What is Energy and how does it work?
Energy, the driving force of life, is something that we all have in common. Undoubtedly, the greatest scientific discovery of the 19th century, it prevails in every living creature, big or small. Energy is also stored in the non-organic matter, waiting for us to discover and unleash its potential. No wonder that already as early as in 3000 B.C. ancient Indians and Chinese were applying their knowledge about the vital energy in medicine.
Today energy healing is known as a type of alternative medicine that works with the body’s energy centers and stimulates its inherent ability to self-heal. This ancient practice has been known for thousands of years. Practiced mainly in East Asian countries, it now has found its way to the Western world and is rapidly gaining popularity.
Energy is circulating through your body, giving life force to every cell of every organ. Sometimes this energy gets blocked and your body goes out of order. Energy healing helps break through these energy blocks, restores the body’s energy balance and encourages healing. Energy healing can be a solitary practice or you can get assistance from a professional healer. The healer channels healing energy into your body resulting in a positive effect on your body and mind. The healing can be hands-on or hands-off, as well as distant when the healing is performed remotely.
Since energy healing has been known and used for centuries, there are many different kinds of this practice, some more popular than others. Pretty much everyone has heard about Reiki, crystal healing, visualization meditation.
The practice of Reiki comes to us from Japan and has recently gained a lot of recognition and popularity amongst holistic practitioners. It’s a healing method based on the traditional teaching of qi - the life force flowing through your body that can be used to heal oneself. A Reiki practitioner can channel their energy using palm-healing, thus transferring the life energy from the healer to the patient, realigning energy centers within the body and restoring balance. Many healers also practice distance Reiki healing. Reiki is effective with a general tune-up of your body, as well as managing specific problems, both physical and emotional. Reiki is used to treat a wide range of ailments but is most effective with chronic pain management, fatigue, anxiety, and depression.
Another popular alternative treatment is crystal healing. People have always known about the healing properties of gemstones and minerals. Semi-precious stones accumulate the energy of the Sun, the Moon, and the oceans. When you come in contact with the crystals, they connect you to the Earth and transfer the healing energy to your body. Quartz, opals, and amethyst are the most popular stones used in crystal healing. The practitioner places the crystals on different parts of the body. The placement of crystals usually corresponds with the seven chakras. Apart from healing sessions, you can wear a crystal close to the skin as a healing amulet. Place crystals around your house to purify and charge your environment with positive energy. It is important to note that choosing the right crystal is essential to max up the benefits of crystal healing. Experts say that the crystal chooses you. When looking for the right crystal, be patient and take your time. Hold the stone in your hand and observe the changes in your body. Your senses will tell you when you find the right stone for you.
One more type of healing practice is meditation and visualization. The benefits of meditation have long been recognized by traditional as well as alternative medicine. Its healing properties first affect the mind and body follows suit. There are many different types of visualization, each having a different effect on your body and mind. The general gist is to visualize and empathize your emotions and feelings that already exist within or create imagery of what is feared or desired. Particularly this energy healing practice is often used in therapy. It allows you to reconnect with your inner self, regain body and mind balance. One of the main benefits of visualization meditation is that it can be practiced in the comfort of your own home. It does not require any equipment or special training. You can start by finding a comfortable sitting position and concentrate on your breathing. Observe your body and mind as it wanders. Notice the energy flowing through your body. Once you are comfortable with this concentration practice, move on to contemplation. Awake in your mind the desired images, depending on your goal in your meditation practice. Meditation and visualization can be practiced at any time and any place, which makes it a very popular and widely used healing practice.