R IS FOR REIKI

Reiki is a therapy increasingly featured on spa and wellness retreats menus around the world. But what exactly is Reiki and how does it help to heal the body? Judy Chapman chats to Maya Ridoux-Sweeney, a Sydney-based reiki healer who has been a Reiki practitioner for over 20 years. She runs healing reiki trainings and healing circles and recently launched a range of aura mists infused with healing reiki! First up, how to describe Reiki to a novice? Reiki is a healing modality that works on subtle energy system of the body which includes light body, chakra, and meridians. It’s based on the understanding that all physical manifestations come from spirit (also known as energy). Reiki has a positive energetic influence on the mind, body, emotions, and spirit. The goal of reiki is to bring harmony and balance to the entire being. Who can benefit from a reiki session? The beauty of a Reiki session is that it’s a completely personalised energy healing experience for anyone and everyone. I recommend reiki sessions as a powerful and grounding support for those going through major transitions in their life such as relationship, home, and job changes. As well, it works for a full spectrum of health issues including sleep disorders, menopause support, chronic stress, headaches, injuries, aches and pains, alongside general wellbeing. What to expect from a Maya reiki session? My reiki sessions begin with a light consultation to understand yours needs, expectations and if there are any specific issues that you want to work on. Essentially, the client will lay down on a massage bed fully clothed. I draw in energy from the universe and channel this into the body - very rarely will I need to physically touch a client’s body as energy healing is very strong and powerful. Sensitive people may feel heat, tingles or pulsing in the body as any unwanted, negative emotions or stressful energies are gentle released from the physical body. What else? Many people experience profound realizations about themselves, others, and their life during a reiki session. As you are in safe space, you feel more relaxed to let go of emotions and have a good cry. M

y treatment space is private and non-judgemental which gives people complete privacy to let go. How often would one need to do reiki? It’s all variable. Sometimes we can easily identify the root cause of the issue and are able to quickly clear and release that in turn gives the client the freedom to move on with their life. Other times, multiple sessions are needed No two reiki sessions are ever the same. Do I need to bring anything? Just bring beautiful being and as much honesty. Reiki is not like your usual massage treatment in that it’s a fully clothed treatment with very little physical touch - it’s more like an energetic massage! How did you personally discover Reiki and how has this enhanced your own life? I started out as a massage therapist and when I was doing my studies and became friends with a co-student who happened to be a reiki master. She introduced to me to reiki and soon enough, I joined her reiki training and today, I offer reiki sessions as well as online and in-person reiki trainings. On a personal level, when I was at my lowest point in my mental health I experienced debilitating panic attacks after my marriage broke down followed by my father passing, in these darker times I began to use Reiki on myself to nurture my heart and emotions and grounding, this really supported my grieving process and still today I use reiki as a daily tool to stay on top of my energies and releasing any energies I have picked form others through the day. Energetic hygiene is as important as daily showering. Can you share more about these? Reiki is so popular now that my Level 1 one-day in-person sacred healing reiki workshops are now my number one offering. These appeal to a wide range of people including those who nothing about reiki yet feel are drawn to it like a magnet. It’s appealing to people who want to embrace the power of self-healing, help themselves move on from a past trauma, manage anxiety and worrying thoughts, and who want to maximize their potential in their life moving forward. It’s also a wonderful tool for using in first-aid situations, as well as if you encounter a situation where you feel the need to protect your own energy and space. Sensitive people like empaths can really benefit from reiki as it helps to strengthen their boundaries. Level 2 is for those who want to become a reiki practitioner themselves. Many qualified massage therapists do this course as it elevates their massage treatments to a next-level experience. Who can book in for a reiki workshop? Anyone and everyone! This self-healing modality can be used on self, pets and even the help grow a garden! The beauty of learning how to do reiki yourself is you can empower your life and those around you anytime. For example, parents love to learn reiki to help calm and relax their children. Those who have an illness can also greatly benefit from daily reiki on themselves. It’s a self-healing modality that seems to work on everything from calming the mind and nervous system to easing one into a deep and peaceful slumber. Ultimately, real reiki training happens in real life - the more one practices it the more it works. If you are diligent, you can evolve very quickly but if slack, may need to return to do more training. Makes sense. You recently launched your own range of Maya Energy Alchemist homeopathic remedies. Tell us about these… My new range of homeopathic mist sprays are infused with good vibes - my healing reiki! The entire range is created in ceremony - infusing reiki healing into the waters. I also have made homeopathic remedies from the reiki vibration that is included in some of the products. As a qualified homeopathic, I will support my reiki patients with individualised homeopathic preparations. All sounds very inspiring and powerful - thank you Maya for sharing. Where can one find out more about your individual reiki treatments and workshops? LINK - www.mayaridouxsweeney.com