Used frequently to describe simple tasks that bring the doer joy, “self care” is a term thrown around often.
For some, self care comes in the form of movement, facials and a manicure. For others it is rest, a good television show and a favorite snack.
How do I practice self care? I use reiki.
What is reiki?
Originated in Japan and brought to the US in the late 1930s, reiki is a form of energy healing used to promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Reiki is based on the idea that ‘ki’ or ‘life-energy’ can become stuck or locked in the body. This is when you may get sick, feel physical pains or just feel a bit off.
Reiki is the practice of moving and sensing the life energy within an individual’s body to clear blockages and soothe emotionally and spiritually. A reiki practitioner accesses reiki energy through a process called an attunement, though anyone can receive reiki regardless of training. Read more about reiki here!
I am a Holy Fire Reiki Master; I’ve completed three levels of training to teach me how to access and move energy blocks within myself and others. I am also able to teach others who are looking to learn reiki.
Reiki In the Classroom
While this is now a personal hobby, my interest in learning reiki actually began as a way to support my students. Having been already familiar with reiki (my grandmother is a reiki practitioner!), I knew reiki was a hands off approach to working with someone’s energy. When I started level 1 and 2 training, I discovered that reiki was not exclusive to people. You can give anything reiki! People give reiki to animals, foods they will eat and pillows that they sleep on. Why couldn’t I give it to my classroom?! My thought was that this a great way to support the relaxing environment I tried to create each day.
Whether you are attuned to reiki energy or not, any teacher understands the feeling of heaviness in your classroom at the end of a hard day. There is that unsettled fog that you’re left in after all of the kids have left and you are left to put everything back in it’s place. Once the room is ready for the next day, I spend 7-10 minutes intentionally sending reiki energy to everything in my classroom.
Now, do I have any proof that this helps my students? No, but it signals to me and my brain that the day is done. It gets me to spend a few minutes focusing on being calm and resetting for the next day. It allows me to be more mindful about the energy and mood that I bring home with me. Read about how I manage my work-life balance here!
Reiki as Self Care
Every night, I get in bed and mediate. Sometimes I use an app like Calm or Insight Timer, other times I listen to reiki music like Deuter. But regardless of what I listen to, I send reiki to myself and to my friends and family. I am still; no need to move my my hands to send positive, high vibrational energy over distances. I allow whatever stress I carried with me throughout my day to dissipate, making room for calmer and clearer energy for the next day.
Sometimes I journal about what comes up for me during my mediations. Other times, I let those thoughts drift away too.
Learning and practicing reiki is truly the best thing I could have done for myself. Reiki has taught me how to become the best version of myself. I have been able to connect to what makes me strong and confident, but also where to be gentle and have grace. I have a new sense of calm and clarity.
Reiki doesn’t suck up your stress like an energetic dustbuster, it amplifies your ability to process and cope with the stresses of your days. If that’s not self-care, I don’t know what is.
I am so excited to share that I will be hosting a Reiki Circle for Special Education Teachers on Wednesday March 9th 2022 at 7:00 PM EST.
I will guide you through a brief meditation and then spend some time sending you all some healing reiki energy. Set yourself up in your comfiest spot and join me on Simply Special Ed Facebook and Instagram pages! All you need is an open mind 🙂
You cannot pour from an empty bucket. Take care of yourself.
