Learn the Secrets of Reiki and Qigong

Sometimes you can find a solution from across the globe right in your own backyard. This will certainly be the case for East Brunswick residents on Thursday, July 14.

At 7 p.m. at the East Brunswick Public Library, Ruth A. Golush, Ph. D. returns to educate the community in Reiki (pronounced “ray-key”) and Qigong (pronounced “chee- gong”), a pair of energy healing arts that originate from Asia.

“Reiki comes to us from Japan and Qigong from China,” Golush said. “All forms of energy healing work on the premise that we all are composed of energy, and when our energy is flowing and balanced, then we are well.”

Many people, Golush included, find the benefits of energy healing arts such as Reiki and Qigong to be plentiful and, in some cases, surprising. “I have found that using these healing arts can help people heal faster from ailments, and can be used to maintain well-being, too,” Golush said. “Qigong consists of gentle exercises that you can learn and do for yourself. Reiki can also work for yourself, but usually people get a Reiki session. They lie on a massage table fully clothed, as the practitioner holds their hands above or lightly on the body. In both of these modalities, the aim is to help get the energy flowing properly.”

Golush says Reiki and Qigong can not only help people maintain existing health and balance, but also to recover from injury or illness. “It is so important that we take care of ourselves these days, and I find these practices easy and helpful,” she said. “I twisted an ankle badly when I was first learning Reiki. I used Reiki on the ankle, and within two days was able to put full pressure on that foot, whereas previous similar injuries took several weeks to heal.

“Many people using energy healing arts improve their immune system and don’t get head colds. They can reduce stress, and we know that too much stress hurts the immune system. All these arts from the Orient talk about regaining balance, and with everyone’s lives so often busy and stressful, having a fun way to get into balance is useful. Another benefit is more creativity. I find I get my best ideas when I do my own Qigong practice.”

Golush is no stranger to the East Brunswick Public Library, having spoken there on several previous occasions. “I knew the former director of the library and asked if they would be interested in some presentations,” she said. “I have presented at other libraries in the area. Part of my mission is to give presentations so that more people will learn about and hopefully pursue these modalities which can enhance and enrich their lives.”

One reason Golush speaks so passionately about these arts is that she hopes to inspire others towards experiences similar to her first with Reiki and Qigong. “I was taking a Tai Chi class, and the studio offered Reiki and Qigong, too,” Golush said. “In my first class I felt the power of the energy, and soon knew that I wanted other people to feel this power as I did. I’d already been interested in Eastern philosophy, and later realized that the concepts of Taoism underlie these energy arts.”

The impact was immediate, but has not faded. “This was 15 years ago, when I lived in Santa Fe, New Mexico,” Golush said. “I moved back to New Jersey in 2003 to be near family. So I taught and practiced in Santa Fe from 1996 to 2003, and have a practice teaching and giving private healing sessions in Central New Jersey now. I also occasionally teach meditative arts at Mercer County Community College.”

For more information on this event, contact the East Brunswick Public Library at 732-390-6950 or at www.ebpl.org. For more information about Dr. Golush’s practice, visit www.RuthAGolush.com.