Reiki is a form of alternative medicine originally developed by Japanese Buddhist Dr Mikao Usui in 1922. Practiced under three levels; a first level Reiki practitioner is able to heal himself and others, a second level enables the practitioner to heal others distantly (commonly called distant healing) with the use of specialised symbols, and third level practitioners are able to teach and attune others to Reiki.
Reiki advocates describe it as a holistic therapy that brings about healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels…
Rescu. chats with Reiki specialist and industry expert Sharon McGlinchy.
Sharon McGlinchey is a qualified Reiki specialist and is considered one of Australia’s leading alternative medicine therapists and holistic skin experts. She is the owner and creator of MV Organic Skincare, which specialises in treating those with difficult skin conditions and disorders such as eczema, rosacea and chemical sensitivity.
RESCU: What is Reiki?
Sharon McGlinchey: An ancient hands on healing technique that uses universal energy (not the practitioners own energy) to calm the mind and relax and balance the body.
RESCU: How does Reiki work?
Sharon McGlinchey: It triggers the body’s own innate healing response and induces a meditation-like state in the body.
RESCU: What is Reiki good for?
Sharon McGlinchey: Stress, depression, anxiety, relieving back pain and pain associated with injury. It can help those with addictions and poor sleep patterns. Reiki is also wonderful during the early to middle stages of pregnancy.
RESCU: What are the benefits of Reiki?
Sharon McGlinchey: It reduces pain therefore minimising the need for pain killers, it helps sleep patterns minimising the need to use sleeping tablets, it releases built up tension and stress thus reducing the stress load on the body and it quietens the mind so general day-to-day stresses do not become overwhelming.
RESCU: Who would you recommend to perform Reiki in Australia?
Sharon McGlinchey: Personally I would recommend Barbara McGregor of the Usui Reiki Network, www.reiki.com.au. When researching into practitioners, always check how close the lineage is to Dr Usui and seriously question Reiki courses that offer more than 3 levels. (See top of page)
RESCU: Are there any precautions that we need to take when choosing a practitioner or teacher?
Sharon McGlinchey: Reiki is not regulated which means anyone can do a Reiki weekend workshop. This means you need to ask how many years experience a Reiki practitioner has had dealing with the general public.
Reiki is a very simple and pure form of healing that requires little if any dialogue so beware of anyone who sounds like they’re counseling you after a session. All too often ‘ego’ can get in the way of this wonderfully subtle but powerful modality.
Rescu. Loves: Our editor is a massive fan of Sharon’s Reike technique for all sorts of ailments. During her pregnancy, she had Reike every second week with Sharon and swears this is the reason her daughter is a relaxed and happy baby with excellent sleeping patterns. She also says that Reike helped her enormously to get some much needed deep rest and relaxation in the lead up to the birth.
For more information on Reiki and to find your local practitioner visit www.reikiaustralia.com or call 02 9909 8315 to set up a consultation with Sharon.