I appreciate that Reiki Master Pamela Miles took the time to put together this thoughtful guide, Recipe for Reiki Credibility,  to assist someone who may be new to Reiki and aid in the process of determining whether or not a particular practitioner is a good fit – either for facilitating sessions or for teaching classes.  Ms. Miles herself is a very credible source, having pioneered the use of Reiki in conventional medicine as well as authored the book, Reiki: A Comprehensive Guide, which is an indispensable guidebook for Reiki practice and application. 

What I liked about the questions Ms. Miles lays out for us is that there is a good balance between the Reiki practitioner’s commitment to practice, their ability explain in layman’s terms what Reiki is (differentiating between the spiritual and practical aspects), what its benefits are, as well as the amount of experience a practitioner has gained by working on others.  These are the questions I asked when I sought out a Reiki teacher for my classes, and is also the criteria by which I hold myself accountable. 

The only things I would add to her list is to ask if the Reiki practitioner/teacher is still committed to learning and supporting others.  Receiving the certification is only the beginning of the journey.  A qualified Reiki practitioner will not only seek to deepen their spiritual understanding and practice, but are also likely to want to learn more about traditional and complementary medicine, biology, psychology and a bit of physics.  A Reiki teacher should not just seek to teach classes with the intent of making money or establishing themselves as an “authority.”  They should be committed to providing guidance and support for both their students and other Reiki practitioners who may have questions, either informally (telephone, email) or by holding Reiki shares.

There is certainly nothing wrong with receiving Reiki from a friend or volunteer who is just starting out.  You will still receive healing and they gain valuable experience.  However, if you are paying good money for a full treatment or are taking a class from a Reiki Master Teacher, you will get more out of it if the practitioner/teacher conducts themselves professionally and commits to Reiki on a daily basis in their personal life.

Ultimately, you will know if you found the right Reiki practitioner/teacher for you, because that person will be able to speak to you in a way that resonates with your core beliefs, as well as help you move forward on your own healing journey.

Interstitial Cystitis/Painful Bladder Syndrome is a urinary bladder disease that causes chronic inflammation of the bladder wall lining.  The inflammation causes pain, urinary frequency, urgency and pressure in the bladder and surrounding pelvic region.  The origin of IC/PBS is still unknown; the Interstitial Cystitis Network  states that “various research studies have explored the possibility that infection, epithelial links, epithelial permeability, mast cells, heredity and neuroinflammation may play a role in IC but, to date, there is no single cause that we can attribute to causing IC in ALL patients. Rather, it may be that IC has several different variations.”

I know a lot about IC because I suffered from it for years.  In my case, I believe it originally developed as a result of trauma to my bladder from a catheter that was forcibly inserted during cholecystectomy (gallbladder) surgery in 1997.  Within a year, I experienced a kidney infection followed by a cycle of recurrent urinary tract infections.  This was unusual because I had not had a urinary tract infection since I was in my early teens.  The infections usually cleared up with a course of antibiotics, but even when the infections were not active, I was still experiencing pain, pressure, urinary frequency and urgency. I spent a lot of time in the bathroom or at the urologist’s office.

In 1999, I had exploratory surgery performed on my bladder to pinpoint the cause of my symptoms.  I was diagnosed with neurogenic bladder and a congenital urethral stenosis, which was corrected with surgery.  However, neither of those conditions – which I had had my entire life – were causing the majority of my symptoms.  The cystoscopy/hydrodistention (procedure to examine the bladder wall lining and stretch the membrane) was inconclusive, despite obvious signs of chronic inflammation.

It took nearly four years before I was properly diagnosed with IC and by then, I was experiencing regular and near-debilitating flare-ups that were interfering with my ability to live a normal life.  I was fortunate to have a job that allowed me to telecommute when I needed to because the level of discomfort, lack of sleep and perpetual bathroom trips made it difficult for me to function when I was in the middle of a flare-up.  The resulting inflammation from IC also caused gynecological problems, since the pelvic region shares similar nerve pathways and tissue structure.  It was a very difficult, painful and depressing period of my life. 

In 2003, I finally found a urologist who felt certain, as I did, that I was living with IC.  I began medical treatment (Elmiron, Elavil, Urised and Detrol) as well as a modified diet, because certain food and drink can irritate the bladder.  Over time, I did see improvement in my symptoms, but I still dealt with occasional flare-ups, as well as the unpleasant side effects from the medications themselves.  Still, after being in pain for years, I was grateful for any relief.  I had been taking the medications about three years when I went on a business trip to India at the beginning of 2006 for two weeks.  This was actually my third trip there (and we won’t talk about what it’s like to have a bladder condition and have to fly halfway around the world) but this time was different.  I experienced energy healing for the first time and it was what led me to Reiki.

The energy healing I received that day actually eliminated my neck and shoulder pain from the long flight, which was my immediate concern.  It was such a remarkable experience that once I returned to the U.S., I immediately sought out someone to train me in energy healing.  It totally changed my perspective on what “healing” means.  The interesting thing was, after practicing Reiki for a while, I realized that my bladder wasn’t bothering me at all.  I had weaned down my medications around the time I went to India because I was seeing improvement and was concerned about my liver enzyme levels, but still took a maintenance dosage.  So, I decided to wean myself off to see what would happen.  Days, then weeks went by.  I felt fine.  I haven’t taken any medication since. 

I  got pregnant in the summer of 2006 and aside from the normal discomforts associated with pregnancy, had few issues with my bladder.  I was concerned that after my pregnancy, all of my IC symptoms would come back full force – and they didn’t.  The true testament of my healing revealed itself after my emergency c-section.  I was catheterized for a week due to post-surgical complications, but still experienced no bladder-related issues.  I do have some pelvic floor tightness that pops up from time to time but  that is likely a residual issue from the surgery, and is alleviated with regular chiropractic adjustments and yoga.  Every now and then, I’ll have a day where my bladder is irritated for some reason, but it is mildly annoying and resolves by the next day.  The other thing that I should mention is that the vulvodynia I was also experiencing is no longer active either. 

The site owners of Healthy IC Recipes invited me to write an article on Reiki, entitled Spiritual Healing Through Reiki.  Writing the article is what inspired me to tell my story in more detail.  It meant a lot to me to be able to share how energy healing can be beneficial for people living with chronic health conditions like IC.  Our bodies are capable of healing themselves, but often need some assistance with the process.  Reiki is a gentle, effective complementary therapy that can help people manage their symptoms, improve the quality of their life and in some cases, faciliate much deeper healing. 

Please contact me if you would like to learn more about how Reiki can help you on your healing journey.

I received my certification in the Life Coaching Skills Program taught by Rev. Dr. Carolyn Porter and am now offering life coaching with a focus on spiritual and personal development.  My coaching will help you focus on the core values important to you and how you can set and achieve goals while furthering your personal transformation through mind, body and spirit balance. I apply many of the same principles used in Reiki healing and other spiritual disciplines, and incorporate practical techniques drawn from my corporate career to further your growth.  My diverse personal, professional, and volunteer experience gives me a unique perspective to draw upon when I am working with and coaching others.

For a limited time, I’m offering introductory pricing for my life coaching sessions. You may choose from a standard life coaching session, or one that also incorporates a 30 minute Reiki session, to help balance your energy and facilitate greater clarity and awareness. This pricing is good through March 30, 2010:

• 60 min. life coaching session: $65
• 90 min life coaching session (with Reiki): $85

Let me help you take the first steps towards discovering your purpose and lay the groundwork for your life transformation journey.  Please contact me via email or phone for more information.

Are you interested in receiving Reiki, yet you don’t live near a qualified practitioner or would prefer to schedule a short energy healing session you can receive in the privacy of your home at a convenient time? 

One of the great benefits of Reiki is that a practitioner (Reiki II/Master) is able to channel healing energy to others without having to be physically present.  There are great benefits, of course, for receiving a hands-on session but distance Reiki is also effective.  Many people wonder how energy can be sent distantly from one location to another. 

How does that work, exactly?
A great source for understanding energy medicine from a scientific viewpoint is the following interview/article with James L. Oschman, Ph.d entitled Science and the Human Energy Field.  He describes, in very approachable language, the quantum science behind energy transfer and how our tissues receive information. 

Dr. Oschman addresses several different types of quantum theories, but specifically mentions scalar waves, which

have the extraordinary property of affecting the structure of space everywhere, instantaneously. Scalar waves therefore do not have a velocity as such, and their effects do not diminish with distance.  The scalar wave was predicted from physical theory a century ago, but physicists generally dropped it out of their equations because they could not contemplate a phenomenon that had such remarkable properties. Now that there is growing experimental evidence for healing at a distance, as well as for the benefits of prayer, the scalar wave is being reexamined for its possible role in mediating such phenomena. This is important because many of the complementary therapies are discovering that healing work that can be done locally can also be done at a distance.

Basically, what this means is that energy is interconnected phenomena that does not rely on physical locality in order to affect its transfer.  I admit that I initially had some doubts about how distance healing worked until I began trying it on people and they reported experiencing sensations consistent with what someone would report during a hands-on session – and they also noted improvement of their symptoms!  Further, I was able to accurately discern areas where their energy fluctuated, which was confirmed by the recipient – just as if I was physically in the room with them.  It was truly awe-inspiring and humbling. 

What can you expect during a distance session?
The process is very simple: we agree upon a mutually convenient time (typically in the evenings) and I either call or text you to confirm the session is going to begin. 

I recommend relaxing in a comfortable chair or bed with no other distractions (soft music or candles are suggested if they help you unwind) for approximately 30 minutes.  A calm, meditative yet attentive state is encouraged so that you can be receptive to what is happening.  I will send Reiki during this time and notify you (if preferred) when the session is complete.  We can then confer whenever it is convenient for you to obtain feedback. 

People have reported feeling very relaxed and peaceful, or that they could feel different sensations in the areas in need of healing.  Individual response may vary; everyone takes in and responds to energy differently.  (As with all Reiki sessions and alternative healing in general, some people experience dramatic improvement after one session, where for others, it might be more subtle and require follow-up.)  Here is a testimonial where the recipient received Reiki distance healing for a torn meniscus with good results.

If you are interested in receiving distance healing, please visit my Services page or contact me for more information.

Yesterday, I posted a question on my Facebook page: How has Reiki healing work changed your life physically, mentally and spiritually?  I received some great answers that I wanted to share here in the hopes that it piques your interest and also encourages more response from people who are either Reiki healers or have received Reiki healing.  These responses have also inspired me to write my healing story (or rather, stories) which I will soon share here as well.

Kregg Quarles: I came home dogged tired (my eyes were closing themselves). I gave my mother a heavy reiki treatment and it feels like I could run a mile now. It feels like experiencing truth instead of reading about it.

Chris Ramsbottom Pampling: I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, I used to walk with two sticks. Since becoming attuned to Reiki I have become better to the point where I could take a full-time one year’s course to become a holistic massage therapist!

Sherri Lane Wangrin: The biggest change for me has been spiritual. My first treatment opened me up to vivid angel dreams and experiences and it has magnified since. Each level of attunement seemed to continue that opening. It has also helped me physically with allergies, some chronic pain issues, and just overall feeling healthy. The calmness factor is huge mentally as well.

Ayanna Stringer:  Since becoming connected to the Reiki energy I find myself more capable of merging all versions and ideas about myself into one. I’ve felt extreme fear (as usual) but am able to focus it instead of pushing it away. I’ve become focused in ways that I didn’t know that I was capable of. I’ve discovered aspirations that I didn’t know existed. I feel able to hold my heart open to people and unapologetically express my love. I had this realization today that through being a Reiki practitioner as well as a yogi, I can transform my world just by keeping myself strong, balanced, open and practicing my craft. I guess the key concepts here are capability, focus and LOVE.

Please share your experiences here – I would love to hear how Reiki healing has changed your life!

Mark your calendars now for the monthly Heart Offering Reiki Clinic on Saturday, February 13 from 12-3 PM!  This is a donation-only Reiki clinic, where you sign up for a time slot to receive a short (20-25 min.) Reiki session and pay what you can afford for the energy healing work you receive.

I will also be teaching Reiki I on Saturday, February 20 from 12-6 pm.  This class is designed to teach techniques for healing yourself and others.  For more information and to sign up, visit my Reiki Classes page. 

Both events will be held at Candler Park Chiropractic in Atlanta.  Please contact me via email or phone 678-640-6146 for more information or to sign up.

On his show this week, Dr. Mehmet Oz featured a number of different alternative therapies that he encouraged people to try for improving their health or relieving symptoms of ongoing medical conditions.  Those of us who are familiar with Dr. Oz know that his wife, Lisa, is a Reiki Master and that he has had Reiki practitioners in the operating room with him to channel Reiki healing to patients undergoing major surgery.

During his segment on alternative therapies, Dr. Oz enthusiastically endorsed Reiki as his favorite alternative therapy and encouraged the audience to try it.  He also featured a short hands-on session by well-respected Reiki Master Pamela Miles.  See the video!  How exciting and validating to see a world-renowned physician validate Reiki’s effectiveness on a publicly broadcast TV show, where it will be seen by thousands or even millions of viewers. 

Reiki and energy medicine in general is quickly gaining acceptance around the world.  I’ve seen a big shift even in the past 4 years since I first began practicing Reiki.  I predict Reiki and other biofield therapies may soon be as utilized to the degree that acupuncture, chiropractic and massage therapy are for treatment of existing conditions and maintaining overall wellness.

Check out Dragonfly Reiki’s January 2010 newsletter…information on moving my practice to Candler Park Chiropractic, the upcoming donation Reiki clinic on January 9 and the Reiki Level I training on January 23.

http://eepurl.com/geiR

I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas, no matter how you decided to celebrate the day. I especially enjoyed watching how excited my daughter was about the impending visit from Santa Claus. My husband took a hilarious video of her talking on the phone to Santa (actually my father-in-law) where she puts in a good word or two for our dog, Jazz.  It was heart-warming to see her absolute belief in the power of goodness, as well as her desire to share that goodness with others. 

There’s been a recent trend in parenting where it’s not “cool” to let kids believe in Santa because he isn’t “real,” but my husband and I feel that it’s important for children to believe in the power of miracles and dreams-come-true.  As reknowned pediatrician and parenting guru Dr. Sears says, young adults may resent their parents for many things, but tricking them about Santa isn’t one of them.  Santa is a metaphor for selfless, loving giving and the belief that positive actions can exist beyond our power to explain and control them through conventional means. 

 A Course in Miracles reminds us that miracles “occur naturally as an expression of love. The real miracle is the love that inspires them. In this sense, everything that comes from love is a miracle.”  I have been a witness to and recipient of many big miracles in my life.   But by the same token, keeping in mind that love inspires miracles, think of just how many small, seemingly ordinary events or actions can also be considered miracles.  These could include a kind word heard at just the right time to lift the spirits, someone who sees you have fewer items in your hand and lets you ahead of them in line at the store, a neighbor who brings over fresh-baked treats to share or a spontaneous hug from a child.  It would be a great exercise to name as many miracles as we could come up with…perhaps the subject of my next blog post!

With the arrival of 2010 comes change.  For Dragonfly Reiki, change means a new location.  As of January, I will be working out of Candler Park Chiropractic in Atlanta.  I will have access to a more dedicated space in which to hold private Reiki healing sessions, the monthly donation clinic and classes.  It is very important to me that clients feel they are in a comfortable, secure environment with minimal distractions while receiving Reiki treatments.  Dr. Lynn recently expanded her practice, which gave me the opportunity to return and offer my healing services along side other talented and dynamic healing professionals, including Dr. Lynn, her two wonderful massage therapists, Bridget Marshall and Toni Hale, as well as Jennifer Savage, a licensed acupuncturist.  There is going to be lots of positive energy flowing!  More to come soon!

My sincere appreciation to Drs. Jamie Galperin and Liliana Warner for allowing me the use of their space at Lotus of Life Chiropractic for the past 15 months.  They have a terrific practice and are also quite talented healers.  I’ve learned a lot from them and look forward to collaborating on future wellness events. 

And in other news…look for my new print ad in the Atlanta edition of Natural Awakenings magazine!  My husband did a beautiful job of designing the ad for me, just as he did with my Dragonfly Reiki logo.  If you happen to pick up the magazine see it, let me know what you think. I know he’ll appreciate positive feedback for all of his creative efforts.

The following testimonial comes from my friend Laurie, who I sent Distance Reiki to several times last week to see if it would help with her knee pain and swelling. Laurie experienced dramatic relief from her symptoms and wanted to share her story with others.

My experience with Dana has been and continues to be amazing. I have a torn meniscus in my right knee. I have had a cortisone shot, steroid medication as well has pain medication. None of these things have given me any relief. I had never had Reiki before and decided I would let Dana give me Distance Reiki since I live in Florida. I was at the point that I would try anything. I was so amazed with the results after our first session. After a couple of sessions I was feeling great. So much so that I could get up and do all my normal activities PAIN FREE – something I hadn’t been able to do for months!

What was really moving for me about our Reiki experience was how much I realized I was able to discern about what was going on with Laurie during our Distance Reiki sessions. I have done some Distance Reiki work in the past but felt sort of like I was sending Reiki into space – I couldn’t get a strong sense of connection to the person I was working with. I trusted that Reiki was working because my experience showed me that it does even when I can’t always sense it very strongly, but I still didn’t have a lot of confidence to offer it very often.

However, as Laurie told me what was going on with her knee, I felt very strongly that I should try sending her Reiki. She did not have health insurance and her doctor was recommending surgery if her symptoms did not improve with the treatments that were prescribed. She was very open the idea of receiving Reiki, as she was in a lot of pain and none of the treatments had given her much relief.

As I began channeling Reiki to Laurie, I could visualize and connect energetically with her quite easily. It was almost as if she was in the room with me! I did an energetic scan of her body and sensed quite clearly that in addition to her knee, she was carrying a lot of tension in her shoulders and upper back. So, I focused on sending Reiki to her upper back and knee. After our initial session, I described what I had noticed and Laurie confirmed she often has a lot of pain and tightness in her upper back.

I asked Laurie if she had noticed anything different during the session and she reported that she felt warmth in her knee and at one point, actually felt as if someone/something was physically manipulating it! The next day, she said her knee felt better than it had in weeks. Encouraged by this, we set up time a couple of days later to do another session. The following day, she reported she was actually able to get around and do some housework, which she had not been able to do in quite some time! I also sent her a Reiki-infused 7 day rainbow candle to continue to facilitate healing after our Distance Reiki sessions.

I know that Reiki is amazing, but it always excites and fills me with gratitude each time I facilitate a Reiki session and someone has such a profound healing experience. One of the things that was so key here for Laurie was how open she was to the healing process – it makes such a difference in how effective Reiki can be. As I always remind my clients, the healing begins with YOU!

What I also appreciated about working with Laurie was how it made me realize how much my discernment (chiryo or, inner guidance) has developed from facilitating in-person Reiki sessions (over 200 since practicing Reiki professionally over 18 months ago!) I was able to feel present with Laurie even though she is several hundred miles away. It was a gift to me to gain more confidence in my ability to facilitate Distance Reiki sessions – and will allow me to offer additional Reiki healing opportunities to people who need it.

My love and gratitude to Laurie, who wanted very much to share her healing story here.

May the healing and light of Reiki be with all of you!