The relaxation technique tries to tap into universal energy to relieve stress and pain.
RUMFORD – Stress takes the fun out of the holidays by limiting energy.
It doesn’t have to be this way, according to Karuna Reiki master teacher Rhonda Ouellette. Ouellette treated the attendees at Wednesday’s River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition to a relaxing visualization exercise.
Energy is all around our bodies and Reiki, which means universal energy, tries to tap into that energy source to help relieve stress, pain and increase energy.
Ouellette told the group that in order to make the process work, you must take a few minutes to close your eyes or look to the floor and take several deep releasing breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth. Soft music in the background sets the mood. Visualize being in a place that makes you very comfortable such as a sunny beach or swinging in a hammock and just let yourself relax, she said. Bringing your hands into a cup in your lap, imagine a ball of warm light in your hands. Slowly let this ball of light energy pulse into all of your body letting go of stress where it is harboring. After approximately 10 to 15 minutes of this exercise you feel energized and ready to tackle that holiday list.
Ouellette mentioned other means of reducing stress such as: Taking very deep breaths, turning lights down, listening to soothing music, lighting a candle, stretching your muscles, squeezing those muscles that are tight, taking a warm bath, losing yourself in a good book, jotting down your feelings either in writing or art and talking to yourself. She says you must learn your limits and accept what you need to do that’s different, talk to a higher being or meditate.
“Whatever you do,” she said, “take 15 minutes to do nothing everyday.”
The River Valley Healthy Communities Coalition works together on local issues that affect health and quality of life. Members of the community decide together which problems to address. Everyone is invited to attend. For more information phone 364-7408.
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