Interested in learning Animal Reiki? Here are some tips so you can start working with the healing energy with your pets. Everybody has within them an natural, innate ability to heal themselves and others. All it takes is a little effort, the right intention, learning and practice.

Give it a try on your animal companions and you will be amazed at how you begin to feel the energy flow. A Reiki Class and attunement will give you even more ability and control.

Typical Animal Reiki Sessions

A typical Animal Reiki session should take 30 to 60 minutes.

Find a quiet space which will be uninterrupted.

Sit in a comfortable position, probably on the floor, placing yourself 5-10 feet away from the animal. (Unless you are working with large animals like horses or livestock, in which case it is better to stand.) Sit with your spine straight and shoulders, arms and legs are relaxed.

Meditate and think of “holding” a space for healing.

Often after you “create the space” for healing the animal will sense the energy and approach to connect with you. (This is saying “yes” to the treatment.)

Greet the animal. This can be done verbally or nonverbally.

Ask permission/set intention. This can be done verbally or nonverbally.

Only offer hands-on Reiki if the animal moves close to your or into your hands.

Your eyes can be open or closed.

Don’t worry about what the animal is doing – the mental chatter interferes with the ability to “let go” in the healing energy space.

Bring yourself back into focus when needed by repeating the breathing and meditation exercises.

Animals sometimes show a lot of movement to and from you in a Reiki treatment, this is normal.

Animals will often greet you at the beginning of the treatment, and “thank you” at the end of the treatment (often by licking your hand).

Remember that it doesn’t matter if there is physical contact or not. The animal will be able to connect with the healing energy even from a distance

Look for signs of relaxation in the animal: yawns, sitting or lying down, falling asleep, dreaming

Often the animal will give cues that they have had enough Reiki by becoming more active and alert, often licking your hands as a “thank-you”.

Animal Reiki Sessions: Animal Reiki Treatments Using Your Hands

Many animals enjoy hands on treatments. The animal will show this by placing its body under your hands.

Some Tips for Using Your Hands in an Animal Reiki Treatment

Create a soft mental focus. Instead of visualizing the energy flowing out of your hands visualize it flowing in through your crown and out through your entire body, mind and spirit and encompassing the entire space.

Use a light gentle touch. Remember Reiki is not massage. Hands can be motionless or lightly petting the animal. Watch the animal’s reactions and act accordingly. Remember, you do not actually "do" the healing, you are the facilitator of the energy.

Relax your fingers. Use your intuition and hold your hand in whatever position feels right. Remember you are simply a channel for the energy, the energy knows where to go.

Movement is not needed unless the animal wishes it. Watch the animal’s body language for cues as to what feels best for the animal. Keep open and flexible about what makes the animal most comfortable.

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