Reiki
The word “reiki” combines two Japanese characters or kanji: “rei” means spiritual or transcendent, and “ki” means energy or vital force. It is translated as “spiritual energy,” and is intelligent, self-organizing, and accumulative in its effects.
Reiki also refers to the system of vibrational or spiritual healing that promotes homeostatic balance and greater overall well-being. The Reiki system is gentle and non-invasive, and a practitioner uses a soft, light touch to focus and infuse vibrations into areas on or above the body.
Unresolved or chronic stress is acknowledged as the underlying cause of most physical and psychological challenges. Reiki vibrations induce a reorganization of the physical body system and the bio-field in and around the body. This results in a “relaxation response” that allows the mind-body continuum to adjust and rebalance itself—either immediately, or over time with regular sessions—depending upon the client and their individual concerns and needs.
Reiki sessions are not a replacement for any treatment prescribed by a doctor, licensed health care practitioner, or mental health professional. However, Reiki supports and accelerates such prescribed treatment.
Most people find Reiki sessions deeply relaxing—whether in body, mind, or spirit. Reiki accelerates the body’s natural healing processes in trauma situations and supports general prevention and wellness. Regular Reiki sessions can help reduce stress, alleviate or ease pain, improve immune system functioning, calm emotional distress, soothe mental disturbance, as well as enhance clarity and creativity. Many people choose Reiki sessions to facilitate their personal and spiritual growth.
Reiki sessions are commonly structured in three segments—initial consultation, hands-on segment, and concluding consultation or follow-up.
The length and content of the consultation at the beginning and at the conclusion of a session vary from practitioner to practitioner. The hands-on portion of a session is given on a massage table with sheets, coverings, pillows, and bolsters for client comfort. The atmosphere of the treatment room is typically enhanced with music and special lighting. Clients always remain fully clothed.
The Reiki practitioner uses light touch to focus and infuse Reiki energy into areas on or above the body.
Your experience can differ from session to session. Sensations that you may feel in, on, or around your body while receiving a Reiki session are heat, coolness, tingling, pulsation, wave-like movement or flow. Healing responses during a Reiki treatment may include kinesthetic reactions in your body, emotional release, or an increase in the activity of your thoughts. You may experience a sense of uplifting and spiritual connection.
Mindful Outdoor Experiences
A mindful outdoor experience typically involves slow, gentle walks in nature, during which participants practice present-moment awareness as they absorb the sights, sounds, smells and textures of the forest. These experiences also typically include a nature meditation and time to connect and share as a group. These experiences are gentle, move slowly and do not cover a lot of ground.
Americans are spending less and less time outside. The average American now spends 11 hours each day on a screen. The EPA released a study recently, stating that Americans spend more than 90 percent of their lives indoors. Studies have shown that even a short walk outside can make a big difference in how we feel.
Even a short walk in the woods can reduce the stress hormone cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate, and the phytoncide, or essential oils, secreted by trees have been shown to boost our mood and help us feel better.
Additional benefits include:
- Positive benefits to immunity
- Reduced depressive symptoms and hostility
- Improved sleep
- Increased vigor.
In summary, we feel more vital when we are outside in the elements, and research shows that getting a regular dose of nature therapy makes us feel better, helps combat stress, and boosts our immunity.
Being in nature has many proven benefits including:
- Attention restoration
- Increased creativity and productivity
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved mood
- Decreased anxiety
- Decrease in feelings of loneliness
- Increased resilience to stress
Mind-Body Skills Small Group Sessions
Mind-body skills are techniques for increased health and wellness by reducing stress, anxiety, and illness, increasing immune function and sense of well-being, and ability to better handle life’s challenges. Based on the model developed by James Gordon, M.D. at the Center for Mind Body Medicine, you will learn techniques such as:
- Meditation
- Breathing to engage relaxation response
- Emotional regulation
- Mindful eating
- Guided imagery
- Biofeedback
- Autogenics and more.
Working in small groups is part of the protocol, which includes didactic learning, experiential learning, and group support in a safe, non-judgmental space.
Anyone experiencing chronic stress, anxiety, or the impact of trauma can benefit from participating in a mind-body skills group.
The benefits of participating in a mind-body skills group include:
- Increased resilience to stress
- Decreased anxiety
- Decrease in feelings of loneliness
- Increased immune function
- Ability to self-regulate emotions
- Increased sense of well-being