Mindful Reiki: The anatomy of a session

Image by johnhain

In an earlier post I wrote about integrating mindfulness and Reiki in a session where both myself and the client are mindfully meditating. In this post we'll take a look at what you could expect during such an appointment.

1) You may not know it, but before you even enter the room I've been practicing some form of mindfulness, whether breathing, body scan, or in setting up the room (because you can be mindful doing just about anything). I do this to get grounded, to calm down, and to prepare myself for "healing mode". Imagine if I were frantically rushing to get to our appointment and how that could transfer on to you. We are talking energy here, and everything counts. If you come in frantic, stressed, etc (of which at least one is likely), I'm more equipped to handle it if I'm working within a framework of mindfulness. 

2) Once you arrive there is the intake process which can last up to 15 minutes. This is where I'll want information about why you're coming for Reiki/Mindfulness and answer any questions you have.

3) You would then lay on the table and we'd begin with a short breathing meditation to draw awareness to the body, laying the groundwork for relaxation.

4) Depending on what the issues were that you expressed in the intake, I would place my hands in various positions on the body to help facilitate the letting go of anything (energetically) that is contributing to any physical or emotional pain. If you're not in any discomfort and are getting Reiki as an upkeep, preventative measure or to help recover from a strenuous physical or emotional event (I work with athletes, for example) I will of course work with that as well.

5) As I place my hands I would ask that you draw your attention to that area of the body as I work on it. As thoughts come and go, you would note those thoughts and then come back to that area. As I move around the body I would ask that your awareness move as well. I may also ask you to reflect on questions like, what does this area of the body feel like? is there stress or contentment? I may prompt you to have gratitude for your body. I may ask you to consider having compassion for those areas that are painful or heavy.

As you can see, it takes work on your part and is very engaging.

6) At the end of the session I will offer feedback and make recommendations on a personal practice based on your situation/goals.

Image by johnhain

If you're familiar with mindfulness techniques you'll notice that this is a modified body scan, with Reiki. At the end of the session you're likely to feel more grounded, literally. Your body might feel a little heavier because we've taken a bit of your awareness and brought in back into your anatomical home.

If you're interested in discussing or trying a session,contact me at christine@themindfulgallery.com or 508-934-6040

30 and 60min sessions are available on a sliding scale.

Be well

Mindful Reiki Sessions: Healing With Awareness

As a Reiki practitioner, I always practice mindfulness during a session with a client. What that means is, I am as present. I use my breath and the touch of my hands on the body as my anchor. When thoughts arise that have nothing to do with the healing interaction going on, I notice them, and come back to Reiki. I probably do that a hundred times in a session. Why is this so important? Well, let me first tell you that it's not something we as Reiki students are taught to do (usually). The idea is that once someone has been attuned to Reiki, and once the hands go on the body, Reiki is there no matter what. Now, that may or may not be true. I have no scientific way to prove it. I do know that intuitively, it would seem that if I were thinking about work, sinking into bad feelings, caught up in fantasy, going through my to do list etc, as I give Reiki, the quality of that Reiki session would be compromised. When I make an intention to be with the client as much as I possibly can, the healing potential that Reiki has is magnified. Why? Common sense would say that it's because I'm working to constantly remove any blockage between myself and the client. Think of thoughts overtaking the mind as a clogged drain and water as Reiki. Some water can pass through a clogged drain, but not much. Mindfulness is like drano. It acknowledges the clog, and by noticing it and taking steps to let it go, the drain becomes free-flowing again. Reiki works the same way.

Now, imagine if the client was practicing mindfulness as well. How much greater might the healing experience be?

Beginning this month I am offering Mindful Reiki Sessions. These sessions are meant to guide the client through a mindfulness meditation (focusing on the breath and the body) while giving Reiki. What we find when we pay attention in this way is that there can be pockets of emotions stored in the body that need awareness to be released. If someone were to come in feeling very anxious, for example, it is possible that in a guided mindfulness session they would be able to discern where in the body it's stored on their own. The addition of Reiki assists in letting go of that energy, along with awareness. There is often such a disconnect between mind and body, that by paying attention to the body during the healing process, you're building a bridge of awareness and communication. If you can imagine and are willing to attempt befriending that which is causing you emotional or physical pain, this is probably for you. 

Christine Eaton, RMP

Would you like to take Reiki to the next level? These sessions are available Saturday mornings at the Cummings Center in Beverly, MA. I offer a sliding scale for both 30 and 60min sessions.

If you're a Reiki practitioner who is interested in a 4-wk Mindful Reiki course to be held in Beverly, MA, please contact me.

You can contact me at christine@themindfulgallery.com or 508-934-6040 for more information or to book the table. 

Much Love.