Sharon Ybarra, Ph.D.
1235 Bath Street
Santa Barbara, CA 93101

(805) 560-3838 (office)

skybarra@earthlink.net

Reiki Energy Balancing:

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) means "universal life energy" in Japanese. Reiki practitioners use light hand placements to channel energy to the recipient. The goal is to balance and enhance the individual's energy to promote optimum health. Reiki was re-discovered by Japanese educator Dr Mikao Usui, and it is based on concepts in ancient Buddhist scriptures. This therapy came to the United States in the late 1930s.

Reiki is often used as an adjunctive treatment for acute or chronic pain and is also used to ease anxiety. Reiki may speed wound healing and be helpful in treating stress-related conditions, such as gastrointestinal problems and skin disorders. The healing applications for Reiki are many, limited only by one's imagination. Pets, also, enjoy receiving Reiki, and may benefit from it.

A typical Reiki session lasts 60 to 90 minutes. The client remains fully clothed and often lies on a padded table or other comfortable surface. The practitioner gently places both hands, palms down, on a sequence of approximately 12 standard sites throughout the body, in order to channel energy to those areas. The client may experience this transfer of energy as heat or vibration. The practitioner typically begins at the client's head and maintains each hand position for three to five minutes. The practitioner may also place her hands on other sites beyond the 12 standard ones - for instance, to channel energy to painful or diseased areas.

Dr. Ybarra is a Certified Reiki Master in the Usui Method of Natural Healing. She uses Reiki with clients who are educated about and interested in energy medicine. This is separate from her psychotherapy practice.

For more information on Reiki, visit the website of The International Center for Reiki Training at www.reiki.org.