Reiki for All Life Stages

Reiki for All Life Stages: From Pregnancy to Elder Care

Reiki helps to restore and strengthen each person’s life force. No matter what the individual’s need is, Reiki will support his or her stability and well-being. Reiki does not discriminate. Its availability is constant. Treatment can be received by anyone, anywhere, anytime. The list of benefits that Reiki offers to its recipients is extensive. Any person, animal, or plant that is in need can be helped with Reiki treatments, given either through the laying on of hands or through distant healing. Reiki is for all life stages.

Reiki During Pregnancy

Reiki can be beneficial for all age groups, even for those who are not yet born. Pregnant women who are attuned to Reiki can extend love to their unborn children by laying their hands on their belly and allowing Reiki energies to be taken in by their babies. Some Reiki practitioners feel that if a woman is attuned to Reiki during her pregnancy, her baby is also attuned to the energies. What a wonderful gift to offer your child before his or her birthday!

It is perfectly safe for a pregnant woman to have a full-body Reiki treatment. Reiki will flow to both mother and child. What a bargain, getting two treatments for the price of one!

Learn more about Reiki and Pregnancy

For Young Children

Reiki’s gentle and non-invasive nature is also perfect for treating the ills and upsets of young children. Children are extremely receptive to Reiki’s positive effects and will normally welcome it without any apprehension, especially when they receive Reiki treatments from their parents.

Reiki treatments are to be given to children much in the same manner as they are given to adults. The basic hand placements are the same. However, the treatment will not last as long. Reiki energies travel swiftly through a child’s body–unlike adults, children don’t yet have years of accumulated toxins or blockages that tend to slow down the treatment process. If the child becomes restless or fidgety when receiving Reiki, the treatment should be ended; Children will often instinctively sit up and move away from the Reiki practitioner when they feel they have had enough.

Read Reiki for Family and Kids

Attuning Children

Babies and toddlers can be attuned to Reiki, but they are not mature enough to learn how to practice it. Children younger than five years of age lack the comprehension skills to understand the concepts of Reiki. Most children between the ages of five and twelve have the ability to learn Reiki and can be attuned to the first level. One or two Reiki attunements may be all that are needed to attune children to Reiki Level I (traditionally, four attunements are required for adults). Also, young children should not be expected to sit through a full day or even a half-day of Reiki instruction, since their attention spans are meager. Teachers should attune the child and give him or her only basic instructions. Afterward, it is appropriate for the parent to carefully guide and assist the child in the use of Reiki in the home. For this reason, the only children who should be attuned to Reiki are those with a parent or other adult in the home who is an experienced practitioner of Reiki.

Children should be cautioned not to force their Reiki hands upon classmates who may not understand or appreciate what they are attempting to do. Instead, have them focus on practicing Reiki at home. It is essential that your child be ready for Reiki. Children enjoy giving Reiki to their dolls and stuffed animals, as well as to their pets and siblings. 

If you are considering having your child attuned, it is a good idea to arrange a time for the child and teacher to meet with each other before the day of attunement arrives. Preferably, this meeting would take place in the same environment where the class would be held. Look to see that your child is comfortable and at ease with both the teacher and the environment. If you notice that your child shows fear or appears resistant in any way, you should hold off on scheduling a class. It is essential that your child be ready for Reiki.

It’s Good for Seniors

Reiki is suitable for people of all ages. But because of Reiki’s pain management capabilities, seniors especially welcome it – probably because it offers help in alleviating the aches and pains associated with aging.

Reiki’s effectiveness varies from person to person. Some ailments respond more favorably to Reiki than others. Also, some people are more receptive to Reiki. It is theorized that both children and senior citizens, as specific age groups, are more receptive than middle-aged persons. Children are inherently more curious and trusting of the world at large. Just as they depend on their parents to feed, clothe, and take care of them, when it comes to accepting Reiki, they are naturally more amenable to the energies that are offered.

Alzheimer’s patients can be attuned to Reiki. Although they may not understand or remember the attunement, their caregivers can remind them each day to place their hands on their bodies. They will reap the benefits of Reiki energies flowing into their bodies whenever they touch themselves.

As children grow into adolescents and young adults, they become less dependent on their caregivers. Children anticipate the time when they will be able to make their own decisions and escape from being under the full authority of their guardians. The increasing maturity that accompanies children into their late teens and early adulthood years instill in them the desire to spread their wings and become strong and capable individuals. They become willing and satisfied to take care of themselves, no longer under the watchful eyes of their parents, If an illness or accident occurs after attaining a strong sense of self-sufficiency they often become reluctant to accept assistance for fear of losing their newly found independence.

Far too many young adults, as well as those in their middle years, will stubbornly take a determined stance, declaring “I can do it for myself” or “I don’t need any help.” Fear of losing independence is often the reason why some people don’t seek out professional medical assistance until they have become very sick. They will stubbornly refuse to ask for help until their discomforts have progressively worsened and they feel incapable of self-care. Unfortunately, this reluctance to accept assistance from others can also effectively block Reiki from flowing optimally.

Many seniors, on the other hand, have come to the realization that they can no longer do everything for themselves. They have also learned that life can be easier if they stop resisting help when and where it is offered. Because of their (sometimes) diminished physical or mental capabilities, many seniors have been forced to depend on others in order for their needs to be met. As a result, seniors are normally more readily accepting of Reiki’s assistance.

Energy medicine (Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, and Reiki) is today becoming recognized as both a beneficial and complementary therapy to conventional medicine as well as an alternative treatment especially helpful in pain management. 

Read The Benefits of Reiki for Seniors

A Caregiving Practice

The caregivers in our medical communities include doctors, chiropractors, nurses, counselors, therapists, nursing home aides, and hospice workers. However, the title of caregiver also applies to individuals who personally assist their relatives and friends who are aged, ailing, or indisposed. Parents are caregivers as well – they provide care for their kids. All Reiki practitioners are caregivers in the sense that they give of themselves when caring for others with Reiki treatments.

Caregivers are at high risk of physical and emotional burnout. Taking care of another person, especially if his or her needs are considerable can result in a great expenditure of one’s physical and emotional energy. Therefore, it is vital that the caregiver’s depleted energies are replenished. Fortunately, caregivers can rely on Reiki not only by giving treatments to their charges but also by carrying out self-treatments to keep themselves energized and balanced.

Reiki and Pets

Many people today look for a holistic approach to treating illnesses in their animal companions. Touch therapies, such as Reiki, Tellington TTouch, and shiatsu, are frequently sought out to help bring relief to animals that are suffering. Other complementary therapies used in holistic pet care are homeopathy, aromatherapy, and flower essence therapy.

What is Tellington TTouch?
Tellington TTouch is an animal touch therapy modality based on circular movements of the fingers and hands all over the body to accelerate the healing of injuries or ailments. 

Animal lovers are sensitive to their pets’ illnesses. Likewise, pets can be sensitive to the sufferings of their caregivers. Many dogs and cats absorb Reiki energies more quickly than humans. This could simply be the result of their size (at least for most cats and small- to medium-sized dog breeds), but more likely it is because they inherently understand what Reiki is. Most cats and dogs will accept the energies they need and allow you to place your hands on them freely. When they have had enough, they will simply walk away. A full treatment could be over in a few minutes. Treatments seldom last more than twenty minutes.

You can give Reiki to your pets by touching, stroking, or patting them. Reiki can also be sent to animals through distant healing if they are skittish or confused by your touch – or if you are allergic to an animal’s fur or dander. Distant healing is a must for treating non-domestic animals such as terrestrial wildlife, zoo animals, and aquatic creatures.

Here is how Reiki can help your pet:

• It accelerates the healing of physical injuries.
• It promotes peace and calmness.
• It treats trauma from accidents or surgery, nervousness and fear.
• It reduces stress and suffering,
• It helps promote bonding between animals and pet owners.
• It treats behavioral problems: chewing, biting, watching, excessive barking, and so on.
• It offers a comforting transitional energy when it is time for your pet to depart from this world.

Read Reiki for Pets and Animals

Dealing with the Skeptics

Approaching new ideas with an ounce or two of healthy skepticism is always a good thing. Common sense provokes us to first scrutinize any new undertaking or belief system. We certainly don’t feel good about our judgment when we fall victim to fantastic or miraculous claims that don’t hold true in the end. It is simply good rational thinking to be cautious of anything being promoted as a “magic pill” or “cure-all remedy,” and it makes perfect sense to be wary of outlandish claims that tout amazing results from using various health products and healing techniques.However, some people don’t question new ideas. They simply reject them out of hand. These people enjoy pointing out flawed notions and poking fun at idealist thinkers. Skeptics consider supporters and devotees of Reiki to be nothing more than a bunch of gullible individuals. Sadly, these people may never have the opportunity to appreciate how Reiki works because of their refusals to give it a try.

Reiki Responds Uniquely to Each Individual

Reiki does not discriminate when it comes to selecting who is deserving of treatment based on what he or she believes. Reiki treats imbalance. Because each person has his or her own specific imbalances, using Reiki will bring about a unique response in each person. This is why explaining how Reiki works to someone who has not experienced it can be so frustrating or difficult. One recipient will report that Reiki is a miraculous healing technique that cured her addiction to nicotine. Another recipient might say that, although his experience with Reiki was relaxing, it didn’t offer a cure. A third recipient’s account of Reiki, again based on her personal experiences, might be something entirely different.

There are many benefits derived from Reiki, but the results of treatments can vary as the result of several different factors:

• Did the recipient receive only one treatment, or did he or she have cumulative Reiki treatments?
• How advanced was the recipient’s illness before Reiki treatments were applied?
• Is a particular imbalance or dis-ease offering a spiritual lesson to the recipient, a lesson that needs to be experienced rather than cured?
• Were the recipient’s expectations too high, ultimately setting him or her up for failure?
• How receptive is the recipient to allowing Reiki into his or her body?

Belief and Receptivity

Believing in Reiki and being receptive to Reiki energies are two very different things. Reiki will work whether or not a person believes in it. However, if a person is not receptive to Reiki, consciously or unconsciously its energies will have a tough time penetrating that barrier. This is why some people who truly believe that Reiki will work are disappointed when it appears to have no beneficial effect on them. On the other hand, the skeptics who do not believe Reiki will work may very well experience positive results with Reiki because their bodies are naturally receptive to Reiki’s healing vibrations.

Reiki will treat numerous physical maladies, emotional imbalances, mental disturbances, and spiritual afflictions. Reiki will also extend its healing energies to nurture your environment and strengthen your relationships.

Reiki Benefits Everyone

Reiki’s gift of increased energy and vitality can be extended to anyone. It doesn’t matter what a person’s gender, race, intelligence level, or financial status is. Reiki is not healing energy reserved only for the elite, wealthy, educated, or spiritually evolved. Reiki is free to anyone who wants it. It does not cost anything but a little of your time.

Treating Root Causes

Because Reiki naturally flows to where it is needed, its natural course is to first deal with any apparent symptoms of illness or disease. When Reiki treatments are discontinued after your symptoms have diminished or been eliminated, don’t be surprised if these conditions recur. Reiki will only serve as a Band-Aid if you abandon its use too hastily. Through consistent and continued use of Reiki, the root cause of any given illness can be treated. It is when the root cause is treated fully that Reiki can be called a “cure.”

Benefits of Reiki

The list of benefits that Reiki offers is comprehensive. Basically, Reiki will benefit you by empowering you whenever you feel weakened or downtrodden. Here is a list of some of the specific benefits Reiki offers:

• Reiki’s calming effects can reduce our anxieties and panicky behavior.
• It may go to the core of imbalances embedded within our bodies to bring about balance.
• Pain, stresses, and agitations that are associated with long-term suffering can benefit from cumulative Reiki treatments.
• Reiki can be safely used in conjunction with all other conventional health practices.
• Reiki offers the kind of energetic vitality that can spark our innate creativity.
• Reiki’s ability to awaken and sharpen our psychic perceptions heightens awareness of our dreams.
• Blessing our foods and drinks with Reiki before consuming them will vitalize and purify them.
• Reiki’s gentle energies are conducive to comforting anyone who is suffering from grief. It helps the grief process run its course in a calmer or less painful way.
• Reiki tames discord and trouble, bringing harmony to the recipient or situation that is out of sync.
• The swiftness of Reiki’s healing properties has demonstrated that it is an effective first-aid treatment for injuries.
• Reiki will treat emotional wounds and memories that are hurting our inner child.
• Reiki assists us in letting go of the aspects within our lives that negatively impact us.
• The manifesting facets of Reiki help to bring our intentions and goals to fruition.
• Reiki can expedite the body’s natural healing ability reducing the recovery periods that follow surgeries and injuries.
• Reiki’s relaxing energies can induce sleep and relieve insomnia.
• Using Reiki may awaken or improve spiritual awareness.
• Reiki releases toxins. clearing our bodies of impurities and stagnant energies.
• Reiki will penetrate beyond obvious systematic conditions of the body and treat the underlying causes of illness.
• Reiki can help you deal with special situations in your life such as exams, job interviews, divorce, career changes, and family illness.

This list could be expanded for several more pages: there is simply no limit to the benefits that Reiki can bestow on those who are receptive to it. All of us can benefit from it – and so can our children, our parents and grandparents, and our animal companions. Even skeptical-minded individuals who look cautiously at Reiki can benefit from Reiki if they are willing to explore its possibilities. For you to reap the full benefits that Reiki has to offer, simply sign up for a Reiki class.

**This article appeared in The Reiki Times, the official magazine of the International Association of Reiki Professionals.

Article by Phylameana lila Désy

From Everything Reiki Book, Copyright © 2004, F+W Publications, Inc. Used by permission of Adams Media, an F+W Publications, Inc. Co. All rights reserved.

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