I wanted to share this guest post from my student, Christine Peck.  Christine is a recent Reiki I student and self employed pet sitter who enjoys yoga, reading, cooking, animals, being in Nature and learning about herself.

It began one September afternoon in 2007 at the Life Fest at Life Grocery in Marietta, GA. Many different alternative health and food vendors are available at Life Fest for people to explore, and purchase everything from chair massages to organic farm raised chicken. It was my first time attending this, and at the time I was pretty new to alternative health. I had been doing yoga since January, and had heard about a lot of things, but it was a new world to me. 

After wandering around a bit to see what was there, I mentioned to my friend that I would like to see what the Reiki stuff was about. I had heard of it, but wasn’t really sure what it was about. But having had some emotional and physical healing from yoga already, I was definitely interested in all things “healing.” I wandered over by the area where the Reiki table was, watching as Robert (Plotzke) moved around a woman on the table.  I watched a few minutes then went to another booth. I kept being drawn back to the Reiki area though. Finally Robert was in between sessions and noticed me looking his way. He said, “You seem very interested in Reiki.” I told him I had no idea what it was about but I would like to try a session. I chatted a bit about yoga and some health problems I had at the time. I signed up for his session and went to find my friends for a light lunch. 

I came back at the assigned time, and in a rare moment of confidence I removed my wig (at the time I wasn’t very comfortable going bald in public) after asking Robert if it would be all right. It was a warm sunny afternoon and I was already sweating so I knew I’d be cooler if I did remove it. Another man joined (I believe his name was Paul) and Robert said he was going to assist him in my treatment. I sat on the Reiki table. Paul asked Robert if he “saw (or felt) that”. “Something that didn’t belong there” he said. I never did ask him what this was about. He said yes, it’s gone now and won’t be back.  

I lay down and began to do some deep breathing.  Robert began some chanting, as did Paul. I had never heard chanting like this; it was a very long drawn out Om he varied the pitch and loudness of it. He also did many vowel sounds- maybe related to the chakras? Again I had no idea at the time what this was. I felt a warmth come over me, different from the heat outside. A comfortable, nurturing heat. As Robert and Paul worked on me, I felt many things, in my stomach (3rd Chakra area I now know) I felt a spinning, like a wheel was being spun around on my stomach. I cried a few tears, and felt a big release of heaviness in my body. I felt a hot breeze blowing over my body, and the crowd noise seemed to fade into a buzz in the background.The most amazing thing I felt though was towards the end of the session. I had been having bad sciatica pain for about a month at the time. I had told them about it before the session began. One of the men placed one hand under my lower back and the other under my ankle/ lower calf area. At once I felt intense heat going down my sciatic nerve, from my lower spine to my foot. It wasn’t painful though. (The pain was lessened after the session, and completely gone a couple days after) The session ended, I thanked Robert and Paul, and I believe I gave them both hugs.

 I thought about becoming a Reiki practitioner around that time, but never pursued it.

 I met Dana Young of Dragonfly Reiki at a Chakra class at Jai Shanti Yoga in the summer of 2009. We crossed paths off and on over the next 6 months.   

 I had another Reiki session at Zen Tea from a woman named Liz. Again I felt the warmth cover me, like a heated chamber of some sort. It was comforting though. I also felt a breeze blowing back and forth over my body as she worked.  I cried a bit, felt warm and loved. I felt her drawing symbols of some sort along my body, I opened my eyes slightly, and she was drawing in the air, not touching my body at all. I closed my eyes again and just breathed. Didn’t know what she was doing, but it wasn’t painful or scary, so I relaxed.  After the session, Liz told me the angels were around me, and they asked her to tell me they weren’t upset with me, they were very happy with me. She also mentioned they asked about a doll. I could only think of my teddy bear I’d had since my first Christmas that I had recently found in my things. I am still not sure what this was about. It was soon after my grandmother had died, we had become estranged several years before and I had felt rejected by something that happened between her and my niece and I when we visited. I had thought she didn’t love me anymore. So, not sure if this was Grandma, or the angels telling me that even though I had my doubts about God and religion, they were okay, and happy with me. Either way, I was comforted.

Earlier this year Dana began doing donation-only Reiki clinics. I remember my first session was very powerful. Again I felt the warmth over me. When Dana placed one hand over my heart and one on my solar plexus I felt a deep, deep sobbing come up from my very core. I tried to hold it back a bit, as it was so big, it scared me. I apologized to Dana, as I was shaking and crying. She said “No, it’s okay, it needs to happen.” She held her hands steady, and I let go a bit. I just lay there on the table and sobbed. I had no idea why I was crying, but deep down I too knew it needed to happen.

 In Tantra classes, we sometimes partner up and explore each other’s energy. Always with our clothes on. It is done in a safe, fun, curiosity-filled way. I have learned to feel another’s energy over their chakras, and one time even felt some wet, freshly sprouted wings. It is all very new to me, but also wonderful, to explore and develop this sensitivity.  I have always been told I was too sensitive, have gotten my feelings hurt easily, but also was very sensitive to the energy in a room.

I began to feel drawn more and more to taking a class to become a Reiki practitioner. I finally heeded that call, during a pretty confusing and scary time in my life, which has also been a transformative time. I recently signed up for Dana’s Reiki Level I class. 

I wasn’t sure what the attunement would consist of. About a week before the class, I felt guided to do some emotional and physical cleaning of my body and my surroundings. I ate healthy foods, made sure I got rest, drank enough water. I also got rid of the clutter that had built up in my room. I was not instructed to do these things, it just “seemed right”. 

While I won’t tell you what the attunement entailed, I will tell you I saw colors during it, which I have never done before during Reiki. When we did the practice treatment I felt heat in my hands, and flowing through my body to the person I was helping to treat. I got very hot, and thought when I practice I need to have a fan around, I guess!  I felt a little upset with myself because I couldn’t recall the hand positions, and at times I “lost” the energy and heat feeling in my hands. My thoughts wandered too. I did step back and reconnect though.

 The next morning after class, I started to do the Gassho meditation, daily precepts and self-treatment that Reiki practitioners do. I decided not to use my manual and see what I could remember. I couldn’t recall one or two of the precepts nor could I recall the hand positions for self-treatment. I got a little upset at first, then reminded the man behind the curtain that I had just learned these things the day before and couldn’t be expected to recall them all. I got out my manual and used it as a guide. I was able to feel the Reiki flowing, and during my treatment some tears came up. I also think I learned a little about getting out of my own way.

 That evening I decided to try sending Reiki to my favorite trees around my house. I started with Grandfather Oak, the tall oak that overlooks the water behind my house. He reminds me of my Grandpa Smith, tall and big hearted. I love to sit under him and look at the water and meditate. I started the Reiki flowing, felt the heat in my hands. I smiled and was happy to be giving something back to this wonderful tree. I moved around him, moving my hands down to his roots. I noticed a small gray spider crawling up his trunk. I directed my hands toward it. It stopped and waved one of its front legs at my hand a few times. I’m not sure if it was getting ready to fight me, or if it was enjoying the energy. I laughed and smiled and moved back to treating Grandfather Oak. I then moved out front to the moss and magnolia that I do yoga under. 

I love that I can send this energy to plants and trees and animals, and also people too. I am enjoying the self-treatments also, and the meditation.

I think perhaps I may be learning a bit of discipline, as well as how to get out of my own way and let it flow.

I’m offering this 4 hour workshop for anyone who practices Reiki, but is specifically designed to provide support for practitioners who are still new to their Reiki practice, or who need to get a jump-start after some time away.  The ”Reiki Refresher” workshop will focus on questions and general discussion about Reiki practice, learn hands-on practice for traditional Japanese Reiki techniques, participate in a group meditation and give Reiki treatments to each other. 

As part of the workshop, I will also offer a reiju (attunement) to each of the students in attendance.  Traditional Japanese Reiki practice encouraged the practice of giving attunements again to Reiki practitioners in order to help clear and refine the recipients’ energy field.  Even those who practice Reiki regularly will feel a boost in their energy after receiving a reiju. 

The next scheduled class is Sunday, September 19, 2010 from 12-4 pm.

Space is limited to 10 people. Please contact me to reserve your place by September 11 so I can ensure adequate materials and table space.

Cost: $40

Location: Candler Park Chiropractic
                     1522 Dekalb Avenue
                     Atlanta, GA 30307

I’m pleased to announce that I will begin facilitating Reiki Birth workshops.  As a maternal health advocate who sees pregnant women in my practice, and works closely with health care providers, childbirth educators and doulas to educate women on caring for their bodies during pregnancy, it was important for me to find a way to share and teach the benefits of Reiki in a course that was designed specifically for the expectant couple.

Reiki Birth is designed to teach mothers-to-be and their birth partners to utilize gentle, hands-on Reiki energy healing for a healthy and centered journey through pregnancy, birth and post-partum.    Both the mother-to-be and her birth partner will learn how to channel Reiki for physical and emotional balance, as well as to deepen their energetic connection to each other and their baby. 

During this workshop, participants will learn:

• History of Reiki and how it is used today
• Hand positions for relieving pregnancy and labor discomfort
• Post-partum wellness with Reiki
• Partnering using Reiki to enhance and deepen your emotional connection
• Soothing and nurturing your baby with Reiki

During the workshops, participants will receive a beautiful energetic attunement, and have the opportunity to do hands-on practice on themselves and each other in a supportive environment. 

Participants will receive a manual, certificate of completion and ongoing teacher support as needed.

Cost: $ 275 per couple

Date: October 17, 2010 (12 PM – 6 PM)

Location: Candler Park Chiropractic

I’m featuring a guest blog post by one of my Reiki students, Kim Frazier Shaughnessy.  I appreciate that she agreed to share her Reiki story here with all of you.
 

I don’t recall the first time I heard the word Reiki, or if I wondered what it meant. I do know that it slipped into my consciousness and bounced around for a number of years until one day I found myself searching for someone to show me.
 
One day was a few months ago and that someone was Dana Lisa Young.
 
I did what everyone does. I Googled it. I then allowed my intuition to help me find the doorway to what I was certain I needed to do next. When I saw Dragonfly Reiki, I knew I was knocking on the right door (Dragonfly was my mother’s favorite movie and one of the last movies I watched with her). When I read Dana’s bio and saw her photo, I knew the door was open.
 
Simply put, I heard the call and I answered it. I walked through that door and I haven’t looked back since. Not only have I not looked back, consequently I haven’t looked forward. I am right here in this moment and I am sharing my experience in hopes that it will help you to decide if Reiki is right for you.
 
If you’re reading this, you’ve heard the call. Whether or not you respond is up to you. Like anything else in life, Reiki is a choice.
 
When I chose Reiki and the teacher, I chose so many unexpected things. For instance, I’ve always been more aware of my spiritual nature. I have meditated off and on for years – alone, in groups and with another. And I have seen things in some of those meditations that made everyday life look like a joke to me. As a result, I haven’t been very grounded. In a sense, connected and yet still lost. I can honestly say I no longer feel lost. And even though I’ve had Reiki experiences that would lead some to believe I’m just plain crazy, I am now very much here – more in tune with everyday life than I have ever been. The balance is not perfect, but my feet are more firmly on the ground…even when my head is in the clouds.
 
What has my life been like since my first attunement? Well, I’d be lying if I said it was suddenly a bed of roses. I don’t look ten years younger and I haven‘t won the lottery because my energy is now attracting only good things. But you know what? It’s okay. As a matter of fact, it’s so okay that I woke up one morning and decided to stop coloring my hair. Just like that. I have never enjoyed that process and decided it was no longer a worthwhile use of my time or money. Why bother when I’m just going to have to do it again in a few short weeks? This may sound silly to you, but it has been very liberating for me. In a more general sense, I’ve noticed a significant decline in my stress level. My attitude towards family, friends and co-workers has shifted and I now have a better sense of what to say, when to say it and, more importantly, when to listen. I don’t always get it right, but that’s okay too. I am noticing that those less-than-perfect moments no longer have the same power over me and as a result the negative thoughts and emotions do not linger.
 
If you asked me to describe a Reiki self treatment, I would tell you that the moment I raise my hands and ask for what I refer to as “Reiki Rain,“ I feel an instant surge of energy that I would compare to the feeling you get when a storm is coming. The atmosphere is charged with electricity and anticipation. When I put my hands together, repeat the admonitions and set my intention that same electric energy surrounds me like a warm blanket. My hands become heavy and I slip into an easy groove of acceptance of healing and a feeling of gratitude. It is that simple.
 
I’ve only had one moment of fear during a self treatment, but having made the commitment I chose to let go of that fear and trust the process. Without going into too much personal detail, I felt the strong presence of another. I let them stay and the experience was one I will never forget. I saw colors in a way I had not seen them before, like a camera with the shutter wide open and a dust-free lens. By the end of the session I was crying, but that was okay too. I was not upset.
 
If the “presence of another” confession leads you to believe that I do fall into the “just plain crazy” category, I understand. But if it makes you feel better, it isn’t usually like that. More often than not, it’s just comforting. Like a good massage on a non-physical level. Sometimes I get up from the table and I feel sleepy, so I know I need to rest. Sometimes I get up and feel energized, so I know I need to do something. And sometimes I’m just more content to go about the routine of daily life.  I might add that I’m a wife, a mother, a grandmother and a staff agent for State Farm.  How normal is that?
 
As for sharing it with others, I am learning that the experience is a little different for everyone. I have channeled Reiki for my youngest daughter who experienced relief from anxiety, but continues to struggle with a deep sadness so our sessions are infrequent. It is too much for her right now. On demand, I channeled Reiki for my middle daughter who described it as itchy and hot. She was curious and thanked me afterwards. She’s straightforward like that. My husband also described it as itchy and was certain that I pinched his ears. Not surprisingly, he has trouble with his ears. When he got up, he was yawning and I was glad to see him relaxed since he is typically hyper. He also told me that mornings would be better for him. A friend and her daughter both described heat and that night I learned that Reiki is truly in charge. My friend was feeling a lot of tension in her shoulders that did not respond to my hands when placed in that area. Instead, she felt a warm rush and release in her shoulders when I touched her feet. Go figure.
 
To date, the most touching sessions have been with my granddaughter. She is five years old, sweet, sassy and everything in between. She lets go in an instant and I am honored by her trust. One night she was so agitated and out of control that I informed her we were going to the table. She didn’t argue. She wanted to go. She kept her eyes open that time and we whispered to each other.
 
$150 for Reiki I: a day to remember. Time, energy and commitment to daily self treatment: beginning to see results. $160 for a Reiki Table and another $30 for music: a more comfortable place to do Reiki. $170 for a beautiful, soft sage room divider: privacy, so people walking around in the kitchen don’t stare into the sunroom and make fun of you while you’re lying on a table with your hands up in the air! Seeing a sweet smile on your granddaughter’s face when she places her own hands beneath yours and whispers “I can feel it, Grammy!”: priceless.
 
Okay, so I paid Dana with a check. You get my point. And truthfully, I’ve spent less money than I did on my hair last year.
 
If you choose to share the experience of a Reiki attunement with Dana Lisa Young, you will not choose – as someone so aptly put it in a testimonial – an “airy fairy.” Dana presents the gift of Reiki in a concise and intelligent manner. No frills, no nonsense. And with just the right amount of humor.

My advice to you? If you hear the call, answer it. I assure you, it’s okay.

This past weekend, I taught the first Reiki I training of 2010.  Teaching Reiki is a lot of fun for me because not only do I enjoy talking about what I love to do, I also enjoy talking about the intersection of spirituality, healing and how cultural and religious influences shape new and existing practices.  There were four students in class and they were all quick learners as well as adept, sensitive healers.  There was great synergy between all of them, which adds a lot to the class dynamic. 

There’s really nothing better as a Reiki teacher to see your students learn to sense and work with their innate healing ability; it’s a special and beautiful experience.  It makes the entire day joyous and uplifting!

One of my students wrote a terrific blog post describing what she learned and experienced during our class.  I appreciate the time she took to synthesize everything she experienced in such a detailed way.  She wrote beautifully about the difference between coercing the energy to move (which is what is done in some energy healing/transfer techniques) and surrendering to the moment and allowing Reiki energy to flow on its own:

When I attempted to pull energy from outside of me before it was just that. PULLING. I felt like I was pulling a rope of prana into myself and then pushing it into someone else and instructing it to heal them…Reiki’s different. I placed my hand on a chakra then asked the energy to flow through me. Usually before the words are even formed, my intention has linked me to the source of Reiki energy. Where I once felt like I was pulling energy in like a rope attached to a rock, I now felt the energy pouring into me like I as standing under a showerhead with amazing pressure. And this is how I experienced the energy through all of the practice I had during the remainder of the afternoon. Flowing water. When 4 of us worked on the 5th, laying on the massage table I felt like water was pouring into all of our crowns and flowing out of our hands into our temporary patient. When we all got so hot in the hands, toward the end of that person’s session, the energy was bubbling like boiling water under our hands.

Like I said, it doesn’t get much better than that! 

If you are interested in learning Reiki for healing yourself or others, please visit my Reiki Classes and Workshops page for more information on what is covered in my curriculum and available dates.  The Reiki community in Atlanta is growing and I encourage you to become part of it.

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.

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

The next available class for Usui Reiki Levels I and II will be held on Saturday, February 21 from 10 AM – 6 PM at Lotus of Life Chiropractic. There are two slots still available, but if necessary, I can add another date in late February or early March to accomodate additional students.

Topics and techniques to be covered in this one day Reiki class include:

• History of Reiki
• Discussion of “Ki” (“chi” or life force energy) and how Reiki practitioners channel it
• Hand positions for Reiki treatments (treating yourself and others)
• Understanding and using Level II symbols
• Distance healing
• Reiki meditations
• Spiritual protection and “grounding” techniques

Students will also have an opportunity to practice their skills in the classroom setting, which is essential for developing sensitivity and confidence in your ability to channel Reiki to yourself and others.  I also provide additional meetings with my students to give them the space to practice techniques and ask questions.  It is an honor for me to be a Reiki teacher and I have little interest in conducting workshops where prospective students shell out a lot of money but receive no follow-up support for their newly acquired skills.  Students are further encouraged to connect with a growing network of Reiki practitioners through the Atlanta Reiki Meetup.

For more information about cost and payment options, please visit the Reiki Classes page.

Please contact me directly if you have additional questions or would like to register for the class.