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FORTY FORT — The lights dimmed and soothing music played while a small group of women prepared to meditate during a Reiki circle at Candy’s Place, A Cancer Wellness Center, on Saturday morning.
In the center of the circle was a large, flickering candle surrounded by six smaller ones. The group, comprised of nine women and two volunteer Reiki practitioners — Pat Nicolino and Mary Ann Gaprindachvili — closed their eyes as the soft sounds of wind chimes and chirping birds drifted through the room.
Reiki is a holistic, ancient Japanese technique for relaxation that practitioners say can promote healing.
According to the Candy’s Place website, Reiki is a simple, natural and safe method of healing and can boost self-improvement. During a Reiki session, the practitioner uses a hands-on light touch or a lying of the hands a few inches above the body.
“Reiki is a good way to start the day,” said Nicolino, who added his wife benefited from Reiki at Candy’s Place during her battle with cancer. “When she passed away, I just committed myself to Candy’s Place.”
Nicolino added that although most of the people who attend Reiki sessions at Candy’s Place are women, he has scheduled appointments for men as well.
“When they see their wives come out of the Reiki room relaxed, they try it and get hooked,” he said.
“We’ve turned around many a skeptic,” Gaprindachvili said, adding that she was also uncertain about the powers of Reiki before she tried it. “I trained (at Candy’s Place) and once I started getting into it, I flourished. I love what I’m doing.”
Gaprindachvili said that although Reiki is not a cure for ailments or disease, it has helped ease the side effects of chemotherapy.
“Everyone gets a profound sense of relaxation. I also believe that it makes you a little more confident,” she said. “It makes you stand a little straighter and proud. It’s generally good for you.”
After the brief mediation, the participants then split into two groups with one from each group reclining on elevated, padded tables. While the receiver rested on their back, eyes closed, members of the group lightly hovered their hands over the receiver’s head, hands, knees and feet.
“People get a profound sense of serenity during a Reiki session,” said Gaprindachvili. “They go into la-la land and then they come back.”
Linda Makara, 61, of Hanover Township said she does Reiki on herself daily while in the bathtub. She said she suffers from sciatica flare-ups, and Reiki helps ease the pain.
“It’s part of my morning routine,” she said. “I start at my crown, then move down to my neck and heart, ending at my feet.”
The process takes about 45 minutes, she said.
“I feel electrified, even euphoric,” she added.
