Fundamentals of Touch Based Care

Our Mothers and Aunties Gave us our first Healing Touch

Intro

Fundamentals of Touch-Based Care is an introductory course on touch-based palliative care through training in Traditional Reiki. In the course students develop a Community of Practice where members continue to support each other throughout their careers in any healthcare occupation or profession.

This course is designed to meet Canadian Reiki Association (CRA) standards for Level One Reiki Training. The course provides 6 hours of instruction and 6 hours of Reiki practice that contribute to your CRA registration requirements as a Practitioner.

Students will explore the ancient histories of all touch-based healing, examining the common roots of ancient Egypt and China, to Reiki’s origin in the early 20^th century. Students learn the history, the theoretical foundations, and essential techniques of traditional Reiki.  The course includes lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on practice, equipping students with the skills to apply Reiki in various settings while understanding its ethical considerations.
A Shoden (Level One) Reiki initiation is included in the course.

What You Get

The Fundamentals of Touch Based Palliative Care begins with a look at the History of Reiki. One of the many different forms of therapeutic touch, Reiki has its origins in the early 20th century when it was developed by Mikao Usui in Japan. Usui combined his knowledge of ancient healing practices and spiritual teachings to create a method that could be easily taught and practiced by individuals seeking to promote healing and well-being. Over the years, Reiki has gained recognition and acceptance worldwide, becoming a valuable tool for enhancing health and spiritual growth. Today Reiki is the most widely practiced touch-based healing therapy in the world and is a service made available in 15% of US hospitals.

The Theoretical Foundations of Reiki are rooted in the theory common to several complementary therapies that our body’s makeup includes both cells and an integral energy field of some form. In example, our Mind is the energy field of our Brain. The US National Institutes of Health designated this as Biofield Energy whose primary role in the body is intercellular communication, such as nerve signaling. Reiki is considered a synonym for Biofield Energy.

Reiki, while a unique tradition, does share Common Roots in Ancient Healing Traditions, drawing from practices such as Qigong and other forms of energy healing that have been used for centuries in various cultures. These ancient traditions share the belief that energy flows through and around the body, and that this energy can be harnessed to promote healing.

Reiki teaching is that this naturally occurring energy in the body can be influenced to promote health and healing. Through training and practice, like learning how to play the piano, Reiki practitioners develop specific techniques to increase the amount of Reiki available to the recipient of the treatment, with the aim to restore balance and facilitate the body’s natural healing processes.

Some schools of Reiki including Tau, teach to students to focus treatment on areas of the body where toxins accumulate, most typically around organs of the endocrine system. This theory is based on the idea that our bodies accumulate toxins in different areas of the body and increasing the flow of Biofield Energy (Reiki) in those areas improves cellular function and increases the rate of toxin elimination.

To determine this accumulation of toxins, Students are taught how to sense Byosen, which is a range of tactile sensations they experience through the touch of their hands.

The Evolution into a Modern Practice has seen Reiki become an integral part of complementary medicine as a touch-based palliative therapy. It has been adapted and refined over the years to meet the needs of contemporary healthcare, with practitioners using it to support patients in hospitals, hospices, and other clinical settings. The practice has also expanded beyond healthcare, with individuals using Reiki for personal growth and self-care.

The Core Techniques of Reiki include several key methods. Centering Techniques are used by practitioners to focus their own energy and create a calm, grounded state from which to work. Methods for Assessing the Energy Field involve scanning the body with the hands to detect Byosen. Facilitating Energy Flow is achieved through gentle hand movements that help to clear and balance the energy field. These techniques have Practical Applications in various settings, from clinical environments to personal practice, and are used to promote relaxation, reduce pain, and enhance overall well-being.

Traditional Reiki is taught through a combination of Interactive Lectures, Demonstrations of Reiki Techniques, and Hands-On Practice Sessions that combines elements of both Western (Takata) and Japanese (Jikiden) Reiki. These educational methods allow students to learn the theory behind Reiki, observe its application, and practice the techniques themselves. Applying Reiki in Different Settings is also emphasized, with students learning how to adapt their practice to meet the needs of diverse populations and environments.

Ethical Considerations are a crucial aspect of Reiki practice. Practitioners are guided by Ethical Principles in Reiki, which emphasize the importance of integrity, respect, and compassion in their work. Compassionate Practice Guidelines provide a framework for delivering care that is empathetic and supportive. Client Safety and Confidentiality are paramount, with practitioners ensuring that their clients’ well-being and privacy are protected at all times. Cultural Sensitivity in Healing Practices is also emphasized, recognizing the diverse backgrounds and beliefs of clients and adapting practices to be inclusive and respectful.

The Level One Reiki Initiation is an important component of Reiki training. It begins with an Introduction to Reiki Principles, known as the Gokai, (The Secret Art of Inviting Happiness). Preparation for Initiation involves learning about the history and philosophy of Reiki, as well as practical techniques for working with energy. During  the Level One Reiki Initiation, students are initiated to the Reiki energy by a qualified practitioner, improving their natural ability to strengthen and channel this energy for healing purposes. Integrating Reiki with other therapeutic touch practices allows practitioners to enhance their therapeutic touch skills with the additional tools and insights provided by Reiki, creating a more comprehensive approach to energy healing.