The Usui System of Reiki
The Usui System of Reiki Healing, is a spiritual healing art, practiced through the placement of hands on the clothed body. The hands facilitate the flow of Ki, the energy of life, throughout the body, producing profound healing on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. This gentle but powerful treatment may be performed on others or oneself. It is safe and effective for all conditions. The experience of the person receiving reiki treatment varies, but is most commonly one of profound relaxation, leading to increased energy and ease. This experience may also be described as that of spirit touching spirit, powerful, nourishing and transforming. “Breath of the Spirit” is a translation of the Japanese word reiki which aptly describes this experience. It is through diligent practise that reiki practitioners cultivate their skill.
I have learned to trust that the energy that we call 'Reiki' creates just the right experience for each person who comes for a treatment or participates in a class. It fills our needs, if we just allow it. The practise of the Usui System of Reiki is about learning to allow this energy to fill our lives, to light up dark or closed off areas, to energize areas that have become dull or sluggish with time and experience in the world.
TRAINING
The Usui System of Treatment has been handed down through a lineage of teachers, originating with Mikao Usui in Japan in the late 1800's. It is taught through the interaction of student and teacher in an oral tradition. I teach and practise a traditional form of this healing art, Usui Shiki Ryoho, or the Usui System of Reiki Healing. Anyone who may not know for sure if they wish to attend a class is encouraged to come for treatment with myself or another practitioner and/or attend an introduction, which includes a description, history, my story, demonstration, and questions answered. Then they may either stay to take the class or leave when the introduction has been concluded.
The first level or first degree class opens up and frees up our bodies to more readily receive the energy we call Reiki. In the first degree class, you will be taught the history of this system, a foundation treatment which includes hand positions to treat all internal organs, self-treatment, emergency treatment, and the extension to treatment for animals,plants, ...even cars! You will also learn about the Reiki Principles, five principles which work with you in your practice of this healing art, and receive four initiations by myself, to open and sensitize you to this energy.
During the class I share many stories and experiences of my own in treating a huge variety of conditions, including colds and flu, joint problems, insomnia, cancer, headaches, depression, broken bones, back pain.....the list seems endless. I have found that all conditions respond to treatment, some with apparent results more quickly than others.
At the end of the first degree class the participants will be able to treat themselves, friends and family, animals and plants. Their hands will be sensitized to this energy, which often feels like warmth in the treated area, and with practise the hands will become increasingly sensitive and able to find the source of problems in the body. Participants will receive a certificate on completion of the class.
The next level of study would be second degree, which is also taught over a few days. It is taught to students who wish to deepen their experience in Reiki, after having practised with first degree for usually at least a year. In second degree, students are taught symbols to use and how to do distant treatment and more specific treatment. Students are given one second degree initiation, and receive a certificate for this level. As second degree is a substantially larger commitment to this practise, the cost is also substantially more than first degree.
The next level of instruction is that of Reiki Master, or third degree. At this point, a student should have practised Reiki for a reasonably long period to have a body of experience of this technique. Initiation as a Reiki Master empowers the teaching of this system. The student studying to become a master works with another master, setting up and assisting with classes. They continue to explore the practise of reiki in their lives and in relationship to the master they study with. Eventually the student receives instruction in conducting the classes and initiations, and is given the master or third degree initiation. Becoming a Reiki Master, is a life calling.
Shelley Easthope was initiated as reiki master in 1988 by Phyllis Lei Furumoto, grandmaster of Usui Shiki Ryoho. She is a member of the Reiki Alliance, an international body of reiki masters. Shelley teaches classes regularly on Pender Island, and travels to teach wherever there are six people interested in taking the class.
I would be happy to discuss with you further questions or arrangements for treatment or classes.
