Reap The Benefits Of Reiki

These days we’ll try almost anything that promises to relieve stress.

And that includes reiki, a Japanese holistic and alternative technique that also balances energy, says Jolie DeMarco, a reiki master and owner of My Flora Aura in Boca Raton.

It has other helpful properties as well: It is said to relieve pain and anxiety, and boost your mood.

“Reiki can change a person’s perspective on life to be more positive,” she says. It can enhance one’s quality of life and it may treat tension, nausea and insomnia. (However, it doesn’t claim to cure diseases or illnesses.) “It can help you physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually,” says DeMarco. “It provides an overall maintenance self-improvement.”

Due to the pandemic, people are also turning to reiki to fortify their immune systems. “They want to release their worries and stress,” says DeMarco. “It helps you decompress and makes you feel good about life.”

During a session, you’ll lie on a sanitized massage bed, fully clothed. You’ll be covered with a blanket as you listen to soft, relaxing music with your eyes closed, DeMarco explains. The practitioner will place her hands about three inches above your body, stimulating your body’s natural healing abilities. She’ll work around your body to cleanse any physical, emotional and mental negativity. 

People feel a sense of relief and sometimes a tingling or slight heat during a session. “Some see visions and go on journeys in their mind,” DeMarco says. They may even cry without realizing it. “They feel energy flowing through their body,” she says. “It’s a zen-like and euphoric experience.” 

The benefits continue after your 60- to 90-minute session. “People feel like a ton of bricks have been lifted from them,” she says. “Their demeanor changes when they leave.” DeMarco says reiki has impacted her mindset since she learned it years ago. “Now, I don’t get stressed,” she says. “I see the beauty in everything.”

Reiki is noninvasive and safe, without any known side effects. However, it’s not intended to replace a doctor-approved treatment plan. DeMarco suggests that clients visit at least once a month to keep their body in check. She promises you’ll want to return. “It’s an addictive experience.”