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Shifting Our Energy to Heal

Oct 25, 2013 ● By Samana Jasper

Energy work is a growing field of alternative health care, but often our perceptions are still unclear about exactly what it is. We all know how frustrating it is when our cell phone doesn’t work as we expect it to: the call keeps dropping or we can’t hear the other person speaking. Then moving to a different area with better reception, it works fine. The connection is good and we can hear each other clearly.

Similarly, when a person receives energy work, blockages to the flow of their personal energy are cleared and the person feels good. When energy is flowing freely through the body, the mind is clear and focused. The body works most efficiently with a strong immune system and good digestion. They are now in an optimal zone, just like the phone. When our energy flow has blockages, the body doesn’t work as well. People may get health conditions such as chronic headaches, digestive problems or joint pains. They may feel confused or foggy in the mind. In an energy healing session, people generally feel relaxed and somehow lighter or unloaded after the session. Often, they will notice a shift in their attitude and perception, as well.

Many types of energy work are practiced, including Reiki, shamanic healing, BodyTalk and chakra clearing, to name a few. Generally, these modalities clear blockages and improve energy flow throughout the body. For example, in BodyTalk, the underlying stresses are released and the communications between different aspects of the body and mind are restored. In essence, the body is rebalanced to heal itself.

So why does energy get blocked? Stress is the key factor affecting energy flow throughout the body. Everyone has stress. It’s normal. A certain amount of stress is good, because it drives us and keeps us motivated and moving. Putting weight on a bone as it is healing actually helps to strengthen it. It’s a positive physical stress—but overall when stress builds up, our health suffers.

If we constantly worry about finances, family or a relationship, our nervous system will go into a chronic fight-or-flight response. The body registers this as stress and tries to handle it. Instead of focusing on healthy digestion and immune support, the body uses energy to deal with the stress. Over time, we will end up with chronic health conditions that don’t heal. Becoming aware of what our main stressors are and working with them is a good first step to shifting our energy.

A good energy healer will not only perform energy work on their clients, but will teach them how to become aware of their own energy and offer “tools” to use at home. For example, simple breathing exercises done throughout the day to center and calm the mind can be highly effective.

When we take a conscious breath, it breaks the worry spirals of the mind and brings us back to the present moment. It also helps with anger. A slow, conscious breath allows us to ground ourselves and let go of the emotion. To feel better and more relaxed each day, we should start becoming aware of our breath. Simply reminding ourselves to take conscious breaths each day will help (put sticky notes up around the home, by the desk and in the car to remind ourselves to breathe). Remembering this, we will feel more relaxed and less stressed. Try it for a week and see.


Samana Jasper, PT, RYT, CBP, a holistic physical therapist in Northfield, maintains a natural health practice for families, Kidz N Moms. She writes a weekly blog with health insights for moms at KidzNMoms.com and does individual and family energy work sessions.

Here’s a simple breathing exercise that can be done during the day to help you feel grounded:
Sit upright with the spine long, the shoulders and face relaxed and the eyes closed. Place both feet flat on the floor and feel the connection to the Earth. As you breathe in, imagine taking in the strength and support of the Earth below. As you breathe out, imagine releasing any worries, fears or negative thoughts down into the Earth below. Feel the breath rise up the spine all the way to the top of your head and release down through the spine to the tailbone. Take at least five slow, conscious breaths. Notice how you feel. You should feel a calming of the body and mind.  If you don’t, take five more breaths and focus on long exhales. This will activate your parasympathetic nervous system, allowing you to relax more deeply.