Miami Dolphins NFL star Ricky Williams swears by alternative medicine, pranic energy healing

Miami Dolphins running back Ricky Williams is a devotee of alternative healing methods such as breathwork, meditation, yoga, acupuncture, massage, pranic healing, and a vegetarian diet. Williams has studied ayurvedic medicine and practices pranic healing, an energy healing method based on traditions from India believed to go back thousands of years. Williams also has California-based pranic healer Daniel O'Hara provide distance healing sessions to supplement the self-treatments that Ricky applies. Williams told Miami Herald reporter Barry Jackson "I know for a fact it works. It's fascinating." Williams is currently averaging about 5.3 yards per carry, a career high, and believes his use of natural healing methods has much to do with his improved performance. Williams' career has previously been marred by injuries and by suspension for using illicit substances. His difficulties with social anxiety have been publicized, and in the past Williams had used marijuana as well as trying prescription medications to cope with his psychological challenges. Williams current success with alternative medicine may seem unusual to teammates, yet the fact that Ricky is healthy, performing well, and not creating any negative publicity is pleasing to the team and fans.

Pranic healing is a system in which healers use breathing and visualization to help direct energy flow, helping restore balance to one's energy system. The energy system includes the aura or energy field, and the chakras, which are energy centers that distribute energy to the body. This yogic healing tradition is similar to many other healing traditions, including reiki, medical qi gong, therapeutic touch, quantum touch, shamanic energy healing, and Christian laying-on-of-hands traditions. Prana is a Sanskrit word that refers to the breath of life, or life force energy that is carried with the breath. Ricky Williams has been practicing pranic healing since 2007, and other pranic healing students in Miami report that Ricky appeared at workshops as just another student, not as a celebrity.

Pranic healing is a method that anyone can learn, as it involves use of simple exercises involving skills we all already possess. The author of this article is a reiki teacher in Miami, and has witnessed students with no prior healing arts experience effectively apply reiki within minutes. Those wishing to find improved health and enhanced success in their lives may wish to consider Ricky Williams' example and learn to use energy healing methods. Those wishing for a brief introduction or taste of these healing methods can find free or low cost energy healing group sessions. Anyone wishing to learn more can do an Internet search for terms like pranic healing, reiki, or energy healing, combined with the name of their city or town, and this will lead to resources to help start one's healing journey.