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Reiki

Reiki (ray-kee) is an ancient rediscovered natural healing technique involving the placement of hands onto the body in order to channel energy. Reiki is a technique for stress reduction and relaxation that allows everyone to tap into an unlimited supply of "life force energy" to improve health and enhance the quality of life. It can be defined as “spiritually guided life force energy”. The knowledge that an unseen energy flows through all living things and is connected directly to quality of health has been part of the wisdom of many cultures since ancient times. The existence of this "life force energy" has been verified by kirlian photography. Kirlian photography is a technique that allows the etheric energy patterns around living things to be photographed it was pioneered by Semyon Kirlian, a Russian researcher in the 1940's.

Reiki is an amazingly simple technique to learn. It does not take years of practice, it is simply passed on through a series of attunements from a qualified Reiki Master/Teacher to the student. As soon as this happens, one has and can do Reiki. Because of this, it is easily learned by anyone. The Master/Teacher "fines tunes" the individual's own abilities to channel universal life force energy much the same as turning a radio from am to fm.

The Reiki energy is perceived as heat or sensation that comes from the channel's hands. It is gentle and stimulates the body's own innate wisdom to cure at the cause of the problem, promoting a holistic balancing of body, mind and spirit.

Tai Chi

The Chinese characters for Tai Chi Chuan can be translated as the 'Supreme Ultimate Force'. The notion of 'supreme ultimate' is often associated with the Chinese concept of yin-yang, the notion that one can see a dynamic duality (male/female, active/passive, dark/light, forceful/yielding, etc.) in all things. 'Force' (or, more literally, 'fist') can be thought of here as the means or way of achieving this ying-yang, or 'supreme-ultimate' discipline.

Tai Chi, as it is practiced in the west today, can perhaps best be thought of as a moving form of yoga and meditation combined. There are a number of so- called forms (sometimes also called 'sets') which consist of a sequence of movements. Many of these movements are originally derived from the martial arts (and perhaps even more ancestrally than that, from the natural movements of animals and birds) although the way they are performed in Tai Chi is slowly, softly and gracefully with smooth and even transitions between them.

For many practicioners the focus in doing them is not, first and foremost, martial, but as a meditative exercise for the body. For others the combat aspects of Tai Chi are of considerable interest. In Chinese philosophy and medicine there exists the concept of 'chi', a vital force that animates the body. One of the avowed aims of Tai Chi is to foster the circulation of this 'chi' within the body, the belief being that by doing so the health and vitality of the person are enhanced. This 'chi' circulates in patterns that are close related to the nervous and vascular system and thus the notion is closely connected with that of the practice of acupuncture and other oriental healing arts.

Another aim of Tai Chi is to foster a calm and tranquil mind, focused on the precise execution of these exercises. Learning to do them correctly provides a practical avenue for learning about such things as balance, alignment, fine-scale motor control, rhythm of movement, the genesis of movement from the body's vital center, and so on. Thus the practice of Tai Chi can in some measure contribute to being able to better stand, walk, move, run, etc. in other spheres of life as well. Many practitioners notice benefits in terms of correcting poor postural, alignment or movement patterns which can contribute to tension or injury. Furthermore the meditative nature of the exercises is calming and relaxing in and of itself.

Because the Tai Chi movements have their origins in the martial arts, practicing them does have some martial applications. In a two-person exercise called 'push-hands' Tai Chi principles are developed in terms of being sensitive to and responsive of another person's 'chi' or vital energy. It is also an opportunity to employ some of the martial aspects of Tai Chi in a kind of slow-tempo combat. Long-time practitioners of Tai Chi who are so-inclined can become very adept at martial arts. The emphasis in Tai Chi is on being able to channel potentially destructive energy (in the form of a kick or a punch) away from one in a manner that will dissipate the energy or send it in a direction where it is no longer a danger.

The practical exercises of Tai Chi are also situated in a wider philosophical context of Taoism. This is a reflective, mystical Chinese tradition first associated with the scholar and mystic Lao Tsu, an older contemporary of Confucius. He wrote and taught in the province of Honan in the 6th century B.C. and authored the seminal work of Taoism, the Tao Te Ching. As a philosophy, Taoism has many elements but fundamentally it espouses a calm, reflective and mystic view of the world steeped in the beauty and tranquillity of nature.

Tai Chi also has, particularly amongst eastern practitioners, a long connection with the I Ching a Chinese system of divination. There are associations between the 8 basic I Ching trigrams plus the five elements of Chinese alchemy (metal, wood, fire, water and earth) with the thirteen basic postures of Tai Chi created by Chang San-feng. There are also other associations with the full 64 trigrams of the I Ching and other movements in the Tai Chi form.

Pranic Healing

Pranic healing is done by sending prana (the "universal life force") from the practitioner’s body to diseased or affected parts of another person’s body. The force stimulates cells and tissues, restores normal activity, and allows waste material to leave the system. It involves the use of passes and the laying on of hands.

The prana is a vital physical force, that exists universally, which underlies all physical actions of the body. It causes the circulation of the blood, movement of cells, and all motions which life of the body depends. It is a force sent forth from the nervous system by an effort of the will to direct healing.

Prana also is known by different names such as ch’I in Chinese medicine and ki in Japanese medicine; the Japanese call healing by touch "giving seiki."

The individual receives prana from the food eaten, water drank, and air breathed. All force or energy received comes from one primal source, and everyone can increase their supply and give it as a "gift" to others through healing. By the act of living each receives this gift and therefore can freely share it with others.

The amount of prana which everyone possesses can be increased through visualization. For example, when one takes a deep breath one can visualize the prana, or vital force, coming into his body, circulating through it, and penetrating every part of it. One can visualize this prana, the love of the Lady and the Lord, building up in himself or herself. (see Visualization)

Correct breathing establishes an equilibrium between positive and negative currents. It calms the nervous system, regulates and slows heart activity, reduces blood pressure, and stimulates digestion.

Before a session of pranic healing the following exercises are recommended:

1. (a) slowly breath in through the nose to a mental count of eight;
(b) slowly exhale through the nose to a mental count of eight;
2. -c- slowly breath in through the nose to a mental count of eight;
(d) hold breath to count of four;
(e) slowly exhale through mouth to mental count of eight.

When doing (d) feel the pranic energy throughout the entire body.
When doing (e) feel all negativity go out of the body.

Before beginning a pranic healing session, the practitioner should draw a circle, even an imaginary one, around the patient and fill it with white light. This should be done whenever possible. If done in a hospital, or a like facility, or even in a home, the patient’s bed is within the circle.

Now the practitioner is ready to begin the healing process. The patient should be laying with his head toward the east whenever possible. The patient does not have to be naked, but some believe the process is more effective when both he and the practitioner are naked. The patient should close his eyes and concentrate trying to see himself encompassed in a ball of white light. If the practitioner is right handed he should kneel in a position to the left of the patient’s legs. The practitioner then reaches forwards, with arms extended holding the hands with palms inward, taking a deep breath, he passes each hand on both sides of the patient’s body, almost close enough to touch the skin (about one inch away from the body surface) from the head to the feet. After each pass along the body has been completed the practitioner shakes his hand vigorously as if to shake water off of them. This is get rid of all the negativity which the practitioner has drawn from the patient. Repeat this process at least seven times, preferably more.

Afterwards, the practitioner sits quietly resting, as the healing process can be exhausting, while he views the patient in the white light. When the practitioner has gotten his breath he repeats exercises "1" and "2."

The next process is for the practitioner to place his hands on the sides of the patient’s head with the thumbs gently resting on the temples. The practitioner concentrates (with eyes closed if he wishes) sending all of his energy into the patient, all of the goodness and love from the Lady and the Lord which is being channeled through him to the patient. Afterwards, once again, the practitioner sits back and rests as he sees the patient in the white light.

The above process is next applied to the patient’s heart. The practitioner places his hands over the heart sending energy to it. After resting again, the practitioner places his hands on the patient’s afflicted area such as the stomach, leg, or shoulder, sending energy to it.

After his final rest period, the practitioner should picture the patient in the ball of light. This completes the healing process.

The practitioner may feel exhausted after the completed healing process, which usually is the case. While some say the feeling of exhaustion is a sign that the healing process was not successful, other disagree stating that exhaustion shows that there was a transference of energy between practitioner and patient designating that a good healing process occurred.

When the patient is not present, a good photograph of him can be used in pranic healing, sometimes referred to as absentee healing. (see Sympathetic Magic) A.G.H.

Yoga

 The word yoga means "union" in Sanskrit, the language of ancient India where yoga originated. We can think of the union occurring between mind, body and spirit.

What is commonly referred to as "yoga" can be more accurately described by the Sanskrit word asana, which refers to the practice of physical postures or poses.

Asana is only one of the eight "limbs" or types of yoga, the majority of which are more concerned with mental and spiritual well being than physical activity. Today, however, the words asana and yoga have become almost synonymous.

Yoga Poses

Many people think that yoga is stretching. But while stretching is certainly involved, yoga is really about creating balance in the body through developing both strength and flexibility. This is done through the performance of poses, each of which has specific physical benefits. The poses can be done quickly in succession, creating heat in the body through movement or more slowly to increase stamina and perfect the alignment of the pose. There is an ideal way that each pose should be done, although not all yogis will agree about what that is.

Yoga Practice

Yoga teachers will often refer to "your practice," which means your individual experience with yoga as it develops over time. The amazing thing about yoga is that your practice is always evolving and changing so it never gets boring. Although the poses themselves do not change, your relationship to them will. Anyone can start a yoga practice, even if you don't feel like you are very flexible or very strong. These things will develop over time. Another great thing about thinking of yoga as "your practice" is that it encourages the noncompetitive spirit of yoga. One of the most difficult, but ultimately most liberating things about yoga is letting go of the ego and accepting that no one is better than anyone else. Everyone is just doing their best on any given day.

Yoga Classes

In addition to practicing the poses, yoga classes may also include instruction on breathing, call and response chanting, meditation, or an inspirational reading by the teacher. The variety and amount of this will depend on the individual teacher and the tradition in which they have trained. Typically, a yoga class at a gym will be more focused on the purely physical benefits of yoga, while one at a yoga center may delve more into the spiritual side. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great. Whatever your tendency, you will be able to find a yoga class that suits your style.

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"  I have been coming to see Jeff for awhile now, he is a very powerful Healer."  Sarah

"Tai Chi has changed my life.  I don't know what I would have done without it.  I thank Jeff for introducing me to Tai Chi. "  Owen

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