Reiki Practitioner:
a step into the unknown
Gillian Adams

There comes a time in your life when you have to step out of your comfort zone and into the unknown. Even if it’s something you want to do, it can still be a little scary. And so I found myself at Maker Festival at the end of July, offering Reiki in the healing rooms.
While I have always been interested in holistic complementary therapies I never dreamt that one day it would be me who answered questions on a stall and invited people to hop onto my couch for a taster Reiki session.
A few years ago my love of crystals led me to take a crystal healing course and I enjoyed every minute of it. As well as the benefits to myself, both physically and emotionally, I also found I liked giving crystal healing to others. Then I discovered Reiki and haven’t looked back since.
Reiki is an ancient Japanese energy-healing technique where the practitioner channels energy into a client by laying hands on his/her body. Reiki energy can bring about deep relaxation, destroy energy blockages and can work on emotional, mental and physical bodies.
Building up my practice has been slow and steady through word of mouth, so stepping out into the unknown by attending this festival was just the experience I felt I needed to ‘put myself out there’.
During the three-day festival I was amazed at how everyone had a different experience of Reiki, and the healing energy always seemed to go to where it was most needed.
I was also surprised by the interest from men, when I had expectations that only women would by attracted to it. Some men would come in groups and later slip back on their own for a chat or a taster.
Giving Reiki at the festival also brought me some challenges. Used to working in a quiet healing room it was initially a shock to have loud music from the festival on one side, and noise from people on the other. Taking regular breaks seemed to counteract this so I could keep my calm centre in a busy environment.
I became fascinated as to who would come through the door next, and which therapist they would go to. Some bypassed me, some drifted through and left with my leaflet in their pocket, and others knew exactly what they wanted and asked for Reiki for a bad knee or sore arm.
There were some recurring themes in the Reiki I gave, which are also commonsense, so I’ll pass them on here. If you get stressed find some physical activity which suits you to relieve it, and also take some time to meditate regularly. Meditation is ‘me’ time and everyone deserves a little of that.
The best thing about the weekend was the people. The other therapists were friendly and supportive of each other, and the people who came to see us were all unique and colourful in their own way.
While jumping into the unknown was a daunting adventure at first, it’s one I wouldn’t have missed. And I may even do it again.
Gillian Adams can be contacted on 01752 569041 or visit www.childoftime.co.uk