Energy Arts is a broad term that encompasses practices intended to support balance, self-awareness, mindfulness and overall well-being. Traditions and modalities that may fall under this umbrella include Reiki, Qigong, Tai Chi and other approaches that encourage a deeper connection between mind, body and spirit.

At Star of Mercury Energy Arts, services may include Reiki, meditation sound-based practices, creative integration and other complementary techniques intended to support relaxation, reflection, personal growth and overall wellness.

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice founded by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. While Usui was a Japanese Buddhist, Reiki itself is non-denominational and is not tied to any religion, spiritual path or system of belief.

The word Reiki is commonly translated as “universal life energy.” Rei can be understood as universal or spiritual wisdom, while Ki refers to the life energy that flows through all living things. Reiki practitioners work with this energy to support balance, clarity, relaxation and overall well-being.

Within Reiki traditions, the universal life energy is commonly understood to be an intelligent energy that flows where it is needed and supports the healing process in ways that are unique to each individual. Reiki is the practice of working with this energy.

Reiki is not a substitute for your healthcare provider, but many people find it to be a valuable complementary practice alongside modern medicine and other approaches to wellness.

Many people think Reiki and meditation are simply about relaxation. While relaxation is certainly part of the experience, a growing body of scientific research from sources including, but not limited to, the National Library of Medicine, Mayo Clinic and Brown University has explored how the body’s relaxation response plays an important role in supporting overall health and well-being.¹ ² ³

While much of the research referenced here focuses on meditation and mindfulness, Reiki is also commonly experienced as a deeply meditative practice. Both Reiki and different forms of meditation are intended to encourage relaxation, present-moment awareness and activation of the body’s natural relaxation response. For this reason, they are presented together as complementary mind-body practices that may support overall wellness.

When the body activates the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the body’s “rest and digest” state, it begins to counter the body’s stress response. This shift is associated with slowing the heart rate; supporting healthy blood pressure; reducing muscle tension; lowering cortisol and other stress hormones; increasing blood flow to the digestive system to support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption; supporting healthy immune function; and promoting brain activity associated with calmness, emotional regulation, attention regulation and restorative sleep.² ³ ⁴ ⁵ ⁶

Ongoing research has also explored how mindfulness and meditation may contribute to neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and form new neural connections. Studies have examined changes in brain regions associated with emotional regulation, attention, self-awareness, stress resilience and pain processing.³ ⁴

Research in the growing field of mind-body medicine has also explored how relaxation practices such as meditation and mindfulness may support heart rate variability, pain management, healthy metabolic function, insulin sensitivity and overall cardiovascular health. Studies continue to investigate how chronic stress influences the nervous, endocrine, immune, cardiovascular, digestive and musculoskeletal systems, and how activating the body’s natural relaxation response may help support overall well-being.¹ ³ ⁵ ⁶ ⁷ ⁸

At Star of Mercury Energy Arts, Reiki and different forms of meditation are offered as supportive practices that encourage relaxation, create space for greater self-awareness and help activate the body’s natural relaxation response. While these practices are not a substitute for medical care, many people find them to be meaningful complements to their overall wellness routine. By helping reduce the effects of chronic stress and encouraging relaxation, these practices may support the body’s natural ability to restore balance while complementing conventional healthcare and healthy lifestyle choices.²

References

1. Jamil A, Gutlapalli SD, Ali M, Oble MJP, Sonia SN, George S, Shahi SR, Ali Z, Abaza A, Mohammed L. Meditation and Its Mental and Physical Health Benefits in 2023. Cureus. 2023;15(6):e40650. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10355843/

2. Mayo Clinic Staff. Meditation: A Simple, Fast Way to Reduce Stress. Mayo Clinic. December 14, 2023. https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858

3. Calderone A, Latella D, Impellizzeri F, de Pasquale P, Famà F, Quartarone A, Calabrò RS. Neurobiological Changes Induced by Mindfulness and Meditation: A Systematic Review. Biomedicines. 2024;12(11):2613. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11591838/

4. Dunford E, Thompson M. Relaxation and Mindfulness in Pain: A Review. Reviews in Pain. 2010;4(1):18-22. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4590063/

5. Wankhar D, Kumar AP, Vijayakumar V, Velan A, Balakrishnan A, Ravi P, Rudra B, Maheshkumar K. Effect of Meditation, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, and Relaxation Techniques as Mind-Body Medicine Practices to Reduce Blood Pressure in Cardiac Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Cureus. 2024;16(4):e58434. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11099499/

6. Dalpatadu KPC, Galappatthy P, Katulanda P, Jayasinghe S. Effects of Meditation on Physiological and Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus “MindDM”: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial. Trials. 2022;23:821. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9523920/

7. Benson K. Mindfulness Training May Help Lower Blood Pressure, New Study Shows. Brown University. December 4, 2019. https://www.brown.edu/news/2019-12-04/mb-bp

8. Brown University. Practicing Mindfulness Can Help People Make Heart-Healthy Eating Choices. November 2, 2023. https://www.brown.edu/news/2023-11-02/mindfulness-hypertension

During a Reiki session, you will remain fully clothed while resting comfortably on a treatment table. I typically use light touch as part of my connection with the client, though touch is never required. If you prefer, I am happy to work with my hands just above the body.

During the session, I channel Reiki energy with the intention of supporting balance, relaxation, and overall well-being. Every person’s experience is unique. Some people feel warmth, tingling, heaviness, lightness, emotional release, or a deep sense of calm, while others simply enjoy an opportunity to rest and relax.

If at any point you feel uncomfortable or need to adjust your position, communicate something, or take a break, we can do so at any time. My goal is to create a safe and supportive environment where you can relax and receive the session in whatever way feels most comfortable to you.

In addition to Reiki, I may incorporate other supportive practices depending on the needs and goals of the client.

Guided Meditation

Guided meditation uses focused visualization, mindfulness, and relaxation techniques to help quiet the mind, reduce stress, and encourage greater self-awareness. These sessions can help clients connect more deeply with themselves and explore thoughts, emotions, or experiences in a supportive environment.

Sound and Frequency Meditation

Sound meditation uses instruments and tones to create an immersive listening experience that promotes relaxation, presence, and a deeper meditative state. Many people find that sound helps quiet mental chatter, deepen meditation, and create a greater sense of balance and calm. The frequencies and vibrations produced by these instruments can also create an atmosphere of resonance that supports a deeper sense of connection between practitioner and client during a session. Sound sessions may be offered on their own or as an addition to Reiki.

Creative Integration

As a lifelong multidisciplinary artist, I developed Creative Integration as a way to bridge energy work and creative expression. Following a Reiki session, clients may choose to engage in drawing, painting, collage, writing, or other creative practices as a way to process and reflect on their experience. Artistic skill is not required.

Creative Integration is not art therapy. Rather, it is an optional creative practice that can serve as a meditative or cathartic experience in itself. It provides an opportunity for self-expression, reflection, personal insight, and visual communication. For some clients, it can be a helpful way to explore, express, and unpack experiences, emotions, or realizations that may be difficult to put into words.