holistic healing

Lately, I’ve become increasingly aware of how my Reiki practice helps me align with my integrity. For the purposes of this article, I’m using the word “integrity” to indicate when my body, mind, and spirit are working together. Thoughts, feelings, sensations, circumstances, and goals are all taken into account and inform my decision making when I’m in integrity.

This requires honesty about where I am starting from, where I wish to go, and the resources I have at my disposal. I need to slog through layers of conditioning that tell me who I should be and what I should desire as well as the stories I tell myself about who I imagine myself to be. I need to have accurate coordinates to get accurate directions to my desired destination. If I wish I was in Phoenix, but really I’m in LA, and society tells me I ought to go to Seattle, but my heart chooses Buffalo, it’s pretty simple to see how my GPS could help or hinder me.

Today I’m feeling the need to get out of my apartment, where I’ve been holed up pretty consistently when not treating clients. I’ve had a series of long days and just want to go home after work. Yet… my soul needs time in nature. My normal plan is a hike in the nearby woods. However, I’m feeling pretty low energy, and not exactly up for a hike. My morning Reiki ritual helped me to understand that both these facts are important. It would be easy to neglect or override one or the other, but integrity requires me to consider both the need to be outside and to minimize exertion. Once I acknowledged this, it was easy to arrive at a solution to visit a neighborhood park and sit in the grass under a tree.

Of course not all compromises are as simple as this one, but Reiki always helps me find my way. If you’re interesting in learning how to get all aspects of yourself connected and collaborating, consider taking a Reiki class. It’s much more affordable than getting consistent treatments from a professional, and super-easy to learn. You can have healing energy at your fingertips wherever you are.

Using Reiki for Internal Integrity

Lately, I’ve become increasingly aware of how my Reiki practice helps me align with my integrity.…
I found this podcast to be extremely helpful! Dr. Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and Buddhist meditation teacher does such a fabulous job of weaving eastern and western tradition together. This collaborative endeavor with his son models healthy masculine relationships. And this particular episode about communicating what we want in ways that are more likely to be heard and receive a positive response really captivated me.

In my Reiki Master Teacher class, we’ve been exploring how to know what we really want, aside from familial, cultural, and media conditioning. Surprisingly it’s more complicated than it seems! Uncovering our true desires often takes some detective work. In the classes, we’re excavating authentic desires for the purpose of setting clear and effective intentions for Reiki application.

The next step, which is beyond the scope of my current classes, is to then bring our requests to those who can help us achieve our desires. In the podcasts, things such as shared housework and child raising are addressed, as well as issues within the workplace and groups of friends.

Having studied and practiced Marshall Rosenberg’s Non-violent Communications, I find this approach to be somewhat softer and more malleable. What it really comes down to is a heartfelt attempt at cooperation in which all parties get their needs met in ways that benefit everybody. Pretty radical considering the competitive narrative of “I win, you lose” or vice versa that runs rampant.

Check it out and let me know what you think!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/being-well-with-dr-rick-and-forrest-hanson/id1120885936?i=1000580642460

Effective Communication

I found this podcast to be extremely helpful! Dr. Rick Hanson, neuropsychologist and Buddhist meditation teacher…
Last night, an online search for postcards led me to Redbubble and I spent a bit of time exploring that rabbit hole. In case you’re later to the party than I am, here’s a blurb from their website:

“Awesome products designed by independent artists.” Love that!

This is postcard that really convinced me I was in the right place. So creative! And humorous! A friend and I often joke about Kermit’s song, “It’s not easy being green” given our goals to drink green juices (her) and smoothies (me) frequently. We’re both quite hermit-like. Let’s just say it tickled my funny bone.

I haven’t decided what item to have this image printed on. T-shirt? Hoodie? Tote bag? Mug? I’m leaning toward the spiral bound journal, but will give it some time to percolate.

Have a look at all the kooky, whimsical, silly, and gorgeous offerings and consider something out of the box for any upcoming gift purchases. It’s a great, easy, and affordable way to support artists. I have no affiliations to Redbubble or the Kermit Hermit artist. I just so appreciated the work I felt inspired to share and hope that some chuckles will be had.

Fun on Rebubble

Last night, an online search for postcards led me to Redbubble and I spent a bit…
I talk about self-care a lot. A LOT! It’s an important part of my wellness and healthy aging plans and my career. It’s become increasingly popular over the years and social media is full of prescriptions for all the things you should be doing (and buying!) to practice self-care.

I’m here to propose that “should” be removed entirely from the conversation. What if self-care practices aren’t something that you do because external experts have advised you to?

What if, instead, it’s a simple practice of checking in with yourself frequently? Asking yourself three simple questions (curtesy of Kristy Arbon’s Somatic Self-Compassion work) that can help you get in touch with your inner landscape and allow your decisions to emerge from there? How do I feel? What do I need? What can I do?

What if we learned to care for ourselves the same way we would a three-year old?

Are you hungry? Let’s have a snack. What would you like? Can we find a reasonable compromise that will satisfy desires without causing harm? Can we plan to keep some healthy and convenient options on hand for the future?

Tired? Can we take a minute to stretch or move or just close our eyes and regroup? Can we do some restorative yoga at lunch and cancel any non-essential plans this weekend to enjoy some downtime?

We wouldn’t give a child a list of 20 items that have been prescribed by a self-care guru as daily requirements! Let’s not impose such rigidity on ourselves in the name of wellness. Instead, might we choose to let go of the dogma and let self-care be a practice of caring for ourselves, our needs, our bodies, and our feelings with kindness and compassion?

A revolution like this just doesn’t happen spontaneously. We need to make it a priority. Make ourselves a priority. What if my feelings matter? What if my comfort matters? What if I actually matter? How would I approach my day?

Likely some forethought will be helpful. If I have an energy crash every day at 2:00 that compels me to reach for artificial energy, I could research ways to prevent the crash or healthier ways to navigate it. It is beneficial to tuck some tricks up your sleeve in advance. But rather than bending over backwards to do the tricks just for the sake of checking off a box, see what tricks are going to fulfill your current needs. Let the tricks work for you!

What if self-care is actually a lifestyle based on self-inquiry, self-acceptance and self-compassion rather than more tasks to perform? Let’s find out!

Redefining “Self-Care”

I talk about self-care a lot. A LOT! It’s an important part of my wellness and…
Reiki is My Business Manager

Nearly every week I get an email from an SEO provider who wants to propel my website to the top of all search engine results and quadruple my business. While they might have mad technical skills, it’s clear that they don’t know about Reiki.

Reiki is my SEO provider, my marketing advisor, and my schedule keeper. I use Reiki, frequently and with great delight, to energize my intention to fulfill my soul’s purpose while serving compatible clients who appreciate my gifts and are a pleasure to work with.

Yup. That last part is super important! Anyone who has ever worked in any service industry anywhere knows that one difficult client can be exhausting. There have been times when I’ve ignored my intuition and made special accommodations for someone who proved to be very challenging and regretted it deeply. I would have rather had the afternoon off, without pay, than endured a hassle that was much greater than the compensation.

I’m much more interested in the quality of results than the quantity.

If you know any human SEO providers who are also Reiki practitioners, understand the power of intention, and grok metaphysics, please send them my way! In the meantime, no, I am uninterested in having masses of random folks flocking to my website.

If you’re already practicing Reiki, here are a few tips for rocking your goals. This Reiki stuff really works, so take care with what you ask for!

Words like compatible, ease, grace, efficient, effortless, and enjoyable cover a lot of ground. You don’t need to spell out the details of what compatible or easy mean because Reiki is innately intelligent. It already knows. My definition of compatible is fluid, depending on various and variable circumstances, and Reiki can roll with that fluidity.

Also, I find it extremely helpful to focus on how I want to feel, and then get out of the way for how that feeling emerges. Fulfilled, connected, supported, appreciated, and respected are some choice words that can lead to amazing results.

Likely you’ll want to be well-compensated. I suggest tuning in to the desired result of paying your bills and having plenty extra for your extra-curriculars rather than pursuing x number of clients. This keeps the door open for generous tips, gifts, and other windfalls that are unforeseeable.

Once you’ve crafted your carefully worded intention, conjure up the feeling sense of that experience, and apply Reiki. I like to make art projects that visually represent my intentions and then Reiki the art. Sometimes I write it out in my journal and Reiki that. Other times, I simply place a hand on my heart, the other on my belly, and turn on the juice.

If you get recurring images of yourself as a dog groomer or living on top of a mountain writing poetry, it might be time to admit that the urges for a different lifestyle that you’ve been ignoring are demanding your attention. If you get flashes about a community health event or potential referral system, you’ll want to follow up. I often get breadcrumbs from the universe that lead me to new and unexpected business possibilities. It’s my job to do the legwork.

You can apply these same principles to maximizing your calendar or finding the right equipment or decor. Just like all other Reiki goals, it’s simply a matter of intention plus application, rinse, and repeat. It’s simple AND easy AND potent. Those words rarely go together in the same sentence!

Reiki is My Business Manager

Reiki is My Business Manager Nearly every week I get an email from an SEO provider…
The following is an excerpt from the handouts I provide in level 1 Reiki certification. I’m perpetually updating class notes to reflect the ongoing downloads and updates that inform my own understanding. If you’ve heard talk about Reiki and have been curious but hesitant to try the waters, this could help nudge you one way or the other.

“You’re in the right place if you’re interested in optimizing your wellness, uncovering your innate wholeness, finding and following your calling, soothing aches and pains, finding the well of peace and joy deep within, healing trauma, releasing limiting beliefs, spiritual awakening, or personal growth. Reiki can be used for all these goals by cultivating balance, removing blockages, and strengthening vitality.

“It is my intention to provide a basic understanding of what Reiki is and how we can use it to improve health, happiness, and productivity. I invite you to be curious about all the possibilities Reiki has to offer. Experiment when you feel guided to do so. There are NO limits! If you have an idea about how to use Reiki that I haven’t mentioned; try it! Reiki can do no harm.”

My next online beginners class runs on Thursday mornings in October, 10am-noon ET. There is still room for a few more compatible students to join us. I don’t have a formal application process. Just message me with a little bit of information about what you hope to get from this class and we’ll see if we’re a good match for each other.

Why Reiki??

The following is an excerpt from the handouts I provide in level 1 Reiki certification. I’m…
Over the years of teaching Reiki to lots of busy people, I’ve done my best to emphasize that it’s easy to make the practice fit, regardless of how crazy life may be. When engaging in self-care activities, it makes much more sense to me to find modalities that bend and flex to fit our needs rather than trying to stuff ourselves into some dogmatic box.

I’ve met many folks who abandoned their Reiki practices after being instructed to spend 30-60 minutes every day in self-treatment. Seriously, who has that luxury on a consistent basis? I do believe it is crucial to carve out time for ourselves and the activities that nourish us and I get that investing time in spiritual practice saves time in the long run. But let’s be realistic here! Many people are going to miss the myriad benefits of Reiki if they believe an hour is required every day.

My philosophy is that any application, no matter how brief, is better than no application at all. Just like saving $1 every day adds up over time, every drop of Reiki contributes to wellness. I advise students to take advantage of any 5- or 10-minute gaps in their days, of time spent waiting in line or on hold with customer service, and the moments before drifting off to sleep. It’s possible to turn on the flow of Reiki while you’re meditating, bathing, exercising, cooking, or even watching TV.

Last night in class, a student shared that her previously dedicated Reiki time had been usurped by stressful life events. As a result, she was grabbing precious moments here and there, whenever she could. She called it her Reiki Tic Tacs. Those Tic Tac breaks were keeping her going.

I just love the analogy! Sure, it’s wonderful to enjoy a Reiki feast from time to time and really drop in deeply and soak up the healing vibes. It’s great to have a consistent Reiki breakfast where I can start my day off with a boost of energy. And just like when I don’t have time for a proper meal, I can toss a handful of nuts in my mouth as I walk out the door, Reiki “snacks” will sustain me for several hours. Popping Tic Tacs, if that’s all that’s available, can help me get through a rough patch until I can nourish myself more thoroughly.

There are many ways to practice Reiki. Take advantage of any and every opportunity to give yourself a healing dose as frequently as you can. And when life conspires to give you a solid chunk of time, take advantage of that too. Find what works for you in each moment and adapt when you need to. At the end of the day, all those Reiki snacks will have accumulated and you’ll be that much closer to your goals.

Reiki “Snacks” for Chaotic Times

Over the years of teaching Reiki to lots of busy people, I’ve done my best to…
I really enjoyed these soothing sounds. So lovely!

Laura Bruno's Blog

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Tibetan Healing Sounds

Originally posted on Laura Bruno's Blog: https://www.youtube.com/embed/x6UITRjhijI
In the past month, I’ve had several inquiries from prospective clients wondering if I could activate their kundalini. I got the impression that they expected it to happen in a single session.

The short answer is no. A hard no. If your kundalini is not awakened, there is a reason for that: your system isn’t ready yet.

Reiki can be a tremendous support on this journey. Without a doubt. It can help open the energy pathways by addressing blockages caused by suppressed emotions, cultural conditioning, and limiting beliefs. It won’t, however, just blast through these blockages as they need to be integrated.

Reiki will not forcibly clear the way. I think it would be dangerous to even try.

Kundalini yoga is an ancient technology that uses mantra, mudra, and asana to invite kundalini to rise up through the chakras to the crown for healing and enlightenment. Yogis practice daily with devotion and mindfulness. I don’t believe there are any shortcuts.

I understand why folks are seeking a kundalini experience. I’ve had glimpses of the blissful sensations that such an activation delivers. I trust that when my system is ready to handle more, it will emerge organically. Until then, I keep up with my practice of clearing the way with Reiki and yoga. To do otherwise would be the equivalent of putting rocket fuel into a 1977 Ford Pinto. It’s more likely to explode than lift off into space.

It’s rare that I reply “no” to a “Can Reiki do x?” question. It simply won’t bring things to you that are not aligned with your highest good such as a psychotic break or nervous system overload.

As far as I can tell, the only way to awaken kundalini is the old-fashioned way. Practice.

In case you’re wondering, other services I do not offer are fortune telling, past-life readings, and exorcisms. I get occasional inquiries about these as well. They are not within the scope of my practice! Other Reiki practitioners may have trained in these fields and blend the services together, as I do with massage, but Reiki itself is simply the transference of divinely-guided life-force energy.

Reiki can flood your system with powerful, yet gentle, energy to relieve stress and pain, soothe anxiety and distress, and activate your body’s innate healing abilities. It can help you experience the best version of yourself available in this moment. If you’re interested in having such superpowers at your fingertips, I’m offering an online training next month. Get in touch and we’ll see if it’s a good match for you.

And if you’re a Reiki practitioner with different views on kundalini activation, I’d love to hear from you too!

Reiki and Kundalini

In the past month, I’ve had several inquiries from prospective clients wondering if I could activate…