All parents are going to agree with me on this….most children get ill a lot! If you have more than one child, it’s especially bad as they get each other’s lurgies as well! Their immune systems are still developing so they catch everything and let’s just say, their hygiene leaves a lot to be desired. For example, when my daughter was 5, she enthusiastically came out of school with a shiny pretty bead which she found in the toilet. Yes, actually inside the toilet, and she didn’t wash it! As a parent, I’m always looking for ways to keep the little ones healthy and one method I use a lot is reiki, since I am a practitioner by occupation. So how can reiki help children? What can it be used for? Is it just for illnesses?
What is the purpose of reiki?
In the west, people go to see a reiki practitioner to receive healing. Not just physically, but also mentally and emotionally. (For more detailed information please see my other article “What is reiki and how can it benefit me?“) It is safe and non-invasive and can be used on children too, from newborn babies to teenagers.
Why should I use reiki for my children?
Immunity
Unlike most adults, children seem to get ill fairly often and especially in the winter, they can catch one cold after another. Their immune systems are constantly being challenged and this can leave them feeling depleted and weak. This leads to a lot of stress, both for the carer and for the child, who is missing out a lot at school. A series of reiki treatments can help the child recover faster and boost their immunity.
Change and growth
Reiki is also helpful for the many changes children have to go through. Most children will have to change schools as they get older and reiki can support them emotionally through this. Stages of physical growth, especially at puberty, can be a bewildering and embarrassing experience. Reiki is soothing and can even help with ‘growing pains’. My eldest son often has unexplained leg pains and cramps in the night when he is going through a growth spurt and I’m always grateful that reiki removes the pain and gets him back to sleep quickly.
Pain and injury
I notice that my children seem to have a lot more injuries just after a growth spurt. My theory is that their brains haven’t adjusted to their new limb lengths so they become uncoordinated! Boisterous kids seem to always be falling over, crashing into things and getting hurt. It is beneficial to use reiki for children who are in pain, not just from injuries but also from operations or other medical procedures. Everyday complaints such as tummy aches and earaches can benefit too.
Stress
Sadly, as much as we wish for children to always be happy and have fun, they also undergo periods of stress, such as during exam times when the pressure to succeed is high. Homelife can be extremely difficult too depending on the circumstances. Sometimes children are afraid to express their worries; they may be a victim of bullying at school or being pressurised by friends and don’t feel that they can talk. Reiki not only helps to relieve stress but can also offer comfort.
Inspiration and problem solving
Often, solutions to problems are found during a moment of clarity. If you have an older child who is working through a project or even just writing an essay, a bit of reiki can help to inspire them! It can put them back in touch with their intuition and the relaxing benefits can give them a boost of creativity. Reiki can clear the mind as it creates a meditative state. This releases worry and creates a fresh perspective on things.
How can I give reiki to my children?
There are three options:
- Book a course of reiki treatments from your local therapist. If you’re based in the UK, you can check the UK Reiki Federation website here for someone who is registered. If you live in Surrey, you can make an appointment with me. Please see my website blossomreiki.co.uk
- Learn reiki yourself! You can learn basic reiki from a reiki master teacher. My previous article explains how the levels work and how to become ‘attuned’. Here is the link again: What is reiki and how can it benefit me?
- Children can learn reiki too! This will depend on the age and maturity of the child but they can learn how to give reiki to themselves and others. They will need to see a reiki master teacher for this. A first-level reiki course can be learned over a weekend.
Conclusion
I hope I have given you some ideas on how reiki can be used for children. I find that children respond really well to it; they have less resistance and emotional baggage. I feel that the energy travels through children very quickly and their treatments typically take a lot less time than an adult’s. If you feel that your child could do with a boost, give reiki a try!
This article was also published by Reiki World magazine, Spring 2020 edition.
