Energy therapy has been around for centuries. It has been used to reduce stress, relieve pain, and accelerate healing. Practitioners believe that there is a field of energy in each person, and sometimes that energy can be blocked, causing physical or even emotional pain.
They believe that the body is capable of self-healing. So most energy therapies focus on restoring and improving the natural energy flow of your body. These days, the growing popularity of energy therapy has even led it to become introduced to hospitals as part of a patient’s complementary therapy.
To experience these benefits at home, here are three types of energy therapies you can learn:
Reiki
Reiki means “miraculous sign,” a combination of Rei (universal) and Ki (life energy). It focuses on channelling energy from the practitioner into the patient to remove “energy blocks” that can cause illness. The benefits include reducing pain, anxiety and stress.
It works the same way as acupuncture, but it uses the hands instead of needles. People who undergo Reiki have said that they could feel the hands of the practitioner becoming very hot, even if their hands were hovering above them.
Reiki has three levels of mastery. Level 1 can be taught in class by a Reiki master. This can equip you with the skills to practice healing your family, friends and yourself. Level 2 of Reiki training teaches you distant healing and lets you perform healing with your mind. This can be helpful if touching the patient is not possible.
To reach Reiki level 3 is to become a Reiki master yourself. You might be interested in becoming one if you discover a passion for teaching Reiki.
Music Therapy
Music therapy focuses on the use of sound energy and vibrations to relax, stimulate and heal. A certified music therapist can play music for a patient, teach them how to play an instrument, or even how to write their own music.
The benefits of music therapy include reducing pain and discomfort. In some cases, it has been known to help patients restore their capability for speech. Studies have also shown that music therapy has significant psychological effects.
To become a music therapist, you’ll need to get a degree. But you don’t need a license if you want to experience its benefits. You can use music therapy on yourself by finding out what kind of music enhances and changes your mood.
Psychologists suggest that you can get more out of music by studying the lyrics and going out of your comfort zone by exploring new musical genres.
Yoga Nidra
Yoga Nidra is a kind of sleeping meditation where you relax your mind to a deep level to invite healing energies to your body. The main benefits include reducing stress, anxiety, and depression. Other benefits include gaining a sense of peace and calm.
If you want to learn Yoga Nidra on your own, you can study techniques which are available online. However, it’s always best to go to a meditation centre or seek an expert to guide you first. This way, you can learn the proper meditation technique.
Learning in a group can also accelerate this process, with the additional perk of meeting like-minded people.
The Science of Energy Therapies
Over the years, there have been scientific studies revealing how energy therapies can provide significant physiological and psychological effects. Though other research says it may just be the placebo effect in action, many practitioners stand by its benefits.
For many patients, energy therapy has had a positive effect on their lives. In the end, that may be reason enough to explore and share these healing traditions.
