reiki
At Yoga Muse, we believe healing begins by creating space: in the body, the mind, and the energy that flows between them. Reiki is one of the ways we support that process.
Offered as a gentle, hands-on (or just-above-the-body) practice, Reiki invites the nervous system to settle, restores energetic balance, and helps the body’s own healing intelligence come forward.
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A Brief History
Reiki originated in Japan in the early 20th century with Dr. Mikao Usui, who developed the practice as a method for both spiritual development and physical healing. The word Reiki combines two Japanese characters: rei (universal or spiritual) and ki (life energy). Over time, Reiki spread across the world and has been integrated into hospitals, wellness centers, and therapeutic settings as a complementary healing modality.
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How It Works
Reiki is based on the idea that vital energy flows through all living things. When that energy becomes blocked or depleted—through stress, illness, or emotional strain—the body and mind can feel imbalanced. A Reiki practitioner acts as a conduit for universal energy, guiding it through light touch or proximity to areas where it’s needed most. Though subtle, the effects can be tangible: many people describe a sense of warmth, spaciousness, or gentle vibration during a session. Others simply experience deep calm or fall into meditative rest, considered a physiological state where healing can begin.
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The Science of Stillness
While Reiki’s mechanisms aren’t fully understood through Western science, research increasingly supports its benefits. Studies show Reiki sessions can help reduce anxiety, improve sleep, ease pain perception, and lower heart rate and blood pressure, all outcomes linked to the body’s parasympathetic “rest and digest” response.¹ In this way, Reiki bridges the ancient and the modern: a time-honored energetic practice that aligns with what we now know about the mind-body connection.
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Experience Reiki
Whether received on its own or combined with restorative yoga, Reiki offers a pathway to recalibration. It's a process of quieting the noise, balancing the system, and helping you return to yourself. At Yoga Muse, Reiki sessions are available privately by appointment or in our group Reiki Workshops. To learn more or schedule, please browse our schedule, reach out, or explore our workshops.