Article by Deborah Lloyd, Reiki Master
Using Reiki during yoga practice makes perfect sense! Yoga is a beautiful practice that touches all aspects of our being – physical, mental/emotional and spiritual. When we practice yoga, we are taking time out of our busy lives to relax, improve our physical bodies and learn to live in the present moment. Many of the benefits of yoga are similar to those of Reiki.
I have to admit, the favorite part of my yoga practice is Shavasana. Shavasana is also known as the corpse pose, and typically yoga sessions end with this quiet, calming pose. Students lay down on their mats, surrendering to the moment of quietness. When a yoga teacher intentionally prepares for this essential closing of the practice, the students are led into a place of calm reflectiveness. Gently-spoken instructions, accompanied by soft music, assists students to find the space of stillness and peace.
While the yoga teacher is preparing the students for Shavasana, I “draw” the Reiki symbols in my mind and ask Reiki energies to come into my being. The Universal Life Force Energies, along with this physical relaxing pose, manifests into an awesome experience. Usually, my being enters a higher consciousness, one where my awareness is connected to the All.
For me, yoga can be quite challenging with some of its more difficult poses, due to my physical, and perhaps some age-related, limitations. Reiki energies begin to soothe the soreness in some muscles and other uncomfortable results of the practice. Reiki removes toxins and other blockages that were released. Reiki strengthens some weak areas and restores balance within my body.
More importantly, Reiki touches me in deeper ways after yoga practice. If I had any moments of doubt or frustration, these float away. These thoughts are replaced by ones of knowing that I was always safe and protected during the practice. Then, thoughts of gratitude emerge – thankfulness for the opportunity of the experience, and thankfulness for the support and benefits I received.
Yoga is so much more than a physical practice. In the same way, Reiki is so much more than a cure-all for physical ailments. Both practices have physical benefits. Both practices can expand into a complete healing process, achieving a near-perfect balance of mind, body and spirit. This process manifests into a new way of life. It can become transformative in unimaginable ways, when fully embraced.
Because of its universal aspects, Reiki can be blended with other practices, creating a dynamic force for healing. The yoga and Reiki combination is a wonderful way to discover, and embrace, the world of unlimited possibilities.
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Deborah Lloyd
Deborah Lloyd is a Usui and Karuna® Reiki Master and certified holistic therapy practitioner. She also is a licensed clinical social worker, working with a hospice agency in Asheville, NC. She grew up on a farm in rural Indiana and was stricken with polio at the age of three. To relieve fatigue from post-polio syndrome, she learned Reiki. This complementary technique led her to explore other alternative modalities. Her personal journey, along with life lessons learned along the way, is detailed in her book, Believe and it is True: A Story of Healing and Life Lessons. Reach Deborah at http://www.deblloydhealing.com/, deb@deblloydhealing.com and at Deb Lloyd Healing on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/deblloydhealing)