Reiki is a time honored system of gentle hands-on healing used by many caregivers and health care professionals. It is also used as a means of promoting one's own healing. During a Reiki session, the practitioner places his or her hands on or slightly above the client's clothed body. The hands are placed in a variety of positions while the patient lies on a massage table. Reiki promotes deep relaxation and has been found to reduce pain, relieve stress, improve appetite, and promote recovery, well-being and an overall improvement in quality of life. A typical Reiki session lasts for one hour. In hospital settings, the time may be shortened to fit the situation. Reiki can be integrated with all methods of care.

Reflexology is a method of treatment involving the physical act of applying pressure to specific points on the feet, hands and ears with targeted thumb, finger, and hand techniques without the use of oil or lotion. Reflexology is considered a therapeutic healing art based on the principle that there are reflexes which correspond to every part of the body, including glands and organs. Reflexology relieves stress, improves circulation and helps promote balance in all areas of the body.

Meditation is a technique in which an individual focuses his or her mind on a particular object, thought or activity such as breath. Through this technique, one trains their mind into a clear and balanced state. It helps us find a means to relax, calm the mind, and encourages a sense of overall well-being and peacefulness. Regular practice lowers anxiety by helping clients get in touch with their inner selves. They can control recurring thoughts and behavior patterns that are unhealthy and achieve a sense of overall balance and well-being.

Many cultures recognize the importance of music and sound. The practice of using sound to heal and achieve balance from within has existed for millennia. The Tibetans use bowls, chimes, bells and chanting as the foundation of their spiritual practice. Aboriginals and Native Americans use vocal toning and repetitive sound with instruments to work with clearing imbalances in the spiritual, emotional and physical bodies. Crystal and Tibetan bowl therapy have both been integrated into our sound therapy program along with other indigenous instruments. Crystal bowl music is a form of vibrational medicine. It is based on the premise that everything in the universe is always in a state of vibration. The frequency with which an object or person naturally vibrates, is referred to as resonance. When a part of the body is vibrating out of tune, it is called dis-ease or disease. In a healthy state of being, each cell creates a resonance that is in harmony with the whole person. Vibrational medicine is based on the idea that all disease is characterized by blockage in the channels at some level. When there is a blockage, the organ in question stops vibrating at a healthy frequency resulting in illness. Through sound therapy, the practitioner can help break up and release these blockages, resulting in a state of health and well-being. Sound therapy can be set up for group settings or one on one.

There are many types of massage available to chose from depending upon the needs of the client population. Massage is the manipulation of tissues by kneading, rubbing or tapping with the hands or with instruments. Massage promotes deep muscle relaxation and targets the source of the body's pain through releasing tense muscles thereby increasing flexibility and providing relaxation. Massage reduces stress, pain and tension, improves circulation, lowers blood pressure and heart rate, improves immune function and contributes to an overall sense of well-being. There are many different types of massage therapy including Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, aromatherapy ( including the use of essential oils), Thai, lymphatic, oncology, sports, Rosen, prenatal, couples, chair, trigger point, reflexology and Shiatsu. Each type of massage has it's own unique features. Some are designed to promote deep relaxation where as others are targeted treatments for pain or emotional release. One may be asked to remove their clothes for some massage whereas for others such as chair massage, Thai, Shiatsu and reflexology, you may stay fully clothed. All massage assists the body's ability to heal itself.

Tai Chi and Qigong are ancient Chinese health exercises. During a session, one works with their own vital energy (Chi or Qi) during the practice. Through these exercises, one can unleash their body's natural healing power. Qigong includes healing postures, movements, self-massage, breathing techniques and meditations. Through these movements more Qi is gathered and stored in the body. Qi can also be cleaned so impurities contributing to disease can be cleared in the body. Qigong practitioners can focus and move the flow of energy along the energy meridians. Acupuncture is also based upon this same precept, injecting Qi at the right location, time and in the right amount to allow correct flow. Flow is impeded by disease or injury. The regular practice of Qigong or Tai Chi keeps the body strong and balanced. Qigong works with the life force (Chi or Qi) , to balance the five vital organs and endocrine glands, promoting balance and health. The main difference between the two is the movements themself. Qi Gong involves more of a free flow while Tai Chi is more focused on specific postures. The postures combine to form a dance like movement. Both Tai Chi and Qigong have many benefits which include reduction of pain and stress, increased strength, breathing capacity, and improved memory and concentration.

Color therapy is also known as chromotherapy. It is based on the precept that waves of visible spectrum can treat imbalances in the body. Each color has its own wavelength and particular frequency and produces vibrational energy. These particular frequencies have been found by color therapists to treat specific ailments. The frequencies can affect all people differently. Ancient texts describe the use of color therapeutically in many cultures such as in China, Tibet, and India. Literary references are found as far back as in the Egyptian papyrus. There are several types of color therapy that can be utilized depending upon both the client's need and the setting. Colored liquid in bottles or vials can be used alone or attached to a light pen. The light is pointed at strategic acupuncture points. Colored discs can also be attached to the light source. Some color therapists prefer to place the client under lights above their body or they may use lamps or boxes with color filters. There are many positive effects reported by both clients and color therapists such as improvement in appetite and sleep, lowered blood pressure, reduction of stress and anxiety, improvements with mood disorders and help in healing skin infections. Warm colors like red can stimulate whereas colors like blue and purple are calming. Color therapy helps harmonize our energy creating an overall feeling of well-being.

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy which involves moving through various postures called asanas, regulated breathing exercises, and meditation to promote physical and mental well being. Yoga contributes to a better quality of life and overall sense of well being.The purpose of Yoga is to promote harmony and balance in both the body and the mind. Through breathing exercises, asanas and meditation, our bodies natural tendency to heal itself is increased. Some of the reported physical benefits of yoga include reducing pain, lowering blood pressure, improving insomnia, reducing migraines , hot flashes, diabetes, PTSD, anxiety and depression. In addition to these physical benefits, yoga helps increase flexibility, strengthen and tone muscles, regulate weight, increase cardio -health, balance metabolism and increase energy. Yoga reduces stress through meditation and breathing as well. It has also been shown to improve a person’s emotional and mental state as well as strengthen and balance their physical body. There are many types of yoga available that can be offered to

clients depending upon their individual needs. It can be offered to those requiring gentle, restorative yoga with specific health needs and can include anyone , from beginner to the most experienced practitioner.