Anita Carlson’s neighbor recommended Reiki, a Japanese stress reduction and relaxation technique, to the Enumclaw real estate agent a couple of years ago.

“I was sold the first time,” Carlson said. “I had a wonderful experience.”

It was so wonderful, she’s earned a Reiki masters certificate herself so she can share its positive results.

“It’s a really great relaxation technique,” she said. “It’s certainly enhanced my life.”

The word Reiki, Carlson explains, is made of two Japanese words – Rei which means God’s wisdom or the higher power and Ki which is life force energy.

“It’s a spiritual life force energy from God, or the Divine or Higher Power, whatever you’re comfortable with,” Carlson said.

The technique is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen life force energy flows through everyone and is what causes people to be alive. If one’s life force energy is low, she noted, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.

She said participants are fully-clothed and lie on a table while she starts “laying on the hands” at the crown of the head. About an hour or hour and a half later, she finishes up with a foot message.

“It’s certainly been beneficial in my life,” she said. “I want to share.”

To schedule an appointment with Carlson, call 206-819-7999.

Reach Brenda Sexton at bsexton@courierherald.com or 360-802-8206.