September 3, 2011

Reiki is traditionally known as a form of energy work (chi gong) that promotes harmony among body, mind and spirit, and is growing in popularity as a complementary therapy to address many of the side effects of cancer treatment. Studies support that reiki treatment relaxes the body.

For those interested in learning reiki at a hospital, the Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering is once again holding a Reiki (Light Touch) for Beginners workshop on Friday, September 23, 2011 from 9:30am to 6:30pm. The cost is $200, and all participants must receive a full-body reiki treatment prior to class with a reiki practitioner who is actively involved in clinical practice.

The Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center treats reiki as a hands-on touch therapy, not as an energy therapy. According to the Center’s workshop description, “Reiki is a light touch manual therapy from Japan that supports the whole person. For those with medical conditions, Reiki effectively addresses a variety of symptoms thereby improving quality of life. For others, Reiki can promote self awareness, inspire creativity, reduce stress, and create a sense of harmony and well-being.”

Following the beginner level, an Intermediate Reiki workshop will be offered on Friday, October 21, 2011 @ 9:30am to 6:30pm with the prerequisite being the Beginners workshop. The fee for admission to the Intermediate workshop is $350.

The Center will then offer a Reiki Professional workshop on Friday, November 4, 2011 from 9:30am to 6:30pm for a charge of $350, with the prerequisites being the Beginner and Intermediate workshops.

To register or to receive further information, call (646) 888-0845. The Bendheim Integrative Medicine Center at Memorial Sloan Kettering is located at 1429 First Avenue or the northwest corner of 74th Street.

If you are interested in attending a reiki workshop in Manhattan’s Chinatown, the non-profit organization, SPARK, offers donation-only workshops on Friday evenings on Mott Street, near Canal Street. The next beginner workshop will start on September 30 from 6:30pm to 9:00pm. Space is limited and will take place over four Fridays. To register or learn more, please contact SPARK at info@sparkenergy.org.

Dave Gorczynski is president of SPARK, a non-profit organization that has provided free energy work sessions and workshops across New York City since 2002. He writes a regular column about energy work and meditation for the Compact News in New York City's Chinatown. E-mail him at dave@sparkenergy.org.