Are there any prerequisites?

Anyone can learn the technique, going through two different practices: philosophy and therapy. Regardless of belief, race, religion or age, reiki can be learned and spread by people.

There are no prerequisites for learning the practice, the only recommendation is that the person already has some knowledge about the chakras and the vital energy that will be addressed during the course.

Does distance Reiki work?

Yes. According to quantum physics (area of ​​study related to reiki), it is possible to perform reiki at a distance, as well as it is possible to send positive thoughts.

Some techniques are addressed, especially at level 2, in order to clarify doubts and bring more confidence and security to the person who is doing reiki.

The recommended, in this type of practice, is to be in a quiet and silent place during the sending of the reiki, in order to facilitate the concentration and mentalization of the vital energy, for both the receiver and the sender.


As we can see, reiki is a preventive and harmonizing method, acting in the emotional, mental and spiritual fields.

If you know someone who would be interested in this technique, share this article to let them know more!

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