Review of Reiki Center Manali and Arambol in India

Reiki Grandmaster Rittu Sood is a tiny but bubbly woman overflowing with love, compassion, and understanding. I studied Reiki levels 1 and 2 with Rittu in Vashist, near Manali, in 2007 and found it to be a life changing experience. As soon as I met her, I knew she was the right teacher for me. The substantial 15 years that Rittu has devoted to giving and teaching Reiki, combined with the strength of her healing energy and magical way of imparting knowledge, make it a pleasure to learn from her. While her rates aren't the cheapest, what's really important is that they do reflect the high standard of service provided.

The Reiki Center, where Reiki Grandmaster Rittu conducts her courses and treatments, has two locations. During the winter months, from October to late March, Rittu can be found at the Reiki Center near Double Dutch restaurant at Arambol Beach in north Goa. During the summer months, she returns to the Reiki Center at her home amidst the fresh mountain air of Vashist, near Manali in Himachal Pradesh.

The locations of both Reiki Centers are popular with travelers, and are appealing places to spend time while undertaking courses or treatments with Rittu.

Rittu offers all levels of Reiki training from 1 to 4. A basic Level 1 Reiki course can be completed in 3-5 days, while Level 2 takes 4-6 days. Both Level 3 Teacher's training and the Master's Level 4 course require two weeks of intensive study to complete.

There's a substantial theoretical component involved in leaning Reiki, however Rittu discusses the information in a very inspiring and easy to absorb manner. I found her lessons fascinating to listen to, and never once felt distracted or bored. Students also get plenty of time to practice their newly acquired skills on other people.

One of the best things about studying Reiki with Rittu is that she deliberately keeps class sizes small enough for everyone to receive personalized attention.

In addition to Reiki courses, Rittu offers one hour Reiki treatment sessions. Even though I'm able to give Reiki treatments to myself, I still like to receive Reiki from Rittu whenever I see her. The main reason for this is the sheer power of her healing energy. I can literally feel it flowing through her hands and into my body, restoring and balancing it.

I've received Reiki treatments from Rittu on two separate occasions now. The first time, my body was extremely tense and tired from overwork. The second time, I had a plethora of thoughts running through my mind and was unsettled. On both occasions, Rittu readily felt the problem and corrected it. My muscles were relaxed, and my mind quietened, as I lay there listening to soothing music.

One hour Reiki treatments cost around $30.

If you're wondering why you have certain fears, aversions, or problematic relationships in this life, a past life regression may benefit you. This therapy, which is a form of hypnosis that accesses the subconscious, will enable you to journey back in time to your previous lives.

The type of experience that you have will depend on how readily you are able to relax. While some people remain dominated by their conscious mind, other people are able to see many past lives.

I found that the past life regression that I did with Rittu answered a number of questions about my present life. Initially, my mind was anxious and not keen to relinquish control. However, the Reiki that Rittu gave me during the regression helped immensely in enabling me to detach and delve into my subconscious.

Two hour past life regression sessions cost around $45.

Rittu offers tarot card readings, massage and massage courses, and crystal healing as well.

Interestingly, when performing tarot readings, instead of shuffling and picking cards, Rittu lays the cards out in front and carefully selects each card based on the energy she feels in answer to the question. This produced a reading for me that I felt was accurate, and reflected what was going on in my life and the path I needed to take.

The way that Rittu uses the tarot is to help more in the process of self discovery, than to predict specific events in the future. Her readings are designed to give a new perspective or guidance on situations and events in daily life. In this way, tarot cards can also work well with past life regression to paint a bigger picture.

A 45 minute tarot reading costs around $25.

Starting in May 2010, Rittu also intends to hold seven day meditation and healing retreats at her Reiki Center in Manali. These retreats include wholesome home cooked food, meditation, healing sessions, yoga, drawing, and detoxifying massages.