B
oth Reiki and Polarity therapy are forms of energy healing. In energy healing, energetic blockages are considered
to precede disease or discomfort in the body. Energy fields and currents exist everywhere in nature. The flow and
balance of energy in the human body is considered to be the foundation of good health.
When energy is unbalanced, blocked or fixed due to stress or other factors, pain and disease arise. Blockages
generally manifest in sequence from the subtle (energetic) to the dense (physical) levels of the field. The therapist
seeks to find the blockages and release energy to normal flow patterns, and to maintain the energy field in an open,
flexible condition.
One common example of this type of energetic to physical manifestation is stress. If stress, which begins as an
experience or thought, can create an ulcer, backache, migraine, skin condition or heart attack (by no means a
comprehensive list), then the energy of stress precedes its physical manifestation.
This concept is related to theories of quantum mechanics which state that matter and energy actually fluctuate,
meaning that our thoughts can become physical and our bodies energetic. Both Reiki and Polarity work with this dynamic.
They attempt to intervene before energetic blockages create physical symptoms and thus treat “the bigger picture.”
Most of us have personal patterns of transferring stress to our bodies in particular ways and
to specific bodily locations. Stress gives some of us migraines, while others get backaches,
ulcers, heart conditions, skin eruptions, shoulder tension, TMJ, depression, etc. Energy healing
works not only on the physical manifestation in the body but also with the forces that create the
physical disturbances. The aim is to remove blockages that cause the energy to “puddle” in our
systems so that it flows freely and is unblocked at subtler levels.
Polarity and Reiki are derived from different cultures and traditions and are practiced using different techniques
but the underlying energy concept is essentially the same.
P
olarity Therapy was developed by Dr. Randolph Stone (1890-1981) and is a form of healing that directly addresses the
energetic system of the whole person, taking into account environment, diet, relationships, mental health, past
traumas, spirituality, patterns of stress, etc. Polarity is based on ayurvedic principles and involves elements
(ether, air, fire, water, and earth), energetic pathways, and transferring of energy through positive, negative and
neutral currents.
A Polarity session, as I practice, will involve relaxation of the central nervous system through use of touch
concentrated on specific parts of the body (i.e. scalp, neck, shoulders, feet, spine) and touching of points along
pathways that run the length of the body (usually feet to face), balancing touch in the mid to upper part of the body
(chakras) and areas of focus as needed. Sessions may also involve the use of crystals.
R
eiki (pronounced ray-key) is a form of subtle energy healing that centers on the manipulation of ki, the Japanese
version of chi. The word "Reiki" is derived from two Japanese words: rei (universal), and ki, (life energy), so reiki
literally means universal life force.
As most commonly practiced, Reiki involves channeling of the ki, through the practitioners hands, either lightly
touching or slightly above the body. There is a traditional sequence of hand positions that may or may not be
followed. The practitioner will also generally scan above and around the body to assess for areas that need
attention.
Reiki, by definition, is the life force used in any type of energy healing, whereas Reiki, the practice, is a
particular method of healing. You may choose a purely Reiki (by method) session but know that Reiki energy work
will be present even during a traditional Swedish massage. Reiki is the basic, subtle, profound power of
well-intentioned energy that is within us all.
Reiki is very gentle, non-invasive and can be used in many cases where massage or other more physical forms
of healing therapy are contraindicated (cancer patients, burn victims, severe varicose veins, osteoporosis, etc.)