For those who have already received Reiki 1 certification and wish to further their studies, I’m pleased to announce my next training.
First of all, why might you want to do this?
So many reasons!
Many people are quite content with the basic level 1 training and have no wish to go beyond the first class. You know who you are and I salute your Knowing. Carry on with what you’re already doing because it’s working for you.
Others want to offer treatments professionally. For this, I suggest this intermediate training.
Others have no interest in doing sessions for a living, but would like to share healing with people who live elsewhere. And for this, the level 2 symbols will be the bridge between your location and that of your intended recipients.
Still others are wanting to bend time and work their magic to heal wounds of the past, inherited belief systems, childhood programming, outdated coping mechanisms, and survival strategies that no longer serve their best interests. And for you, my courageous friends, this is the training that will give you more tools to go there.
And for those interested in ancestral and past-life healing, get yourself connected to these deeper and wider frequencies to do this important work.
If all of that seems like it’s too much trouble, this is also the training I recommend for anyone who wants to be a transmitter of harmonious, healing energy wherever you go. And I can wholeheartedly declare that the world could use more of this right now!
If you’re interested in learning more about this in-person, 5-week series of workshops priced at $444, you’ll find details here. We begin on September 16 in Philly.
For those who have already received Reiki 1 certification and wish to further their studies, I’m…
I find these birds to be utterly mesmerizing. Ok, sure, I’m a total nature nerd and appreciate most of the creatures in the wild. The swimmers, crawlers, fliers, and four-legged furballs are all celebrated in my eyes.
(I’m even trying to accept the possum that I occasionally see in my backyard despite feeling a Very Strong Aversion to this bizarre critter. I mean, what’s with the spiky hair? The snout? The TAIL?)
But the heron is one of my favorites.
I admire how they stand so still and alert in the creek, waiting, almost regally, for the fish to come to them.
It’s easy to think: be like the heron! Just hang out by the water all day and dinner will be delivered.
But what we must remember is that they first go to where the fish are and then they watch, patiently and diligently.
They don’t just wish for a meal. Nope. They show up at the right place and the right time, completely available to seize it when it arrives. They give the water their full attention, poised to capture the object of their desire.
They don’t sit in the nest dreaming of a tasty fish. They don’t loiter, all distracted, gossiping like the geese seem to do. They aren’t zipping around, constantly seeking a better vantage point.
Instead they demonstrate a beautiful combination of desire + presence + attention + prompt action.
I think we can all learn from this!
It’s not the typical new age spiel of believing your way to what you want or the conventional hustle culture. It’s a mix of longing, instinct and effort.
I, for one, am very interested in being more like the heron and putting myself in the right place at the right time prepared to claim my bounty.
I find these birds to be utterly mesmerizing. Ok, sure, I’m a total nature nerd and…
If you’ve ever been online, even once in the past decade, you are probably aware that chronic stress has a negative impact on health. The kind of stress that runs quietly in the background as you go about your days has been linked with inflammation and many of the diseases we all hope to avoid.
Managing it does not mean creating some sort of fairytale life in which you never again experience a stressful situation.
Nope. It means you handle it, to the best of your ability, rather than letting it take up permanent residence in your body or psyche.
Easier said than done, I know.
But I have first-hand experience and front row seats to the very real benefits of making the effort. Things like headaches, muscle tension, indigestion, and sleeplessness can fade away. Reliance on emotional support donuts diminishes. Clenched jaws release and teeth are no longer ground to dust overnight.
These things might not be as important as reducing the chances of major maladies, but are much more tangible in real time and greatly affect one’s quality of life.
Clients who come consistently for treatment often reach a point where they aren’t coming to address specific problems any more, but to continue feeling pretty darn good and maintain their resilience.
Their reports come with amusing details. The quirky issues that no longer present troubles or the quirky fun they get up to once the troubles no longer take center stage.
Today I got the best report ever. This, coming from a doctor who was on-call overnight all last week, still handling daytime clinical work plus extra admin work because of staff shortages, and a wife and mother. She was stretched pretty thin, and a bit worn out, but not overly stressed or tense. The icing on the cake? Her words: I didn’t even swear at anybody all week.
Don’t pretend you can’t relate! 🤣
(Side note: There are lots of folks saying that what we really need is an infrastructure upgrade so that we have fewer stressors. Yeah, sure, that’s ideal. In the meantime, since that probably isn’t happening today, I prefer to roll up my sleeves and take the action that is available to me.)
Managing stress isn’t about gaining moral superiority or bragging on Instagram. It’s about making your life more enjoyable, your body more comfortable, your emotional reactivity less explosive, your creativity and pleasure more accessible, your people less sweared-at.
Monthly Reiki-infused Swedish-ish massages aren’t for everyone. But that doesn’t mean you give up and do nothing. A few deep breaths, practiced throughout the day can make an impact and not cost a penny.
There are tons of ways you can actively participate in handling the stress that life inevitably delivers. Pick the one that appeals the most or is easiest and get started today. Insight Timer has a gazillion guided practices, many of them available for free.
If Reiki or Reiki-infused Swedish-ish massage appeals to you, that’s what I’m here for!
If you’ve ever been online, even once in the past decade, you are probably aware that…
My friend, you are a complex being. You have history that is still alive in your cells, emotions stored in your chakras, coping mechanisms that were helpful when you were younger but have since become outdated. Any of these are good reasons to get a Reiki session and begin to move forward in the direction you desire.
Simply acknowledging the obstacles you face can be overwhelming. Taking steps to face them is courageous, revolutionary even, in a society that is heavily invested in selling you stuff that you don’t need in order to avoid old wounds. When you show up for your appointment, it’s very possible you’ll be feeling vulnerable, anxious, nervous, excited, hopeful, or skeptical. Maybe even all of that, all at once! And still you show up.
That’s amazing.
You’re amazing.
You might not be at your best. Not your most forthright at communicating your needs. Not the most level-headed or open to trying something new. That is perfectly normal.
And I welcome it all.
You do not need to perform okay-ness in the Reiki room. You can be a hot mess here. It will not offend me. It will not upset me or cause me to think less of you.
And you need not apologize for any of it. In fact, please don’t. Apologizing for being human is not necessary when you come for a session.
I always have a backup box of tissues in my studio because tears often come to the surface when healing work is happening. They might be tears of release; oftentimes though it’s grief. Grief that you were unable to face before for any number of reasons. Grief that senses an opportunity to finally be met and eventually integrated.
That grief is welcome here.
You need not apologize for it or the tears that follow.
You can apologize if you forget your appointment and keep me waiting, or if you step on my foot when you arrive. Once a client head-butted me when turning over on the table. That was an apology that was actually merited. In the 23 years I’ve been practicing, those are the only “sorries” I’ve accepted. And I’ve witnessed all sorts of emotional distress, distracted and unfocused thinking, and frazzled nerves.
You need not show up for your healing appointment as if you are already healed. And you definitely need not apologize for the pain you carry. There is no reason to try to take care of me in this situation; it’s my job and my honor to be there, witnessing all the feelings. I can handle it.
My friend, you are a complex being. You have history that is still alive in your…
Today’s post was inspired by a country song.
That’s not a sentence I ever expected to type! I’m not a country music fan, but I sometimes find the lyrics to be creative, colorful, and utterly relatable.
This song was about attempting to drown sorrows, but failing as they (the sorrows) had learned to swim.
We can safely assume that “drowning sorrows” in this context involves a large amount of whiskey.
But that doesn’t really work, does it? It can help you avoid a problem for a short amount of time, but often stirs up entirely new problems, such as a hangover or the consequences of decisions made while inebriated.
Believe me, I fully understand the impulse to escape the uncomfortable feelings. I’m well versed in a wide variety of strategies for doing exactly that. The reason I have so much experience is because it never works, so you have to keep the distractions coming, like a never-ending parade.
I wonder how many sorrows I’ve caused for myself in the pursuit of escaping sorrows. How many layers of suffering did I create for myself in these misguided attempts to avoid pain? I think it’s safe to assume that I’ve more than doubled my struggles in the name of “feeling better”. But it wasn’t better that I was feeling- it was just a temporary numbing.
Let’s just assume that all sorrows can swim. There is no drowning them. Not with whiskey or wine, shopping or scrolling, cookies or ice cream.
Rather than wasting precious life-force to avoid experiencing the full spectrum of emotions, what if we turned to face them?
It requires some courage and moxie to do so. Having some support such as a kind friend, spiritual advisor, or practical tool to help you stay present and grounded can make all the difference.
Reiki is one such tool. Not the only one, just the one I’m most familiar with as I’ve used it daily for the past 23 years. It helps with emotional and nervous system regulation by fostering a sense of peace and calm within. It neutralizes my urge to run away when things get tough and allows me to stay connected with my higher self. It builds harmony, clarity and balance so that I’m better able to meet the sorrows when they appear, but don’t get stuck wallowing in them.
Reiki helps me to be with grief, anger, upset and disappointment as well as joy and peace (which can be equally as uncomfortable if they’re unfamiliar).
These days I experience emotions like clouds in the sky. They come and go, but do not define me. Some days are stormy, some cloudy, some sunny. If I don’t like the weather, I can just wait a few minutes and it will change naturally.
Wherever you are in the world and on your healing journey, I’m willing to bet that Reiki can help you face your sorrows if you’re ready to try something new.
This is a judgment-free zone. I work with people with all sorts of issues, big and small, mystical and mundane, common and bizarre. I’ve yet to meet an emotion that Reiki couldn’t help metabolize when the recipient was truly willing to meet it.
Today is a great day to take a step towards wholeness by reclaiming all the life-force that has been invested in avoiding feelings. Get yourself some Reiki or join a training so you can learn to give yourself daily treatments.
There’s no need to drown sorrows when you can instead become adept at sitting with them and watching as they gradually lose intensity.
The side effects of Reiki treatment are feeling relaxed, at ease, at one with self and purpose, patient, compassionate, and joy-full. You already know the side-effects of several escapism strategies that are doomed to fail.
Those sorrows are not going to drown, no matter how much alcohol you use. Let’s stop this madness and try a holistic approach that cultivates wellness instead of headaches and regrets.
Today’s post was inspired by a country song. That’s not a sentence I ever expected to…
We’re gearing up over here for the next level 1 training. YAY!
Reiki 1 is the beginning point for anyone, yes I do mean anyone, who wants to gain access to the healing energies of Reiki.
There are no special skills required, no magical powers, no experience in the healing or mystical arts.
Reiki is a natural energy and a Master Teacher performs an attunement ritual that opens a student’s capacity to connect to this energy.
It’s as simple as that. Reiki itself does the work of opening energy channels. Never has it failed. Anyonecan do Reiki once attuned.
It’s perhaps my all-time favorite thing, watching folks go from ordinary person to Reiki practitioner in the course of an evening. We spend the rest of the classes discussing the foundational topics such as where it comes from, what can and cannot be treated, and how to use it. But it’s the attunement that initiates.
Reiki, when applied consistently and intentionally, can shift even the most stuck issues. It’s an amazing remedy for stress and pain relief, anxiety, overwhelm, fatigue, and digestive issues. It can be used to support personal growth and spiritual connection, healthy relationships and free-flowing abundance, address old wounds and outdated coping mechanisms.
If you’re interested in learning how to connect with this spiritually-guided life-force energy, or if you want a jumpstart for your lapsed practice, we begin on May 7.
That’s me with messy hair and a crooked smile. I’m just a regular person who has devoted her life to being a transmission of healing energy. You could too!
We’re gearing up over here for the next level 1 training. YAY! Reiki 1 is the…
This is a very common question from new clients. They really notice the warmth that seeps from my hands during a session.
Short answer? It’s Reiki. Or, more accurately, how many people sense Reiki, a natural healing energy.
I think it’s important to make the distinction because not everyone experiences it this way. Most of us are not (yet) adept at noticing the subtle energies, and some don’t feel anything at all.
That doesn’t mean that nothing is happening- just that’s it’s beneath their sensory capacity. Kinda like how a dog whistle can’t be heard by human ears.
There’s a story about Mrs. Takata, the woman credited with bringing Reiki to the US in the 1940’s, that might amuse. When she began receiving treatments, she supposedly accused the practitioners of having some hidden heating device!
Nope. No tricks up my sleeve.
If you’re not feeling any sensations during a session, don’t worry. You don’t need to feel it; it’s definitely working. You don’t feel prebiotics when you eat them, but the benefits accumulate nonetheless.
Hot hands are a nifty side-effect for sure and I definitely appreciate them in the winter and when menstrual cramps appear, but they aren’t nearly as wonderful as being immersed in healing life-force energy. And that’s what Reiki brings, even if you can’t feel the heat.
This is a very common question from new clients. They really notice the warmth that seeps…
It’s easy to think that we’re all at the mercy of invading microbes, but it isn’t that simple. There are so many factors that influence our body’s capacity to defend itself against disease.
Some of the factors fall under our personal influence. And this is where our power lies.
True, I cannot completely control my environment and circumstances, although this doesn’t prevent me from doing my best. Just because I can’t achieve 100% success doesn’t mean I sit on my hands and do nothing.
My definition of empowerment is doing everything that I am able to cultivate the life I desire. If I want optimal health, I’m going to address every factor that is within my power.
While the chaos happening in the world is beyond my scope of influence, I do have a fair amount of sway over how it lands in me. I can’t escape stress entirely (although I take a good stab at minimizing it as best I can!), I am all about metabolizing it so it doesn’t leave me in a state of chronic fight or flight.
Not only is that uncomfortable given the resulting tension and anxiety, but living in survival mode drains the body’s resources, rerouting energy that would otherwise be used to keep ourselves healthy.
Sure, there are supplements you can take to boost the immune system. If you’re forever in super-stressed-out mode, though, your digestion and assimilation is impaired and you won’t be able to absorb them and they won’t be particularly effective.
There are tons of ways to address chronic stress. My favorites are spending time in nature, bouncing on the rebounder, laughing, meditation, tai chi, mantra, and Reiki. These practices all soothe my nerves and help me to move the energy so it doesn’t get stuck in my system.
So before you go spending a small fortune on vitamin C and such, find a way to release the tension held in your body and cultivate an internal sense of peace and safety so your nervous system can relax.
If you’d like some support, I’ve created a remote Reiki treatment exactly for this.
It’s easy to think that we’re all at the mercy of invading microbes, but it isn’t…
The school year has already begun here in Philly. And summer is definitely winding up.
While these things aren’t a surprise, many of us can use some support transitioning from one season to another to maximize wellness.
With the cooler temperatures and shortening days, our bodies are challenged to find a new equilibrium.
For those of us who are students, teachers or work for the school system, or have one of these in their lives, there can often be extra stress as new routines are implemented.
Add to that the germ factories that pop up when kids gather together, it’s a common time of year for illness to thrive.
Just because a bug is going around doesn’t mean you need to catch it!
It’s the perfect time to make yourself inhospitable to all unwelcome guests, bacteria and viruses included.
I’m launching a campaign of unavailability for invading microbes by offering an immune boosting remote Reiki special.
I’ve made this is as accessible as possible so you can get a hefty dose of life-force energy and give your body a jumpstart to face whatever cooties lurk around the corner.
This is a 40 minute remote Reiki session focused specifically on your immune system for only $77. I’ve trimmed down the duration by eliminating the pre-session phone call to save you some cash. And since you needn’t go anywhere for the appointment, it’s super easy to receive the healing energy with minimal effort.
There are countless ways to boost your immune system. Resting at home while at getting an infusion of stress-reducing, immune boosting Reiki might just be the simplest, most effective and most enjoyable.
Luminous Heart Reiki & Massage 