I learned about Reiki sixteen years ago when I was looking for holistic practices that can help boost the immune system and reduce stress. I was surprised to discover that in addition to enhancing the immune function and promoting relaxation, Reiki can also reduce pain and fever. While my mind tried to find a scientific explanation for how Reiki actually works, my body continued to benefit from it. After trying Reiki for myself I attended several trainings and became a second degree Reiki practitioner.

Nowadays Reiki is being introduced into a variety of medical settings including Harvard University Center for Wellness, Boston Children’s Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Tufts Medical Center, Mass General Cancer Center at Emerson Hospital, and many more. It is more commonly known, but people still frequently ask me: “What is Reiki?”

Reiki is an energy medicine practice that promotes physical and emotional well-being. Reiki, much like acupuncture, works on the ability to balance the human energy field. It improves energy flow while reducing stress and allowing the body to heal itself naturally.

During Reiki session the practitioner gently places his/her hands on or near the body of the person receiving the treatment. It can also be remotely and used for self-treatment.

Reiki sessions have cumulative effects. After the initial treatment some clients choose to continue receiving Reiki regularly for maintaining balance and addressing chronic conditions.

Several research studies indicate that the benefits of Reiki include

• Relaxation
• Recovery from stress and fatigue
• Pain relief
• Improved mental clarity
• Increased sense of well-being

Reiki has a spiritual component and is based on principles of compassion and gratitude. It can be combined with traditional and complementary therapies to enhance their effects. If you decide to try it, it may assist you in functioning in a more balanced and harmonious way.

Lana Emelyanov is a licensed therapist with over 10 years of experince as an individual, couple and family therapist.

Two weeks ago I returned from the No Barriers Summit held at Copper Mountain, Colorado.  All my life mountains have been inspirations for me and my family. I was a mountain climber in college and my heart always belongs to those magnificent, towering peaks, valleys, mountain streams, and icefalls. Mountains remind me that the world is beautiful and calm. They ground me and give me a new perspective. Issues and troubles simply become insignificant when you hit the mountain path and gaze at the mountain ridge. Every mountain for me is a visual symbol of a big goal that can be reached with enough courage, training, planning, persistence, and support. Isn’t this true for every life goal? This time in the Colorado mountains was even more special for me than usual. I met many amazing people, whose life stories about persistence, passion, and creativity continue to inspire me. One of them was Eric Weihenmayer, blind adventurer, speaker, author, filmmaker, and organizer of the No  Barriers Summit. Not a long time ago I read Eric’s book, Touch The Top of The World, where he talks about his life, friends, passions, and disability. If you ever need a reminder of unlimited possibilities and courage in the face of life challenges, I recommend you look into this book. I also suggest taking some time this summer to explore beautiful and quiet corners of this universe. Look at the sky, sit by the lake, listen to the ocean, walk the mountain paths, listen to the leaves rustling in the wind, and ask yourself, what makes me happy? Remind yourself about your dreams and hold them close to your heart. 

Lana Emelyanov is a licensed therapist with over 10 years of experince as an individual, couple and family therapist.