About Reiki and Reiki Drum Technique
WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki is a system of energy healing originating from Japan. The word Reiki itself translates to 'Universal Life Energy' and is based on the belief that life energy (Chi in Chinese medicine or Prana in Yoga) flows through all living things.
When this energy becomes disrupted or blocked, it is believed that stress and disease follow.
The Reiki healing technique is based on the principle that the therapist can channel energy into the client by means of touch, to activate the natural healing processes of the clients body and restore physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well-being.
You will be asked to either lie fully clothed on a couch or sit in a chair. The Practitioner will lay their hands on specific positions on the body. Reiki energy moves through the channel of the Reiki practitioner dispelling blocks and negativity. As Reiki energy has a way of naturally flowing to the area of the body where it is most needed, no two Reiki treatments will be the same.
Reiki energy may be experienced with differing effects such as increased warmth, coldness, tingling or colours. It has been shown to effectively stimulate the relaxation response with recipients often feeling as if they have had several hours sleep after just one session. This relaxation response may help recipients cope better in times of stress. Other benefits attributed to Reiki include promotion of creativity, assisting emotional release, aiding meditation and encouraging positive thinking.
Whatever the recipient experiences, the overall benefits of the treatment are the same with the correct amount of energy being received to bring about the necessary changes to restore balance within.
Treatments may vary in length, but will normally last in the region of an hour. The treatment is given fully clothed.
WHAT IS THE REIKI DRUM TECHNIQUE?
Reiki is a system of natural healing which has also been in use for many thousands of years. Rei-Ki means spiritual energy or universal life-force energy. At an atomic level everything which exists in the Universe is made up of energy, vibrating at different rates. Humans are also comprised of electromagnetic energy and in healing Reiki acts holistically, affecting all the energies comprising the human body, physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Reiki is non invasive and has been shown to effectively stimulate the relaxation response.
Combining Reiki and Drumming creates the Reiki Drum Technique, a method of utilising the drum to introduce Reiki energy into a person's energy field to bring about deep relaxation thereby releasing deep seated tensions and achieving homeostasis. The drum rhythm reminds the body of its optimal vibration. Research has indicated that even drumming for a short period of time can induce an "alpha state", those brainwaves associated with wellbeing and euphoria.
On a physical level drumming in studies has shown to alter neuro endocrine and immunologic response in a person facilitating a sense of peace and relaxation. Scientific research demonstrates that cortisol levels and blood pressure readings are positively altered, natural killer cells are more active and research indicates that drumming also aids the production of endorphins, assisting in pain control.
On a spiritual level, the vibrations of the drum beat encourage mental, emotional and spiritual energy bodies to realign and chakras to become balanced, resulting in emotional and mental harmony. Our consciousness shifts and we are able to reach our true spiritual selves.
Drum therapy is an ancient approach that uses rhythm to promote healing and self expression. Therapeutic rhythm techniques have been used for thousands of years by many different cultures to create and maintain physical, emotional, mental and spiritual health. Despite being practised by so many diverse cultures, the technique is similar the world over.
Throughout history, some sounds have come to be regarded as sacred and healing, the drumbeat being one of these. Drumming for meditation and relaxation has its root in prehistoric times. Stone Age man found that the drum beat changed the way he felt and helped him gain a form of control over his environment. For thousands of years drumming has been a deep and sacred part of indigenous cultures worldwide. The Celts, British, Irish, Native Americans, Siberian Tuvans, Laps, North African Arabic Tribes and Mongolians have all known that drumming is a powerful spiritual tool and drumming has been customary at weddings, births, deaths, harvests and initiation ceremonies the world over.
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH ON DRUMMING AND ITS HEALING POWERS
Drumming has many physiological effects on the body. It increases heart rate and blood flow. It engages both logical left brain and intuitive right brain. It links humans to the vibrations of the earth by slowing the brain waves to around 8 cycles per second , the same frequency as the earth. It has been noted that IQ scores have improved from playing drums. A recent study by E. Glenn Shallenberg at the University of Toronto demonstrated that IQ test scores for a study group of 6 year olds significantly improved after receiving drum lessons. Other benefits of playing the drums are improved musical co-ordination and brain activity, physical therapy and stress relief, as well as improved social skills such as team work, self esteem and discipline and improved abstract thought processes.
Drumming is gaining recognition amongst researchers and scientists as a therapeutic tool. Recent studies have shown that drumming can boost the immune system. Neurologist Barry Bittman MD of the Mind Body Wellness Center in Meadville, Pennsylvania conducted a study which found that patients who took part in group composite drumming experienced increased levels of Natural Killer cells. Bittman tested the blood chemistry of 111 healthy people in several experiments. The findings were that participants in all groups experienced a drop in cortisol, an indicator of stress, but only the active drumming group had a significant increase in Natural Killer cells. Bittman explains this difference to the stress reducing benefits of self expression, teamwork and rhythmic drumming. This recent research indicates that drumming accelerates physical healing, boosts immune system, produces feelings of well being, releases emotional trauma and assists in the reintegration of the self.
Other studies have shown the positive effects on Alzheimer's and dementia patients. Researchers have found that because rhythm is so intrinsic to our nature, even Alzheimer's patients who are in the latter stages of the disease, can copy simple drum rhythms. This takes on great significance when all other forms of communication have been diminished. Drumming seems to focus Alzheimer's patients for a short time, and they seem momentarily coherent.
Research has also shown positive effects on compromised immune systems. Studies have been conducted and benefits have been recognised with all of the following population groups; cancer patients, autistic children, emotionally disturbed teens, recovering addicts, trauma patients, and prison and homeless populations. Large corporations have found drumming helps employees focus attention and improves their well being.
Study results show that drumming is helpful when treating stress, tension, fatigue, anxiety, hypertension, asthma, arthritis, mental illness, migraines, cancer, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's, stroke, paralysis, healing after surgery and sleep and emotional disorders. It also helps to control chronic pain. Research has found that drumming serves as a distraction from pain and grief. It promotes the production of endorphins and endogenous opiates, the bodies own painkillers, and therefore helps control pain.
Research has also demonstrated that drumming accesses the entire brain. It synchronizes the two cerebral hemispheres of the brain. When both pulsate in harmony, intuitive knowing can flow unimpeded into conscious awareness. Unconscious information can be accessed through symbols and imagery thereby facilitating psychological integration and a re-integration of the self. The frontal and lower areas of the brain are also synchronised, integrating non verbal information from lower brain structures into the frontal cortex, producing feelings of insight, understanding , integration , certainty, conviction and truth which surpass ordinary understanding. Because the mind becomes sharper and more lucid, it synthesizes more rapidly than normal and emotions are easier to understand and transform.
Drumming generates dynamic neuronal connections in all parts of the brain even when there is significant damage or impairment such as Attention Deficit Disorder. The more connections that can be made within the brain after a stroke or neurological impairn1ent such as with Parkinson's Disease, the more integrated the patient's experiences can become.
Drumming has also proven to induce altered states of consciousness. A study by Barry Quinn, Ph.D. found that even a brief drumming session can double alpha brain activity. The brain changes from Beta to Alpha waves producing feelings of euphoria and well being. Alpha waves are associated with altered states such as meditation and shamanic trance. It allows people to enter these states easily contrasted to the long periods of practise normally required.
Drumming allows people to access a higher power. Drumming can bring people into direct encounters with spiritual forces, thereby allowing them to focus on their body, and integrating healing on both a physical and spiritual level. These experiences are deeply healing, releasing negative feelings, blockages and emotional trauma.
Drumming can help people express and address emotional issues. Drumming aids the removal of energy blockages and produces emotional l release. Sound vibrations resonate through every cell of the body, stimulating the release of negative cellular memories. Drumming can also address the needs of addicted populations by helping them learn to deal with their emotions in a therapeutic way without the use of drugs.
Drumming allows you to live in the moment, thereby alleviating the common stress of holding on to the past and worrying about the future.
Words from my wonderful teacher Sarah Gregg. www.reikidrum.co.uk
Treatments may vary in length, but will normally last in the region of an hour. The treatment is given fully clothed.
To arrange a Reiki treatment please email maria@wild-nest.com
If you wish to have a chat over the phone we can arrange this via email.