When I teach Reiki to new students I always include how to ground, cleanse and protect your energy. Maintaining and cleansing our energy is an important part of wellbeing and is a common practice amongst energy workers.

However, I believe it is equally important for Massage and Reflexology therapists to practice this too, which is why I have written this blog.

I have spoken with many therapists who are aware of Reiki but have not learnt the art of energy healing or grounding, cleansing and protecting themselves. They recognise that at times their energy feels depleted after treating certain clients, or being in a particular environment, but do not know how to cleanse the energy within their rooms or around themselves.

No matter what personality you are, you can be vulnerable to other people’s energy, and you might even take some of it with you. When I worked within cancer care clinics, I would often return home with a heaviness which is hard to explain. Certain patients came home with me, and I would find my mind and spirit occupied with them.

People who internalise and take other people’s problems as their own, often take on the energy they have been exposed to. This is not healthy for a practitioner dealing with many vulnerable patients and you can easily become overwhelmed and consumed, which will affect balance and treatments for other patients.

This is referred to at times as an ‘energy exchange’ and does not mean the energy from another person is bad or negative. In fact, the patient or client are often totally unaware that this ‘energy exchange’ has occurred. You do not have to be a Reiki practitioner to be an empath and highly attuned to the feelings and emotions of those around you.  We are meeting energy through Massage and Reflexology too and this is something we need to become aware of.

Once we are aware we can take steps to cleanse our energy and the energy around us.

What steps can we take?

There are simple strategies we can put in place such as:

Opening a window or door will help usher out the old energy and create space for the new. You should do this between every client.

If you are in a clinic with a sink in your room, after washing your hands between patients, allow the water to run for a few minutes. Set an intention to wash away old energy from your hands.

I often use a Sage smudge stick to cleanse and refresh a room. For those who have not used a smudge stick before, light the stick and allow it to smoke. You can wave the smoke around the room, paying attention to corners and the doorway. Make sure you have a small bowl with sand in to allow it to cool off safely when you are finished.

A sage smudge stick helps to bring clarity and harmony back. Set the intention of purifying, cleansing, clearing your body, objects and your room from any negativity.

  • Please do this at the end of your day and not between patients, the aroma is not agreeable with everyone and people going through cancer treatments may find it increases nausea.

Set an intention with whatever energy you wish to bring into your treatments. This could be healing, calmness, relaxation, balance …… really this is down to your imagination and what is most important to you when delivering treatments.

We are at present in very chaotic times and spiritual maintenance is what will keep us grounded and connected to each other. Wherever you are try to find at least ten minutes a day to dedicate to yourself.

Spend those few moments meditating or in prayer and nourishing your spiritual body, asking your higher self and the universe to protect you from things that do not serve your highest good.

Techniques for You and Your Clients

As you start your day, take a few minutes to ground, cleanse and protect yourself.

Grounding:

Tree Root Method

  1. Sit comfortably in a chair or you can choose to stand
  2. Close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths and let your body go
  3. Visualise the tree roots spreading from your root chakra (the base of the spine) down to the soles of your feet and continuing to the centre of the earth
  4. See the tree roots spreading out in all directions, attaching themselves to the earth’s centre
  5. Feel and know that you are grounded firmly to the earth’s energies.

Cleansing:

The ‘waterfall/shower/ and ‘dry brush’ techniques are the two most popular methods used widely amongst energy workers.

Cleansing can be done during the day, or as needed. Monitor your feelings and thoughts for negative changes during the day and use these simple, quick and extremely effective methods for your overall well-being.

Waterfall/Shower Method:

  1. Sit comfortably on a chair or you can do this standing
  2. Close your eyes, take 3 deep belly breaths and relax
  3. Visualise standing under a waterfall or shower. This can be clear or a specific colour or if you wish a rainbow of colours.
  4. Your intention and focus is to feel and know that the water is washing and cleansing away all blocked energies and all lower vibrating energy. See this energy flowing to the centre of the earth where it will be transformed into a higher more vibrating energy (also known as a positive energy). Your awareness knows this will be re-used by the universe at the appropriate time.
  5. You can cleanse several times a day as you feel the need. You may recognise this if you feel a headache or your energels drained, you may suddenly become irritable or uneasy. The more you practice this, the more in tune with your body you will become.

This technique is one of my favourites and is excellent at the beginning or end of your day. I often practice it while in the shower.

Dry Brush Method:

  1. From a standing position, use the palms of both hands and gently brush or dust yourself off from the top of your head to your feet
  2. Your intention and focus is to feel that you are cleansed of all toxins, energy blockages or lower vibrating energies
  3. Feel that all the debris, toxins, energy blockages or negative energy will flow to the centre of the earth where they will be transformed into a higher, finer vibrating energy to be re-used by the universe

When I have completed this exercise, I often stamp my feet one at a time firmly on the ground, establishing my connection with Mother Earth and to feel grounded.

Protection:

The ‘bubble’ or ‘deflecting mirror’ techniques are easy to use but oh so very effective. There are many other methods to choose from, but these two are easy and my favourites.

Bubble of Colour:

  1. Close your eyes, take 3 deep breaths and let go
  2. Visualise surrounding yourself in a bubble of colour, this can be any colour that you are attracted to. Do not be too concerned about the significance of the colour’s meaning.
  3. Now visualise surrounding the other person in a different bubble of colour (this separates your energy from the other person)
  4. Send love and protection to yourself and the other person, even if they are someone you know to be toxic around you. Your higher self knows that love is all there is.
  5. Allow yourself to bask in pure love, letting it expand outwards

Deflecting Mirrors:

  1. If you want further protection, surround yourself in a bubble of colour, visualise an armour of mirrors, facing outwards and surround you
  2. Your intention and focus is to feel that any lower vibrating energy directed at you will be deflected up towards the Universe to be transformed into positive energy to be re-used by the Universe at the appropriate time

I have used this method many times when in a negative situation and found it so powerful. I have instantly felt stronger, grounded and protected.

Enjoy trying out these techniques.

Namaste

Marie xx