Stay Safe and Healthy Everyone! Most of the world is requesting or mandating that residents stay at home to be safe and to help slow the spread to the coronavirus outbreak. Listen to your national and local authorities for instruction and guidance. We are here for you and we love you! Together we will get through this and come out stronger on the other side. Be kind. Be love. Be Reiki.
March, 2020 – Coronavirus or COVID-19 has been spreading around the world and we at IARP wanted to address best practices to keep you and your clients and students safe during this time.
We want everyone including Reiki Practitioners and the general public who currently or in the future may benefit from Reiki sessions and classes to have a resource, helpful information and actionable steps.
As of today at this update more than 375,000 people in at least 196 countries and territories have been infected with the virus and over 16,000 people have died. The WHO has declared coronavirus a pandemic. China is the country where the Coronavirus outbreak started and at current has the majority of the affected cases. According to health sources China appears “to be over the worst of the epidemic, with daily death and infection rates declining”. However, COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in many other countries and is considered a pandemic. It is important to remain vigilant and have best practices in place as per your country’s and local area health advisements and instructions.
Best Practices for Reiki Practitioners and Teachers in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) include:
#1 Most Important: Stay updated and follow your national and local health authorities’ recommendations and guidance about the coronavirus.
Some helpful links are provided below. It is most important to listen to and comply with your national and local authorities for news and action. Quarantine, self-quarantine, postponing activities, staying home and other suggestions may be part of the recommendations. Stay informed. The situation is changing rapidly and it is important to follow the news daily for guidance in your specific area. This may likely include postponing your sessions and classes to a time in the future.
Washing your hands frequently
Wash your hands regularly throughout the day thoroughly with soap and hot water for at least 20 seconds.
Wash up upon arriving at your practice, office or place of business and before and after client sessions or classes, and anytime you feel it necessary. Also wash throughout the day during your daily travels and contact.
Using an alcohol based hand rub
Have an alcohol-based hand rub available to use throughout the day and before and after contact with the public, clients, students, colleagues and others. Have one available for your clients or students as well to use upon arrival and leaving and throughout a class day.
Avoid touching your eyes, mouth and nose
Follow good respiratory hygiene. Avoid the reflex or temptation to touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth. Coronavirus can be spread through droplets and you want to avoid direct exposure to your face.
Maintain social distance
When out and about or if around anyone who is coughing and sneezing and in general try to keep at least 6 feet or 2 metres away if possible.
Use alternate forms of greeting
When meeting with someone use alternate or touchless forms of greeting. Forego the handshake or hug and simply use a waved hand, an elbow bump, or if safe a knee bump or foot bump. Or better still a nod and wave or namaste.
If you are feeling ill or cough, have a fever, are sneezing or develop symptoms
If you need to sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth with your bent elbow or fully with a tissue. Then dispose properly of the used tissue promptly.
Stay home if you do not feel well. Seek proper medical attention. Postpone any upcoming sessions or classes if you feel ill or develop any symptoms. Follow directions of your local health authority.
If you have been on a cruise, travelled, or think you may have beeen exposed to the virus within the last three weeks (current estimated incubation period) follow your local health authority’s and physician’s guidance. Postpone sessions and classes to a date in the future if necessary.
Practice or Class Policies – Waive cancellation fees temporarily
Modify your Reiki practice or class policies to waive cancellation fees during the coronavirus epidemic. Let clients, students and others know that if they feel ill in any way or have symptoms or feel they may have been exposed to the virus then they need to postpone their upcoming sessions or classes with you.
Reach out to clients or students 24 hours in advance of sessions or class times with your temporary policy update and to give them the option to confirm or postpone their session or class with no penalty.
Most important, check with and follow your local health authority on Coronavirus (COVID-19) updates and recommendations. Stay updated and informed.
Stay updated with your your national and local health authority’s updates, recommendations and information:
USA: The CDC information, recommendations and updates can be found here https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html
Canada: Gouvernement du Canada information, recommendations and updates can be found here https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection.html and https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/being-prepared.html
European Union: The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control information, recommendations and updates can be found here https://www.ecdc.europa.eu/en/novel-coronavirus-china
Australia: Australian Government Department of Health information, recommendations and updates can be found here https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov
UK: Information, recommendations and updates can be found here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
Global: The World Health Organization (WHO) information, recommendations and updates can be found here https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
DO:
Follow the above best practices as a baseline at minimum.
Get the facts and updates from the appropriate authorities in your country and local area. This is most important. Stay informed and follow their instruction.
Protect yourself, your family and your clients and students with best practices and hygiene.
Utilize Reiki. Give yourself Reiki. Reiki can help soothe, relax and aid in stress reduction so as to potentially help provide your body with a stronger foundation to fight illness as opposed to if it is stressed in fight or flight mode.
DON’T:
Don’t Panic. Follow authority recommendations and do your part to keep yourself and those around you safe. Stay strong in your commitment to your health and wellbeing as well as those around you and to those whom you serve.
Don’t Stress. It is natural to feel stressed during a virus epidemic such as COVID-19. Stay vigilant. Stay updated daily on Coronavirus news from your national and local health authorities.
Now is a good time to take extra self-care measures such as healthy eating habits, enhanced hygiene, extra self-Reiki (you know firsthand the stress reduction benefits!), Reiki for your family, plus being present and staying centered.
For Clients of upcoming Reiki Sessions or Students of upcoming Reiki Classes:
Stay informed about the Coronavirus with updates from your local health authorities and follow recommendations.
If you are feeling ill or develop any symptoms seek medical attention immediately and postpone any upcoming Reiki sessions or classes to avoid potentially spreading an illness.
Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with hot water and soap before and after your Reiki session or class and throughout the day.
There is an incubation period for symptoms for Coronavirus to appear and current estimates are within 2 to 14 days after exposure. If you are at a Reiki session or class and suddenly begin to feel ill or feel any other symptoms please stop your session or excuse yourself from class and ask if the remainder of your session may be rescheduled for a later date when you are fully well. Or ask if you may attend the next class available when you are fully well. And seek proper medical attention promptly. If you need to sneeze or cough, cover your nose and mouth fully with your bent elbow or fully with a tissue then dispose properly of the used tissue promptly.
If you have been on a cruise, travelled, or think you may have beeen exposed to the virus within the last three weeks (current estimated incubation period) consider postponing your session or class to a date in the future. Discuss with your Reiki Practitioner or Teacher. Follow your physician’s or medical provider’s instructions.
If you have not been exposed and are not symptomatic and are healthy, enjoy your Reiki session and enjoy the stress-reducing benefits of Reiki to help your body and mind relax and de-stress, especially during this time.
If you are fully healthy and have not been exposed consider taking a future Reiki Level One class so that you can utilize self-Reiki. Ask your Reiki Practitioner/Teacher.
In closing,
Please use best practices, follow your local authorities’ guidance and recommendations above all, and continue to safely and with best practices utilize Reiki as the comforting and wellness enhancing resource that it is. We as Reiki Practitioners and Reiki Teachers are fortunate to have this beneficial modality for ourselves and to share.
Note to IARP Professional Members: We’ve placed some infographics within your IARP Members Area that you may print for your office regarding the above information.
Reiki On!
With Reiki Blessings,
All of Your Friends at IARP
IARP, Celebrating 25 years of loving service to members in over 50 countries.
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