Energy and Chakras: Reiki

What is Reiki?
Reiki, Japanese for "universal life force energy," is an energy healing practice that energizes the body. Reiki dates back to early Tibetan healing techniques. Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese philosopher and Christian seminary educator, re-discovered the practice in the 1800s and it was brought to the U.S. in the mid-1900s.

Reiki masters act as "healers" or channels for energy coming from the universe. Reiki energy enters the master through the top the head and moves through the hands into the energy field of the client. Reiki is a subtle form of healing: the master places his/her hands in different areas near the client's body, but does not directly touch the client.

Clients may or may not feel the energy; some have a warm feeling. Clients are fully clothed. Reiki can also be practiced over distance.

For some people, Reiki energy is difficult to understand. We may believe that each body has an energy field, but Reiki takes this one step further—suggesting that our energy is linked to the energy "grid" of the cosmos.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is doing a study to see if Reiki has benefits for diabetes.