Reiki by Heidi

Science continues to ‘catch up’ with energy healing. I’m including part of a fascinating article about Reiki and science to provide a balanced view.

James L. Oschman, Ph.D. is interviewed by William Lee Rand:

“What is important about all of this is evidence that practitioners of various hands-on and hands-off therapies such as Reiki, acupressure, aura balancing, Bowen, cranial sacral, Structural Integration (Rolfing), healing touch, Polarity Therapy, Massage, and Zero Balancing can emit ELF signals from their hands. This was discovered in a valuable study by Dr. John Zimmerman. He found that this pulsing field is produced by the hands of practitioners of Therapeutic Touch and Healing Touch, but non-practitioners do not produce such signals. Zimmerman found that the pulsing field produced by the hands of practitioners is not steady in frequency, but varies from moment to moment. The frequency sweeps up and down through the very same range of frequencies in the ELF band that medical researchers have identified as being effective for jump starting the healing process in the various tissues they have investigated. Hence we have uncovered a major synergy between clinical biomedicine and complementary medicine. It seems likely that one effect of the various hands-on and non-contact energy therapies is to introduce into tissues the same healing frequencies that medical researchers have identified as key to tissue healing  Moreover, careful medical research on the mechanism by which these signals affect cells applies equally to conventional and complementary therapies. The basic physics of induction is important because it helps explain some of the effects of Reiki, laying on of hands, and other hands-on and hands-off therapies. In essence, the biomagnetic fields produced by a practitioner’s hands can induce current flows in the tissues and cells of individuals who are in close proximity. Evidence that this actually can occur is nicely summarized in a fascinating paper entitled “The Electricity of Touch” and in a book entitled Science of the Heart published by The Institute of HeartMath in Boulder Creek, California. As a result of these discoveries, I have suggested a definition  that is also a hypothesis: Healing energy, whether produced by a medical device or projected from the human body, is energy of a particular frequency or set of frequencies that stimulates the repair of one or more tissues.

WLR: From your research, can you explain the biological mechanisms responsible for the HEF?

JLO: The biomagnetic field arises from the pulsing electric currents set up by the tissues. The overall field, seen from a distance from the body, is a composite of all the fields, the largest being the field of the heart. Because the blood is a very good conductor of electricity, the whole of the circulatory system pulses with electricity

each time the heart beats. The second-strongest source of electricity is the retina, which acts like a large battery that changes in polarity when light falls on it. The third-strongest field is that produced by the various muscles, with the larger muscles producing larger fields and tiny muscles, such as those that move the eyes, producing tiny fields. The field of the brain is about a thousandth as strong as that of the heart. Even weaker are the evoked fields produced by the brain when a sensory stimulus is provided, such as a sound, a light, or a touch. Finally, the weakest fields are those of the conducting system of the heart, called the Purkinje system, bundle of His, and bundle branches. Again, the overall field is a composite of all these fields.

WLR: Are there instruments inexpensive enough that lay people could afford to use them to detect the HEF?

JLO: The answer depends on which aspect of the field you wish to measure. Biomagnetic measurements generally require expensive equipment and shielded rooms to make sure you are not detecting noise from the electromagnetic environment. An exception seems to be the emissions from Qi Gong masters and others who are able to project very strong biomagnetic fields. These are strong enough to be picked up with two 80,000-turn coils of wire and an amplifier. This was demonstrated by Seto and colleagues in Japan in 1992 (see Figure 3). And there are fascinating measures of the electrical field of the heart that can be made by anyone, using do-it-yourself equipment, as described by Shawn Carlson in “The Amateur Scientist” in Scientific American, June 2000 issue. And there are also software and hardware for monitoring an important measure known as heart rate variability.*

These instruments may well be valuable for research on Reiki if it turns out, as I suspect it may, that the energies involved are associated with the energy field of the heart, which is the strongest field the body produces. The Institute for HeartMath has pioneered a study of the relationship between the energy fields of the heart

and emotional states. In essence, feelings of love, compassion, and appreciation produce particular harmonics in the frequency spectrum of the electrocardiogram that show up in the field of the body and that beneficially affect every cell in the body. Likewise, fear, anger, and anxiety affect the field, and this, too, is       communicated via energetic pathways to every cell in the body.”

James Oschman runs Nature’s Own Research Association in partnership with his wife, Nora Oschman, in Dover, New Hampshire, USA. He lectures in the US and Europe and can be reached at phone

603-742-3789, fax 609-742-4695, or email joschman@aol.com. His web site is www.energyresearch.bizland.com. This article is a reprint from the Reiki News Magazine, Vol. One, Issue Three, Winter 2002. ©2002 Vision Publications. All rights reserved.

Heidi’s View:

In a world where we are privy to nearly unlimited information- defining and conveying the spirit behind my Reiki work can be a bit challenging!  I’ll answer some common questions about Reiki and my way of working with you.

~Who are you?  What is your background?

I am a Santa Cruz County resident of 23 years, married with 2 children. We live in Aptos and love our community! I was born and raised in New York, lived in Idaho, where I earned a B.S. in Experimental Psychology and a Master’s degree in Counseling. After many years working as a Counselor and Social Worker, I took a ‘break’ to stay at home and raise my children. My last traditional job was as the Director of a Prisoner Re-entry  Program. My clients have ranged in ages from 10 to 80! Most of my therapy work was with people with criminal issues and women with trauma issues. As intense and comprehensive as these experiences were, I wanted to work at the deepest level possible, in spirit, and I wanted to be able to offer healing touch. Reiki covered all perfectly! I experienced my first Reiki session, learned Tibetan and Usui methods and can happily say that I am following my soul’s highest path. I no longer work as a therapist or social worker, as my work as a Reiki Master offers my clients a warm, Divine, healing experience that they benefit from immensely. I am so very honored and humbled by their trust and open hearts!

~What Happens in a Reiki Session?

A full session lasts from 1 to 1 ½ hours, but I have gone up to 3 hours at my client’s request. We can meet at Balanced Fitness’ Tiki Room, where there is a massage table, Reiki music, privacy, beautiful artwork by Genea, the owner of Balanced Fitness, and a silk, aromatherapy eye pillow. If you prefer, I will cleanse the space by burning a small amount of sage. At first, we will talk about what you wish to gain from Reiki and what your preferences are for a comfortable session. Confidentiality is paramount and I never share any information with anyone else (unless *you* want me to!)   The lighting is soft, the music very soothing and once you are laying down on the massage table, we begin. Loose, comfortable clothing is recommended. I usually start at your head/crown Chakra and work downward, covering the chakras and any areas that need attention. The traditional hand placements in Reiki help to channel energy into the auras, internal organs and chakras, so that flow and balance can be attained. Usually, my hands heat up (a Reiki phenomenon), and that alone is very relaxing. You are always encouraged to talk about what comes up for you during the session or we may be silent if you prefer. I have described traditional Reiki. Let’s talk about what else I can bring to your session   By the way, a “mini- Reiki” session can be as brief as 15 minutes and can take place anywhere there’s a chair!

~The Rest of the Story!

Reiki is the foundation that I use to connect and heal. The truth is that I have been psychic all my life, so being tuned into clairsentience, clairvoyance, communing with the Angelic Realm, channeling and a generally heightened spiritual vibration are just part of who I am. All I do is grounded in, and serves, the Light, which you may call God, Buddha, Shamans, etc. Even a devout atheist can benefit from Reiki. Given that my teachings and attunements have refined my spiritual vibration, I am more available to sense and help you align with your unique soul’s design. It only works when you allow it. So, we communicate and agree upon what will work for you. While I am running Reiki energy for you, I am also connecting with your Guardian Angels, spirit guides and loved ones. Karmic wounds can be cleared; ancient wounds and blocks can be cleared-all safely and with Divine support. Once negative energy/attachments are cleared, we forgive, bless and ask that all non light be transmuted into Light and back to Source. Prayers of protection are given, Light flows and spiritual protection is sealed.  By this time, the energy is feeling balanced between the Chakras and there is a peacefulness that fills the air.

~That sounds pretty intense-how will I feel during a session?

Clients report feeling very relaxed, their senses sharpened, reduced stress, lighter emotionally, inspired, joyful, relieved, etc. Many cry at some point and most need about 10 minutes to sit up & get back into ‘physicality’. After an especially deep session, you may feel a little tired for a day or two. Remember-you worked hard! I call after 2 days and encourage you to call me with questions and to make an appointment if you desire. This time is all about you and I am open to all you are!

~So, is there anything else I should know?

Well, there’s always more to learn, but there’s no better way to learn about Reiki than to experience it. Even a short mini-session can give you an idea of how it is. It is also helpful to know that Reiki extends far beyond the body. I also clear houses and offices of negative energy with Reiki and can do distance healing. My clients have given me wonderful feedback, and often refer me to their friends and family.

~Ok, let’s talk business…

My rates are $60 an hour, with sessions usually lasting from 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours.  if you live out of Santa Cruz County, there is an additional charge to travel to your home or office. Just call for rates.

~Words of Comfort

My clients have blessed me with wonderful feedback and references. I am always humbled and grateful for each being seeking my services. As a member of the IARP (International Association of Reiki Practitioners), I maintain the highest level of integrity and professionalism for you. Maintaining a healthy balance in life is always a good choice. I invite you to call me at 831.234.3930 or email me at hkc001@gmail.com.

Namaste,

Heidi King-Canales, Reiki Master

Light Practitioner

Simply put, Reiki is healing energy!