A Comprehensive Guide to Reiki and an Introduction to the Chakra System

A Comprehensive Guide to Reiki and an Introduction to the Chakra System

Caterina Barregar

Intuitive Reiki Master, Relationship Transformation Coach

The Origins of Reiki

Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century in Japan. Usui discovered this healing method after a period of fasting and meditation on Mount Kurama. His teachings were passed down through a lineage of Reiki Masters, making their way to the West and growing in popularity worldwide.

How Reiki Works

Reiki is based on the principle that life force energy flows through all living beings. When this energy is low or blocked, individuals may feel unwell, stressed, or fatigued. Reiki practitioners use their hands to direct energy to the recipient, clearing blockages and restoring balance..

How I Practice Reiki

I offer Reiki both remotely and in person. The receiver remains fully dressed, either lying down or sitting in a comfortable position. Before I begin, I open with the Reiki symbols and ask the recipient’s higher self for permission to proceed. In most cases, I can sense if permission has been granted, even if the recipient is unconscious, such as in a hospital setting.

During a session, I guide clients through what they might experience. Common physical reactions include:

• Eye twitches
• Tingling sensations in the arms and legs
• Feeling the warmth of my energy, even remotely
• Some experience cold sensations instead
• Others may not feel anything, but I can feel the energy shifting for them

This process allows for deep relaxation and energetic realignment, supporting healing on all levels.

How I Receive Information During Reiki

Every Reiki Master or practitioner has a different way of receiving guidance on how to proceed with their intuitive reiki session.  In my case I usually receive intuitive guidance in the form of images, sensations, and energy shifts:

• Visual Messages: I often see pictures in my mind, revealing insights about the recipient’s energy or past experiences.
• Physical Scanning: As I scan the body, I can often detect blocked areas, sense physical issues, or identify emotional concerns that need attention.
• Energy Work with Heat Sensations: I hold my hands over areas that feel particularly warm until the energy begins to cool. At this point, I use what I call the rubber band method, where I energetically pull blockages out, which may feel like a stretching sensation to the recipient.
• Past Life Connections: If past lives are relevant to the healing, I receive visual messages or impressions related to past experiences that may be influencing the present.
• Healing Trauma Through Reiki & Coaching: My unique gift combines Reiki with intuitive coaching to help clients process and release trauma. Some sessions focus solely on Reiki, while others alternate between energy work and intuitive coaching to achieve deeper healing.

Energy Protection in Reiki

Energy protection is essential in Reiki for both practitioners and receivers. I always teach my clients and students how to protect their energy before and after a session. Some effective energy protection techniques include:

• Grounding Exercises: Walking barefoot on the earth, deep breathing, and visualization help anchor energy.
• Energetic Shielding: Visualizing a protective light that surrounds the body to prevent energy drain.  It also helps to prevent taking in negative or otherwise unhealthy energy.  
• Clearing After Sessions: Taking a shower, brushing off energy from your shoulders to your fingertips.  Other things you can do are to use salt baths, sage

Reiki is Not a Religion

One of the most common misconceptions about Reiki is that it is tied to a specific religion. Reiki is not a religion.  It is an energy healing practice that complements all spiritual beliefs and traditions. Anyone, regardless of faith or background, can benefit from Reiki and practice it alongside their personal spiritual path.

Understanding Distance Reiki

One of the most powerful aspects of Reiki is that it transcends the physical, time, and space realities. Distance Reiki allows me to send healing energy to clients no matter where they live in the world. I use the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen symbol to bridge the connection and channel Reiki energy across time and space. Many clients feel the effects just as strongly as they would during an in-person session.

The Reiki Symbols

Reiki symbols are sacred tools used to enhance energy healing. Some of the most commonly used symbols include:

• Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol): Amplifies Reiki energy and provides protection.
• Sei He Ki (Harmony Symbol): Balances emotions and promotes mental clarity.
• Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Healing Symbol): Enables Reiki to be sent across space and time.
• Dai Ko Myo (Master Symbol): Represents enlightenment and the highest level of healing.

The Seven Main Chakras

Each chakra section contains a detailed breakdown of its physical influences, life issues, symptoms of imbalance, and ways to balance it.

Root Chakra – Stability, Grounding, Survival

Location: Base of the spine, perineum area.

Corresponds With:

• Physical stability and security
• Basic survival needs (food, shelter, safety)
• Connection to the Earth and feeling grounded
• Financial security and stability
• Strength, endurance, and primal instincts

Element: Earth

Color: Red

Glands: Adrenal Glands

Sense: Smell

Associated Body Parts:

• Spine
• Legs, knees, feet
• Large intestine, colon, rectum
• Bones and skeletal system
• Immune system

Central Issue: Survival & Security

When the energy is strong and balanced:

• Feels safe, stable, and grounded.
• Has a strong sense of self and confidence in survival.
• Feels connected to the body and the present moment.
• Financially and emotionally secure.
• Physically strong, healthy, and full of vitality.

When the energy is excessive:

• Overly attached to material possessions or financial security.
• Fearful of change, resistant to new experiences.
• Hoarding behaviors or extreme possessiveness.
• Can be aggressive, domineering, or controlling.
• Prone to anger, anxiety, and stress about survival.

When the energy is depleted:

• Feels ungrounded, disconnected, or unstable.
• Chronic fear, insecurity, or financial struggles.
• Lack of motivation, constant exhaustion.
• Frequent physical ailments in the lower body (feet, knees, spine).
• Avoidance of responsibility and fear of confrontation.

Exercises:

• Grounding Meditation – Visualizing roots growing from the feet into the earth.
• Walking Barefoot in Nature – Direct connection to Earth’s energy.
• Yoga Poses – Warrior poses, Mountain pose, Squats.
• Physical Activity – Running, dancing, strength training.

Affirmations:

• I am safe, supported, and grounded.
• I trust the universe to provide for my needs.
• I am connected to my body and the Earth.
• I release fear and embrace security.
• I stand strong in my personal power.

Sacral Chakra – Creativity, Emotions, Sexuality

Location: Just below the navel, in the lower abdomen.

Corresponds With:

• Creativity and inspiration
• Sexuality and sensuality
• Emotions and relationships
• Playfulness, passion, and joy
• Flow and adaptability

Element: Water

Color: Orange

Glands: Ovaries/Testes

Sense: Taste

Associated Body Parts:

• Reproductive organs (uterus, ovaries, testes)
• Bladder and kidneys
• Lower back
• Hips and pelvis
• Circulatory and lymphatic systems

Central Issue: Pleasure & Emotional Flow

Chakra Balance

When the energy is strong and balanced:

• Feels emotionally balanced and in tune with feelings.
• Healthy, fulfilling relationships.
• Expresses creativity and passion freely.
• Comfortable with sensuality and sexuality.
• Experiences joy and pleasure without guilt.

When the energy is excessive:

• Over-indulgence in pleasure, addictions (food, sex, substances).
• Emotionally overwhelming, dramatic, or manipulative.
• Overly sensitive or reactive to others’ emotions.
• Mood swings, inability to regulate feelings.
• Codependency in relationships.

When the energy is depleted:

• Lack of creativity or inspiration.
• Emotional numbness, feeling disconnected from joy.
• Low libido or difficulty with intimacy.
• Suppressing emotions and avoiding pleasure.
• Feeling guilty for wanting pleasure or fun.

Exercises:

• Creative Expression – Painting, dancing, writing, or music.
• Hip-opening Yoga Poses – Butterfly, Pigeon pose, Goddess pose.
• Sensory Engagement – Taking baths, using essential oils, enjoying flavorful foods.
• Practicing Self-Compassion – Affirmations and self-care rituals.

Affirmations:

• I embrace my creativity and passion.
• I allow myself to experience joy and pleasure.
• I am emotionally balanced and free.
• I deserve love, pleasure, and healthy relationships.
• I honor my body and my emotions.

Heart Chakra – Love, Compassion, Emotional Healing

Location: Center of the chest, near the heart.

Corresponds With:

• Love and compassion for self and others
• Emotional balance and healing
• Forgiveness and empathy
• Harmony in relationships
• Connection to universal love

Element: Air

Color: Green (sometimes associated with pink)

Glands: Thymus Gland

Sense: Touch

Associated Body Parts:

• Heart and circulatory system
• Lungs and respiratory system
• Chest and ribs
• Shoulders and arms
• Hands and fingers

Central Issue: Love & Emotional Balance

Chakra Balance

When the energy is strong and balanced:

• Experiences deep love and connection with others.
• Open to giving and receiving love freely.
• Forgives easily and holds no grudges.
• Forms healthy, fulfilling relationships.
• Expresses empathy and kindness effortlessly.
• Feels at peace with oneself and the world.

When the energy is excessive:

• Overly emotional, unable to set boundaries.
• Clings to relationships or becomes codependent.
• Puts others’ needs above their own to a self-sacrificing level.
• Overwhelmed by the suffering of others.
• Can become overly jealous or possessive.
• Falls into people-pleasing behavior at the cost of personal well-being.

When the energy is depleted:

• Feels emotionally closed off or numb.
• Struggles with self-love and self-acceptance.
• Difficulty forming or maintaining deep relationships.
• Holds onto past heartbreak, resentment, or grudges.
• Fear of intimacy and vulnerability.
• Feels lonely, isolated, or detached from others.
• Exercises to Balance the Heart Chakra

Heart-Opening Yoga Poses:

• Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
• Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
• Fish Pose (Matsyasana)
• Bridge Pose (Setu Bandhasana)

Breathwork for the Heart Chakra:

• Deep Heart Breathing – Inhale deeply, envisioning a green light expanding in your chest, and exhale tension.
• 4-7-8 Breathing – Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7, exhale for 8 to calm emotional tension.

Practices for Healing:

• Gratitude Journaling – Writing daily about things you love and appreciate.
• Forgiveness Rituals – Writing letters to release past hurts (you don’t have to send them).
• Acts of Kindness – Engaging in selfless acts to uplift others.
• Hugging & Physical Affection – Boosting oxytocin levels through touch.

Affirmations for the Heart Chakra

• I am open to giving and receiving love freely.
• I forgive myself and others with compassion.
• Love flows through me effortlessly.
• I attract healthy, loving relationships.
• I am worthy of love and belonging.
• My heart is open, and I embrace life with joy.

Throat Chakra – Communication, Self-Expression

Location: At the throat, near the larynx.

Corresponds With:

• Communication
• Self-expression
• Speaking one’s truth
• Creativity through speech and writing
• Clarity and honesty in interactions
• Listening and being heard

Element: Ether (Space)

Color: Blue

Glands: Thyroid, Parathyroid

Sense: Hearing

Associated Body Parts:

• Throat
• Vocal cords
• Ears
• Mouth and tongue
• Shoulders
• Neck
• Respiratory system

Central Issue: Expression & Truth

Chakra Balance

When the energy is strong and balanced:

• Communicates clearly and effectively.
• Expresses thoughts, ideas, and emotions with ease.
• Listens actively and empathetically.
• Speaks with honesty and integrity.
• Feels comfortable expressing personal truth.

When the energy is excessive:

• Talks excessively without listening.
• Interrupts others frequently.
• Speaks aggressively or harshly.
• Dominates conversations.
• Lies or manipulates words to control situations.

When the energy is depleted:

• Feels shy or afraid to speak.
• Struggles with self-expression.
• Experiences frequent sore throats, throat infections, or thyroid imbalances.
• Difficulty in finding the right words or communicating thoughts effectively.
• Suppresses emotions to avoid conflict.

Exercises:

• Singing or chanting
• Breathing Exercises – Deep breathing through the throat, such as Ujjayi breath.
• Neck Stretches – Gentle head tilts and rotations to release tension in the throat area.
• Affirmative Speaking – Practice saying affirmations out loud with conviction.

Affirmations:

• I express myself clearly and confidently.
• I speak my truth with love and integrity.
• My voice is strong, and my words are powerful.
• I listen deeply and communicate with compassion.
• I release all fear of judgment and speak freely.

Third Eye Chakra – Intuition, Wisdom, Insight

Location: Between the eyebrows, at the center of the forehead.

Corresponds With:

• Intuition and inner knowing
• Perception and wisdom
• Spiritual awareness
• Imagination and visualization
• Clarity of thought
• Connection to higher self

Element: Light

Color: Indigo

Glands: Pineal Gland

Sense: Sixth Sense (Extrasensory Perception)

Associated Body Parts:

• Brain
• Eyes
• Forehead
• Sinuses
• Nervous system

Central Issue: Perception & Clarity

Chakra Balance

When the energy is strong and balanced:

• Strong intuition and deep wisdom.
• Able to trust inner guidance and instincts.
• Open-minded and perceptive.
• Able to visualize goals and manifest desires.
• Dreams and meditations are vivid and insightful.

When the energy is excessive:

• Overactive imagination, living in a fantasy world.
• Hallucinations or delusions.
• Headaches, eye strain, or dizziness.
• Feeling disconnected from reality.
• Obsessing over spiritual experiences without grounding.

When the energy is depleted:

• Lack of intuition or difficulty trusting instincts.
• Rigid thinking and skepticism of spiritual matters.
• Feeling disconnected from inner wisdom.
• Difficulty visualizing or recalling dreams.
• Brain fog, confusion, or indecisiveness.

Exercises:

• Meditation – Focus on the space between the eyebrows with eyes closed.
• Journaling Dreams & Intuitive Messages – Encourages deeper self-awareness.
• Breathwork (Alternate Nostril Breathing) – Balances the left and right brain hemispheres.

Affirmations:

• I trust my intuition and inner wisdom.
• I am open to divine guidance.
• I see clearly and understand deeply.
• My third eye is awakened, and my mind is open.
• I am connected to my highest self.

Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) – Spirituality, Higher Consciousness

Location: At the top of the head.

Corresponds With:

• Connection to the divine
• Spiritual awareness and enlightenment
• Inner peace and universal consciousness
• Higher wisdom and purpose
• Unity with all beings

Element: Cosmic Energy

Color: Violet or White

Glands: Pineal and Pituitary Glands

Sense: Beyond the Physical Senses (Pure Awareness)

Associated Body Parts:

• Brain
• Nervous system
• Skull
• Right eye
• Right side of face

Central Issue: Higher Consciousness & Unity

Chakra Balance

When the energy is strong and balanced:

• Deep spiritual connection and enlightenment.
• A strong sense of purpose and fulfillment.
• Feeling at peace with oneself and the universe.
• Living in alignment with one’s higher self.
• Clear understanding of life’s deeper meanings.

When the energy is excessive:

• Disconnection from reality.
• Spiritual arrogance or superiority complex.
• Over-reliance on spiritual practices while neglecting physical life.
• Feeling spaced out or disoriented.
• Unbalanced euphoria or detachment from worldly matters.

When the energy is depleted:

• Lack of purpose or meaning in life.
• Feeling spiritually disconnected or lost.
• Chronic stress or depression.
• Apathy and lack of inspiration.
• Difficulty in feeling joy or gratitude.

Exercises:

• Silent Meditation – Focus on stillness and awareness.
• Gratitude Practice – Acknowledge blessings in life.
• Spending Time in Nature – Reconnect with universal energy.
• Spiritual Reflection – Deepen the connection to higher guidance.

Affirmations:

• I am connected to divine wisdom and universal love.
• I trust the journey of life and my higher purpose.
• I surrender to the flow of the universe.
• I am at peace with all that is.
• I embrace the divine light within me.

For more information, testimonials, and and online scheduler,  visit Caterina Barregar’s Reiki Page.

Caterina Barregar

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