As Gaetano Vivo, Reiki Master of over 10 years explains in his book, Reiki is love. A healing system which originated in Japan, Reiki aims to restore balance in the mind, body and spirit through body work with a Reiki practitioner. Although the benefits of Reiki are numerous, they should not be confused as a substitute for any prescription medicine. Reiki is a non intrusive holistic therapy where energy is transferred from the healer to another. The healer obtains energy from the universal energy that surrounds us. Reiki is suitable for everyone and can play a part in reducing stress and tension, boosting the immune system, reduce pain and much more.

I was fortunate enough to experience over an hour of Reiki with Gaetano at his West London practice. I was led to a bright yet cosy treatment room and was calmed by the scent of incense and the tranquillity of the meditation music in the background. I lay comfortably on the treatment bed face up, whilst Gaetano sat at the head, behind me. Placing both his hands around my face, Gaetano began to practise. Slowly he moved his hands from my face to my ears and then over my eyes. He must have spent at least 20 minutes on my head and throughout this time I became increasingly more relaxed. I did however feel discomfort in my left arm and a pins and needle tingle became apparent and uncomfortable from my elbow down to the tip of my little finger. I had to keep shaking my hand!

After focussing time on my head, Gaetano began to concentrate on my body and then down to my legs and feet. It was after this point that Gaetano shook his hands and then transferred Reiki energy to me by placing his hands above me but without any touch. The treatment was then continued with me lying face down. At the beginning of the treatment I must admit, I was a little apprehensive of what was to follow, but the Reiki had such a calming affect, within a few minutes I was appreciating the experience.

The time flew by, and after Gaetano had finished we spoke of the experience. Gaetano can read auras and when he first met me, he felt I was lacking in blue and yellow. Everyone has an aura made up of rainbow colours and your state of mind can change depending on the balance of colours. Blue represents the throat Chakra which is where creative energy is stored. Yellow represents the solar plexus Chakra, where anxiety, worry or stress can build up if energy here is not flowing freely. Gaetano spent time balancing these energies to allow my creativity to flow more freely and to prevent me from being so sensitive to anxiety and worries of any kind.

The tingling in my finger and arm was the blocked energy travelling through my body. This experience is common in Reiki, along with sensations of heat, coolness, tingling, numbness and pressure. Overall the experience was positive and incredibly relaxing. Gaetano explained that he feels energised when practising, especially on a day when he treats several clients. When I left the practice I felt slightly emotional for no apparent reason - infact I felt really happy! Again, this is a common affect. I would recommend Reiki to anyone with an open mind. As Gaetano points out in his book, 'Reiki is Love', 'The laying of hands on the human body is not a new idea... Human touch provides warmth and feelings of caring and love'.

Find our more about Gaetano Vivo at www.gaetanovivo.com. For an appointment, contact Gaetano in Chiswick, West London at www.gaetanovivo.com/appointments.html or on 020 8742 1464 or 07949 612 732.