August 13, 2011

Reiki is a form of energy work that promotes balance of body, mind, and spirit. Current research supports that reiki helps relax the body. One of Reiki’s strengths is that it does not involve massaging or the manipulation of muscles or bones, only the light, gentle placement of hands.

A reiki treatment can also offer a way of restoring balance to the body during stressful periods. Most major New York City hospitals offer reiki treatment programs for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, to help reduce the side effects of treatment and improve quality of life.

For those interested in experiencing reiki first hand, SPARK will offer free 20-minute reiki treatments outside on Saturday, August 20 at the Annual Chinatown Family Health Day. The event will take place in the Confucius Plaza garden in Manhattan’s Chinatown for six hours, from 11:00am to 5:00pm. Reiki recipients will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

Confucius Plaza is located at the intersection of Bowery and Division, with the garden facing Division Street. The closest bus route is the M103 which stops directly in front of Confucius Plaza. The nearest subway stops are the B, D to Grand Street and the N, Q, 6, J, Z to Canal Street.

The event is organized by the Greater Chinatown Community Association whose mission is to better the well-being of the Chinatown community within New York City through unique, individualized program services. A variety of other community health services and information will also be available to attendees.

Another upcoming event will take place on Friday, August 19 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. SPARK will begin a free (donation only) twelve-hour beginner reiki workshop that will take place over four weeks on Friday evenings from August 19 to September 9. The workshop will be held at a location on Mott Street near Canal Street. Space is extremely limited and an RSVP is required. If interested in attending, please send an e-mail to info@sparkenergy.org

Reiki is one of the easiest energy therapies to learn. Beginner-level reiki requires only twelve hours of instruction and a lot of practice, and practitioners can learn to treat themselves, their family and their friends.

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.