I had the pleasure of interviewing Cassandra Ramos about the practice of Reiki and the benefits it has for your overall well-being. She has so much savvy insight. We hope this in-depth interview opens you mind to trying Reiki.
What is Reiki exactly?
Reiki is a healing modality originating in Japan. Reiki is based in Eastern Medicine that brings harmony and balance back into one’s life and promotes healing, alignment and clarity. The Reiki practitioner/master is the portal in which the universal energy can flow into the client. Reiki is a powerful healing tool that allows Universal Life Force Energy (Qi) to flow within the body.
Can you tell us a little bit more about Reiki and how this works?
Within my own practice, I work with Five Element Reiki. It is believed to serve in a more intentional way and promotes deeper healing within the client. One who works with Five Element Theory while using Reiki can highly benefit the client as this promotes a more intentional way of healing.
Five Element Reiki is a Taoist Tradition in Traditional Chinese Medicine that allows the Practitioner/Master to know where the energy is going, and can also know where energy needs to go in order to restore balance. Five Element Theory goes hand and hand with Reiki by working with the five elements to restore the body back to balance.
When doing this, I work within the 12 meridians of the body. The 12 Meridian Channels are rivers of energy that are within the body that supply vital life force energy Qi*. Each meridian is connected to each organ of the body and when Qi stagnates within a channel due to a block within the channels, this can manifest into diseases and illnesses.
It is important as a practitioner that works with Reiki to know where the energy is going, and to be aware of what is going on within the client to ensure that Qi is flowing in the appropriate direction.
What makes you passionate about Reiki?
I never thought that Reiki would grow as a passion. My passion for Reiki naturally grew the more I felt presence within myself and how valuable Reiki was in getting me to grow into a healthier and more balanced version of myself.
I knew that I didn’t have to take medications for the aspects of myself that many felt I needed to take.
Reiki served as an actual conduit for major change. I never felt like I was making progress given my past attempts at finding a means of healing. I was lucky to find a knowledgeable Reiki Master and Teacher that guided me to learning and practicing Reiki in such a deeper and more intentional way.
What inspired you to choose to become a Reiki Healer and Inner Empowerment Coach?
The inspiration to become a Reiki Practitioner and Inner Empowerment Coach wasn’t from inspiration but from extreme emotional pain and the willingness and soul purpose to serve others as a guide for inner healing and transformation.
My own inner empowerment journey began when I finally took steps in taking back my power. When I say “taking back my power,” I mean to take responsibility for the parts in myself that caused me to be a match to the relationships and situations that I was attracting given the inner woundings that I was carrying.
Being a victim of abuse was single handedly the most traumatic experiences that I have lived through and healing from it was far from easy. It was a journey of self-discovery, reparenting the parts of myself that didn’t feel heard or seen, becoming aware of the limiting beliefs that hindered me from mental and emotional wealth.
I’m inspired to be a tool for others looking to shift into alignment with what they deserve and are worthy of. The lessons that I needed to learn even appeared during my healing journey, and looking back, this was exactly what I needed to break the cycle. It showed me just how powerful Reiki can be when creating radical transformations.
Can you tell us a little bit more about the healing process of Reiki?
In general, the healing process looks very different within each step one takes. When one chooses Reiki as their alternative healing modality, the healing process is a very beneficial tool as you start to do the work for yourself. It’s a natural means of medicine that brings healing energy within one’s unique healing process.
The healing process is vital to growth as it shines a light on the dark subconscious thoughts and traumas that allow for consciousness and healing to take place. The energy that becomes stagnant and trapped in our bodies from personal traumas is removed with each session.
Integration is a key aspect of healing as it creates a deeper connection with self and the discovery of self. All of these key aspects that make up the generic outline for the healing process is not a process that you can just check off a list.
How the energy moves and comes up for my clients varies which is why there is no healing process outline that can tell people what it may look like for them. But the basic principles and practices behind the healing process and integration are universal.
What are some tips for someone who has never tried Reiki?
Tip 1: Since Reiki isn’t regulated, do your research when finding a practitioner. Reiki certifications can either take a weekend or months depending on the depth of knowledge and practice one receives during their training. Depending on your needs when looking into a Master/Practitioner, don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Tip 2: Drink plenty of water before and after your session. Also listen to your body if it feels it needs rest. When healing energy moves throughout the body it goes through a state of detoxification and may cause a healing reaction.
The symptoms of detoxification can range from dizziness, tiredness, headaches, and a sudden release of emotions. This is your body clearing out the stagnant energy that should not be in your body. It doesn’t last long, but it is a necessary and very normal part of energy healing.
Tip 3: Give Reiki a go for at least 4-5 sessions. Just like working out, eating healthy, or any other process – healing of this nature takes time and work that the client needs to be able to take action on. Reiki works instantly, yet to see long term change doing the work is vital.
Do you recommend Reiki for everyone?
Yes, absolutely. Reiki is a very gentle way of healing. Reiki can be used to help a wide range of ailments and imbalances. I feel reiki can be recommended for anyone because we all experience life challenges, some degree of physical and emotional pain, major life changes (and more) that reiki can help alleviate.
It is great for stress and physical pain management, emotional healing, and can even serve as a means of meeting a need within your self-care regime.
What are the benefits of Reiki?
The main benefits of reiki that are experienced is a sense of clarity and calmness, this allows for a person to see any dis-ease with more grace. Reiki also helps foster self healing.
When energy is moved out of stagnation and back into healthy flow, the environment around you shifts. Different situations may even come up as a result of your session. This fosters the opportunity to work and heal any situation or relationship with yourself and others that caused the stagnation of energy in the first place. Furthermore, reiki also reduces anxiety and promotes better sleep.
What can someone expect when doing Reiki?
You can expect major transformation if Reiki is implemented weekly within your healing journey. This happens when a client is open and shows up for their healing journey. Some Reiki practices are different from others.
My sessions last 2 hours, 1 hour communication and the 2nd hour is the hands on Reiki healing. I create a calm inviting space by playing soothing music and use weighted eye mask to cover your eyes.
I practice hands on and offer a blanket for comfort for my client. The client then receives their healing and is offered water after I am finished. Calmness and a sense of clarity are two of the top feelings my clients experience during and shortly after.
Any final thoughts you would like to add?
I would say, don’t let the thoughts and limitations behind healing and its process build fear within the unknown. There is so much beauty and growth within Reiki and healing as a whole. It’s about paying attention to your needs on every level and taking action to build a healthy sense of self.
Transformation always comes with trials and tribulations. It builds up true resiliency and authenticity that no one or thing can take from you. That power of taking responsibility for your health and well-being is what creates the unique embodiment of your true authentic self. It’s always worth it because you are worth it!
Website: www.cassandraramos.com
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E-mail: lovetheholistic@gmail.com