Reiki is described as a healing technique based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the patient by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the patient’s body and restore physical and emotional well-being. It is considered to be an alternative medicine which was developed in 1922 by Japanese Buddhist Mikao Usui.
Some that have used reiki describe the treatment as “a wonderful glowing radiance that flows through and around you. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit creating many beneficial effects that include relaxation and feelings of peace, security and wellbeing”. Those that believe in the power of this unconventional treatment state that it has been known to provide ‘miraculous results’.
The International Centre for Reiki Training explains, “While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn and use Reiki. In fact, Reiki is not dependent on belief at all and will work whether you believe in it or not. Because Reiki comes from God, many people find that using Reiki puts them more in touch with the experience of their religion rather than having only an intellectual concept of it”.
Chestermere local, Carla Hogan, has taken the practice of reiki one step further. “Reiki Whisperings started with a whisper,” explains Hogan, “after receiving my Usui Level I and II in 2012, I knew I needed to share this wonderful gift. It started with horses one sunny afternoon. After speaking with the owners, I began offering Reiki to horses and the response was amazing. I continued to work with horses as well as other animals and then went on to complete my Usui Level III in 2013”.
In November 2014, Hogan went on to receive her Animal Reiki Practitioner Certificate from Animal Reiki Source by Kathleen Prasad. She is also a recognized practitioner in the Animal Reiki Source Practitioner Directory and a recognized Animal Practitioner with the Canadian Reiki Association. In 2015, Hogan received her Usui Holy Fire Master Certificate and now holds a certificate as a Usui Reiki Master/Practitioner.
Hogan provided us some information on Animal Reiki that was sourced from Elizabeth Fulton and Kathleen Prasad. They explain that animals are much more sensitive than humans to energy in general and feel Reiki energy immediately and strongly. “Many animals will startle or stop in their tracks when they first feel Reiki energy. They will usually look very intensely at you; domestic animals often will come over and sniff your hand”.
Fulton and Prasad explained that how animals react to this treatment quite often depends on their temperament and previous experience with humans and that it make take several treatments in order to build that trust in the relationship. They go on to explain, “When giving a Reiki treatment, you’ll typically feel deeply relaxed and may feel heat, tingling or pulsing in your hands or elsewhere in your body as the energy flows through you. You may feel dreamy or far away at times, or may settle into a deep meditative state during the treatment”.
Beginning treatment on an animal begins with the Reiki Practitioner would positioning themselves a short distance away from the animal when the animal can approach if they want to. If an animal does not want Reiki, they will move as far away from the situation as possible, they may even pace and display other signs of agitation.
Following a Reiki treatment on horses, Fulton and Prasad say that it is important to let them rest, offer them plenty of fresh water and do not ride the horse for at least three hours.
“As Reiki practitioners we always remember that Reiki does the healing and we are only the conduits for this remarkable healing energy. Of course, the fact that we are present and have the intention of bringing healing is an important part of the process, but it is not our own power that does the healing. And although we may have the best intentions for dramatic cures for every problem, healing does not always mean cure. In retrospect, we can usually see how reiki brought the healing that was needed most in the situation”.
Carla Hogan says, “When I am not horsing around I can be found working with dogs and of course with people at Purelight Wellness Centre in Chestermere. We offer Level I and Level II Usui Reiki training as well as Reiki Kids. It is a privet edge and a blessing to see Reiki at work and to be a small part of it. I volunteer 8-10 hours per month with several other Reiki Masters offering Reiki to adults struggling with substance abuse as well as past physical and mental abuse. I have been blessed to see the wonderful results Reiki can make in the lives of those it has touched”.
