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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2 - Determination of "Reiki" Similarity in MSSPJune 20, 2012 STAFF REPORT To: Honorable Chairwoman and Members of the Planning Commission From: Jerome Olivera, AICP — Senior Planner, Community Development Department Subject: DETERMINATION OF SIMILARITY- "REIKI" SUMMARY OF REQUEST Consider request for Determination of Similarity for "Reiki" (one of the Japanese healing arts) to that of other retail or service establishments requiring a conditional use permit within the Main Street Specific Plan (MSSP) zone. DISCUSSION Staff has been approached by a Reiki practitioner, as well as a Main Street business owner, inquiring about establishing a Reiki practice within an existing day spa on Main Street. The Main Street Specific Plan (MSSP) zone provides for the Planning Commission to either permit by right or to conditionally permit retail or service uses that are similar to those uses already defined as permitted or conditionally permitted uses when such uses are interpreted by the Commission as meeting the intent of service commercial uses and the General Plan. Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Reiki was developed in Japan in the early 20th century and treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind, and spirit. It is administered by "laying on hands" and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" (also known as "qi" or "ki ") flows through the human body and is what causes us to be alive. If one's "life force energy" is low, then they are more likely to get sick, feel stress, or have poor overall health and if it is high, they are more capable of being happy or healthy. Unlike Massage, body tissue is not manipulated during a Reiki treatment; the practitioner's hands are simply held at each location, lightly touching or slightly away from the body. Reiki energy flows from the practitioner's hands and into the client's body and energy field. Reiki is considered a simple, natural, and safe method of spiritual healing and self - improvement. Its practitioners and proponents claim that it can be effective in helping virtually every known illness and malady and always creates a beneficial effect. It can Planning Commission Staff Report Determination of Similarity — ` Reiki" June 20, 2012 also be used in conjunction with other medical and therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and to promote recovery. As more people look to alternative, non - invasive methods of healing, recovery, and self- improvement, staff believes that there will be a growing demand for treatments such as Reiki in the future. Staff believes that a use such as Reiki practice does meet the intent of service commercial uses and the General Plan, is similar to other service establishments that cater directly to consumers, and would be a compatible use within the MSSP zone, subject to a conditional use permit. If the Planning Commission should concur with staff's analysis and determine that Reiki practice is compatible with other similar, conditionally permitted service establishments within the MSSP zone, staff would like to point out that such a determination would only affect those properties within the Main Street Specific Plan zone; not other zones within the City. RECOMMENDATION Staff recommends that the Planning Commission consider the request for Determination of Similarity for Reiki within the Main Street Specific Plan zone and determine that the use is similar to other service oriented commercial uses within the MSSP zone, is compatible with the General Plan, and should be allowed within the MSSP zone, subject to a conditional use permit. For: June 20, 2012 Olivera, AICP r Planner — Department of Development Services Attachements: (1) Attachement 1: Brochure describing Reiki (provided by applicant) • The Reiki Ideals The secret art of inviting happiness The miraculous medicine of all diseases Just for today do not anger Do not worry and be filled with gratitude Devote yourself to your work Be kind to people. Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer Pray these words to your heart and chant these words with your mouth Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind The founder Usui MIKAO • The purpose of the association is to promote the professional practice of Reiki. Members have completed a required course of study, agree to abide by a code of ethics and standards of practice and use approved class manuals when teaching. www.reikimembership.com coil' ER po 4 4 -9,rcgSsoc MEM 1� © Copyright 2011 The International Center for Reiki Training • R o k The peaceful way to health and relaxation What is Reiki? The awareness that an unseen energy flows through all living things and directly affects the quality of a person's health has been part of the wisdom of many cultures since ancient times. This life energy goes by many names: qi in China, ki in Japan, and prana in India. The ancient Hawaiians called it ti or ki. It has also been called orgone energy and elan vital, and science refers to it as biofield energy. When your life energy is low, it is more difficult to deal with stress; you may not sleep well, and you're more susceptible to illness. When your life energy is strong, you feel strong, can more easily deal with stress, and are less likely to get sick. Reiki is a technique that increases a person's supply of life energy. What is a Session Like? Reiki is administered through the hands of a Reiki practitioner with the client lying fully clothed on a massage table. A session usually lasts between 45 minutes to an hour and a half and shorter sessions are also possible. • The Reiki practitioner places his or her hands at locations around the head and shoulders, the abdomen and on the legs and feet. Tissue is not manipulated. The practitioner's hands are simply held at each location, lightly touching or slightly away from the body. Reiki energy flows from the practitioner's hands and into the client's body and energy field. A Reiki session feels like a wonderful glowing radiance that surrounds and fills the client and includes feelings of relaxation, peace and well -being that also promote healing. Benefits Reiki energy allows muscles to relax and increases blood flow to treated areas, which in turn quickens the healing process. Practitioners and clients report help with stress, headaches, insomnia, upset stomach, sprains and other minor conditions. Occasionally, miraculous results are reported. Reiki also promotes psychological healing, including release of anger, fear, worry, sad- ness and other unhealthy feelings, and replaces them with self- worth, confidence and tranquility. Use in Hospitals Reiki is becoming increasingly popular with the medical community, with over 800 hos- pitals across the U.S. offering Reiki as a standard part of hospital care. A research study at Hartford Hospital in Hartford, Connecticut indicates that Reiki improved patient sleep by 86 percent, reduced pain by 78 percent, reduced nausea by 80 percent, and reduced anxiety during pregnancy by 94 percent. In addition, nurses report that Reiki helps patients heal faster with less pain, reduces stress and improves mental attitude, improves appetite, and reduces the negative side effects of chemotherapy, radiation and other medical procedures. Reiki Classes Classes are available for those wishing to learn how to give Reiki sessions. Reiki is simple and easy to learn; anyone can learn it, and there are no prerequisites. Once you've learned, you can give Reiki to your- self or to others. Teacher training classes are also available. History Reiki was developed in Japan in 1922 by Mikao Usui and was brought to the West in 1937 by Hawayo Takata. The popularity of Reiki has grown exponentially in the past few decades. A survey conducted in 2007 indi- cates that in the previous year, 1.2 million adults and 161,000 children in the U.S. received one or more Reiki sessions. • •