Omni Hotels & Resorts Escapes: 2018
Radiance Through Reiki
This traditional Japanese technique uses energy work to reduce stress, increase relaxation and heal from the inside out.
Reiki treatments use energy to bring balance to body, mind and spirit. | Photo by wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
Reiki is a holistic therapy that is said to heal people on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. The practice was first introduced by a Japanese Tendai Buddhist, Mikao Usui, in 1922. Its name is said to derive from the Japanese characters “rei,” meaning spiritual, and “ki,” meaning energy or life force. These terms combine to form “reiki,” which can be translated as universal life energy.
The treatment itself is administered by a practitioner who places their hands just above the recipient, allowing life energy to flow through their hands and into the client. This is said to decrease stress as well as the chances of getting sick, while simultaneously increasing happiness and overall health. Guests of Omni Hotels & Resorts can enjoy reiki treatments at various properties, including Omni Bedford Springs Resort in Pennsylvania, Omni Amelia Island Plantation Resort in Florida, and Omni La Costa Resort & Spa in California.
“[Reiki is a] … specialty service that I think has become increasingly popular with the general population,” says Stephanie Cardwell, spa director at Omni Bedford Springs Resort. “ … Being up in the mountains and in this tranquil environment, I really think offering reiki and energy work just fits for our spa very well.”
Cary Everett, an energy practitioner at Omni Bedford Springs Resort’s Springs Eternal Spa, is a master at reading people to determine what type of energy will aid their individual journey. “You really don’t need to tell her anything,” Cardwell says of receiving reiki treatments from Everett. “She can tell what [your] energy is and what you need, and she’s able to really just customize that to exactly the outcome you’re looking for.”
Photo courtesy of Mystic Reiki & Wellness
As an energy practitioner, Everett says that she channels universal life force, which “feels like a magnetic pull” through her body, although there is no exchange of energy between her and her client. Instead, Everett says that the recipient’s body draws energy through her to where it is needed the most.
“Over many years, I have honed my energy sessions to include the most effective energies and practices to best benefit my clients during their initial visit,” says Everett, who explains that follow-up sessions are then customized. Through her work with energy and intentions as well as her experience as an intuitive (a person who is sensitive to forces beyond the physical world), Everett is also able to channel and monitor her clients’ responses through their breathing, eye and body movements. She can also sense where the energy is pulled and how much of it is used.
“Systematically, I clear and balance the entire body’s energy [by] realigning chakras, clearing blockages … [and] promoting healthy energy flows in order to achieve optimum overall well-being of body, mind and soul,” Everett says.
When meeting a client for the first time, Everett likes to inquire about their previous experiences or knowledge of energy work, what their expectations are for the session, and any issues they may be dealing with such as stress, anxiety or physical pain. Everett incorporates various calming elements into her sessions, including sound, aromatherapy, crystals and feathers. She always has time for clients to ask questions before or during the treatment, and to give them her feedback afterward.
“When my session is finished, I allow [the client] time to assess how they feel and then ask what they experienced. Answers range from very relaxed to seeing colors, feeling vibrations and tingling, body realigning, floating, [feeling] lighter [or] balanced … and journeying,” Everett says. “No two clients are ever the same. No two sessions are ever the same.”
Guests are often so satisfied with these treatments that they are interested in continuing the healing process at home, so the spa began selling locally sourced gemstone talismans as a healing aid, and a little souvenir. Everett infuses these talismans with her own energy, which her clients can then channel at any time.
Graphic by LordtNis/Wikipedia.org
Knowing Your Chakras
Reiki is often used to balance the body’s seven chakras, which run from the base of the spine to the top of the head, each bearing its own meaning.
Root Chakra
The root chakra symbolizes grounding, safety and nourishment, the basic things needed for survival, and is represented by red. Stones that are associated with the root chakra are bloodstone, tiger’s-eye, hematite, fire agate and black tourmaline, or schorl.
Sacral Chakra
The sacral chakra is associated with emotions, creativity and sexuality, and is depicted as orange. Stones that help balance the sacral chakra are citrine, carnelian and moonstone.
Solar Plexus Chakra
The solar plexus chakra represents the mind and intelligence as well as will power, and appears as yellow. Stones that aid the solar plexus chakra are malachite, calcite, topaz and citrine.
Heart Chakra
The heart chakra is, naturally, connected to love, relationships and compassion, and is marked by the color green. Stones that are popular for activating the heart chakra are jade, green calcite, green tourmaline and rose quartz.
Throat Chakra
The throat chakra symbolizes self-expression, truth and communication, and is represented by blue. Stones that are associated with the throat chakra are aquamarine, turquoise and lapis lazuli.
Third Eye Chakra
The third eye chakra stimulates inner wisdom, intuition and even psychic perception, and is depicted as a deep blue or purple. Stones that are used to activate the third eye chakra are amethyst, black obsidian and purple fluorite.
Crown Chakra
The crown chakra is known as the body’s means of connecting to spirituality and the universe as a whole, and appears as deep purple or white. Stones that aid with opening the crown chakra are clear quartz, diamond, selenite and amethyst.
