In light of Stress Awareness Month, we are pleased to share with you a recent interview that our resident Reiki expert, Emma Gibbons, gave for Dolphin Square’s Village Magazine to explain how this ancient Japanese healing technique is used to reduce stress, balance energy within our bodies, and address physical, emotional, mental and spiritual imbalances.
Below is a copy of the interview for those of you who have missed it in the magazine.
HELLO, EMMA! BEFORE WE GET STUCK INTO REIKI, CAN YOU TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT CALMER CLINICS, AND THE WORK THEY DO?
So, Calmer Clinics was set up by David Propert, who was an osteopath here initially. He’s brought together lots of professional therapists, all with different specialties, to offer a wide range of therapies to clients, alongside the existing offerings at Dolphin Square, from the Fitness Club to the Spa.
MOST PEOPLE READING THIS ARE PROBABLY NEW TO REIKI, SO TAKE US BACK TO BASICS – WHAT IS REIKI?
So, Reiki is a kind of healing treatment. As the therapist, you’re channeling the life force energy from the universe, whether it be God, or another belief the client may hold, channeling that energy from the life force, through me and into my client. The energy then goes to wherever it is needed.
Reiki therapists act as a conductor for universal energy, which is then used to rebalance and clear any blockages in the chakras, or energy centres. We have seven main chakras, which should be spinning freely, allowing energy to move through the body. When we become ill, when the energy channels are blocked, then Reiki will help to clear them by channeling in fresh energy – almost like a detox. Therapists use specific Reiki hand placements, moving between the various types of chakra.
Chakras are the Eastern belief that the body is full of energy. The word Chakra literally translates to wheel or disk, and in Reiki, this refers to wheels of energy throughout the body. The seven main chakras, which align the spine, start from the base of the spine, through to the crown chakra at the top of the head.
INTERESTING! SO, WHERE DOES REIKI Practice ORIGINATE FROM?
The Reiki practice comes from a Japanese Buddhist, Mikao Usui, in 1922. ‘Rei’ is known as the all-knowing divine universal, and the ‘Ki’ is the energy that flows through all living things. While living in a monastery near Mount Kurama, in Japan, Usui decided to attend a 21-day training course, to seek enlightenment. On the morning of the 21st day, it is said Usui discovered ancient symbols, which helped him to develop the healing system we know today.
HOW DO WE GET INVOLVED? CAN ANYBODY LEARN TO PRACTISE REIKI?
Yes, I think anybody can learn, we all have it when we’re born, that ability to be open to energies, but people tend to lose it along the way. Most Reiki practitioners will have a ‘leaning’ towards healing. When I went on my first course, there were people there from all walks of life, but most people had that leaning towards message, healing, or other related therapies.
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE TO PERFORM A REIKI TREATMENT?
Every time you perform Reiki it feels different. So it’s different, depending on the client. Some people are balanced, and when they’re already more balanced it might feel like my hands get a little hot or tingly, and it feels very calm. Other times, when a client is imbalanced, or ill, I can feel energy drawing from the chakras in my hands – everybody has little chakras in their hands – so when the energy is needed, it’s almost like a pulling sensation, drawing me towards the area that needs most work.
WHY MIGHT SOMEBODY COME FOR REIKI TREATMENT?
It varies massively, for either a physical or emotional problems. Some people come for Reiki with depression or heartache, and others might come for lower back pain. I get a lot of patients who have gone through break-ups, or who are suffering from grief. When it’s a physical problem, I will focus on all of the chakras but will feel a particular pull towards the areas that are imbalanced.
IN LIGHT OF STRESS AWARENESS MONTH, CAN YOU LET US KNOW IN WHAT WAYS REIKI MIGHT REDUCE STRESS?
Mainly by relaxation, but it completely depends on why they’re stressed. During Reiki, soft Reiki Healing music is played, which tends to put clients in a deep state of relaxation. If someone is particularly busy or stressed at work, I’ll focus on the crown chakra, on the top of the head. The crown chakra is driven by consciousness and is what gets us in touch with the universal energy. When it is blocked, or imbalanced, clients can feel stressed, closed minded etc. Reiki is about overall wellbeing, so if a client is stressed, I’ll still focus on all chakras, offering a whole body treatment, rebalancing the energy.
About Emma Gibbons
Emma has been practising since 1994, working in top London Clinics; the Green Rooms, Calmer Clinics, So Organic Treatment Rooms, The Floatworks and a corporate clinic in Canary Wharf. Her aim is to help her clients reach a healthy, happy balanced life by treating any ill health or imbalance appropriately. Each bespoke treatment is given following an initial consultation and a suitable treatment plan then followed.
The results are felt almost immediately, although a course of treatments is recommended for optimum healing.
To experience the health benefits of this ancient healing method, check Emma’s profile to contact her directly or get in touch with us.
Calmer Clinics 