The benefits of CAM therapies (which includes modalities like energy healing, chiropractic, massage, and acupuncture) that were reported in a study on back pain conducted by researchers at the Center for Community Health and Evaluation, Group Health Research Institute, in Seattle, Washington include:

• increased ability to relax
• positive changes in emotional states
• increased sense of well-being, and
• improvement in physical conditions unrelated to back pain.

I also witness my clients experience these benefits in my practice, and am pleased to see them confirmed by reasearch.  When people are in pain, so many aspects of their quality of life are diminished.  Chronic pain robs people of their energy and vitality.  CAM therapies help relieve stress, discomfort, correct structural and energetic imbalances and facilitate a natural state of wellness.  They are a great adjunct therapy in addition to more traditional allopathic treatments.  CAM therapies may reduce healing time, limit the amount of powerful medications needed for pain relief, and potentially reduce the need for surgical interventions. 

I would like to share my personal story.  

As someone who has lived with intermittent bouts of neck and upper back pain for nearly 20 years, I have experienced first-hand the benefits of Reiki (and other CAM therapies I receive regularly) for reducing nerve-related neck and back pain and improving the emotional and physical quality of my life.  In fact, my first experience with energy healing while in India completely relieved my travel-induced neck and shoulder pain, which is what inspired me to learn Reiki!

In 1993, I was diagnosed with a congenital cervical spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal in the neck.)  I was told by a neurologist and various spine specialists to “learn to live with it” and to expect surgery at some point if it got worse.  Several members of my family suffer from cervical pain issues and have already undergone cervical spine fusion surgery.  I have vowed to avoid surgery if at all possible. 

So far, a steady regimen of Reiki, chiropractic, massage and regular exercise has led to very few flare-ups and a quicker recovery time if I do aggravate my neck or upper back.  No one in my family has had this degree of success with traditional medical treatment.  I don’t take prescription pain medications or muscle relaxers – not that they were ever that effective anyway!  I can’t cure a congenital condition, but I’ve learned how to proactively manage it with CAM therapies so that I’m not living with chronic pain.

If you’re living with back pain and would like to learn how Reiki may help you experience less discomfort, improve your well-being and promote balance, please contact me for more information.

Are you looking for increased well-being and balance this year? Were you considering making some changes to improve and transform the quality of your life?  The New Year is the perfect time to begin taking the steps to manifest your most vibrant self.  The changes you initiate now will create the momentum to carry you through the rest of the year and make good on the resolutions you’ve set for yourself. 

I’m here to help you achieve and realize those goals.  I have the personal experience, tools and training to assist you in creating the mindset and goals for improved vitality and well-being. 

In order to get you started, I’m offering the following pricing specials for Reiki and life coaching sessions.  These specials are good through February 15, 2011:

• 3 session 60 minute Reiki package: $150 ($30 off regular pricing; sessions must be completed within 60 days of purchase)
• 3 session 30 minute Reiki package for $75 ($15 off regular pricing; sessions must be completed within 60 days of purchase)
• 2 session life coaching package: $125 ($25 off regular pricing; sessions must be completed within 60 days of purchase)

Please contact me for more information and to set up your Reiki or life coaching sessions today!

(Photo credit: Uggboy_Ugggirl on Twitter)

I am pleased to offer training in Komyo Reiki, a form of traditional Japanese Reiki, the weekend of January 22-23, 2011 from 10 AM – 5:30 PM both days at Candler Park Chiropractic in Atlanta, GA. This training is limited to Reiki Masters only, but I will also begin training in individual levels of Komyo Reiki this year. (Please contact me if you are interested in learning the First and Second Degree teachings.)

I had the privilege of learning Komyo Reiki from Hyakuten Inamoto, my teacher and founder of the system. (See my story of receiving my Shinpiden training.) Inamoto, an independent Pure Land Buddhist monk, was taught by Chiyoko Yamaguchi, a student of Chujiro Hayashi. Yamaguchi learned Reiki in 1938 at the age of 17 and practiced for over 60 years before her passing in August 2003. The style of traditional Japanese Reiki she practiced and taught is now known as Jikiden Reiki.

Komyo Reiki remains true to the healing aspects of the practice taught by Hayashi and Yamaguchi. However, there is an emphasis on what Inamoto Sensei calls “spiritual enfoldment.” The goal of Komyo Reiki is satori – or enlightenment – through Reiki practice. The more peace and balance we cultivate in our lives through Reiki practice, the more we directly experience what Usui called “the miraculous medicine of all diseases.”

All four levels – Shoden, Chuden, Okuden and Shinpiden – will be taught as a complete system in a two day intensive workshop. Students will learn the history of Komyo Reiki, similaries and differences between Western (Takata style) and Japanese Reiki, traditional Japanese techniques for healing and Ki-building, as well as the reiju (attunement) process. Upon completion of this training, students will be certified as Komyo Reiki Kai Shihans (teachers) and can teach the system to others.

The cost for the Komyo Reiki Shinpiden training is $500. It includes the Komyo Reiki Kai manual, handouts, certificate of completion, ongoing support and opportunities to “internship” with Dragonfly Reiki, including the option to sit in and observe/assist during classes. Students may pay in two installments (due by date of class.) See the Reiki Classes page for more information on registration and payment options. Registration required no later than one week before the date of class to ensure sufficient materials and seating.

(Image credit: www.istockphoto.com)

Whether you are looking to achieve greater emotional and physical balance or embark on a deeper spiritual connection, the New Year is the perfect time to make changes in your life. Reiki is more than just hands-on healing; it is a system of practice that brings about greater mind-body wellness, energetic balance, emotional clarity and a deepened connection to spiritual life-force energy. It only takes a day to learn the basics, but with regular practice the benefits stay with you for a lifetime. 

I am a Reiki Master Teacher trained in both traditional Japanese Reiki (Komyo Reiki) and ”Western” Usui Reiki (Takata style, or Usui Shiki Ryoho.) I incorporate practices and techniques from both traditions in my classes, so that students have a thorough understanding and context for their Reiki practice. 

My Reiki classes and workshops provide plenty of opportunity to practice working with Reiki energy healing on yourself and others.  Along with the necessary energetic attunements, students will receive all the information, tools and ongoing guidance to practice Reiki with confidence.  I love teaching and providing support for students as they develop their practice.  I have seen a number of students make amazing transformation in their lives as a result of their commitment to Reiki.  The potential for miracles is literally in your hands!

Upcoming Reiki classes:

• Reiki I: Sat. January 29, 2011 (10 AM – 5:00 PM)
• Reiki II: Sat. February 19, 2011 (12 PM – 6 PM)
• Reiki I: Sun. February 27, 2011 (10 AM - 5:00 PM)

For more information on what is covered in each class, pricing and registration, please visit my Reiki Classes page.  All classes are taught at Candler Park Chiropractic in Atlanta, GA unless otherwise indicated.

(Photo credit: www.istockphoto.com)

Can meditative practices really help you experience less pain?  A recent article in Time Healthland discusses the results of a study that suggest that people who practice Zen meditation (zazen) tend to be less sensitive to pain.  I was intrigued by this article, having practiced zazen for a number of years, as well as meditative practices that are part of yoga and Reiki. 

Zazen, like many other meditative practices, focuses on remaining present and observing everything that is occurring internally and externally, without judgment.  The study demonstrated that although the meditators were functionally aware of experiencing pain, their practice trained the part of their brain that would register it as “bad” or “painful” to not overreact.

Meditation of any type is an excellent tool for increasing mindfulness, reducing stress and improving overall well-being.  Meditation is now being prescribed by doctors to help people relax and lower their blood pressure, but I’m excited by the idea that it may be a viable option for pain management.  Pain is often an emotional reaction to stimulus, and is perceived as something “bad.”  Being able to observe the pain without emotional triggers setting in may make it easier for people living with chronic pain conditions to be able to manage their symptoms more effectively with fewer medications or interventions, and improve the overall quality of life.

According to the study, “While the pain centers in the meditators’ brains lit up, the areas of the brain responsible for higher-order processes like cognition, emotion and memory were understimulated….We think that they feel the sensations, but cut the process short, refraining from interpretation or labeling of the stimuli as painful,” said lead author Pierre Rainville, a researcher at the University of Montreal, in a statement.”

I can personally attest to the effectiveness of this type of mindfulness for minimizing and managing pain sensations.  About 15 years ago, my gallbladder became infected and I suffered a very serious attack that eventually sent me to the hospital for emergency surgery.  I was in debilitating pain for many hours before someone was able to transport me to the hospital.  I remember lying on the couch, just focusing on my breath and observing how the pain would come and go in waves.  It was then that I realized that the pain was something that had its own rhythm and there were breaks that provided momentary relief.  Although I was not necessarily in any less actual physical pain, I was able to sit and “be” with it until I could get to the hospital. 

I had a very similar experience when I was in labor with my daughter.  I was in labor for over 30 hours with my daughter, with no epidural or other medications.  I was awake the entire time.  I went into that state of watchful awareness, and allowed myself to experience the sensations without becoming overwhelmed by them.  It was an exhausting labor, and as it turns out, the baby’s head was face-up, rather than down, which puts more pressure on the sacrum during the contractions.  Yet, during all of that, I generally felt calm and centered.  It was just me observing my breath and the movement of the baby as she was working hard to enter the world.  Since then, I have strongly advocated for pregnant women to learn meditative and yogic breathing to help them be more empowered and manage discomfort more effectively during labor.

So, how does this relate to Reiki?  One of the benefits of Reiki practice is that over time, it deepened my meditation skills.  Miako Usui, the founder of the system of Reiki, incorporated a number of different meditative practices (Gassho meditation, Hatsurei-Ho and Tanden Chiryo-Ho, among others) in order to heighten awareness, build and increase sensitivity to energy (Ki.) A Reiki session often feels like a meditation, since the practice is one where we are not “doing” anything other than being present with the energy and the recipient who is connecting with it. 

When performing self-treatment or treating others with Reiki, we should strive for being present to the movement of Ki.  We can simply observe any sensations that may arise, without judgment.  This makes it possible for us to develop discernment, which clues us in to subtle information useful in providing a more effective Reiki treatment.  Maintaining mindfulness during a Reiki self-treatment gives us more clarity into how we may be influencing certain physical or emotional patterns causing us pain or discomfort.

We can sometimes get in our own way and limit the potential for healing (for ourselves and others) by labeling and expressing judgment for what we may be experiencing.  Pain is the body’s way of telling us that something physical, emotional, mental or spiritual needs to be addressed.  This is actually a positive thing, even though it may not feel good.  However, allowing that part of the brain responsible for higher-order processes to run rampant puts us in pain lock-down, which is counter-productive.  If we can train the mind not to overreact through meditative practice, we can then determine and address the root cause without becoming victim to it and its after-effects. 

(Photo credit: gtall1 on Flickr)

The World AIDS Day 2010 theme is ‘Universal Access and Human Rights’.  According to UNAIDS estimates, there are now 33.3 million people living with HIV, including 2.5 million children. During 2009 some 2.6 million people became newly infected with the virus and an estimated 1.8 million people died from AIDS.  Did you know that HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death for women ages 15-44?  In recognition of people living with HIV/AIDS, I am reposting this piece from last year:

Today is World AIDS Day, where we acknowledge and send our love to the millions of people living with HIV/AIDS, while also remembering those who remain with us only in spirit. While we are so fortunate that advances in medical treatment have allowed many to deal with HIV as a manageable chronic health condition, there are still far too many people without adequate access to HIV medication and health care, especially in developing countries.  Those of us with a friend or loved one with HIV remember the dark fear in the pit of our stomachs at the announcement of the diagnosis. Twenty or so years ago, those announcements were met with terror, because the vast majority of those infected with the HIV virus succumbed to the disease within months or a couple of years. I am so grateful that the development of HIV medications and treatment have made it possible for so many people, including beloved family and friends of mine, to live with dignity, vitality and a good measure of health.

I came across a good case study on the efficacy of Reiki for the treatment of HIV/AIDS symptoms that I wanted to share. The first is a report by Robert Schmehr, CSW entitled, Enhancing the Treatment of HIV/AIDS With Reiki Training and Treatment, published in the peer-reviewed journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine. He is the Director of Complementary Therapy at the HIV Center of St. Luke’s Roosevelt Hospital in New York City and a Reiki II practitioner. The report discusses a person living with HIV who received Reiki treatment and also was trained to do Reiki self-treatments to help overcome substance abuse and psychological distress. Schmehr states that the “patient’s physician and former psychotherapist have repeatedly described the patient’s belief that Reiki self-treatment as the single greatest factor contributing to his successful behavior change.” Those of us who practice Reiki also know that once a person is no longer dependent on drugs, and experiences reduced anxiety and psychological stress, significant healing can occur. Indeed, Schmehr mentions that the patient’s viral load and CD4 count, while still detectable, was much improved, an indication he is thriving and experiencing greater quality of life.

Another study I wanted to share with you was conducted by Pamela Miles, Founding director Institute for the Advancement of Complementary Therapies (I*ACT) and a well-known Reiki Master Teacher. The report, Preliminary Report on the Use of Reiki for HIV-related Pain and Anxiety, also published in the journal Alternative Therapies in Health and Medicine, focuses on the use of Reiki for treatment of HIV-related pain, anxiety and depression. Like the previous study, the study also focuses on teaching the patients how to do Reiki self-treatments. As with the previous study, the results were favorable:

In an evaluation of the program, it was noted there was a decline in reported pain after the Reiki treatment; on an 11-point scale, the average pain rating dropped from 2.73 to 1.83. Results were similar for the anxiety scale, with mean anxiety dropping from 32.6 to 22.8. There was no significant difference in pain or anxiety reduction as a function of whether the Reiki was self-administered or administered by another.

I have also read of similar success in the article, “Reiki for Veterans,” published in the Winter 2008 issue of Reiki News magazine, where returning war veterans suffering from PTSD were trained to administer Reiki self-treatments and experienced decreased pain, anxiety and other symptoms associated with PTSD. It is very empowering for people to be able to literally put the responsibility for healing into their own hands and in conjunction with prescribed allopathic or therapeutic treatment, experience relief from chronic or debilitating symptoms and have improved quality of life.

Please contact me if you would like to learn more about how you or a loved one can utilize Reiki as an adjunct, complementary therapy for many chronic health conditions, including HIV.

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. However, anyone who practices Reiki at any level can benefit from the information and hands-on work we will do together. 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.

Space is limited to 10 people. Please contact me to reserve your place by December 9 so I can ensure adequate materials and table space.

Cost: $35

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

I was a featured guest today on Universal Energy Radio !  I had the pleasure of participating in a lively, engaging discussion about Reiki, life coaching and the Law of Attraction at work with my host, Anna Banguilan (Law of Attraction coach, artist and Reiki Master.)  One of the things we talked about was my “accidental journey” to wellness, which led to my calling as a Reiki practitioner and teacher.  I had been asking for an answer or direction for a long time, and the Universe answered in a big way, much more than I could have ever expected!

If you didn’t get the chance to hear me live on Blog Talk Radio, here is the ”on-demand” version.  Other related podcasts are available through the Blog Talk Radio multi-player:

 You can also stream the podcast in iTunes  for free and subscribe to Universal Energy Radio’s show.  Anna and I are planning another show for December, and I’ll let you know once we’ve finalized the details.  Would love to hear your thoughts or feedback about the show too!

I now offer training in Komyo Reiki, a form of traditional Japanese Reiki, to existing Reiki Masters only. The training will be held the weekend of January 22-23, 2011 from 10 AM – 5:30 PM both days at Candler Park Chiropractic in Atlanta, GA.

I had the privilege of learning Komyo Reiki from Hyakuten Inamoto, my teacher and founder of the system.  (See my story of receiving my Shinpiden training.)  Inamoto, a Buddhist monk, was taught by Chiyoko Yamaguchi, a student of Chujiro Hayashi.  Yamaguchi learned Reiki in 1938 at the age of 17 and practiced for over 60 years before her passing in August 2003.  The style of  traditional Japanese Reiki she practiced and taught is now known as Jikiden Reiki. 

Komyo Reiki remains true to the healing aspects of the practice taught by Hayashi and Yamaguchi.  However, there is an emphasis on what Inamoto Sensei calls “spiritual enfoldment.”  The goal of Komyo Reiki is satori – or enlightenment – through Reiki practice.  The more peace and balance we cultivate  in our lives through Reiki practice, the more we directly experience what Usui called “the miraculous medicine of all diseases.” 

All four levels -  Shoden, Chuden, Okuden and Shinpiden – will be taught as a complete system in a two day intensive workshop.  Students will learn the history of Komyo Reiki, similaries and differences between Western (Takata style) and Japanese Reiki, traditional Japanese techniques for healing and Ki-building, as well as the reiju (attunement) process.  Upon completion of this training, students will be certified as Komyo Reiki Kai Shihans (teachers) and can teach the system to others.

The cost for the Komyo Reiki Shinpiden training is $600 (receive a $50 discount if you register with a deposit before December 31, 2010.) It includes the Komyo Reiki Kai manual, handouts, certificate of completion, ongoing support and opportunities to “internship” with Dragonfly Reiki, including the option to sit in and observe/assist during classes. Students may pay in two installments (due by date of class.)  See the Reiki Classes page for more information on registration and payment options.  Registration required no later than one week before the date of class to ensure sufficient materials and seating.