TRE is one of my favorite stress relief modalities. I took an introductory class with Maria about 12 years ago and found it incredibly helpful. Lately I’ve been using it most days to help with chronic tension patterns that contribute to low back pain.
I enjoy her no-nonsense teaching style. She is very clear about what to do and why and her presence helps me to feel safe, even though we’re not in the same room. Not everyone can teach virtual classes well, but she has mastered this skill.
From her newsletter:
TRE (Tension & Trauma Release Exercise) is an innovative series of exercises that assist the body in releasing deep muscular patterns of stress, tension and trauma. Created by Dr. David Berceli, PhD, TRE safely activates a natural reflex mechanism of shaking or vibrating that releases muscular tension, calming down the nervous system. When this muscular shaking/vibrating mechanism is activated in a safe and controlled environment, the body is encouraged to return back to a state of balance.
TRE® is based on the fundamental idea, backed by recent research, that stress, tension and trauma is both psychological and physical. TRE®’s reflexive muscle vibrations generally feel pleasant and soothing. After doing TRE®, many people report feelings of peace and well-being.
This “tremor” response may seem weird at first, but it feels great to let my body shake from the inside out.
If you have chronic stress or pain or a history of unprocessed trauma, this might be a tool to support you on your healing journey.
TRE is one of my favorite stress relief modalities. I took an introductory class with Maria…
Seven is my lucky number. In honor of the seventh month, the seven chakras (as portrayed in several traditional systems), and the particularly potent full moon on the day I’m posting this, I’ve designed a new treatment.
It’s a remote Reiki session for cleansing, charging and balancing the energy centers.
I love Reiki because it is powerful, yet gentle, and never invasive. It always gives each client exactly what they need in that moment because it works with their bodies’ wisdom rather than attempting to impose some prescribed protocol.
By focusing in on chakra healing and removing the chatting element of a session, I’m able to offer this 40 minute treatment at only $77.
I recorded a six minute video to explain the how and why of remote Reiki for chakra healing. I could have gone on and on, but really tried to reel myself in to cover the basics. There’s a lot to be said about working with the energy centers and I’d much rather DO it than yammer on about it.
You’ll find buttons below for scheduling if it feels right for you.
Seven is my lucky number. In honor of the seventh month, the seven chakras (as portrayed…
Interested in giving yourself daily infusions of spiritually-guided life-force energy?
It’s so easy to learn!
Anyone can gain full-time, forever access to Reiki healing energy with minimum investment of time and money.
It’s the most affordable way I know to get consistent treatment for physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic issues.
Chronic pain, anxiety, depression, fatigue, digestive issues, fertility issues, sleep challenges, focus, creativity, peace, joy and freedom are some of the myriad goals it can be used for.
I know because I’ve done exactly that every day for 21 years. And IT’S WORKING!!
Reiki is an ancient healing technique that uses universal life-force energy to cultivate body-mind-spirit balance, stimulate the relaxation response, and relieve stress and tension.
It’s a seemingly magical reset that helps all systems come back online and integrate for maximum wellness.
I’m offering a Reiki 1 certification training, the starting point for those who want to learn how to treat themselves and their loved ones.
We begin on Thursday, October 17th at 6pm in my Mt. Airy (neighborhood of Philadelphia) studio.
This can be the beginning of a new phase in your life if you commit to blending Reiki into your life.
Interested in giving yourself daily infusions of spiritually-guided life-force energy? It’s so easy to learn! Anyone…
Join us beginning July 11th for this 4 week in-person training in Philly.
Reiki is an ancient technique for healing that utilizes universal life-force energy to stimulate physical, mental, emotional, spiritual and energetic wellness. It cultivates harmony, peace and vitality and removes blockages that stand in the way of experiencing the life you desire.
Best of all, it’s safe, simple and easy to use. Side effects include deeper sleep, reduced stress and pain, and being a kinder person.
Anyone can learn how to use Reiki. Yes, even you! There are no special skills or experience required.
It’s one of my greatest passions to introduce folks to this healing modality and to watch as they begin to transform right before my eyes.
We’ll meet on 4 Thursday evenings, 6-8pm. You’ll learn about what Reiki is, where it comes from, what it can be used for (almost EVERYTHING!) and how. We’ll practice giving ourselves and each other sessions and discuss how to adapt for your needs.
Join us beginning July 11th for this 4 week in-person training in Philly. Reiki is an…
There are many reasons you might have tight muscles. Many of them are worsened by stretching.
WHAT?
Yup.
When a muscle is habitually shortened, stretching can indeed help. If you just spent an hour lifting weights or jogging, i.e. contracting muscles to build strength, stretching them afterwards can help maintain range of motion. If you spend 12 hours every day sitting, your quads are probably chronically shortened and could benefit from daily stretching.
If a muscle is shortened through repetitive contraction or postural patterns, lengthening it will help recreate balance. Unless you go at it aggressively, in which case you will encounter the protective mechanism built into your soft tissue to prevent injury. If you override this, you will likely do harm. Best to stop just short of your edge, linger and attempt to soften.
So, mindful, gentle stretching can help some kinds of tight muscles.
But let’s look at other reasons a muscle might feel tight.
It could be overstretched. Imagine pulling a rubber band to its maximum length. It’s tight, right? Would stretching it release this tension?
No! It will make things worse. Overstretched muscles need slack to relieve tightness. The chronic tension you feel in the back of your neck and upper back? I can almost guarantee they are tired from holding your head up when it’s crept forward of your shoulders. These muscles are already at their limits.
A muscle will tense if any part of you senses danger. Think about getting punched in the gut. Did your belly muscles tighten defensively? Many of us have patterns of contracted muscles due to chronic stress and unresolved trauma. The result? Walking around unconsciously braced for potential attack- physical, emotional, verbal or psychic.
Trying to stretch these muscles is an act of war with yourself. They are holding on and you’re trying to pull them apart, which creates greater unease and sends a signal to the nervous system to tighten further.
Clench your hand into a fist. Everything feels tight, yeah? The solution is to send a signal to the muscles to let go. Trying to override messages from the nervous system that are trying to keep us safe causes more stress and… tension. Protective patterns are usually well-intentioned, but often unskillful, outdated and unnecessary.
Same goes for patterns of emotional protection. If you feel the need to guard your heart, your shoulders and chest might curve in defensively. These muscles will indeed feel tight but until the cause is addressed, any effects of stretching will be temporary at best.
It’s common for muscles to get recruited to protect an injury. If you have a micro tear in a tendon, stretching is going to aggravate it. After the injury is properly healed, stretching can help return to a balanced posture, but before then, those tight muscles are serving an important purpose.
Rather than systematically addressing all tightness with stretching, try something new. Something radical. Drop your awareness into the body, beneath the tightness. Sense what it needs. Is there anything you can soften with your attention and breath? What about shifting your alignment so that your skeleton is bearing more of your weight?
I wholeheartedly recommend moving the body through its full range of motion as a remedy for tightness that won’t worsen these issues. Some forms of yoga can do that- those that invite body awareness and deliberate alignment. Not so much the calisthenics varieties. Somatics is a form of movement reeducation that helps establish healthy patterns. I’m a huge fan of Gyrokinesis classes which do the same.
Addressing the sympathetic nervous system and chronic stress, however, is my number 1 recommendation. Deactivating the message that your brain sends to your muscles to tense will allow much of the tightness to simply melt away. The root cause is often not in the muscles but in the nervous system. The nervous system can be activated by our emotions or our memories and even just a hint of perceived danger can launch a full-on sympathetic response (fight, flight or freeze).
In my 20+ years of literal hands-on work of tight muscles, I can say without a doubt that most of it comes from stress and the nervous system. Many of my clients are trying to get relief by stretching and wonder why it’s not having any benefit. That’s because it isn’t the correct remedy most of the time.
It’s important to note that I’m not saying that stress needs to be eliminated. That’s simply not doable for most of us. Yes, definitely minimize the stressors that you can. AND find a way of managing the unavoidable ones.
It could be meditation, journaling, dancing, tai chi, qi gong, acupuncture, gardening, walking, or painting. Something that brings you joy and moves your body in a way that feels good.
Reiki and gentle massage are brilliant at activating the physiological remedy for stress as well as stimulating circulation and releasing tension. If you’re wanting some support on your journey, I’m here to help.
And in the meantime, if you’ve been stretching and stretching to no avail, give it a break. It’s possible that those muscles are already overstretched.
There are many reasons you might have tight muscles. Many of them are worsened by stretching.…
I get so frustrated when doctors diagnose arthritis and lead people to believe that there is nothing to be done about the pain they are experiencing. Gah!
True. There is no cure for arthritis. AND that doesn’t mean that it is a sentence to hopelessness and increasing discomfort.
We’re talking about inflammation of one or more joints. It can be quite unpleasant when left untreated. But don’t despair. It’s possible to manage inflammation and to create space in joints that might be jammed together because of tense muscles or imbalanced movement patterns.
(If you’re over 20, I can practically guarantee you have at least one imbalanced movement pattern; perhaps from an old injury that didn’t heal 100% or repetitive actions from a job or hobby.)
It’s possible to have arthritis and to minimize the resulting pain. I see it all the time and feel it in my own body. We can only benefit when reducing inflammation, tension and misalignment. Why not give it a try?
Reiki is an amazing holistic healing technique that utilizes spiritually-guided life-force energy to reduce stress and pain. Stress is a primary driver of inflammation. It stands to reason, and has been backed up by my 20+ years of experience, that minimizing stress can provide relief to inflammatory conditions.
Processing suppressed emotions is another result of this modality. Releasing anger and worry and grief that might be stored in the body blocking the energetic flow can help joint issues. And will help prevent us from tipping over into red zone where cortisol triggers more inflammation.
You know what doesn’t help joint issues? A diagnosis presented without hope of a remedy. It’s unclear to me why the medical establishment hasn’t grasped this fact yet. Despair feeds tension that puts greater strain on the joints.
Reducing stress and re-establishing a healthy flow of energy in the body can support the reduction of muscle tension. This encourages circulation, providing the muscles with fresh oxygen and removes cellular waste, reducing pain in the muscles which can trigger a cycle of clenching, pain, clenching and more pain. It also allows for more space in the joints.
Reiki can also support body awareness and increase access to inner wisdom, helping us to notice when we’re using poor body mechanics and guiding us to new patterns or even therapies, such as Somatics, Feldenkrais or Gyrokinesis that promote balanced, healthy movement patterns, or products that activate the body’s innate healing abilities.
It might take time to relearn how to sit, stand and move in alignment, meet with and metabolize feelings and trauma, manage stress and reduce inflammation. This is what holistic healing looks like: addressing the causes of imbalance rather than trying to eliminate the effects while carrying on with the offending behavior. It’s possible that these causes have been developing for decades; reversing this requires some patience and self-compassion.
But with some attention, effort and consistent Reiki support, there is hope of finding greater comfort and ease in the body and peace of mind.
To me, that seems like a much better option than doing nothing and bemoaning the doctor’s verdict.
I’d be delighted to work with you if you’re interested in pursuing Reiki treatment, or massage if you’re in the Philly area. If that’s not your thing, I’d encourage you to explore one of the movement therapies I listed above, an anti-inflammatory diet or some form of herbal or homeopathic support. Most importantly, know that there is hope, as hope is one of the greatest medicines available.
I get so frustrated when doctors diagnose arthritis and lead people to believe that there is…
I’m delighted to announce some in-person classes coming soon! Both will be held in my Mt. Airy (a neighborhood of Philadelphia) studio. Space is limited, registration is required.
Anyone can learn Reiki! You don’t need any special psychic skills or healing abilities. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never meditated or eaten kale, if you don’t practice yoga or wear crystal jewelry or baggy pants.
If you’re open to new ideas and want to actively participate in cultivating the optimal health and vitality available to you, this is your way in.
My passion is helping ordinary, busy folks find their own unique path on the healing journey. I endeavor to make energy healing as accessible and doable as possible. You can cultivate a daily routine if you enjoy structure and/or practice on the go if you prefer freedom and spontaneity.
During class, you’ll receive an attunement (the initiation provided by a Reiki Master) which will gently open your energy pathways and connect you to this healing energy.
Afterwards, you’ll be able to effortlessly tap into Reiki and direct it at will. Whenever you want! Lifetime access without any membership fees.
If you’re interested in learning how to use Reiki exclusively for your personal wellness, healing, empowerment and personal or spiritual development, Reiki for Self-Care will provide all that you need to get started.
If you’re interested in offering treatments to others or perhaps become a professional practitioner, Reiki 1 is your starting point. We cover everything in the Self-Care course plus how to give a session to friends, family and pets.
I’m delighted to announce some in-person classes coming soon! Both will be held in my Mt.…
2023 was a doozy of a year for me. Low back pain, which I had managed (mostly) successfully for decades, flared up, an old knee injury returned with vengeance, and I developed menopausal frozen shoulder.
It was A LOT.
As you might imagine, my daily life and mobility were severely impacted. What was surprising to me is that my go-to remedies were largely ineffective, and often exacerbated the pain.
Walking for more than 12 minutes became problematic. The one time I tested this limit, my low back and hip seized, leaving me on the sidewalk deep breathing for several minutes until I was able to slowly hobble back home. It was quite the humbling experience.
Even the gentlest yoga often triggered discomfort the next day. This frustrated me to no end- I didn’t ever do anything that hurt in the moment, but still experienced consequences afterwards.
I tried several other therapies with similar results.
And then I decided to just stop. I was going to rest and give my body time to heal. Over the course of the next six months, I was largely sedentary. As you might imagine, this wasn’t a terrific solution either. I began to lose range of motion EVERYWHERE.
Reiki kept me company through this challenging period. It provided the insight that this… episode was part of my soul’s journey. I became immersed in this revelation so much so that a new blog, A Soul’s Journey, emerged as a means to share my story.
Daily infusions of healing energy helped me to see the beliefs that were untenable and misaligned with my life purpose. I was blocking support (low back), resistant to stepping into the next phase of my life (knee) and carrying burdens that were not mine (shoulder).
I was hanging on to patterns and identities that prevented me from being fully present in each moment and clinging to coping mechanisms that ranged from outdated to destructive.
I learned a lot during this period, and I think that was the whole point. AND I still desired to be able to move more freely in addition pursuing this spiritual growth.
Somewhere along the way, my yearning for movement that wouldn’t trigger pain pointed me towards Gyrokinesis, a movement therapy I’d discovered when I lived in California. I looked for a local teacher in Philly and was unable to find an accessible, affordable solution.
I turned to the internet and found a teacher offering online classes. Skeptical that I would be able to follow the nuances of this technique via a screen, my desperation won out and I gave it a try.
Since you might not know, “The Gyrokinesis Method is a movement method that addresses the entire body, opening energy pathways, stimulating the nervous system, increasing range of motion, and creating functional strength through rhythmic, flowing movement sequences. This method coordinates movement, breath and mental focus.”
I was delighted that I enjoyed the classes and felt no pain afterwards. My mobility began to return and now I can actually turn around to back up the car safely. I’m noticing a difference in my feet, legs and pelvis when I stand and realized that I’m still carrying patterns leftover from a dismal experience with bilateral plantar fasciitis 12 years ago! The pain in my feet went away, but I was still clenching and holding tension in the same ways I did to walk when every step hurt.
I addition to recommending Gyrokinesis wholeheartedly, particularly for anyone dealing with chronic pain, I’d like to give Non a round of applause. She’s incredible! She has a vast understanding of anatomy and physiology, a clear and imaginative way of communicating the exercises while simultaneously demonstrating them. She does so graciously and gracefully without ever making me feel like a bull in a china shop and manages to position herself on camera so we can see what’s happening.
This is a skill set that is quite rare! Having knowledge and being able to share it clearly and compassionately is practically unheard of; doing it via Zoom is a mastery that should be shouted from the rooftops.
2023 was a doozy of a year for me. Low back pain, which I had managed…
The word is getting out about this amazing healing modality and lots of people are curious and eager. I mean, what’s not to like about an infusion of life-force energy that can be directed towards healing any malady or supporting any goal?
Chronic pain, anxiety, fatigue, procrastination; developing intuition, patience, compassion, motivation, productivity; releasing stress, anger, grief, resentment; healing old wounds, psoriasis, digestive issues. These are just some of the reasons people come to me.
Taking the first step towards experiencing Reiki can seem daunting to folks. Just like anything new, there might be some hesitance. Often clients come for their first session and say something along the lines of, “I’ve wanted to try this for years and now I finally am.”
If you have a friend, colleague or loved one who fits in this category, consider gifting them with a remote Reiki session. It’s the most wonderful treatment! Folks can stay at home with all their creature comforts. They don’t even have to get dressed or comb their hair or navigate to an unknown place in the rain.
Remote Reiki sessions begin with a phone call to discuss the goals of the session. I’m a compassionate listener and it’s pretty difficult to shock me with statements like: I know it sounds weird, but…
I’ve pretty much heard it all in my 20 years of practice!
So, a brief phone call with a kind person (that’s me!) to clarify the intention. No judgment, no advice, no trying to turn the spotlight back on myself. Many people find this short conversation to be as healing as the treatment itself.
Then we disconnect the call so I can focus on the energetic connection and applying Reiki towards the goals we discussed.
That’s it! There’s nothing that needs to be done other than a willingness to receive the energy. Some people like to light a candle or burn some incense, meditate or listen to soothing music. Others just carry on about their day.
IMO, it’s the simplest, most user-friendly introduction into a brand new world. A world in which the flow of life-force can enhance and support any desire that is in one’s best interest.
Now, if $100 (that’s the minimum as it’s the cost of a session and I think it’s uncool to give a gift that requires the recipient to shell out their own money) is more than you want to spend, there’s nifty feature on the site that allows you to share the cost with others. You’ll see the “Group Gift Card” option on the first page.
A screenshot of the webpage. There are a wide variety of themes to choose from.
And if you’re thinking, wow, that sounds great, I wish someone would gift me a Reiki treatment, now is the time to share this valuable information with your inner circle. You can take the pressure off someone trying to choose the right gift out of an endless sea of possibilities.
If you’ve already received a gift and want to schedule a session, you’ll just need to send me a message. You can have a look at the online calendar to see what’s available if you like, but sadly the system won’t let you schedule it yourself. No worries, I can handle it from my end quickly and easily.
Gifts are easily purchased online and you can even decide when the email notification goes out to recipient. Supply is limited: I only offer as many as I can absorb into my schedule in a timely fashion. I don’t want anyone having to wait for months to experience their gift.
Certificates can be used for any service I offer, including coaching, in-person Reiki and massage. If you’re outside the Philly area, you might like to share with your recipient that you’re gifting them a remote Reiki treatment to avoid any confusion.
Luminous Heart Reiki & Massage 