WITH so many alternative medicines and treatments available these days, it's easy to miss out on the positive effects offered by some of the lesser-known modalities.

By now, most natural health fans are familiar with the likes of massage, aromatherapy, reflexology and acupuncture. But the practice of reiki seems to have been left behind on the alternative health radar screen. While many people have heard of the treatment, few are familiar with its uses and abilities to heal.

So the Mid-Ocean News this week delved into the study of reiki to bring readers information on this natural healing treatment.

THE word Reiki is composed of two Japanese words, Rei and Ki, the literal English translation of which is spirit/soul for Rei and energy for Ki. Most reiki masters, however, define the practice as "universal life force energy".

Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of healing that enables one to accept or become a channel for a greater amount of life force energy, according to reiki therapist, master and teacher Monica Dobbie of Holistic Health (Bermuda) Ltd.

"We are all alive because life force is flowing though us," she said. "When this flow of life is disrupted, it causes diminished function on the organs and tissues of the body. Reiki heals by flowing through the affected parts of the energy field and charges them with positive energy.

"Reiki is gentle, yet powerful," added Ms Dobbie, noting that it is not an alternative to modern medical care. Rather it complements traditional medicine.

South Shore Hypnosis and Reiki Practice reiki master, practitioner and teacher Beverley Masters explained that reiki can be defined as a non-physical healing energy made up of life force energy that is guided by the Higher Intelligence, or spirtually guided life force energy.

"This is a functional definition as it closely parallels the experience of those who practise reiki in that reiki energy seems to have an intelligence of its own, flowing where it is needed on the client and creating the healing conditions necessary for his or her individual needs," she said.

Ki is the non-physical energy that animates all living things and flows into everything that is alive including plants, animals, insects, humans and rocks.

"When a person's Ki is high, they will feel strong, confident and ready to enjoy life and take on its challenges. But when it is low, they will feel weak and are more likely to get sick," said Ms Masters. "We receive Ki from the air we breathe, from food, sunshine and sleep. It is also possible to increase our Ki by using breathing exercises and meditation. And when a person dies, their Ki leaves the physical body like the act of shedding an overcoat we no longer need."

According to Ms Masters, an individual's source of health comes from the Ki that flows through and around them rather than from the functional condition of their physical organs and tissues.

"It is Ki that animates the physical organs and tissues as it flows through them and therefore is responsible for creating a healthy condition. If the flow is disrupted, the physical organs and tissues will be adversely affected. Therefore it is a disruption in the flow of Ki that is the main cause of illness."

Ki also responds to an individual's thoughts and feelings, according to Ms Masters. "Ki will flow more strongly or be weakened in its action depending on the quality of one's thoughts and feelings. It is our negative thoughts and feelings that are the main cause of restriction in the flow of Ki," she said.

"The great value of reiki is that it knows exactly where to go and how to respond to restrictions in the flow of Ki. It can work directly in the unconscious parts of the mind and body which contain negative Ki-inhibiting thoughts and feelings and eliminate them." As reiki flows through a sick or unhealthy area, it breaks up and washes away negative thoughts or feelings lodged in the unconscious mind and body, thus allowing a normal healthy flow of Ki to resume. Reiki supports the body's natural ability to heal itself and is an effective method for the prevention of disease.

Said Ms Dobbie: "It improves the effectiveness of traditional medical treatments. It can reduce side- effects, shorten healing time, reduce or eliminate pain, reduce stress and help to create optimism. And it's a wonderful way to relax."

She added: "I have given reiki for all types of ailments from easing the after-effects of chemotherapy and speeding the healing of a broken ankle to stress, recurrent headaches, backache and sleeplessness."

REIKI has also aided in healing serious disease like cancer and heart disease in addition to colds, sunburn, insect bites and skin problems. As well, it soothes crying babies, heals animals and energises plants, according to Ms Masters, who noted that reiki is very versatile and can be used to heal or improve any human condition or difficulty.

Reiki treatments are given by the laying-on of hands. A standard treatment includes placing the hands on positions around the head, chest, abdomen, shoulders, back, hands and feet, while the client lies fully clothed on a therapy couch. However, the practitioner may use other positions for specific client conditions. Each position is held for three to five mintues and, if required, longer, depending on the need. The entire treatment lasts between one hour and an hour and a half.

Said Ms Masters: "Reiki is an amazing energy which has its own intelligence and knows exactly where to go and what to do. It is multi-dimensional and will heal the cause of a problem on whatever level it may exist - body, mind or spirit.

"It does not have to be directed by the practitioner. And because it is a channelled healing, the reiki practitioner's energies are never depleted. In fact, when giving a healing, they are healed as well and always experience an increase in life force energy."

At the end of a treatment, the body will be balanced, according to Ms Masters (pictured above) . But unless the cause of the imbalance is addressed, it will return.

"Our bodies reflect our thoughts and feelings. If we think negative thoughts then they will manifest in the body. And the same goes for supressing emotions - the body will reflect the things that we hold within."

Added Ms Dobbie: "A reiki treatment feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through you and surrounds you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit. As energy comes back into balance, your stress and tension is released and replaced with feelings of peace, security and well being."

Holistic Health client Glennis Dickinson said she finds reiki very relaxing and particulary good for stress.

"I liked reiki so much that I decided to to take the (reiki) course with Monica so that I can use it on myself. I find it very healing and I even use it on my dogs," she said. "It really does work and it works for everybody."

Another Holistic Health client and local physician said she went in for a reiki treatment because she was interested in the concept of body energy and wanted to explore its benefits.

"During the treatment, it was very relaxing. And after the treatment, I felt very energised and focused. I would encourage my patients to get reiki," she said. "I am thinking more about alternative medicine and how it complements modern medicine. And I am realising that modern medicine only presents us with a minimal amount of knowledge."

For more information on reiki, please contact Beverley Masters at 236-6578 and/or Monica Dobbie at 236-3013. Please note there also are many other reiki masters practising in Bermuda.

Reiki - Touching the Body, Mind and Soul

Reiki is safe, simple, supportive, respectful and above all, it can do no harm. Reiki balances and works on four levels of existence:

l On the physical level

Reiki is used to ease pain, reduce effects of stress, increase effectiveness of medication, induce sleep, help the body cope with trauma of illness or injury, improve action of the immune system, and, in other ways accelerate healing and promote balance. Reiki can act as a useful adjunct to allopathic, naturopathic and chiropractic treatment by supporting the overall healing process of a person.

l On the mental level

Reiki is used to calm the mind, promote creativity, stimulate memory recall, assist in the release of emotions, and increase self-understanding. In combination with emotional and psychological therapies, Reiki supports and strengthens the integrity of the individual.

l On the spiritual level

Reiki is used to develop compassion, expand understanding of self and others, experience connection with a Supreme Being or universal truth, and promote reverence of life. Reiki awakens one's spiritual nature and opens the door to explore that aspect of oneself.

l On the emotional level

Reiki is used to release anxiety, fear and stress and relieve despair and depression. Anger, resentment, hostility and jealousy are replaced by feelings of acceptance and trust. Reiki helps us to learn to love and accept one's own self, releasing feelings of unworthiness, guilt, hurt, bitterness, frustration and possessiveness, confusion, resentment and criticism of self and others, replacing them with feelings of self-worth, clairty, peace, freedom, courage, joy, sharing and love.

Information courtesy of Beverley Masters of South Shore Hypnosis & Reiki Practice.