Reiki
Offered by Betsy Ranum MA, RN, NBC-HWC
Reiki is a balm for our times.
We are living in an era of overwhelm by design—hijacking and flooding our nervous systems for the benefit of the few and the powerful.
The “universal life force energy” of Reiki infuses our systems with relief, ease, and wonder. This practice often elicits deep feelings of peace and interconnectedness in times of separation, loneliness, and despair.
In uncertain times, Reiki can soothe and support us in reshaping and fortifying our inner resources– as we work, grieve, struggle, heal, love, dream, and build new possibilities and futures.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is not a “treatment,” but rather a mind-body-spirit practice that promotes states of deep rest and relaxation. With deep roots in Japan, Reiki is a form of energy work, which likely works on levels not (yet) understood or quantifiable by a Western/colonial scientific worldview. Hands-on Reiki involves light, non-invasive touch; rather than using pressure or physical manipulation, Reiki is believed to work with the subtle human energy body or vibrational field, also known as the biofield.
According to Reiki cosmology, the practice of Reiki involves the transmission of universal life force energy through the practitioner to the recipient. It is believed that the practice of Reiki can support a person’s ki (or life force energy, like qi in TCM) to become more vibrant, vital, and free-flowing. Reiki is considered “non-directive” energy work–the Reiki practitioner is not directing the energy, but it is believed to go where it is needed for the recipient’s highest good.
Learn more about Reiki here and on our Reiki blog article.
What are the benefits of Reiki?
While it is not agreed upon “why” among health and scientific circles, it is largely agreed upon that Reiki elicits the relaxation response. The relaxation response supports the nervous system to shift to a parasympathetic state (“rest and digest”) where mental and physiological stress (“fight or flight”) is eased. When the relaxation response comes online, the heart rate and blood pressure slow, mental activity eases, stress hormones decrease, and neurochemical responses that support relaxation and regeneration circulate in the bloodstream.
While gentle and calming, many people find Reiki to be quite powerful. People describe profound states of relaxation, beautiful healing memories or visions of the future, a sense of spiritual support and guidance, vivid colors and imagery, powerful symbolic dreamlike states, phenomena like a shamanic journey or trance state.
After a Reiki session, many people describe experiencing deep rest, an overwhelming feeling of peace, clarity on a troubling issue, or a sense of coming home to themselves.
Why are deep rest and relaxation so important?
Stress is a huge risk factor for nearly every chronic condition. Most of us have gotten the memo at this point: we really should rest and relax. Our mammalian bodies need regular states of true physiological relaxation to support our physical, mental, and emotional health.
But in this adrenaline-fueled, time-is-money, obscenely unequal society, most of us are living lives that make rest and relaxation complicated at best. Many of us need support winding our systems down enough to access the restorative power of rest.
Deep rest and relaxation are powerful. Beyond our individual wellbeing, these states create the conditions for cultivating intuition, inner vision, and peace. When we regularly tap into deep rest and relaxation, we transform our relationships with ourselves and one another.
What are people saying about the benefits of Reiki?
Relaxation
“With all the s**t going on in the world, [during Reiki] “you can actually relax…turn your mind off.” Said especially recommends Reiki for people “who are busy and need to slow down…breathe…unwind.”
MN Integrative Health Studio co-owner, TCMD Said Isayed
Self-Awareness
“Reiki… gives you a rare opportunity to both be intimately present with your corporeal soul (the energetic info stored in your physical body) and be held and supported by the Universal Source vibes/energy. I feel like my energy field gets a massage every time I receive Reiki. Sometimes it's hard information I become aware of and process, sometimes gentle and soothing, yet always good. It helps me be more myself.”
MN Integrative Health Studio acupuncturist, TCM practitioner Ashley Steffensen LAc
Presence & Connection
“I received Reiki from Betsy weekly for 2 months and continue to receive sessions monthly. The changes I see in myself, my mental, emotional, and physical state are frankly, amazing….I am more present at work and with the people in my life. I don't feel so rushed. I feel more connected to both my spiritual life and my physical body. I generally feel more hopeful and in tune with nature. I am so grateful for Betsy, for her…kindness and strength of spirit, and to Reiki for helping me to come back to myself and remember who I am.”
Reiki client, anonymous
Love & Inspiration
“I am a single parent and work in the mental health field and so I NEED the infusions of care and love to keep me grounded and resourced and lifted…Reiki with Betsy always does this for me. I leave feeling loved and inspired.”
Reiki client, therapist, writer, parent
Deep Work
“It was so powerful. I was surprised I actually felt energy vibrations in my body…. It did such deep work….It was very revealing…and also uplifting!”
Reiki client, anonymous
Inner Peace
“…profoundly healing and restorative. I had been dealing with a lot of uncertainty in my life, and the stress was impacting my mental health. Betsy's ability to create a safe and accepting space allowed me to shift into a more calm and relaxed state even before the Reiki session had begun! Afterwards, I felt an inner peace and a sense of trust that I had not felt in a long time.”
Reiki client, nurse, parent
You may benefit from Reiki if:
You want a supportive environment to practice rest & relaxation.
You want to calm and soothe your nervous system.
You are ready for an energetic modality to complement your existing therapeutic and self-care practices.
You are skeptical about practices like Reiki—but you’re still curious and want to try it for yourself.
You are seeking more clarity—on a particular concern, or more broadly about your life and purpose.
You want a space to reconnect with your inner wisdom and intuition.
You seek states of inner peace, compassion, and love to improve your relationship with yourself and others.
You are intuitively drawn to energy work—even if you’re not sure why!
Reiki Session 90 Minutes
$120
Reiki Session 60 Minutes
$90
Reiki Session 45 Minutes
$70
Reiki FAQs
-
In your first session, Betsy will share with you what to expect, and invite any intentions or questions you might have initially. Reiki involves light, no-pressure touch (hands-off is always an option if preferred) while laying fully clothed on a treatment table with blankets and pillows available, optimal comfort as the goal.
The relaxation response is the most common outcome of a Reiki session, often in the form of deep relaxation, mental and emotional ease, unwinding and release, sleep, or supportive dreamstate-like imagery and sensation. There is opportunity in every session to share any questions or intentions beforehand, and to reflect on and integrate your experience afterward.
-
Reiki is gentle, and has no known adverse effects or contraindications. You can't get too much Reiki, no matter how long the practitioner's hands are in place.
That said, even gentle relaxation practices have the potential to influence how we experience, for example, the effects of PTSD, cardiovascular conditions, certain medications, and more. It is possible for Reiki to evoke an emotional release, or aggravate a physical condition. In the Reiki worldview, such a release or aggravation can often be considered a positive response–the mind-body-spirit moving energy toward greater balance and alignment. However, it is important that you have support systems in place to integrate any challenging mental, physical, emotional responses that might arise based on your unique situation.
In many ways, the biggest risks associated with Reiki could come from using it as a substitute for necessary medical, psychological, or other care. Reiki is not intended to treat physical, mental, emotional or other health conditions, and it’s not a panacea; it’s practice that supports higher level wellbeing of mind, body, and spirit. I encourage anyone considering Reiki or other holistic modalities to refer as needed to the guidance of your health care providers, mental health practitioners, and other trusted, supportive people in your life–as well as to your own self-awareness and inner wisdom.
-
Most often, people feel generally relaxed and centered following a Reiki session. However, it is not uncommon to feel more tired than usual after receiving Reiki. According to the University of Minnesota Center for Spirituality and Healing website, this experience need not be seen as an adverse reaction, but rather a “natural healing response” of the body. The suggestion is simply to honor your body’s needs. In the days following a Reiki session, some people notice improvements in sleep, relaxation, presence, insight, and more.
After the Reiki session, take care of your body, mind, and spirit. Before driving or doing anything else that requires caution, be sure you feel safely attentive and alert. Drink plenty of water, nourish yourself, be gentle with yourself, listen to the needs and preferences of your mind-body-spirit. In a curious way, notice how you are feeling, your sleep, and any other observations. You may want to journal, talk to a supportive person, or take time in nature to process if any insights came up for you. Simply take this opportunity to take good care of yourself as you integrate the Reiki experience.
-
MN Integrative Health Studio blog: Reiki https://www.mnintegrative.com/blog/reiki
University of Minnesota Taking Charge of Your Wellbeing: Reiki www.takingcharge.csh.umn.edu/reiki
The Center for Reiki Research centerforreikiresearch.com/