Q: What is reiki and how can it help me?

A: Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's life force energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

The word Reiki is made of two Japanese words - Rei which means "God's Wisdom or the Higher Power" and Ki which is "life force energy". So Reiki is actually "spiritually guided life force energy."

A treatment feels like 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. Many have reported miraculous results.

Reiki is a simple, natural, and safe method of spiritual healing and self-improvement that everyone can use. It has been effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It also works in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery.

Q: How often is it recommended I receive a Reiki treatment?

A: The good news is there is unlimited potential for what you can experience with the Reiki treatments. Depending on what your goal is; incorporating energy healing into your self-care routine can greatly improve your vitality and overall health. Clients tend to get deeper healing with each additional session as they are starting from a clearer and more connected space each time.

Q: Are there contraindications for participating in breathwork?

Yes. In health and medicine, a contraindication is a condition that serves as a reason not to take part in a certain treatment due to the harm that it could cause the individual. If you have a history of:

• Cardiovascular problems

• Heart attacks / Stroke

• Glaucoma

• Retinal detachment

• Osteoporosis

• Aneurysms

• Epilepsy or seizures

• Recent surgery

• Bipolar disorder, schizophrenia or another severe psychiatric condition

• Pregnancy

Breathwork may not be a good fit for you, but you can always reach out to your physician for a professional opinion.

When in doubt, I'd encourage you to reach out to your physician and see if they believe breathwork would be a good fit for your personal needs.

Q: What's the goal of breathwork?

Breathwork is a powerful tool to have in any toolkit. The mind, body, and soul, are deeply connected through the nervous system. Many people struggle with being too attached to our mind and dissociated from our bodies. This imbalance frequently results in dis-ease within the body, resulting in symptoms like anxiety, depression, stress, and other chronic conditions. The breath helps us slow down and feel things more, reconnecting with our body and ultimately helping regulate our nervous system to a state of homeostasis. Regulating our nervous system has a variety of benefits including:

• Lowering blood pressure (high blood pressure is a major contributor to heart disease)

• Lowering stress levels, increasing feelings of relaxation (stress buildup can result in anxiety and depression)

• Supporting a stronger immune system (stress has been shown to suppress the immune system's natural defense response)