<b>By Tracie Korol</b>

Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive, drug-free way to accelerate healing, relieve pain, restore balance, and revitalize and enhance well being in humans and animals.

Reiki has the potential to improve the results of medical treatment, reduce negative side effects, shorten healing time, decrease or eliminate pain, reduce stress, and help create optimism. It also improves the effectiveness of all other types of therapy by maximizing the effectiveness of the healing energy within.

For those of you who are more empirical and prefer a scientific explanation, it is the same “energy” that can be transmuted into matter and back again through varying harmonic frequencies in the Unified Field Theory proposed by Albert Einstein, mastered by Nikola Tesla, and readapted in recent times by Capt. Bruce Cathie, the earth grid guy.

In Southern vernacular, Reiki is simply “laying on of hands”. It is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us, and causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. It’s exactly the same for dogs.

The name Reiki, pronounced ‘’Ray-key’’, comes from the Japanese words ‘’rei’’ meaning spirit, and ‘’ki’’ meaning energy. It is usually translated as ‘’universal life energy.’’ This treatment modality applies to animals and people alike. For that matter, one can Reiki anything. I will Reiki my avocados to extend their vital energy until I can mash them into guacamole.

The longer dogs live with man, the more problems they seem to develop. Eckhart Tolle, author of “The Power of Now” and Oprah’s favorite, “A New Earth,” comments that he is surprised dogs are able to stay as sane as they do. With an occasional Reiki boost, we can help our dogs weather the many physical and emotional issues we foist upon them.

For dogs that are healthy, Reiki helps to maintain their health, enhances relaxation and provides an emotional sense of peace and contentment. For dogs that are ill, Reiki is a safe complement to western medicine or Traditional Chinese Medicine. For example, Reiki can reduce the side effects of chemotherapy or support an acupuncture treatment. For dying animals, Reiki is a powerful yet gentle way to provide comfort, relief from pain, fear, and anxiety, and to ease the transition to death.

I am currently working with Mr. S, a 10-year-old schnauzer. He is struggling with the effects of a hammered immune system, often referred to as “allergies”; his doctors, out of ideas, have sent him home to die. His owner is simply not ready to accept that supposed finality. Using Reiki, we have been able to calm Mr. S’s chewing-his-feet anxiety, channeling that energy into healing. Mr. S is now “eating clean” and taking supplements to rebuild and support his immune function. With regular Reiki sessions Mr. S is returning to the ornery old guy he has always been. He has returned to playing and enjoying his daily walks. While Reiki is not a mystical cure-all, it balances energies and clears the way for the body to heal itself.  It is a powerful tool in the healing toolbox.

Many Reiki practitioners use Reiki on the dog’s chakras (energy centers) to balance the dog. Then they concentrate on the specific area that may be of concern. For example, a treatment begins with asking a dog’s permission; a response can be a lean, a gentle head-butt or a paw on my arm. I will place my hands on specific areas of a dog/client, balance his chakras using Reiki, and then go back to concentrate on the area of concern. It is similar to a treatment for humans, but shorter in length. Dogs will “take breaks”, get up, circle and return.  I will know when the treatment has concluded when the dog gets up to get a drink of water. A deep and restful nap usually follows.

If you are curious about Reiki, there is a “share” at Palm Key (Ridgeland area) every first Sunday of the month, 1-4 p.m.  Shares are free to the public. If you want more information as in where at Palm Key exactly and who is hosting, please send me a note and bring your Best Friend!
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