FAQ’s – Frequently Asked Questions

What is reiki?

  • Rei = universal
  • Ki = life force energy
  • Reiki is the balancing of life force energy
  • Reiki is a holistic system for balancing, healing, and harmonizing all aspects of the person-body, mind, emotions, and spirit-encouraging deep relaxation and the release of stress and tension, and promoting awareness and spiritual growth.
  • Just like how everyone (and everything thing on in our physical/3D world) has a physical body, so do we all have energetic bodies…the non physical aspects of self…your thoughts, feelings, emotions, memories, senses, they are all part of your energy body…they are the parts of you that only you experience until you express them out in physical form
    • Every experience you’ve ever had carries an energy with it
    • Everywhere you take your physical body you bring your energy body
    • Every instance, person, interaction and circumstance is experienced by your energetic body
      • This is how you can feel one way and then have an experience with a person or situation that totally changes how you feel
      • This is why you can have memories and past experiences float to mind or linger in your thoughts…all unresolved energy lead to imbalances…the body follows the mind: unbalanced mind/emotions = unbalanced body
      • This is why you can feel one way, take a nap or sleep overnight and wake up feeling completely different or more insightful or more clear…while you sleep, your physical body restores itself from daily activity and your energy body processes your emotional experiences…poor sleep hygiene effects you on every level
      • We use this terminology all the time…I feel so drained after that conversation…I feel so energized after that nap…that chat with my friend left me feeling amazing/depressed…THIS is the energy body speaking to us and through us

What is a reiki session like…what is the experience like physically and logistically…what can I expect during a session?

  • While every reiki session offers its own unique experience each and every time no matter who is on the table, here are the most common feedback comments clients make following a reiki session:
    • Typically, clients find reiki sessions to be deeply relaxing
    • Often, I hear clients say they feel refreshed, rejuvenated, and like themselves again…like they can take on the world once again
    • They often report feeling more clarity and better focused, a restored sense of wellbeing and hope. For some, a single session serves as a powerful life changing experience that forever marks a shifting point into a better way of being/living/experiencing life

What is a reiki-infused massage & body reading session…how is it different than a traditional massage or reiki session…who are they ideal for…what type of massage do you do?

  • As a licensed massage and bodywork therapist (NC LMBT #6501), Level 3 Reiki master/teacher, and natural channel for divine healing energy, every massage session with me is to some level reiki-infused; meaning there is an intentional connection to and “reading” of your energy body as I work through your massage session.
  • As far as the actual massage portion of the session, I tend to work right to the level of muscle resistance which tends to stay in comfort zones, however at any time during the session that the pressure is uncomfortable, simply let me know and I’m happy to adjust the pressure.
    • Every session is intuitively guided with the areas of focus, amount of pressure, and length of time spent on an area being guided by a combination of how your body is responding (what it is telling me/what I am reading/sensing from your more subtle energies) as well as what you verbally indicate to be your issue areas
    • I am not a “no pain, no gain” therapist…I do not force muscles into submission
    • Alternatively, I prefer to help you relax as deeply into the session as possible, leveraging your body’s own healing mechanism that activates during states of relaxation in order to restore the body and natural release tensions and promote healing/balancing
    • Having said that, if you experience a “hurt so good” feeling where you are still able to relax into the pressure/sensation, that is totally fine…just know you do not have to have the intensity to have effectiveness
      • If you find yourself pulling back from the pressure, tensing up, holding your breath, or simply thinking to yourself “I really wish should would stop doing that…,” kindly let me know and I am happy to adjust pressure
      • I go off of what your body is telling me…I do not know what it is telling you…we work together as a team to make the most out of each session…this is your opportunity to practice receiving and giving voice to what you need. I rely on you letting me know what I cannot feel on my own.
      • If you find there is an area I come across that you would like from me to give more attention than what I am naturally guided to do on my own, kindly let me know and I’m happy to do so
    • Since my focus is on leveraging your body’s own healing abilities through relaxation, I tend to do a thorough warming up of the muscles to each area before focusing in for more deeper, muscle specific work…so be patient if you like your massages to have more pressure!
      • More pressure DOES NOT equal more results
      • From my 20+ years experience of laying hands on people, each with their own unique expression of physical self, I have found a couple of things to be universally true and more often than not common amongst them all:
        • 1) Majority of muscle tension, tightness, and “issues” is not the muscle as much as the fascia, a thin, fibrous connective tissue that runs throughout the entire body and does not require heavy pressure to “unravel” and allow the muscles to “breath” and regain proper tone and functionality. Too often, this subtle layer of resistance is overlooked with heavier pressure, which can cause the fascia to tighten further, not release effectively, and continue to perpetuate the issue (or bring it right back again post session)
        • 2) All physical imbalances are begin at the root of a spiritual/emotional/energetic imbalance. The body will continue to bring forth the same message of dysfunction until the root of the issue is addressed. This is something that can only be done by the one on the table, the one seeking the balancing, the one receiving the message…which is you!
        • 3) No amount of pressure or time on the time physically manipulating muscle and connective tissues can bring about total balance. Total balance is an inside and out job. I cannot do for you the work that is yours to address. I am the decipher, the code breaker, the translator between you and your body. I am here to help you learn the language of your body so that you can guide yourself on what support/action is best for you.

What philosophy and approach to healing sessions, for both body and energy work…what is my intention with the work I offer?

  • The body is doing the healing, I’m simply holding the space for such
  • The body by design is self-healing given the state of relaxation.
  • Regardless if you are on my table for a body session, energy session, or sitting for a chat for a talk/coaching session, my intention is to always:
    • Lead you to a deeper connection to and understanding of self
    • Install an enhanced feeling of empowerment, innate wisdom, and self trust
    • It is my intention to reintroduce you to yourself to that you can connect more deeply with and better understand your body/mind/spirit on all levels, redefine your relationship with yourself to be one of confidence and hope, and confidently guide yourself forward

How to get the most benefits from your session?

  • First and foremost…book it and show up! ANY session is more beneficial than no session
  • Consistency…your body/mind/spirit did not get to it’s current condition overnight, so shifting into balance is likely not going to happen overnight either…be patient, be consistent
    • Muscles build memory, so just like with working out and having the consistency build strength and endurance, same with massage…over time and with consistency, every session your muscles build memory and every session will be more likely to regain and maintain balance
    • Consistency can look like every week, every other week, or every 3 weeks until balance is restored…if seeking corrective change, 2-3 weeks max would be my recommendation for length of time between sessions
    • For basic maintenance, typically a session every 4-6 weeks is ideal, though I’ve even seen amazing improvements happen over time with this consistency, as well as quicker bounce back/recovery time when longer time gaps occur between sessions
  • Stay hydrated…this is key for both pre and post session, for massage and for reiki/energy work.
    • Assists to increase relaxation
    • Assists in flushing out muscles and body systems
    • Assists in recovery, reducing muscle soreness and increasing elimination of toxins
  • Schedule ample time when booking sessions
    • Again, ANY session is better than no session; and consistency increased return in your money, time, and energy investment into the session.

Reiki Aftercare…to assist in maximizing the benefits and integration of the energy healing session, it is often found helpful to consider the following aftercare support:

  • It is not uncustomary to experience ongoing integration in the days that follow a reiki session. These integrations may take place in your physical experience of self, in your thinking/mental processing, or your energetic sense of self and wellbeing.
  • Epsom salt baths assist the continued integration of Reiki healing energy and regulating the physical body
  • Get and stay well hydrated. Your body counts on proper hydration for ultimate utilization of the balancing your body/mind/spirit experience post session
  • Keep meals light. Often it is reported that consuming heavier, dense, and over processed foods bring an energy that clashes with the more gentle, soothing, lighter energy that is brought about through Reiki healing sessions, bringing about digestive upset. Consider this when choosing post session meals and continue to honor your body/mind/spirit with your food consumption as much as possible
  • Other symptoms of cold/flu can arise post session as dispenser unresolved energy is making its way through your energy field. Some of these energies can process through the body in such a way that it may seem as if you are coming down with something, though you typically will not feel “ill” or like you are getting sick; simply purging what is ready to release

Basic Reiki Class FAQ’s:

What is reiki?

  • Reiki is a holistic system for balancing, healing, and harmonizing all aspects of the person-body, mind, emotions, and spirit-encouraging deep relaxation and the release of stress and tension, and promoting awareness and spiritual growth.

Do I need to have “special gifts” in order to practice/learn reiki?

  • Your willingness to learn and openness to the unseen aspects of this physical world are all that are required for this class to have a major positive impact on the rest of your life. I have found that many who are called to experience and learn reiki have “special gifts” inside waiting to be engaged with, activated or reignited. Do not be surprised if you leave this class feeling more awakened to your “special” gifts and empowered to tap into and continue to cultivate your own natural gifts and energetic talents.

Is reiki a religion?

  • No. While many people feel a deepened connection to the unseen aspects of themselves and life once introduced to reiki which often interweaves into their spiritual lives and beliefs, reiki practice itself is independent of any religious structure. The practice aligns with many spiritual/religious teachings, including those of Jesus. Many people believe the laying of hands work reported of Jesus was simply reiki.

What are the “levels” of reiki training?

  • There are 3 levels of traditional reiki training. At their most simple description they are as follows…
    • Level 1 – intro and reiki for self and everyday life – exactly what this foundational class is all about; your first step to the “more” that awaits you
    • Level 2 – reiki for others and distance healing – expand your experience with the basics of sharing this modality with others on a personal or professional level, ethics of energy work and holding space for the healing of others
    • Level 3 – master practitioner/teacher – prepares you for deepening professional practice and teaching reiki to others

Can I do reiki on others as a paid service with reiki level 1 training certification?

  • While technically there is no governing body regulating reiki training and practicing, it is customary and standard to complete Level 2 training at a minimum if you are waiting to offer reiki as a service. The additional time practicing and information gained in Level 2 trainings are truly key to maximizing and understanding how to share this wonderful modality with others as a form of paid practice.
  • Given this, when searching for a reiki practitioner for hire to work with, it is strongly encouraged you find someone with the proper Level 2 or Level 3 certifications.

What level reiki is Crissy?

  • Level 3 Master/Teacher in the Usui System of Natural Healing in accordance with the Usui Ryoho tradition (completed 2014; ordinated minister since 2015)