When Reiki Met Yoga

I felt like I was walking between two worlds as though my internal self and my external self were having a hard time merging - for almost two months I felt this way. Yoga practice was still a constant in my life and had been ever since January 2006. All it took was one session in the comfort of my own home and I was hooked. However, the transition from Summer to Autumn seemed to give way to a strange feeling I had of being out of balance.

2006 proved to be a year full of major changes and transitions that caused me to step out of my comfort zone into a whole new world and way of being. And although yoga is one of my daily refuges, I felt there was something missing...something else that might help me deal with the changes and enhance the merging of my mind, body, and spirit.

I've been a certified Usui Reiki[1] Master ever since 2005. Eventually, I was guided to add Sacred Flames Reiki and Karuna Ki Reiki Master levels to my repertoire between 2005 and 2006. When I received my very first attunement in 2004 for Reiki Level I, it was stressed to me by my Reiki Master to give myself self- treatments on a

regular basis, preferably every single day for about a month, but if I couldn't do it that often then a few times per week for awhile as I felt guided.

The self-treatments of Reiki are amazing because they aid in the detoxification of one's whole being including the energy centers or chakras. Reiki is a wonderful natural method of healing that emphasizes energy coming from the hands into chakras or the parts of the body that are in need of healing. This unique natural healing method was brought to light - as the traditional story of Reiki goes - by Dr. Mikai Usui in 17^th century Japan, which made its way to the West during the last several years of Dr. Usui's life. However, the act of laying hands on an individual to channel healing energy into him or her was not a new concept even then. There were symbols added that enhanced the experience of being attuned to the healing power of Reiki on three different levels for individuals seeking to learn how to be Masters of this healing method, yet it is not necessary to know symbols and receive attunements to realize one's own power to heal the self.

One evening as I transitioned from my last vinyasa of downward facing dog into upward facing dog into a prostration where I laid on the floor facedown with my hands in prayer position over my head, I turned over to enjoy about fifteen minutes of Savasana (The Corpse Pose). My mind wavered profusely from relaxation to the imbalance that I still felt lingering within me.

As I laid there facing the heavens, my muscles started to tense and I began to cry. Silently, I called upon my Higher Self for guidance and I was reminded of the powerful gift of healing touch. In my mind's eye, I was shown a vision of my hands hovering over my own body while swirls of endless healing energy enveloped me.

I followed the vision lifting my hands up towards each other in a prayer position at my heart energy center. I prayed for the power of Reiki to emit from my hands. I separated my hands about an inch apart and immediately I felt the warm energy moving around. I brought my hands up to my face first hovering over my forehead, eyes, nose, and mouth. Once my face relaxed, I moved one hand up over my head while the other hand was over my throat area.

The longer I held my hands over these areas the warmer they became relaxing my being more and more with every moment that passed by. Eventually, I moved both my hands down to my heart energy center. I stayed there for quite some time. The energy felt so good going into that particular chakra where love resides. The best way I can describe this miraculously beautiful energy is that it felt like pulsating waves of warmth flowing into me. After a few more moments, I moved one hand down to my belly where the solar plexus energy center lives and the other hand went below my navel where my sacral plexus needed some attention that was long overdue.

After awhile, I cleared and balanced my root chakra located at the base of my spine concluding my Reiki self-treatment while in the Corpse pose. It was the most unique experience I'd ever had since I've been practicing both yoga and Reiki. I felt so much better. My body, mind, and spirit were one again. I no longer felt as though I was walking between worlds as if one part of me was trying to separate itself from the others.

I felt whole and complete again. My thoughts were clear again. My spirit was strong and ready to learn again. My body was comfortable and full of light and energy.

I decided right there that I wanted to feel this way as much as possible. So, I've given myself a Reiki self-treatment during the Savasana portion of my yoga practice at least once per week. And I also give myself a quickie treatment during meditation from time to time as well hovering over all the chakras as I do in Savasana.

Healing Thyself

Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a certified Reiki practitioner or Master to use the healing power of touch on yourself at any time you feel you need it. I truly believe we all have the power to heal ourselves. The same loving energy that helps us to make decisions, take care of someone we love, cook a meal, find the time to run errands, and smile at a stranger is the same loving energy that can help us heal ourselves.

When you have a moment hold one of your hands about an inch or two from your face for about thirty seconds to one minute. What do you feel? You should be feeling a nice warm energy coming from your hand to your face. This is your inner power. This is your healing coming to life right before your eyes. This is your time to heal thyself.

Just remember that any time you want to feel that warm healing again you can hold your hand to any part of your body that needs it or if you aren't thinking clearly you can use it for that too. For instance, if you are having a hard time concentrating on an important project at work due to a stressful situation at home, you can hold your hands

over the top of your head either touching your head or hovering over it for a few minutes or until you feel you can continue your work.

So, you see you can use the healing power of touch for yourself any time you need it. You don't have to take any special classes or training unless you absolutely want to do it. The power is within you to heal yourself...mind, body, and spirit. A good rule of thumb before using healing touch is to say a silent prayer or intention of what you're trying to do as an enrichment to the healing energy you want emitted from your being to your being. For example, you could say something like, "I call upon the healing energy within me to help ease this headache" or you can fill in the blank to your liking. In addition, the longer you focus the energy into yourself the stronger it becomes - which makes it more powerful and effective.

Do not ever be afraid to give yourself one of the greatest gifts there is...healing!

Namaste.

[1] Reiki is pronounced (ray-key).