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Energy Work

Ancient healing rituals recognized the connection between physical illness and the spirit. Modern medicine has largely forgotten or overlooked this connection. Within the natural healing arts, however, this connection is recognized and given a great respect.

It is difficult to categorize the different energy work modalities and to predict which modality will best match a particular individual. Furthermore, some subtle bodywork, such as CranioSacral Therapy crosses over into energy work. Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Thai Yoga Bodywork balance energy flow through the meridians at specific points along the body. Reflexology utilizes a relationship between points on the feet and hands and parts of the body.

Dr. Fritz Smith has suggested the following terminology for understanding different kinds of energy work: channeling, streaming and interfacing. With channeling, the therapist is bringing healing energy from the universe into the recipient. This is the basis of Reiki where the therapist has been attuned to these energies and has undertaken the discipline necessary to use specific symbols to bring about healing. We offer Reiki, Integrative Energy Therapy and Quantum Touch as examples of this type of energy work.

Streaming is the ability of the therapist to direct his or hers own energy to effect a change in the recipient. This energy work is generally associated with psychic ability in the practitioner and the ability to see or otherwise sense energy restrictions. There is often a blending of energy between the therapist and the recipient. In this state, the therapist may be able to feel or see the experience of the recipient.

Interfacing is bringing the energy of the therapist and the recipient into contact but involves maintaining a distinction of each other's energy. This is utilized in Zero-Balancing, CranioSacral Therapy, Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Reflexology. Acupuncture, CranioSacral Therapy and Reflexology are available at Natural Healing Arts.

Energy flow in the body can also be viewed as three different components with different therapies addressing specific components. Energy flow into and out of the body is primarily conducted through the skeletal structure. The spine and skull are the major component of this and it is along the spine that we have the major chakras. Reiki and CranioSacral Therapy work at this energy level.

Within the body, energy flow is organized into meridians that flow through the soft tissues of the body. This energy flow is tied to organ function and provides a type of communication or rhythmic coordination through the body. Acupuncture, Acupressure, Shitatsu, Thai Yoga Bodywork and Reflexology work at this energy level.

Surrounding the body is a field of energy created by the body generally referred to as the aura. This energy is quite involved in the interaction between people. Some psychics work at this level to remove energies that are foreign to the recipient.

This is a very simplified model of energy work and many therapists work at more than one level. The experience of receiving energy work can differ when received from different practitioners even if they are both practicing the same modality. Developing a trust in the therapist seems to play an important role and one should not hesitate to meet with the therapist prior to choosing to receive the therapy.