healing

It’s my goal to illustrate the broad range of possibilities each and every one of us has to use Reiki to improve our lives on a daily basis. Sure, a full treatment with a professional practitioner is an amazing, transformative event, but setting the intention for healing throughout the day, and boosting it with a blast of Reiki has a synergistic effect, transforming our lives from the inside out.

We don’t need to rely on someone else, or the formality of lying down for an hour to receive the benefits of Reiki. It can be incorporated into our daily flow and used to support our goals, whatever they may be. So I lovingly present to you this less-than-comprehensive list of the ways I casually use Reiki to improve my mornings.

1. Upon waking, I do a quick body scan. If I notice any aches, I take 3-5 mins to place my hands on that area and visualize golden, healing light releasing any blockages or toxins or limiting beliefs that may be contributing to my discomfort.

2. Upon rising, I sit for a moment on the edge of my bed, and flow Reiki into my aura, filling myself up to capacity with the white light of unconditional love. This serves as an energetic force field, protecting me from negative energies; only love may now enter my energy field.

3. While washing my face, I beam Reiki through my eyes into my reflection in the mirror. I acknowledge that I am a spiritual being with the essence of pure consciousness and that I am divinely loved and guided. I take a few seconds to work on a blemish beneath my eye that my dermatologist calls a “barnacle” (yuck! no thank you!) that is benign but unattractive. It is shrinking over time.

4. I Reiki my toothbrush for good dental health. (If I were a person who showers in the morning, while shampooing, I’d Reiki my brain for focus and clarity, and then every inch of my body, along with the soap and hair products, and the very shower head so that I would be rinsed clean with the purity of healing energy. I do this at night before bed, but there’s no reason it can’t be done in the morning.)

5. I bless my tea kettle and the water within to nourish my cells with Reiki healing energy.

6. I Reiki my wallet to attract the abundance and income I need to follow my Divine Life Purpose and enjoy my life to the fullest.

7. I Reiki my calendar so that everything flows smoothly in Divine Order, for the highest good of all.

8. I take a short walk to the ocean’s edge to say a prayer for the day. I place my hands on my heart adding the intention that my prayer be boosted by Reiki. (Yes, indeed, I am very lucky in this regard! Prayers can be offered anywhere, I just so love the water that it adds an extra “oomph” to my prayers. And by the way, it was by Reiki’ing my prayers that I manifested such a lovely home!)

9. While there, I take a moment to channel Reiki to my friends and family who are in need of healing, love, or support. (Level 2 Reiki classes teach a long-distance symbol which boosts the capacity to transmit energy to those who are not geographically present, but I truly believe that it can be done by Level 1 practitioners who intend to do so from the heart center.)

10. I invoke Reiki energy during my seated meditation to clear any blockages and allow me to be fully present in silence and stillness so that I may know myself, my truth, and the Will of the Divine.

11. I beam Reiki through my eyes as I am preparing my breakfast (and my lunch which I usually do simultaneously) and intend that I will receive Divine Nourishment through this food to sustain me physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.

Now, you may be thinking that there’s no way you have time for all of this! It has taken me a decade to perfect this morning ritual by analyzing my priorities, experimenting with different techniques, and noticing the extreme benefits of following through. This is the devotional practice that allows me to be my very best, to feel good in my body and good about myself, and to be fully charged to be of service throughout the day.

The point that I especially want to make clear: the addition of Reiki doesn’t take any extra time. It merely comes from the intention of adding healing energy to what I am already doing. You could wake up, bless a cigarette and a pot of coffee and three donuts with Reiki, and you would be more aligned with your Higher Self, more energized, more centered and grounded than if you just smoked, caffeinated, and stuffed your face.

Reiki can be a wonderful addition to virtually any lifestyle. I encourage anyone who is remotely interested in holistic health, spirituality, well-being, or living a life filled with peace, love, joy, truth, and freedom to explore the possibility of taking a class and receiving the attunement so that you may fill each day and your heart with Reiki. And watch as you are gradually motivated to spruce up your morning routine and make the time to connect with yourself and the divine. Just wait and see how it spills out into every area of your life.

11 Ways I Use Reiki Before Breakfast

It’s my goal to illustrate the broad range of possibilities each and every one of us…
Last week I became an aunt, for the first time ever. My twin niece and nephew were born twelve full weeks before their due date (under the sign of Taurus, rather than Leo; I’m still trying to understand the implications of that!). These darlings are now being cared for by the wonderful staff at a NICU in Philadelphia, while I reside in California. I have plans to visit after the due date, which means that for the next several months, 3,000 miles lie between us. Geographic miles, that is. As a Reiki Master, I am fully aware that when it comes to energy work, distance is but an illusion.

I’ve been sending long distance Reiki to the twins since their conception. Generally speaking, it’s necessary to ask for permission to send healing energy to anybody as we never wish to interfere (nor are we actually able to) with their free will. In this case, and in cases where the recipient is unconscious or otherwise unresponsive, it is possible to ask their spirits for permission. As Reiki is divinely guided, it will never do harm, and once sent, it is then up to the receiver’s spirit to allow it, regulate the flow, or decline it. So far the baby girl has been wide open to receiving, and the boy a bit hesitant, but he’s coming around gradually.

I decided to share my involvement with my brother. As a former Marine, and current administrator, the realm of metaphysics is rather unfamiliar to him. As the father of two premature babies, he is willing to explore all possible resources for his children. (I’m secretly hoping that he’ll let me attune him when I visit so that he can provide hands-on Reiki often.) He asked me a rather perceptive question that really caused me to think. Do babies receive the same intensity level of Reiki treatments as adults? I’d never actually thought of it this way. As I said earlier, Reiki is divinely guided, so it can never do harm, and each person receives exactly as much as they need.

Still, I began to wonder if babies get a muted dosage of healing energy because of their tiny size. I immediately had a distinct knowing-ness that this is not the case. When I get this sensation deep in my core about an idea, I’ve learned that it is not my mind communicating with me, but rather my Higher Self, the part of me that remains connected to the divine. Babies are able to receive more. Their innocence and purity keeps their vibration at such a high level that the incoming energy feels familiar to them. Their egos have not yet developed, they have no sense of undeserving-ness, and therefore no resistance to receiving. Their minds do not get in the way questioning the methods or results, and their hearts have not been guarded or tarnished by painful experiences. I imagine that to them, it is the most natural thing in the world to be bathed in the healing light of God’s love and divine protection. These tiny creatures, barely one week old, eleven weeks prior to their due date, have taught me the most amazing lesson. Our essence is the same pure consciousness as this healing light. It always has been, and always will be. It’s just that we have forgotten. Now is the time to remember.

Reiki for Babies

Last week I became an aunt, for the first time ever. My twin niece and nephew…
A friend of mine recently informed me that she had hurt her knee playing sports. She was calling to cancel our plans to try out a new dance class that night, and instead wanted to rest, ice the injury, and elevate her leg. The massage therapist within me applauded her efforts at covering all the best remedial bases. The Reiki Master within blurted out, “Did you Reiki it?” This is my primary and immediate response to every unplanned event in my life. Mosquito bite? Reiki! Dating mishap? Reiki! Bicycle accident? Reiki, Reiki, Reiki!!! After a short pause, she replied, “No. I think of Reiki as something for other people.” I gently suggested that while she was practicing good self-care for her physical self, that she add some energetic healing to the mix for accelerated recovery.

Well, she did, and her condition was improved enough to not cause her to cancel a camping trip, and several days later, the pain was completely gone. Needless to say, I am a huge fan of self-treatment. Not a day goes by that I don’t use Reiki for myself several times. Before I even get out of bed, I thank the Divine Creator for another day, a good night’s sleep, and my own life. I send Reiki to any achy parts or emotional discord, and also send Reiki to the rest of my day to ease any upcoming stress or difficulties. I Reiki my teapot as I turn it on, moisturizer as I apply it to my face, and whichever crystals I decide to wear that day for therapy. I Reiki my breakfast as I prepare it, my yoga mat as I unroll it, my shower filter as I undress. Let’s not forget my water bottle, the watering can I use for my plants, my vehicle, my laptop, my cell phone. I’m not joking! Everything in my life gets blessed on a regular basis.

Sometimes I get caught up in the busy-ness of my daily life and temporarily forget my connection to Reiki. I haven’t lost it, as that’s impossible, but I do become unaware. It is in these moments that anxiety or irritation creeps in, that I find myself rushing and break a dish or stub my toe, or yel profanitiesl at my computer. Fortunately I am so tuned in to my emotions and mindful of the guidance system they offer, that when I find myself feeling less than peaceful, joyful, and loving; I know I have forgotten my truth. I have forgotten that My Essence is the Light of Pure Consciousness and that I have the power to channel Divine Love whenever I wish. Every time I wake up to this delicious fact, it just takes a moment to set the intention to return to Reiki awareness, and boom! I’m back in the flow. This is the reward for anyone who wishes to become attuned to Reiki; the connection to this healing, spiritually guided energy is always available to us, no matter what. We just need to remember to connect to what is already, and eternally, there.

Reiki, It’s Not Just For Other People!

A friend of mine recently informed me that she had hurt her knee playing sports. She…
Yesterday, my twin niece and nephew arrived in this world. They are the first of the next generation, and apparently so anxious to join us, that they came twelve weeks early. They are getting the best medical care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Jefferson Hospital in Philadelphia. I have no doubt that the doctors and nurses there are doing everything within their power to keep them safe. Yet I know that the artificial environment in any hospital along with the toxic energy of fear and worry is not ideal for any being, let alone precious babies who weigh less than 3 lbs each.

Thank heavens for Reiki, the healing energy of divine love. An even bigger thanks for the long distance Reiki symbol that allows me to transmit healing energy to these darlings from my own home in California. (I jokingly call it the faraway app.) Level 2 students are attuned to a sacred symbol that allows them to direct the flow of Reiki to anywhere, or anywhen. I often use it to send healing to a time in the past when a trauma was experienced or to an expected difficult situation (such as an exam or surgery) in the future. The long distance symbol can also be used to send healing to the oceans, the planet, or war zones.

Please note that it cannot, however, be used to get your philandering boyfriend to become faithful or your uncle to stop smoking. Reiki never interferes with a person’s free will and does not ever manipulate anyone’s behavior. But in times of emergency, it is possible to contact the higher self of an individual for permission. This is how I got the go-ahead from the twins- their eternal spirits are willing recipients. Their mother has asked for healing and prayers in the past, so she is fair game as well. I have contacted my friends and the larger Reiki community to ask for their support. As you might imagine, they are eager to help.

The limits of time and space are but an illusion. Energy is not bound by location nor a calendar, and divine healing energy most certainly has the capacity to go where and when it is needed. I feel truly blessed to have the skill and understanding to be of service to my family even though I am unable to be physically present. I can only imagine how frustrated and powerless I’d be feeling right now if I had never been introduced to this miraculous treatment. What’s even more amazing is that anyone and everyone can learn to do this. Yes, the power of a treatment is amplified with practice and experience; and the higher the consciousness and vibration of practitioner, the stronger the flow of energy. Given that information, there is no time like the present to contact a Reiki Master Teacher in your area and begin your training soon. The world will be a better place if you do.

Thank Heavens for Long Distance Reiki!

Yesterday, my twin niece and nephew arrived in this world. They are the first of the…
“You’re the expert.” I must admit, I love to hear my clients say this. They schedule a massage with a goal in mind, yet are able to let go and allow me; a skilled, trained, and experienced therapist to create the strategy to get there. They are acknowledging that someone who has devoted years of their life to studying a practice will hopefully have more insight than “push really hard here, where it hurts.” Because if that’s all there was to releasing stress and tension, all the sweethearts and spouses that have been enrolled to help their loved ones would have certainly eradicated many of the tight muscles by now. Clearly that has not been happening.

And that’s what brings folks to a professional. That’s what causes them to dig deep into their tight budgets to fund a healing treatment. What they’ve been trying at home just isn’t helping; not in any sustainable way. So they ask for help, hoping that the therapist will have some knowledge, intuitive guidance, or practical experience that goes beyond the primitive idea that enough pressure on one or two knots will solve the problem. Well, we do! Our training enables us to understand that the body works as a unit, and that pain indicates an imbalance in the team of muscles and joints. We understand the holistic nature of bodywork, and know how to find the cause of discomfort rather than merely focusing on the symptoms.

This is one case in which the customer is not always right. As a client of massage therapy, you get to choose the style of treatment that you desire (Swedish, Thai, deep tissue, sports, etc) and the area you wish to focus on, as well as request any modifications that are necessary for your comfort. From there on, it’s best to keep an open mind and surrender your preconceived notions. It is highly suggested that you remember that the trained professional you have hired knows how to proceed in an effective and efficient way. Learn to let go, relax, and trust and you will maximize the benefits of your session.

“You’re the Expert!”

“You’re the expert.” I must admit, I love to hear my clients say this. They schedule…
I’ve never endured a hot flash personally, but many of my clients experience this annoyance on a regular basis. Sleep is disturbed, equanimity is eradicated, routines are interrupted, and sometimes relationships deteriorate. Yes, it’s true that hot flashes are a common side effect of menopause and perimenopause. However, it doesn’t mean that all women are doomed to suffer hopelessly and indefinitely. A return to equilibrium is possible, and Reiki is a gentle, yet powerful, technique for getting there.

Stress is a widely accepted trigger, and the relaxing effects of a Reiki treatment are a potent cure. I see the relaxation response as multifaceted. When our bodies are inundated with stress, muscles tense and circulation is impaired. Toxins accumulate in the tissues and over time all bodily systems function with less and less efficiency. Chronic stress also upsets the hormonal balance in a woman’s body as excess stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol run amok. Hormonal imbalance is another common trigger for hot flashes. Creating a relaxing environment and bathing the senses and nervous system in healing, soothing energy offers a much welcomed remedy.

A Reiki treatment can easily be tailored to target the liver (which cleanses the blood and helps to regulate hormones) so that it is more available to handle fluctuations in estrogen. Focus on the ovaries is also an important strategy. Traditional hand positions will cover these areas, and the practitioner may choose to linger there if guided to do so. Balancing the chakras is also helpful and serves to reduce excess heat in the system. I am often lead to stimulate the liver meridian acupressure points and the liver and ovary reflex points on the feet for added benefit. I’m amazed at the power of Reiki to clear blockages throughout the entire system.

Naturally it is important to follow a doctor’s advice when dealing with any health issue. Reducing caffeine, spicy foods, and alcohol intake are general recommendations for decreasing hot flashes, along with moderate exercise and cessation of smoking. Releasing addictions, cultivating well-being and overall health, and nurturing lifestyle changes can all be supported with divinely guided life- force energy that is channeled through a Reiki treatment. Obviously these changes take time and diligent effort. A series of sessions will most likely be needed to assist a client through these shifts and to maintain the delicate beginnings of new habits. My clients report that the relief they experience, the improved quality of sleep, the elimination of extreme irritability, and the freedom from symptoms is completely worth the investment. There really is non-invasive, side-effect free help available for hot flashes. You don’t have to suffer any longer. Allow your intuition to guide you to a practitioner and invite balance into your life today.

Reiki for Hot Flashes

I’ve never endured a hot flash personally, but many of my clients experience this annoyance on…
One of my dearest friends came to receive a Reiki treatment from me last week. This woman is one of the most empowered, self- motivated, passionate, and compassionate people I have ever met. Being in the same room with her is a cross between grandma’s baked cookies and sunbathing on a tropical beach. It’s just delicious. The fact that she enjoys and appreciates my work is the ultimate compliment.

We talked for quite some time before the hands-on portion of the treatment. I find that active listening and empathic connection beforehand amplifies the energy. She wanted clarity about changes in her life and also support to focus on solutions rather problems. I really enjoy helping people fine-tune their intentions to get the most from a session. Also, it really helps me decide on a loose treatment plan, which generally morphs into something else entirely, but I am always guided on how to begin based on each client’s words.

I was lead to do chakra balancing to enhance the connection between her being and the world at large. It is quite common for me to be guided to do this with my clients. No doubt I am influenced by my own fascination with the chakra system and my reverence for the potency of this work. As I reached the crown chakra, I noticed an intense resistance. I had never felt anything quite like this and it captured my attention immediately. Her other energy centers had responded to the Reiki with opening and acceptance. I was perplexed.

Then I remembered that my friend is agnostic. She is unsure of the presence of a divine being in this world. The crown chakra is the location where our connection to God originates. It makes perfect sense that her crown would react with suspicion (her word, not mine!) I immediately dropped this course of action. Clearly her spirit was not interested in having an open crown chakra and it certainly is not my place to override her wishes. I don’t actually think I could have won this battle if I had tried. Reiki can do no harm and must be willingly accepted. I do suspect that if I had continued, there would have been some dissonance, possibly even some kick-back. Not for her, but for me.

Once again, the wisdom of Reiki has impressed me. It is truly divinely guided life force energy. And it always knows exactly what each person needs.

You Can’t Force Connection

One of my dearest friends came to receive a Reiki treatment from me last week. This…
The other day I received a phone call from a man I had never met inquiring about the price of a 30 minute deep tissue massage. He had hurt his shoulder playing racquetball and wanted a session where the therapist “goes deep, real deep, even if it hurts.” In short, he wanted to know if I could “fix” him, in 30 minutes or less, and do it first thing in the morning so that it wouldn’t interfere with his plans for the day. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, I don’t believe that aggressive bodywork is effective. Once the nervous system perceives the potential for pain, the fight or flight reflex kicks in, and the muscles tense. Tense muscles are counter-productive to massage and essentially eliminate the possibility of any healing benefits.

The short answer, I told him, was: No. I cannot fix you. I explained that I didn’t know enough about his situation or physical condition to promise any specific results. I have repeatedly witnessed the power of bodywork to alleviate pain and support recovery from sports injuries. Softening the tissues allows increased circulation and relaxation, both of which are key to healing. Yet, this process takes time and a gentle approach, especially for deep work. I’ve found that most people are only beginning to relax at the 30 minute mark and that the real benefits of a session happen after that. I don’t offer a 30 minute massage, and certainly not a deep tissue one, because time and time again, I have observed that the body reacts protectively, thereby preventing the desired results.

Since this is obviously not the answer he wanted to hear, he did not book a session with me. I’ve come to realize over the years that I’m not a good match for all clients, especially the type A/ no pain, no gain folks, and it’s better for everyone if we figure this out up front. I have no doubts that he found another therapist to work with, and suspect that if anything, he is in more pain today. What I regret most is that I didn’t have the opportunity to explain that no one can “fix” anyone else. Massage facilitates healing when clients are ready and willing to allow it. Yet it is ultimately up to them to receive the healing benefits and integrate them into their daily lives. Posture, habits, repetitive motion, sports, and the myriad of activities in life that create imbalance or injury easily outweigh the hour spent on the table. I can help people feel better. 98% of my clients report improvement after a session. Yet once they walk out the door, the “fixing” is up to them.

Can You Fix Me?

The other day I received a phone call from a man I had never met inquiring…
For the past year, I’ve been experiencing chronic achiness and occasional pain underneath my left shoulder blade. I’ve tried a wide variety of treatments such as massage, Reiki, cranio-sacral, acupuncture, and chiropractic adjustments. I’ve practiced yoga nearly daily, and concentrated on releasing mental/emotional issues that no doubt contributed to the problem. Yet the discomfort persisted. As a bodyworker, I’m well versed in muscle anatomy and body mechanics. As a yogini of twenty years, I consider myself to have a fair amount of body awareness. This issue was both frustrating and humbling, as I judged myself for not being able to “fix” it. Also, it was beginning to cost me money in the form of lost revenue when I was too tired or achy to do a massage.

Yesterday I participated in a one hour posture clinic that was taught by a yoga teacher whose knowledge of alignment is spectacular. I was re-introduced to my estranged serratus anterior. This is not a well-known muscle as it is barely accessible from the outside. It is however, an important postural muscle and essentially attaches the scapula to the rib cage. The simple act of bringing my awareness to this neglected area of my body enabled me to create more balance in my torso and allowed my scapula to rest comfortably on my back. I enjoyed a wonderful bike ride home feeling like I fit together correctly once again.

Later in the day I noticed an enhanced ability to transmit healing Reiki energy to a client as I wasn’t distracted by discomfort in my body. My neck and thoracic spine self-adjusted while I was doing some gentle yoga before bed and I slept deeply and woke refreshed. I know that posture is a constant battle of awareness vs. gravity and bad habits, and that I have a lot of work ahead of me. Yet today I am delighted that my pain is diminished by 90% and I have a new tool to help myself. I am overjoyed to have yet another reminder that comfort is the reward of creating balance and that lasting change comes from the inside.

Shoulder Pain Vanquished

For the past year, I’ve been experiencing chronic achiness and occasional pain underneath my left shoulder…