Black Women and Wellness: Reiki May Be the Answer to Your Emotional and Physical Pain

If you feel like nearly every Black woman on social media is talking about Reiki, well you’re not alone.

The Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation, which also promotes healing, is quickly going from fringe wellness practice to mainstream — much like hot yoga and crystal therapy a few year ago.

On a recent episode of the New York Times podcast Still Processing host Jenna Wortham confessed that she was “obsessed” with Reiki, while wellness guru Lauren Ash, founder of Black Girl in Om, is too an enthusiast.

But what is about the practice that has so many so hype?

To better understand why over a million people have hashtagged Reiki on Instagram, we spoke with Liana Naima. Not only is she a Reiki practitioner, but she’s also a Black woman helping to change the face and perception of wellness.

Liana’s Reiki journey is a pretty interesting one. “In 2014, I experienced an excruciating back injury due to compressed nerves and herniated discs. It was my breaking point and spiritual awakening,” she says.

“At the time, I was dependent on painkillers to numb my pain all the while ignoring my inner turmoil. So I devoted a few years to healing my story and my body,” she goes on to share. After this experience, a literal healing from the inside out, she decided to get Reiki certified in order to expand her intuitive knowledge.

If Reiki were to be summarized in a few words, it would probably be: spiritual healing through shared energy.

Unlike hot yoga or even mediation, there aren’t a set of guidelines on how the sessions unfold. But a typical session tends to last for about 60 to 90 minutes and what happens during that time really depends on you and the practitioner, such as Liana. However intention setting, deep reflective questions, and even some possible chanting are commonplace.

If you’re still struggling to wrap your head around it, we did too — until giving it a try. As Liana guided various breathing exercises, visual meditations and asked spiritually …

Please read original article- Black Women and Wellness: Reiki May Be the Answer to Your Emotional and Physical Pain