As I am leaping into the role of Reiki teacher after more than a decade of treating clients, I am most excited about the possibilities that will appear for my students as they begin to practice. Many people view Reiki merely as a treatment that can be offered to friends, family, pets, or possibly paying clients. This is perhaps the most obvious use for sharing the gift of Reiki, but certainly not the only application. It is my strongest intention to impress on my students how Reiki may be used for self-healing, for releasing old beliefs that keep us stuck and stagnant, and for supporting our spiritual growth as well as our goals. Yes, of course it’s wonderful to offer our services to others, but as we also tend to our own needs, the gifts we are able share increase exponentially. As we fill our own energy reservoirs with love and light, we overflow and naturally exude these qualities in our daily lives.  And more importantly, when under pressure we are better able to respond with kindness and equanimity.

This is why I have become a huge proponent of the concept of teaching Reiki to the masses- not just to those interested in the healing professions. As an introvert who enjoys spending time in contemplation and solitude, I never expected to become a teacher. I am quite happy with the model of a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner who works with clients one-on-one in a quiet, peaceful environment. Yet the pull to share the gift of Reiki with many has compelled me to step out of my comfort zone and into the mini spotlight of teaching. I am using Reiki to help me prepare in a variety of ways. It is this way of thinking that I want to pass along to my students; follow your heart, even when it’s scary, and call upon the energy of the divine to assist and guide you along the way.

I have created a Reiki Vision Board with images and words that represent my goal of creating a successful, harmonious class that meets everyone’s needs. It’s helpful for me to have a visual aid to focus my attention on that which I wish to manifest. As I concentrate on the feelings that my vision board evokes, I send Reiki to this goal. I know in my heart that I will be supported while preparing and teaching and that the energy of Reiki will show me the way. I am spending quite a bit more time at my computer than I am used to, and I am finding that frequent breaks for a mini self- treatment or Reiki movement meditation increases my productivity immensely when I return to my desk. I am acknowledging my concerns and worries about being a teacher, and using Reiki to help me heal any insecurities. I have programmed and charged a quartz crystal to send continuous healing energy both to me and to the future class. I activate Reiki before I begin to work on my class outlines or promotional materials, and find that words flow much more easily when I do.

Truth be told, I wouldn’t be able to teach this class, small as it may be, without the healing I received from Reiki. While I try to schedule a trade with another practitioner and attend a Reiki circle every month, I believe it is the work I am doing on a daily basis for myself that has provided the transformational shift that is allowing me to step up into a new role. Incorporating Reiki into my day (rather than viewing it as something that happens every now and then while lying down on a massage table) has had a tremendous impact on my life. I dream of a world in which everyone has the tools necessary so that they may heal themselves from the inside out and reap the benefits of having this healing energy available at their fingertips.