Reiki For Kids
In my work as a classroom teacher for over 20 years, I have seen children change. Youngsters today are more sensitive. They might wear their hearts on their sleeves and show emotion easily. They also might struggle to show their feelings and avoid them at all costs (e.g., leaving the room during an emotional scene in a movie or show). They may be chatty and engaging and/or suppress their feelings or emotions. They may be highly empathetic and also struggle to control impulses that seem contrary. They may be super social and active, and require a lot of down time to recover after school, games, and parties. They may easily lose themselves in books or technology for hours. Eye contact may be difficult for them because they feel so intensely. “Please look at me while I’m speaking to you” might be a big ask for these very sentient beings.
Our children may not do things simply because they are asked to do them. They need to understand the reason, the purpose and the relevance–the “WHY?” This may have been an issue in the traditional classroom or even sports situation. While all children have an innate sense of fairness and justice, our children seem to experience it all the more acutely.
I have always been interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine and acupuncture which, similar to Reiki, works on the body’s own energy meridians to heal and rebalance itself. I also remember my daughter’s reaction to her first acupuncture session (needles!) and decided to see if there was a softer approach. I researched until I found Reiki. I never thought about practicing until I retired from teaching but wanted to continue in my helping and healing journey.
How can Reiki help Children?
We have all heard about the danger of EMFs (electromagnetic fields), but we were all born with our own individual energy fields that need managing. Some of our kids seem to struggle with how to process all the energy they are born with, and surrounded by, in our modern environment. It’s a lot of energy for even a grown-up body. Uncertainty, injury, stress, a lack of sleep, and even hormonal changes can all impact a child’s sensitive energy field. Either way, as a complementary therapy, Reiki can be helpful.
Since Reiki does not require “talk therapy” to be effective, children do not need to share their fears, concerns, or stresses with their Reiki practitioner to be effective. Reiki energy goes to where it is needed in the body, and creates balance and flow.
Reiki is not a substitute for traditional medical care, counseling, therapy, and/or other medical intervention where indicated. Instead, it is complementary therapy to bring energy balance to the system of the receiver. Reiki is activating one's own energy flow to ease tension mentally, emotionally, physically or spiritually.
Children understand and can visualize energy flow. Whether they are familiar with The Last Airbender™, DragonBall™, or Pokemon™, it’s a concept that is tangible to them. Over time, Reiki can help children manage stress, anger, sadness and other big emotions, to increase calm in their own bodies and minds. This can be empowering to them.