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I’d like to think I’m open to learning new things and taking on new challenges. I probably won’t be going skydiving or bungee jumping anytime soon (I’m afraid of heights), but when it comes to activities and ideas that sound interesting that are low risk and don’t require lengthy consent forms, well… I’ll do it. It’s a swirl. This is especially true when talking about new health and wellness treatments, purchases, etc. It’s part of my job to try them out anyway, and I’ve always been an overachiever.
That’s what I thought when Elaine Guyon and Darina Yin, founders of San Francisco holistic wellness company Eternal Therapy, approached me about trying a Reiki healing session. Why not? We at THE/THIRTY are always exploring different forms of wellness, and with kismet we have the opportunity to do just that.
Before my treatment, I didn’t know much about Reiki. All I knew was that it was about healing your energy and was like the practitioner laying their hands on you or on you. My type A personality means I want to know all the details beforehand, so I asked Kiyoung and In for more information.
“Reiki, which originated in Japan, is a type of energy healing based on unity, compassion, and humanity,” Guyon said. “In addition to administering Reiki to others, practitioners also practice on themselves according to the so-called Five Precepts of Reiki. This allows practitioners to get in touch with their own energy, help others better, and It can be a clear channel for tapping into your “energy centers” or chakras. ”
The founders met while working at Louis Vuitton, discovered their true purpose in life in spiritual healing, and decided to open their own practice in 2016. They are trained and certified in Reiki (working with masters in Tokyo), spiritual development, spiritual release and energy management, and hypnotherapy.
That sounded great to me, but how do I know if my energy is in need of healing? How was my energy? What if my energy is irreparably damaged? (I didn’t say undramatic.) But Yin said one of the main benefits of Reiki is stress relief and relaxation, so at least during and after the session. Maybe you’ll feel a little more calm and you won’t. Please don’t ask strange questions. “You can release energy baggage that has been absorbed in unhealthy environments and situations,” she said. “Reiki can also clarify which chakras need more energetic work and communicate what the emotional body is trying to express.”
(Image credit: Stills/Getty Images)
I had been doing distance Reiki sessions rather than in-person Reiki sessions, so I wondered how effective it was and what the difference was. I was wary of that because it would be done over the phone. How would Yin feel about my energy if I was in Los Angeles and she was in San Francisco? I had my doubts, that’s for sure.
“While many people prefer in-person sessions, remote sessions can provide the same benefits to those who don’t have a Reiki practice in their area,” Yin told me. “If done correctly by an experienced practitioner, it can give even the most skeptics hope and a better understanding of the effects of energy.”
With all this in mind, you are now ready to prepare and conduct your first session.
before the session
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I scheduled my treatment for Friday at noon so I could work from home that day so I wouldn’t have the distractions of the office while talking on the phone. I was asked to lie down during that time, but it would be awkward if someone passing by saw me lying down in the conference room.
hydro flask
32oz wide mouth bottle with straw lid and boot
We recommend drinking plenty of water before and after to help the energy flow. To be honest, I forgot that part and only drank a few sips of water in the morning. She also gave me the following advice: “During your first Reiki session, it is very important to keep an open mind, as being unbiased can hinder the effectiveness.The practitioner will help you become introspective and explore different ways of working. Remember, I’m here to help open the door for you.” You never imagined. ”
After making sure I had a place to lie down, I put in my AirPods and made a call. I thought it might be too uncomfortable to put my girlfriend on speakerphone, but let her do whatever is best for her.
in session
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The session started by explaining what we were going to do and answering any questions I had about Reiki. His voice was very calming, so I felt at ease.
Then she asked for my date, time and place of birth. This is for the astrology portion of the session and is different from regular Reiki, whether remote or in-person. Ms. Yin told me that she practices astrology and energy work and uses astrology to give different insights into your birth chart. Because it helps give you an interpretation of your soul’s purpose, urges, and what you need for guidance. As someone who likes to dabble in astrology from time to time, I was very happy to get more information.
He then shared a Spotify playlist of soothing music with me, played the music, and instructed me to lie down with my palms facing up and close my eyes. She said she would “call” me in about 15 minutes to discuss what she felt from my energy. I have to admit that this was the most difficult part. Because even though I felt a little awkward and told myself to calm down, I ended up overthinking in order to get the session “right.” I think this will take some getting used to as I do more sessions.
After 15 minutes Yin asked me to turn off the music and let her know the energy she felt and the energy in my different chakras and parts of my body (crown chakra, third eye, heart, sun, etc.) We talked about what was going on. The pit of my stomach (basically my intestines).
I won’t go into detail about the interpretations and guidance she gave me as they are quite personal, but I would like to say that much of it was very true to what I was feeling in this moment. Masu. I made a big overseas move six months ago and am still slowly settling in and rebuilding my new life. A lot of what she told me was about not overthinking things, taking more action, letting go of fear, and opening up. Give yourself more to others and be more present. I know this sounds like something you’ve heard everywhere, but trust me, it’s true. It’s not BS. I really felt connected to the session as she explained these concepts in detail.
After the session
The entire session took approximately 1 hour. It took her 15 minutes for the lying down part with my eyes closed and 45 minutes for her to discuss my energy and birth chart. What particularly struck me about the remote session was that I didn’t feel the energy work physically (I think this is more common in face-to-face sessions), but rather felt like a session with a therapist or a wise friend. I understand that. I want validation and recognition of what I’ve been feeling and thinking, further insight into why I act and feel about certain things, and how many things I can do to improve and make my life better. I was able to get out of it all with that action item. I found it very thought provoking. And as I write about this now, several days later, I still think about the suggestions Yin gave me as I go about my daily life.
For those who are considering distance sessions but are skeptical about energy work, from my experience it’s about improving your own mind and behavior, and what you’re struggling with in your current situation or subconscious mind. The purpose was to gain more insight into the I believe anyone looking for some guidance, answers, or another perspective will find this helpful. And let’s be honest, aren’t we all looking for these things? The key is to just keep an open mind. As for me, I am more interested in Reiki after the session and am considering booking another treatment soon to talk about topics that were barely touched on in the first session. If you’re concerned about pricing, distance healing sessions are $60 per hour.
As for how often sessions should be scheduled, Yin said it comes down to personal preference. “Depending on the intention and journey an individual is seeking, Reiki can be extremely beneficial if practiced consistently,” she said. “Many clients receive treatment once a week until they reach their desired goal, and then follow up as needed. Reiki can be used to treat pain, direct energy toward a specific goal, or simply work on self-development. It is perfect for.”
Other stress relief products I recommend
Vitruvi
cordless move essential oil diffuser
Aromatherapy is great for adding calm to your daily life. This diffuser is cordless, so you can move it from room to room.
Aro
essential oil collection set
And if you want to try aromatherapy, you will need essential oils. This set includes four single scents (Peppermint, Tea Tree, Lavender, Eucalyptus) and two blends (Breeze & Spa, Sleep & Downshift).
slip
pure silk sleep mask
Sleep is so important (and definitely helps relieve stress). This pure silk mask prevents light from disturbing your sleep.
amazon basics
1/2 inch extra thick exercise yoga mat
Moving your body makes you feel so much better and helps take your mind off things. We recommend yoga mats to everyone, even if you don’t practice yoga, as they are convenient for a variety of workouts.
Bartley
CBD infused bath salts
These bath salts are infused with CBD, lavender, lemon, and clary sage to help you deeply relax in the bath.
If you want to exercise to relieve stress, this is also recommended. These weights are very sophisticated.
Sakara Sleep Tea contains catnip, valerian, and passionflower to help you relax and wake up.
bear rabbit
organic cotton weighted knit blanket
Weighted blankets are very comfortable.
Insight edition
Self-Care: Day and Night Reflection Diary
A diary is a necessity for me. Writing allows you to organize your emotions and thoughts.
Massages can be very relaxing, but you can’t have them every day. When I feel my muscles are tense, I like to use Theragun to relax them.
Ice rollers make you feel so refreshed and rejuvenated.
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This article was previously published and updated.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be used as a substitute for the advice of your physician or other health care professional. If you have any health-related questions, always consult your doctor or health care provider first.