The full moon is seen as a time to embrace your inner power, let go of energies and thoughts that don’t serve your goals, and to find clarity on your journey.
This Experience includes:
A unique “Moon Salutation” yoga practice structured to open your heart and mind. Beginners welcome! This gentle flow is accessible and slow, allowing for time to bring mind, body, and breath together as one.
Interpretive guided meditation designed to help stimulate your creativity, passion, and power. Bring your own journal to take down your thoughts for later digestion, or feel free to use materials provided!
Full Moon Sound Bath created specifically to help bring balance and confidence along your path. During this segment of the experience, you may choose to “float” in one of our silken hammocks, or to be supported on a mat with bolsters and blankets. You may also choose to bring your own pillow, warm socks, or even your sleep mask to help bring your mind inward in physical comfort.
You may also choose to enjoy a refreshing herbal mocktail created by an herbalist especially for this Full Moon Experience, and wholesome snacks suited to the occasion. Make your reservation today, and embrace your inner power!
A Sound Bath is literally a bath of sound. No water, no nudity, rubber duckie optional. But do we call it “wall of sound?” No. Because it’s pleasant sound, musical tones, not at all random or noisy. Like a warm bath as opposed to being soaked with a bucket of cold water.
During a Sound Bath, many different instruments may be used, including singing bowls, gongs, chimes, bells, and flutes. A Sound Bath is frequently a group event, though it is just as effective, or more so, when personalized in an individual setting.
Sound Wave Therapy
This type of therapy is most frequently done using tuning forks or singing bowls. This can be very fine-tuned to an individual and their needs. The bowl or fork may be brought close to your body, or even allowed to come into contact with your body, depending on the instrument used and your needs.
How Does Sound Bath or Sound Wave Therapy Work?
Let’s talk science first, then tradition.
The Science:
First, you’ll need to understand that sound is a form of energy. Sound energy travels through air and other media in a wave pattern. The distance between the waves (frequency), and their height (amplitude), determine what sound you hear.
Your brain also produces energy that can be measured in waves. These waves change as you become anxious, peaceful, angry, loving, or thoughtful. These waves can be translated to sound, using their frequency and amplitude.
Since we know what a peaceful brain “sounds” like, we know what sounds or musical notes match the frequency of those brain waves. We also know that the brain is deeply affected by sound; hearing just a few notes of a song can shift your emotions on a dime!
Your skilled Sound Wave Therapist uses this knowledge to bring your brain away from anxiety, stress, and overwhelm to a place of calm, confidence, and deep peace. For a deeper dive on the science of sound waves and the body, check out this easy-to-read article by a for-real scientist: The Physics and Biophysics of Sound Healing
The Tradition:
In the traditional medical philosophy of some areas, the idea of “chakras” was, and remains, a major part of healing. A person has seven chakras, or centers of life energy, in the body. Each chakra represents specific types of energy. For example, your “root chakra” is at the base of your spine, and when that energy is balanced, you feel more grounded and secure. The study of chakras is much, much deeper than that, but we just need the surface info today.
Each of these chakras was assigned a sound, a musical note that seemed to represent that energy. The sounds are thought to bring balance to the chakras when used in this way.
As so frequently happens as science progresses, many of the traditional thoughts actually jive with it! While some people have broken with tradition when it comes to the order in which the notes are played, the frequency of those notes has not changed. Super fascinating, even if your path doesn’t include that tradition!
Can Sound Baths or Sound Wave Therapy Give Me Specific Thoughts, or Be Used To Make Me Behave a Certain Way?
Absolutely not! No. It is not possible to implant thoughts in someone’s brain via sound wave therapy. You are not hypnotized. There is not a note that makes people feel angry, happy, or free. This therapy functions by helping to modulate physical waves of energy to bring them back to a state of “normal.” While you may experience deep emotion, some of which might be anger or sadness, this comes from within. This is your emotion coming up and out as you process it. And that is excellent! Don’t worry, your practitioner will have tissues handy, and will use their knowledge to focus on the area in question to help you through.
The More you Know…
Now that you know what Sound Baths and Sound Wave Therapy actually are, keep learning!
How to Find a Sound Therapy Practitioner
How to Prepare for Your Sound Therapy Appointment
What to Expect at Your Sound Therapy Appointment
What to Expect After Your Sound Therapy Appointment
You’ve learned what Reiki is. You chose a practitioner, prepared as much as you chose, and experienced a peaceful time. What’s supposed to happen now?
You may notice any, all, or none of the following. It is not necessarily an indication that Reiki isn’t working for you, or that you’re not with the right Reiki healer. Each of us comes to the table with different needs. More subtle shifts in energy will likely be more noticeable than larger ones, in a twist no one expects! But note any of these – it will help both you and your practitioner to be prepared or know where to focus for next time.
You May Feel Sleepy
This is maybe the most common easily-noted effect of Reiki treatments. Many people prefer to schedule their appointments for a time when they are able to go home and sleep or nap immediately afterward.
You May Feel Energized
In a previous article, I briefly discussed that your Reiki experience will be personalized to your needs. In some cases, an individual opens emotional or physical healing that has them leaving the table feeling lighter, more capable, or stronger.
This is not a result of the Reiki itself. If Reiki just gave people physical energy, it would be far more popular than coffee. It isn’t. No practitioner can just personalize their practice to give you some pep. But when a client is able to release heavy emotions, or find a great reduction in physical pain, they may feel a surge of energy. Yay!
You May Feel Thirsty
Reiki can boost the body’s natural digestion and detox. In order to detox, your organs need water. Ideally, they need it all the time! As your body is aligned to a place where it wants to eliminate waste, your thirst is telling you to help it do that job.
Don’t make your body tell you this. Just drink plenty of water before and after your Reiki session.
You May Feel Empowered
If you have come to your session full of stressors and questions, you may find some clarity with Reiki. Use this carefully! Don’t make any major decisions, like quitting a job or moving cross-country, for a day or two after your session.
You May Feel Healed
Be careful! I mean, yay! For real, Reiki is amazing and some people have shown dramatic improvement in physical ailments after receiving Reiki. This is the goal! But there’s a “but” …
Minor issues such as a strained muscle or tension headache might, in fact, be rendered healed after Reiki. When it comes to more serious ailments, however, please take a beat before making decisions.
Before you stop taking any medication on the basis that you feel better, please check with the doctor who prescribed the medication. You may wish to have testing completed, or to ease off the medication slowly to avoid detrimental side effects. Before you go ahead and do some kickboxing with your torn rotator cuff, make sure it IS good and doesn’t just FEEL good right now.
Reiki is healing. It is just important to remember that, as with any medicine or healing modality, you sometimes want to make sure things are OK rather than just making that assumption.
There are many, many people certified and trained to perform Reiki. People from all walks of life, all colors, shapes, sizes, and belief systems have taken the class.
So how do you know which one is right for you? Aren’t they all doing the same thing? Read on, my friend, we’re going on a journey for those answers!
Is All Reiki The Same?
In theory, yes, all Reiki is the same. In practice, that is not the case.
All Reiki practitioners will have learned that a poor diet and unwell body can inhibit mental clarity and energy flow within the practitioner. When this happens, the client may not receive the full benefit of the session.
That’s just an example. Beyond diet, lots of habits or issues can impact a practitioner’s effectiveness! Excessive alcohol use, lack of regular Reiki meditation and practice, and a chaotic lifestyle are other issues that might mean an individual isn’t in the best shape to practice Reiki.
Why does all of that matter? Because there are two distinct ways in which people generally experience Reiki. One is when they are at some sort of gathering, and they express difficulty with an issue that might be aided by Reiki. A friend jumps up and says, “I know Reiki! Come on!” They go to a private space, have a Reiki session, and wait to see what happens. When someone tells me that Reiki “didn’t do anything,” this is frequently the setting in which it was received.
In the other scenario, a client makes an appointment with a professional Reiki practitioner. That practitioner maintains a nutrient-dense diet, and stays well hydrated – almost as if it were their job 🙃. That practitioner regularly meditates on the Reiki Principles, and applies them within their daily life. They are intentionally prepared for the session, mentally and physically, and will call to reschedule if they are not. You, the client, arrive for your appointment and are given space to explain your needs. Your healing is tailored to the areas you would like to be addressed. When your session is over, you are offered water, and given time to discuss any feelings or concerns that have arisen. Your practitioner calls in a day or two to inquire about any specific areas that were addressed.
These experiences are not the same. They will not feel the same, and they will not heal the same. It is true that Reiki is available to all; that is fundamental to Reiki. It is untrue to say that all who practice Reiki do so with equal outcomes.
How Will I Know?
If the practitioner is a friend, you’ll know! If you’re regularly partying with this friend, see them participating in drama, and know that they regularly pack their bodies with fast food and soda, there are some clues! Don’t ignore your friend’s Reiki work necessarily – they’re trying something, and you might still benefit. But maybe this isn’t the person with whom you give Reiki a serious try. As their Reiki practice grows, so might their desire to shift their habits. Allow them grace for growth and space for learning.
What If I Have No Friends?
What happens if you don’t know anyone who is certified and trained, or don’t know anyone you’d trust?
Spas, massage therapists, chiropractors, wellness centers, herbalists, midwives, and even medical centers may hire or have contracts with Reiki professionals. It is perfectly acceptable to call one and ask! Much of the time, you’ll at least be able to get a recommendation. Local groups on your favorite social media platforms are also great places to ask for recommendations!
Once you have your recommendation, call or message the practitioner to ask for a consultation. In most places, this is free. During this consultation, ask questions! Ask if they do anything special that helps their Reiki practice, and, as we’ll discuss later, ask about their training.
Even more important than asking questions is just getting a “vibe.” If you aren’t comfortable with the practitioner, or if they give you a sense of an anxious, depressed, or scattered mental space, take a beat. Thank them, and leave without scheduling your appointment. Think about what really bothered you. Consider whether it was really the practitioner, or if you were hungry, annoyed, or had a headache and need to reevaluate them mentally.
It is likely that they will follow up with you. If you have decided that you want to make an appointment, then do so. If not, it is OK to say, “No, thank you. I have decided to pursue a different path.” Then you call a different massage therapist or spa and ask if they know of someone else. Easy peasy.
Aren’t There Levels? Do I Need a Reiki Master?
Since this article is being written by a professional Reiki Master, I’m going to say “yes!” But no. Or maybe. Yes, there are levels. Maybe it matters. Here’s why:
Most of the time, a Reiki Master will have had instruction and practice over several years. This kind of dedication generally indicates that they are willing to follow a lifestyle that supports their Reiki journey. Of course, that is not always the case.
Sometimes, a Reiki Master has not had years of Reiki practice and training. In some cases, this indicates that they bought a certificate online and watched some videos in order to become “trained.” In other cases, this means that the practitioner has had many years of similar study, is already adept and comfortable with energy work, and has proven their value as both a practitioner and an instructor. That last one is rare, and that practitioner will still have been required to take all of the training.
So, do you need someone with a certificate declaring them a “master” ? Not unless you believe that sheet of paper has special powers. It may be an indication that you have found a Reiki practitioner who is dedicated to the practice, and will provide excellent service. It may mean that this person paid extra to get their certificate, because it means they can make extra money teaching Reiki classes.
Ask them how they were trained – it’s OK. They expect it, and some even know each Reiki master who has trained under which other Reiki master in their “lineage” all the way back to the doctor who refined this method. Check out the practitioner’s website or brochures, to see if the focus seems to be on healing versus business. They have to make a living, so expect that they advertise and advocate for themselves! But once they get you to their space, what is the focus? You can figure out pretty quickly how you feel about the depth of their practice.
Some professional Reiki practitioners are simply happy practicing with a Level 1 certificate and training. THIS IS NOT BAD! This is personal choice, and it does not mean that their abilities or knowledge are lesser. Read that again. It is entirely possible to acquire knowledge and ability outside of formal education in every area of life. Reiki is not an exception. Far more important is a practitioner’s dedication to maintaining Reiki practice and study, and to a living a lifestyle that supports their practice.
Most Important
Without question, the most important factor in choosing a Reiki practitioner is YOU! If you are comfortable with someone, and feel as though they might help you on your healing path, they’re probably the right person for you. In the rare event that you do not feel more peaceful, the session feels awkward to you, or you don’t see a benefit after a session or two, it’s OK to seek out new recommendations. No Reiki practitioner should push you to continue if you are uncomfortable or are not feeling a benefit.
The New Moon is a good time to clear out the old and unnecessary, then invite all things new and positive. Join me on this journey for body and mind using restorative yoga, vibrational and music healing, meditation, and gentle aromatherapy. This special event will leave you refreshed and ready to set new goals and intentions! Reservations required, spaces strictly limited by regulation. Please register in advance by calling 304-224-1938.
