In this latest episode of our Obelisk Live series, we have been lucky enough to talk to and learn from Seena Chand, a Reiki practitioner and well-being expert. Based on her years of experience, Seena suggests some positive lessons Reiki can teach us to help manage any stress and anxiety at this challenging time. Listen to our interview above or read on for more.
Listen to the podcast here.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a traditional Japanese practice that roughly translates into English as “Universal life energy”. By harnessing and unblocking our “Ki” or energy flow, Reiki helps us to attain both physical and mental health benefits. Reiki also sets out five philosophical principles to help us live a healthier life:
- Just for today, do not worry
- Just for today, do not anger
- Honour your parents, teachers and elders
- Earn your living honestly
- Show gratitude to every living thing
What does a Reiki treatment involve?
There are three simple exercises Seena recommends to help us during this time:
- Start or finish each day with a simple energy treatment. Find five or ten minutes in a space where you can be on your own. Taking deep breaths in and out, place your hands slowly on your head, heart and solar plexus in turn. As you do this, your breath will naturally slow. Embrace and consider any thoughts or feelings that arise during this time and allow yourself to reset and prepare for either the day ahead or rest and relaxation.
- Yawn! Make the most of not being in the office to embrace a proper yawn or two and a big stretch in between tasks. This helps your energy to flow and also helps you to shift gears in between different jobs.
- Lose your phone. Rather than keeping your phone by your bedside at night, leave it outside the room (with a ringtone loud enough to wake you in an emergency). Instead of checking for messages or news in the morning, take some time to breath or carry out the energy treatment above.
The current events may also be prompting a period of reflection or re-evaluation. If this is the case for you, Seena recommends an exercise called “Writing your life story”. Carve out some time to write your life story (starting with the day you were born and then in chronological order), including as many memories and emotions as you can, not just the major milestones. This is a profound healing exercise and can then be a source of inspiration and encouragement, to draw strength from as you move through this period and beyond.
How can the Reiki philosophy help those of us who are juggling childcare and work responsibilities?
Seena advocates holding on to the thought, “Just for today” and finding the best way forward each day to satisfy conflicting demands on your time. For those of us looking after children, finding some way to connect with them on an interest at their level is vital. It might be colouring, craft, climbing trees – it doesn’t matter. Having some time that is not geared towards being productive but rather prioritises enjoying each other’s company is vital.
How else can we draw on Reiki principles?
Showing gratitude is another practice that can help us to manage our stress-levels. Seena’s own experience of this has led to her working on an initiative called NHS Wellness Boxes, which is delivering care packages to local NHS workers with both practical items (snacks, toothpaste etc) and messages of appreciation and gratitude, including pictures from local children, and well-being exercises. If you would like to contribute to this initiative to boost morale, you can find out more here.
Where can I find out more about Reiki?
If this feature has piqued your interest, you can find out more about Reiki by:
- Visiting Seena’s own blog and other resources.
- Visiting the Reiki Association, Reiki Council or Reiki Alliance websites/social media pages.
- Reading the Hay House Reiki series of books by Torsten Lange.
As Seena says, based on her own experience, “When you are ready, Reiki can make a powerful difference to your life”.
