Have you ever noticed that when you care for your physical body, eating and sleeping well, exercising regularly, and breathing deeply, you begin to think clearer, feel happier, become more intuitive, and make better life decisions? Or maybe you have witnessed the flip-side… unhealthy behaviors ripple through to emotions, affecting energy levels, thoughts, actions, and, ultimately, your physical health. In this article, we talk about Ayurveda and Reiki – A combined path to healing.
MERGING AYURVEDA AND REIKI – A COMBINED PATH TO HEALING
Achieving ultimate wellness, life-fulfillment, and happiness include healing through the multiple layers of the mind, body, and soul.
According to Ayurveda, we have five layers that surround our body, making up our entire being. These layers are known as the Koshas and include the physical body, the energetic body, the mental body, the intuitive body, and the blissful body. The general belief is that physical illnesses manifest through the subtle layers of our energetic bodies.
But what if we look at healing from the opposite end, beginning with the energetic body?
Reiki, a Japanese healing technique used for stress reduction and relaxation, promotes healing using “life force energy” (also known as Prana). It allows this life force energy to flow freely and balance within the body, allowing the body to function at its best. This flow of energy is delivered through the hands of a trained Reiki Practitioner. What is wonderful about reiki is that it can be easily learned by anyone, even children! Once one is trained and attuned to this reiki energy, they can use it on themself for self-care as well as on others.
Ultimately, maintaining a healthy, high-vibrational energy supports the well-being of our physical, emotional, and mental health.
PRANAMAYA KOSHA – OUR ENERGY BODY
Have you noticed how when someone enters the room, you have an innate sense of their energy? They may appear lively, stressed, saddened, or vibrant to you. You’re observing their energetic body, their pranamaya kosha. This second Kosha connects to our breath. If you become aware of your breath, you’ll find that you take quick, shallow breaths when you’re feeling stressed and slow and deep breaths when you are more relaxed. Consciously changing your breath stimulates the body to shift how it’s functioning. It also affects our pranamaya kosha, giving off a completely different vibe. Try it out! See what happens!
HOW TO CONNECT AND SHIFT YOUR ENERGY:
- Throughout the day, just become a witness to your breath. Notice how your breathing changes in different circumstances.
- Take 10 deep, slow breaths into your belly. This can be done when you wake up, before going to bed, while riding in the car, or sitting in a meeting.
- Practice controlled breathing techniques. Place one hand over your heart and the other hand over your belly. Feel the belly, then chest rise with each breath. Then allowing the chest and belly to fall as you exhale.
- Receive a healing Reiki Session or be trained to practice Reiki on yourself to use anytime.
Utilizing essential oils during energy healing and breathwork provides added benefits to these practices, as well. The calming aromas and herbs in the oils promote your mind to automatically relax as you breathe. The herbs in YouVeda’s My Essential Oils: Mood blend specifically work to support mental clarity, stress reduction, and feelings of calmness.
Be open to exploring for yourself! Finding balance within your body, mind, and energies allow you to care for yourself on deeper levels, ultimately leading to a life full of love, vitality, and pure happiness.
AUTHOR – CAROLYN CREWS (YOUVEDA WELLNESS CONTRIBUTOR)
