December 2009 Newsletter Article

What Really is the Difference between Polarity Therapy and Reiki?

What is the difference between Polarity and Reiki?
The main difference is intention; with Reiki the practitioner allows things to happen and the treatment to flow, and generally there is a set sequence. Polarity treatments are unique and there are no set sequences, but rather the practitioner works with what the client tells them is going on and what is presented by the client.

Both therapies work with the subtle energies of the body that underlie its form and functions, and both require hands-on positions (although Reiki can be performed at a distance).

Reiki involves tuning into the energy in the room and channeling it to others through their hands to unblock problem areas and keep the energy flowing evenly throughout the body. Polarity utilizes techniques that connect the positive, neutral and negatively charged energy forces to enhance the life force within a problem area (whether mental, emotional, physical or spiritual). This creates a free flow of energy. Polarity is more anatomically and physiologically specific.

Choosing which holistic treatment is right for you is a matter of personal choice – some resonate with Reiki and others with Polarity. I would recommend trying out both at some point to see how you react to each treatment - you can’t go wrong as both treatments leave you feeling clear, relaxed, and rejuvenated. Last year I finally got my husband – of the deep tissue maximum pressure please variety – to try out Polarity. It took some convincing on my part, but he finally agreed, and after the session his first words were “I feel more relaxed than any deep tissue massage I have ever received”. He was floored by how calm and de-stressed he felt, and that he actually felt as if he had just received a full body massage. He looks to get Polarity every 6 months or so when he starts to feel “off” - that certainly is a testament to how holistic therapies can make you feel!