Reiki Study Case: Moxy

Moxy is a rescue horse that I saw for Reiki in California. I didn't have a lot information about her except that she was around nine years old, probably abused and very sensitive to touch, especially around the hind quarters. She would kick when being touched. It appeared clearly that I wouldn't do any hands-on to start! The owner also told me that she was a high energy kind of horse. I was able to confirm that the first time I brought her to the arena. She wouldn't let herself be lead and wanted to go straight to the arena. I did some ground work techniques to bring her back with me to finally being able to move forward without having her leading. Again the owner told me it was "normal" she was always doing that. Once in the arena, as soon as I carefully removed her halter she went into a very energetic canter. I understood a little more the high energy profile that was given to me before.

I decided to give her Reiki treatment in the arena, having her free to move around. I did distant Reiki for thirty minutes every day for four days then every other day for a few more days and once a week for another month. She was very curious and came to me pretty fast. First it was more to check and then she staid for long period of time. She was showing signs of relaxations; licking of the lips, soft chewing, relaxed ears.
Reiki works with symbols and one day I had the intuition to chant them in a very soft way. She was very sensitive to it and I felt that we reached another level of trust and connection. She came closer and slowly put her nose against the palm of my hands with her eyes half closed. She was very calm and relaxed.

After a week Moxy was already a different horse. Her behavior totally changed and she was no more the very high energy horse that I just met. She was very calm from the moment I was greeting her. I never had to remind her that I was leading the walk. She never went into a canter when removing the halter. She was patient and trustful.

I always respected Moxy's limits and pace. There is day when she clearly showed me she wasn't interesting in receiving anything and I listened to that and let her alone. Sometimes she let me have my hands on her head and nose and sometimes she would just turn her back to me to show her hind quarters. I was able to touch the shoulder but not further than that. I knew it would have take time for her to bring her hind leg into my hands. And unfortunately I had to stop the visits. Sometimes the wounds are so deep that it's a long journey for a full recovery. But she did so much progress in just a month. I know she was at a better place already.

Reiki Introduction

What is Reiki

Reiki is a complete energy healing system. It uses a frequency of the universal life energy towards healing. It's gentle, painless, stress-free and non-invasive. The recipient always has the choice to take what he or she needs. It also treats the whole being. The practitioner can either do a hands-on treatment (hands are applied on different area of the body) or distant treatment.

Reiki and Ayurveda

Although Reiki originates from Japan with Dr Usui it has its place in Ayurveda as it is close to pranic healing or ayurvedic energy work. It uses the Qi or Prana, the Life Force in the same way but Reiki is more of a particular frequency of energy compared to pranic healing being more raw.

Energy work is a part of any ayurvedic treatment and Reiki is just a form of it.

Reiki with horses

Horses are highly sensitive to energy. Reiki becomes a great tool when it comes to behavior issues, illnesses or emotional distress. It can be used alone or as a complementary treatment. Either way horses will benefit a lot.

Reiki works well on anxiety, fear, nervousness, stress or agitated horse. It is also used in case of illnesses or injury as a support in the healing process. Reiki will help to restore a balance.

The treatment can be given with the hands touching the horse's body or hands above the area to treat or even from distance (example: a horse in a pasture). The approach being to respect where the horse is, it is better to let the horse determine how the treatment will go. It's not unusual to start a session from distance and see the horse coming slowly closer, sniff the hands of the practitioner to finally place a part of his body against them.

The most important things are to stay open, to respect the animal and to have no expectation or agenda

Horse Examination

The purpose of an examination is to assess the horse condition. For that the examination will determine the horse basic constitution and current issues or imbalances that eventually lead to a specific disorder.

An Ayurvedic examination is based on the following three approaches: observation, touch and questioning. 

There can be variations with more or less depth in each of the procedure but most of the time it will go over this three stages.

Observation

Observation consists at looking at the horse as a whole and also examining specific part of the body. It covers the posture, the physical attitude, the movement but also the coat, the eyes, the tongue. 

Observation of sounds (like the one from the gut) and smells are included as well.

Touch

Touch is another important part of the examination. It provides additional information about the horse that enrich the observations already made.

Touch includes taking the pulse and palpation of particular point of the body. It will show if there is any tender point, lumps, if the tissues are more hard or soft, if the temperature is cold or hot.

The procedure informs at both a physical level and at an energetic level.

Questioning

Questioning includes the medical history of the horse as well as direct questions asked to the owner. It allows the practitioner to gather information about the horse behavior, habits and lifestyle. Questions about food preference, time of rest, response to seasons will be covered.

This three fold examination give the practitioner insights about the horse condition. From there the course of an holistic treatment can be decided.

The place of horse nature in Ayurveda.

As I am working on the ayurvedic approach of horse examination with determination of the nature type or imbalances, I thought it was important to also talk about the place of the "true nature" of the horse.

Ayurveda's philosophy is to live in harmony with the nature and with our own nature. In the context of the horses it means that taking into consideration and respecting the nature of horses by keeping in mind the wild horse model is essential. It's a question of wellness and health.

In Ayurveda the constitution (or nature type) of a subject will tell us what is the most appropriate treatment or care to provide. It will also help us to find a lifestyle that suit the subject. But the advice that we can get from knowing a constitution won't replace the importance of the natural lifestyle of horses. Ideally they will go together.

For that, Ayurveda has a very respectful and wholesome approach.

Ayurvedic Massage - Part II

Part II: How it applies to horses

First the constitution or nature type of the horse has to be determined, also any imbalances and specific conditions have to be defined. The history of the horse (age, illness, behavior), observations, physical exam with palpation will give the information needed for that. From there the therapist will be able to give a treatment that is tailored for this particular horse at this particular moment.

Let's now take an example to better illustrated the approach.

Let's say that we have a horse that has a nature with the elements Ether and Air dominant (a Vata constitution in Ayurveda). Because if this constitution the horse need a light and nurturing massage as Vata are the most sensitive type.

The appropriate massage will consist of slow gentle stroke. The pressure will be light. Abrupt or rough movement could be irritable and disturbing. Large and circular movement can be used to harmonize. More vigorous stroke could be use if for example blocks are found but deep pressure is not advised. More focus will be brought on the pelvic area as it is a place where toxins can accumulate. If a basic oil is used it will be Sesame oil. The combination with essential oils like lavender, chamomile, basil, sandalwood will be a good choice.

As I mention aromatherapy through the use of essential oils other therapy like Marma Therapy (similar to Acupressure) or energy work (Reiki) can also be a part of the treatment.

This Ayurvedic treatment will have for effect to loosen up any muscular tension but also to treat any conditions related to an imbalance due to the unique constitution of the horse (Vata) like anxiety, nervousness, lower back problems, arthritis, etc.

Ayurvedic Massage - Part I

Part I: An overview

Ayurvedic Massage is a therapeutic form of massage. It is based on an understanding of the primordial energies of the five elements and the constitutionals types. This understanding will allow to customized the treatments to the unique nature of the recipient. Pressure, speed, movement, oil or aroma, techniques will be chosen according to the uniqueness of the recipient and the condition of treatment.

Ayurvedic massage addresses  the subtle energy of the body, Prana. Through the rhythmical and deeply relaxing movements of the massage stagnant energy or blocks are removed and the circulation of the vital energy in the body is increased as the flow of life force (Prana) is open. On a physical level this also have an impact on the blood circulation and the lymphatic system by stimulating and strengthening it.