self-care

Every day we are all faced with circumstances we have no control over. Changes in barometric pressure, hormones, and pollen are a few that come to mind because some people suffer terrific headaches as a result. Yet it is my belief that when our body/mind/spirit balance is maintained, we can minimize or even eliminate the effects of these seeming troublemakers.

When our life-force energy is flowing harmoniously, our chakras and glands are vitalized and toxins are easily disposed of. Our immunity is functioning in top-gear and we are distinctly less susceptible to outside forces. The closer to optimal balance we are at any given moment, the less likely we will be toppled off-balance by any outside force. This can also apply to someone cutting us off in traffic, excessive or unpleasant fragrances, behavior in a colleague that we judge as rude, or a late bus.

There are countless ways to achieve balance in our lives. Reiki and meditation are the easiest, quickest, and most accessible tools that I know of for inviting peace, harmony, and well-being to become our default zone. Vacations are delightful, but they come too infrequently and end to quickly. Therapy is helpful, but we are reliant on someone else to meet with us. Exercise is irreplaceable, yet sometimes inconvenient. Both Reiki and meditation can be utilized anywhere, anytime, without any preparation or outside assistance. Practicing these simple techniques can stack the deck in our favor and keep us ahead of the potential discomfort of unforeseen events.

Stacking the Deck

Every day we are all faced with circumstances we have no control over. Changes in barometric…
Reiki is a terrific tool for breaking the pattern of insomnia. It resets energy flow, calms the mind, and enables one to relax and welcome rest. I have discovered that it also has a restorative benefit even if one remains awake all night. I have come to accept that there are some nights I’m just not going to sleep, no matter what. It’s not uncommon for the energy of a full moon to keep me awake, or loud noises, or an uncomfortable bed. But I don’t need to suffer because of these circumstances.

This past weekend I found myself on an air mattress in the nursery of 11 month old twins. I volunteered to take care of my niece and nephew while my brother and his wife were out of town. I knew full well when I signed up that sleep was unlikely. First of all, one of them snores. Seriously! And whenever one stirs, there’s a mad rush to replace the pacifier before crying wakes the other up. Plus my neck was unhappy with my borrowed pillow.

Luckily I had the company of Reiki healing energy. Rather than tossing and turning and counting the hours of sleeplessness, I used this precious time for an extended and thorough Reiki self-treatment. Immediately my breath began to deepen and my tension evaporate. The mental suffering that often accompanies lying awake at night diminished and I gave thanks for this opportunity to give myself the gift of relaxation and contemplation. As I focused my attention of the warmth flowing from my hands I realized that while sleep is invaluable, the blessing of receiving hours of an overnight energy treatment offered even greater restorative powers.

Don’t get me wrong- I wouldn’t trade a good night’s sleep for Reiki on a regular basis. However, I did feel refreshed the next morning. There was no foggy sensation of stumbling about in pursuit of caffeine. I wasn’t irritable or impatient. A sense of deeper inner peace unfolded around me and supported me throughout the day. And when I finally made it home to my own bed, I enjoyed the deepest rest I’ve experienced in months. Caring for my own health in the midst of challenging situations is fantastically easy with the miracle of Reiki at my fingertips. I look forward to the day when it is considered a must-have tool for everybody.

Sleepless

Reiki is a terrific tool for breaking the pattern of insomnia. It resets energy flow, calms…
I sometimes struggle with my seeming inability to describe the powerful healing benefits of Reiki. Words seem such an inadequate way of expressing a cosmic force that offers the essence of divine love to anyone open to receiving it. Yet words are the most common method we humans have of communicating with one another. Rather than merely stating that Reiki provides healing on all levels (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, energetic) and expecting that those unfamiliar with the concept of energywork will understand, I’ve decided to delve into the specifics of what that actually looks and feels like.

I find it difficult to ask for help; especially when I need it. This is a bit of a problem as there’s no sense in asking when I don’t need it, although sometimes I can plan ahead when I know a challenge is coming. I’m referring to times when I’m experiencing emotional distress and wanting comforting support. Reaching out to someone when I’m feeling pain is almost unbearable because if they are unable or unwilling to provide it, the wounded part of me that is activated takes it personally and creates more suffering. Even when I’m successful at finding a willing friend to sit with me in my time of need, they sometimes are uncomfortable being present with pain, are unskilled at the art of deep listening, or are unable to resist the urge to “fix” me.

I don’t need fixing. I need a compassionate witness who hears and understands me and continues to love me, including the mistakes I may have made or the grief I may be experiencing. And of course, I want it instantly! This is where the beauty of Reiki for self-care comes in. As a practitioner of this amazing healing art, I have access to divinely guided life-force energy at my fingertips 24/7. Reiki is never busy or flakey or impatient. This soothing balm flows immediately to where it is most needed and suddenly it is easier to remember that I am a divinely guided spiritual being and everything I need has already been provided to me. Reiki helps me reset my thinking and release resistance to What Is and allows me to graciously extract myself from any false identity as a victim. From there, my clear thinking is restored and my heart is at ease.

The circumstances might remain unchanged, yet everything is different. Reiki keeps me from spiraling downward into despair, from lashing out at anyone else in pain, from turning to unhealthy substances or behaviors to distract or numb myself, and from creating more suffering. From the calm that emerges I am better able to respond lovingly if a response is called for, or to let go and move on if that is what’s appropriate. It is not a magic pill that makes my world a perfect place; rather a remedy that promotes inner peace and the ability to accept life as it unfolds and allows my higher self to hold the reigns. The greatest gift of all is that anyone can learn how to practice Reiki in a day or two, and have this incredibly powerful tool available at their own fingertips 24/7.

Reiki as a Lifeline

I sometimes struggle with my seeming inability to describe the powerful healing benefits of Reiki. Words…
Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love

What a wild ride the past six months have been for me! I moved from the mild climate of coastal California to the urban winter of Pennsylvania. I have no doubt that without the powerful tool of Reiki I would be an enormous emotional mess right now. Leaving behind beloved friends, sunrise walks along the ocean, and a blossoming private practice was extremely difficult. Sorting through belongings in order to decide what to pack and ship, give away, or donate was exhausting. Finding my way around the busy city of Philadelphia via public transit was stressful. Growing my business once again from the ground up and cultivating new relationships was indeed a labor of love, and quite time consuming. Building a new life from a completely blank slate requires a great deal of energy. The blessing of Reiki self-treatments have helped me remain sane during this whirlwind of change.

My health and peace of mind have been top priorities for the past two decades. I know that as an energyworker, taking good care of myself is a necessity to be of the highest service to my students and clients. It’s important for me to be vibrant and calm and able to remain fully present with others. Keeping my ki (AKA qi, chi, prana, life-force energy) flowing and my heart shining requires me to have healthful habits, pure thoughts, natural whole foods, lots of movement, creative expression, and a positive environment. Anyone who has ever moved across the street, let alone across the country, knows that without effort these things will not magically happen.

The beauty of Reiki is that it is super-easy and effective to treat oneself. In fact, it’s the most powerful tool I know for self-awareness, personal growth, and healing. And it is available to us practitioners wherever and whenever we want. Years ago I made the decision that I was worth the time and effort of a daily self-treatment, and I have not looked back since. Every night before I go to sleep I spend 10-20 minutes flowing this healing, nurturing energy to balance my body-mind-spirit and every morning I awaken feeling refreshed and ready for whatever the day will bring. The return on my investment is beyond priceless and the benefits are too numerous to count.

Transition

What a wild ride the past six months have been for me! I moved from the…
There is nothing like relocating across the country to test the limits of a good self-care routine! In a leap-of-faith, I have decided to move from the California coast to the metropolis of Philadelphia to be with my family, which now includes a niece and nephew- twin newborns. On paper, it is a completely ridiculous decision as I love my life here and have no idea where I will live or work or well… anything. Viewed from a soul level, however, I am following the calling of my heart, and trust that, as always, all my needs will be met.

Today marks the beginning of the 30 day countdown, and I find a bit of stress sneaking through the cracks. I consider myself to be a stress management expert; I have been practicing a wide variety of self-care and relaxation techniques for the past 20 years, and practicing bodywork and Reiki for eleven years. I believe that creating health, peace, and joy is an inside job and that I am the only one responsible for my well-being. Yet as my to-do list increases, I have started to get sloppy and I am already feeling the difference in my body as well as in my mind. If ever there was a time to be 100% healthy and calm and full of vitality, it is now. So I’m going back to the basics and recommitting to myself.

I think we all know the importance of quality sleep, nutrition, movement, and mindfulness. Finding the time to pursue these virtues seems to be an issue for many of us. I’ve decided that now more than ever, these are my top priorities. I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night feeling anxious. Not acceptable! So tonight I am implementing a pre-sleep ritual of unwinding and perhaps some herbal tea to enhance rest. Ten minutes will most likely do the trick. I have been eating out more often lately, thinking it’s saving time. I’m not happy with the quality of food, however, and know how important it is to put only the purest ingredients into my body temple. I’ve realized that preparing simple, fresh, mostly raw meals (green smoothies with hemp seeds, salads, celery with almond butter, sour kraut, bliss balls (homemade nut/date/coconut treats!) are all super quick to make and energizing. I like to go for a walk along the coast at sunrise, which soothes my soul and invigorates my body, but haven’t found the time to make it to yoga class lately. This is unlikely to change, so I am committing to a daily home practice. I know even that short amount of time will do wonders for me on so many levels. My meditation practice has never wavered as I am clear that without it I am a complete mess. 15 minutes each morning sets me up for a much easier day.

As a massage therapist and Reiki practitioner and teacher, I value the healing arts immensely. I teach my students the benefits of daily self-treatment as well as the importance of receiving sessions. Lately it’s been easy for me to cut my Reiki self-care short because I am so concerned about the things I need to do. This was a big clue that I was way off track! All the things I need to do go way more easily after I’ve soaked myself in healing energy. 15-20 minutes before I get out of bed makes all the difference in the world. I have recommitted to this priority. I have also schedule myself to receive a treatment (either Reiki or bodywork) each week. I simply must find colleagues as soon as I arrive in my new home to continue this practice.

So with an investment of about 90 minutes each day, plus an extra 90 minutes once per week, I’m going to be in tiptop shape for my transition. This might seem like a lot of time to many people. I say, let’s consider the alternatives: fatigue, back pain, headaches, digestive upset, anxiety, lack of focus, and melancholy. Overall that makes me less productive and certainly less joyful and probably eats up way more time. I need to be functioning at peak performance and that means a commitment to my well-being in the form of self-care. I can think of no greater lesson to share with the babies I am moving heaven and earth to be with either. Stress happens, it’s up to each of us how we manage it.

Advanced Stress Management

There is nothing like relocating across the country to test the limits of a good self-care…
Since I’ve been dwelling in the realm of energetic healing, I’ve become fascinated by how my health continues to improve. I used to consider myself to be healthy because I didn’t suffer from any major diseases. As my vitality has grown over the years by treating myself with Reiki and strengthening my life-force energy, I’ve come to realize that there is much more to being well than merely the absence of disease. I’ve come to experience ever increasing levels of radiance, joy, and wellness that inspire me to continue along this path of self-discovery.

It has since occurred to me that many of us are unaware of the potential we possess for spectacular well-being. It is my goal to initiate as many people as possible into the healing art of Reiki. This goal is based on the belief that we all contain the capacity to create the balance necessary for health to flourish from within. Reiki can help guide us along the way by strengthening our connection to the divine, opening us up to receive intuitive messages, and immersing us in the flow of spiritually guided life-force energy.

I have witnessed over and over again the incredible results of self-care and spiritual growth. Abundant vitality can be triggered with the simple practice of Reiki self-treatments. Do you suffer from common ailments that make your life less than perfect such as achy muscles, stiff joints, frequent headaches or colds? Do you awaken feeling fatigued and dreading the day ahead? Do you yearn for freedom from food cravings and indigestion or mood swings and inexplicable irritability? Can you imagine relief from constant anxiety, worry, or downright fear about your future? Do you want to love your life rather than simply surviving it?

Taking a Reiki class gives you the tools you need to promote your own wellness. These changes occur gradually through implementing lifestyle shifts that support physical/mental/emotional/spiritual balance. I know of no greater technique for fostering this process than accepting the simple and powerful gift of Reiki. Find a teacher near you and begin the journey to sheer radiance today. Information on my upcoming classes may be found on my website. Commit to this journey and watch as miracles unfold along the way..

Radiant is the New Healthy

Since I’ve been dwelling in the realm of energetic healing, I’ve become fascinated by how my…
Today my client told me that earlier she had been sitting at her computer when her back started aching. The work she was doing was important, but not urgent, so she got up and did some stretching rather than powering through. If we had not been 15 minutes into a massage, I would’ve started turning cartwheels! I was so happy to hear that she was beginning to tune in and listen to her body’s messages.

As a bodyworker it is a huge goal of mine to promote self-care. Yes, I love helping people release pain and stress, but the work I do is way more effective when it’s backed up with mindfulness and lifestyle shifts. There’s only so much I can do in an hour to help someone who abuses his or her body for 40 or 60 or 80 hours in between sessions. I think of myself as an eraser: I can help give someone a clean slate, but it’s ultimately up to them what gets scribbled on it when they leave my care. It is a true joy to watch someone take responsibility for their own well-being. Our bodies give us the clues we need to thrive physically; we just need to listen.

Ding, Ding, Ding; We Have a Winner!

Today my client told me that earlier she had been sitting at her computer when her…
My clients often tell me how much their pain medication is helping them. As gently as possible, I do my best to clarify that most pain killers are doing just that- killing the pain. They help us to feel less discomfort, but that is not at all the same thing as healing. In fact, in my eyes, it’s often counterproductive to healing, because it gives us a false sense of well-being and allows us to overlook the message the pain was meant to deliver. Shooting the messenger does not cancel out the message.

That’s right; I see pain as a messenger. It often brings a statement from the higher self. Sometimes pain indicates an imbalance either in the body or psyche. It is a clue that something is out of whack and needs to be addressed in order for vitality and complete health to emerge. Pain can also be a signal that a lifestyle change is in order or that a repetitive movement needs to be altered. It is sometimes the only way to convince a person to slow down and rest.

The body is asking for attention when this unwelcome messenger arrives. The one thing I know for certain is that the message is not “I need more ibuprofen”. I’m certainly not suggesting that people suffer through their injuries without pharmaceutical assistance. There absolutely is a place in healing for pain relief. It is my hope, however, that people will consider after taking the pill that a symptom still needs to be addressed. Don’t ignore the cry for help merely because the pain has been dulled. Dig deeper for the source of the pain and take steps to regain balance. Your long term well-being depends on it.

The Unwelcome Messenger

My clients often tell me how much their pain medication is helping them. As gently as…
This morning a lady arrived for her weekly massage and announced, “Time for my meltdown!” I was surprised at first, because generally speaking a meltdown is a traumatic and dramatic event. Then it hit me- she was referring to the feeling of melting from the inside out. I couldn’t help but to smile at this beautiful concept. Meltdown = rubdown + enhanced inner peace. What a lovely way to describe the work I enjoy doing!

Yesterday, I gave a Reiki/massage combo to a sweet young lady who was having a stressful day. I started off with some balancing Reiki to move any stuck energy out of her mind and body, and could feel her sink deeply into the treatment. Afterwards she told me that she had been worried about having a breakdown on the table. While this is not uncommon during bodywork as emotions often get stirred up and pushed to the surface for release, it is often uncomfortable for clients who are shy about expressing heavy emotions or crying in front of others. She confided in me that instead of a breakdown, she had been able to release all the gunk she had been holding onto without the tears or upset. She instead had a meltdown!

When it comes to stress, the psyche runs the show, but the body pays the price. We get worn down by incessantly thinking that there’s never enough time to do what we need to do, that we’re running in place, that we always need to be on guard. These feelings weaken our energy flow, making our immune systems vulnerable, and creating an opening for illness. Gentle, nurturing touch and energy healing helps people let go of the thoughts and emotions that are the true source of most of the discomfort and pain in the body. Creating a safe, compassionate space for people to relax and restore is a surefire way to enhance health and well-being. How lucky am I that I get to be a facilitator of this beautiful process!?!?

Time for My Meltdown

This morning a lady arrived for her weekly massage and announced, “Time for my meltdown!” I…