You are here: Q&A->
Page 55->Reiki and Sekem treatments
Reiki and Sekem treatments
My gym has started offering sessions in Reiki and Sekem. I have never heard of these before and would like to know what you think of them, how they work and their effectiveness. I have to admit, having tried one session of Sekem, I found it incredibly relaxing.
Reiki has become enormously popular in the last few years but I have never had a session. I had not even heard of Sekem until I read your letter so while I cannot give you a first-hand account of either I can tell you what practitioners say.
Reiki is a form of healing which originates from Japan. It is pronounced ray-key and is very fashionable at the moment. The idea is that anyone with a few hundred pounds can become what is called a Reiki Master after just a few days training. This title is scandalously misleading. It suggests someone who has studied this subject for many years, which is rarely the case. The truth is, you or I could book what is called an attunement with a Reiki Master (who may be about as attuned as a dishwasher) and then set up in business to practise on the desperate and the gullible. Thankfully, many of those who have only done the odd weekend course limit their hands-on healing to family, pets and friends.
While I approve of this non-egalitarian idea in principle, in reality, this means there are far too many inexperienced practitioners just itching to get their hands on you - so don’t just take pot luck. Find out where they trained and to what level. If you want to be sure you are being treated by someone trained to the highest standards, contact the Guild of Complementary Practitioners which keeps a referral register and can recommend a qualified practitioner in your area.
Sekem is the name given to another form of Reiki which many people, like you, say feels wonderful. I think it’s great that gyms are branching out into the mind & body field and bringing the idea of holistic health to a wider audience even if their sole motive is money - personally, I can’t think of anything more mindless and stressful than running on a treadmill with music blaring through your ears and a depressing Sky News bulletin flashing in front of your eyes.
*You can contact the Guild of Complementary Practitioners on 0118-9735757.