Articles

What is Reiki

Reiki practitioners channel energy in a particular pattern to heal and harmonize. Unlike other healing therapies based on the premise of a human energy field, Reiki seeks to restore order to the body whose vital energy has become unbalanced. Reiki energy has several basic effects: it brings about deep relaxation, destroys energy blockages, detoxifies the system, provides new vitality in the form of healing universal life energy, and increases the vibrational frequency of the body.

Physical activity and conscious relaxation vs. the ravages of stress

A review researched by Consumer Report, Feb. 2000: "Clinical studies have demonstrated that chronic stress can impair the body's immune system, and population studies have suggested that (stress) substantially increases the risk of a wide range of illnesses, ranging from colds and flu to asthma attacks, migraine headaches, heart attacks, and stroke. For example, a Swedish study involving nearly a million people linked job stress - lots of pressure or little power to make decisions - with a 60% risk of heart attack.

Serious Problems in the Workplace (References)

Job stress costs employers more than $200 billion each year in absenteeism, tardiness, burnout, lower productivity, high turnover, worker's compensation and medical insurance costs. National Safety Council, 1995

One dollar invested in work place wellness will save three dollars in cost savings of benefits. University of Michigan Research Center (HMRC)

An estimated 60% of all absenteeism from work is caused by stress. C. Cooper & R. Payne, eds. Causes, Coping and Consequences of Stress at Work, 1988

Depression, a common problem among workers, costs the US $44 billion per year in lost productivity. National Foundation of Brain Research, 1999

A new study of more than 46,000 employees at 6 large companies found that costs linked to serious, persistent stress count for about 8% of the total health care expenditures of those companies - about $24 billion annually. American Journal of Health

Other Benefits Noted by Tai Chi Practitioners

A few other benefits noted by tai chi practitioners:

Physical benefits

1. Increased flexibility - particularly in the often forgotten spine. Maintenance of flexibility in spinal joints is 'oh so important'.

2. Full range of motion in a lot of your joints - motion is lotion, as they say. Better yet - use it or lose it!

3. Increased strength, particularly of the leg muscles 4. Better balance, fewer falls

5. Improved posture

6. Improved immune functioning. (Why? Mental stillness and reduced stress help immune function, as does exercise.)

7. Improved, deeper breathing - leading to increased oxygenation and vitality of all tissues, improved immune functioning, deeper relaxation

8. Many people have reduced pain - particularly noticed in shoulders, back, legs and knees

9. Increased vitality, energy and life - and an increased awareness of the ever present 'chi'.

Easy Tai Chi for Busy People Increasing Research

There is a whole range of possible benefits, many being documented by western medical studies.