Reiki

This post is a little different than my previous blogs. I obviously believe in western medicine as a nurse practitioner, but I also believe in the power of energy. That being said, I appreciate diversity and inclusivity. So no matter what I believe or feel or think, I welcome you and always offer a safe, judgment-free place for healing.

If you know me, you know I love all things spiritual. I believe that what's important is that you believe in something. My spiritual journey really started when I was a teenager/young adult. My best friend worked at a bookstore so of course I would go hang out in the mall all the time to see my friend. I started reading quite a bit as I was surrounded by books! I was drawn to a book about spirituality and incarnation. I eventually read a book by Sylvia Brown and was hooked! I bought and read all of her books.

I think I was drawn to this topic as I was struggling with some depression and a major life decision at that time. I began to learn techniques to help clear my mind and help me find some clarity. I started to meditate and tune into my third eye. Soon, I started to get answers and direction. The big decision was, "do I relocate with my parents to Kansas or stay in New York all alone?" And through all of the techniques, I finally had my answer, I was going to say in NY!

Then the best thing ever happened, Sylivia Brown came to NYC to host a seminar. I was (and sometimes still am) a terribly shy person. But there was no way I was missing her. I bought a ticket and ventured into the big city all by myself! AND SHE CALLED MY WRISTBAND NUMBER TO LET ME ASK HER A QUESTION! I asked "I have recently made a big life decision, did I make the right choice?" She replied, "Do you mean your family moving and you staying?"

I was blown away! Fast forward to almost 20 years later. I found myself in a lot of physical pain. I didn't know what was going on. Then one day I decided to go for a massage. But I didn't want to go to my normal go to spots. I went looking for recommendations in a local FB group and one of the places I found really stood out to me for some reason. I made an appt online for a basic massage. Reiki was an option, but I had no idea what that was. I went for my massage and I left feeling like a new person. But it wasn't like previous massages, it was different. It wasn't just working my muscles. It almost felt like we were meditating together if that makes sense. I started going monthly, something I NEVER do, and over time, I asked what reiki was.

"Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by 'laying on hands' and is based on the idea that an unseen 'life force energy' flows through us and is what causes us to be alive"- Reiki.org

I used to have chronic headaches, neck pain and back pain. I don't have any of that anymore. I never had any injuries that would cause such pain, minus being a nurse and all that can do to your body :) . I think I just internalized so much anxiety and stress, my body did not know what to do with it anymore.

I want to spread awareness about Reiki because I think it can be used in conjunction with Western medicine to achieve better health. So many people invest so much time and money and energy to help them feel better, why not try energy work? What do you have to lose? If you get a reiki massage and you don't feel the difference, you still got a massage! If it works, well then you may just get hooked like I did!