Reiki

 

While not strictly under the auspices of massage, Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) is often practiced in conjunction with bodywork.  The work Reiki comes from two Japanese works – rei, meaning higher power or universal force, and ki, meaning life energy.  Loosely translated, Reiki means universal or spiritually-guided life-force energy.

 Reiki

Practiced for thousands of years throughout Japan, China, Tibet and other Asian nations, Reiki was “rediscovered” in the late 19th century by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Buddist monk and educator, who used the therapy to heal the sick.  Today, Reiki is used as a method of healing illness and reducing stress through  light touch or, more commonly, by placing the hands near or above the body in specific positions or patterns.  Through these positions, a Reiki practitioner can correct energetic imbalances in the body by removing toxic energy, improving health and restoring a person's energy levels.