The day after Halloween I stopped in Starbucks for a quick cup of coffee on my way home from yoga class. As I stood in line I found myself quietly humming along to the music begin played, not really paying attention to the song. As the barista handed my coffee to me, I blurted out, “Oh my gosh, you’re playing Christmas music already!” The barista nodded, a pained expression on his face.
I’m not sure why it surprised me that stores would be bombarding customers with Christmas items before the Halloween candy had been consumed. A few days before Halloween I had stopped at a craft store for a wig and a bit of glitter for my costume. Halloween items were relegated to a single rack and row upon row of pre-lit artificial Christmas trees and decorations assaulted my eyes. Too much, too soon! I grabbed my wig and ran.
Many people feel overwhelmed by the early incessant marketing of the Christmas holiday. Salvation Army bell-ringers are already out in the strip malls. Songs blare inside stores. Our senses are overwhelmed by artificial lights, sounds and scents that add to lives already full of tension and stress. We live in a harried state of hype, unable to relax for any length of time. When our bodies are under constant stress, we may begin to experience fatigue, illness or injury. The pressure to find the perfect gift, make the traditional multi-course meal or bake five dozen cookies for the office cookie exchange can impact our bodies’ energy, leaving us exhausted and irritable.
Reiki can help you survive and enjoy the holidays!
Reiki is an energy healing modality brought to the U.S. from Japan. It promotes self-healing by aligning, restoring and recharging the energy centers in the body, focusing primarily on the major chakra centers. During a Reiki treatment, the client lies on a massage table or sits in a chair. Lights are dim, soft music may be playing, aromatherapy may be offered. The comfort of the client is most important.
Energy flow in our bodies may become imbalanced due to injury, illness, emotional distress, or sensory overload. A Reiki session can help to restore the body’s natural balance, release energetic congestion and enable the body to more effectively utilize its energy to encourage self-healing.
Although there is a growing body of research documenting the effects of Reiki, the exact mechanism is not yet known. Client response to a Reiki treatment is often fairly quick, and appears to shift the body from the sympathetic nervous response (“fight or flight”) to the parasympathetic (relax and restore) response.
During a session, clients may feel emotional or experience tingling, heat or cooling sensations in their bodies. They may experience mild muscle contractions or “fluttering”. Individuals with chronic pain, sensitive nerves, or delicate skin may find the gentle nature of a Reiki session soothing and restorative as the practitioner’s hands rest lightly on or even slightly above the body.
When conducting a Reiki session, the Reiki practitioner places his/her hands gently on the client at specific locations, targeting certain chakras, or energetic centers, of the body. Contact is light, non-intrusive, and no manipulation of skin, muscle or other tissue occurs. Clients remain fully clothed. As a Reiki session proceeds, the client often experiences a sense of deep relaxation and may even fall asleep.
As the end of 2017 draws close and the holidays zoom in, take a break from the busy season and let Reiki help you to recharge and restore your holiday spirit!
Beth Cavalier is a Reiki Master Practitioner and LifeForce Energy Healing Practitioner. She is a member of the International Association of Reiki Practitioners. For more information, or to schedule a Reiki session, please contact Beth at 540-760-5960.