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)

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.

The secret art of inviting happiness
The miraculous medicine of all diseases
Just for today, do not anger
Do not worry and be filled with gratitude
Devote yourself to your work. Be kind to people.
Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer.
Pray these words to your heart
and chant these words with your mouth
Usui Reiki Treatment for the improvement of body and mind.  – the founder, Usui Mikao

The Gokai (sometimes referred to as the Reiki Ideals or Reiki Principles) are one of the five pillars of Reiki practice.  At their heart, the Gokai are the foundation of the system of Reiki.  The Precepts are guidelines to aid students in creating a spiritually connected life.  Living in accordance with these ideals is more than just practicing Reiki; it is being Reiki.

The first two lines describe what Reiki is: the source for bringing happiness and harmony into our lives and curing what ails us.  The next five lines focus on specific imperatives or instructions we should focus on each day as practitioners and people concerned with spiritual development.  The last four lines describe how we should observe the ideals as part of our daily practice. The founder of the system of Reiki, Mikao Usui, recommended that we make time to meditate twice daily, chanting and reflecting on the meaning of the Precepts in order to connect with their deeper meaning in our lives.

A student of mine asked recently if I thought Usui Sensei ever got angry.  We have a tendency to think we have “failed” if we can’t always follow through on the Precepts – or any other spiritual practice – perfectly every day. The Precepts simply encourage us to cultivate awareness of our actions and learn how to live fully in the present moment.  By doing so, we will eventually manifest the Precepts’ positive benefits for ourselves and others.  Committing to any spiritual path is a lifelong journey of recognizing, embracing and living out our authentic self.  Expecting instant perfection sets us up for disillusionment and frustration.  Each time we return to our practice with intention and positive effort – letting go of blame, guilt or worry – the more surely we walk the path towards realization of wholeness. 

When Usui Sensei says, “Just for today” (sometimes translated as “For today only”) he was reminding us that we can only influence our lives as we are experiencing it from moment to moment. We can’t change the past and we can’t control or predict the future. However, we can be present now, and make mindful choices with regard to our responses and actions.  This is the intention behind the imperative “just for today.” We learn to trust the process; that it will provide us with the tools and support for walking the path with a sure footing and open heart.

Does that mean we will never experience negative emotions or self-limiting thoughts?  We’re human and these emotions naturally arise as a result of being in relationship to the world.  The Precepts remind us to return to the moment and observe what we’re thinking or feeling without blame or criticism.  Doing so gives us pause, providing us with the opportunity to ask, “What is really happening here?”  Often, we find that we’re subconsciously reacting due to emotional patterns imprinted on us from past experiences or we are unnecessarily taking on someone else’s emotional energy or issues. 

At that point, we have a choice as to how we will proceed.  For Reiki practitioners, this is the perfect moment to reflect on the Precepts and spend a few minutes giving a self-treatment to help with energetic balance and wholeness.  We may find ourselves surprised at how these feelings that felt so powerful and impenetrable suddenly begin shifting to something we can either release or transform into something more positive in nature.

The practice of Reiki is one of endless abundance, a way to give freely without fear of loss.  Reiki promotes compassion for oneself and others, leading to a more positive state of being and interconnectedness on a level deeper than what we can experience with the limited confines of the body.  As Usui Sensei himself said, “The mission of Usui Reiki Ryoho is to enhance mutual well-being for oneself and others, on one hand, by fulfilling a peaceful and joyful life mentally and physically and, on the other, healing the sick.” Living the Reiki Precepts allows us to invite happiness into our lives and as such, experience fully what Usui Sensei declared the “miraculous medicine of all diseases.”

Hear my teacher, Hyakuten Inamoto, reciting the Gokai in Japanese.

Reiki is increasingly being featured in the news, as more people become familiar with this gentle, therapeutic treatment and see the benefits for themselves and their loved ones.

In this article from Spain, Reiki helps people living with cancer restore their energy levels and sense of well-being after receiving conventional radiation or chemotherapy treatments. Reiki Master John Taylor says, “ “Cancer treatments can really take its toll on the body but many patients find Reiki helps them.  I also encourage them to do Reiki on themselves at home.  Anything to help them help themselves is a good thing.”  A number of hospitals and cancer treatment centers have been including Reiki as an adjunct wellness option for cancer patients and survivors, because they recognize its therapeutic and restorative benefits.  The Center for Reiki Research maintains an updated listing of 70 hospitals, medical clinic and hospice programs where Reiki is offered as a standard part of care.

The Chicago Tribune also featured an article on holistic treatment for animals. Dr. Shane Siwek, one of the veterinarians interviewed says, “I’m seeing an increase in Reiki treatments with animals. You can use Reiki for any physical problem. I have one client who brings a dog in once a month, and they notice he feels better.”  The article stresses that holistic treatments such as Reiki, massage or acupuncture for pets is not performed in place of Western medicine, but is a complement to traditional medical treatments.  Pets can benefit from many of the same holistic treatments that humans receive to alleviate stress or discomfort and improve well-being.  

(Photo credit: Reiki Halifax) 

A recent study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology entitled, Effects of Reiki on Autonomic Activity Early After Acute Coronary Syndrome, demonstrates that Reiki treatment can reduce the emotional stress associated with a heart attack, and reduce the risk of a second attack. 

 Additionally, the study showed that Reiki treatments improved heart rate variability (HRV), which measures whether or not a patient’s body is recovering from a response to stress:

Reiki treatment was associated with an increase from baseline in mean Likert scale score for all positive emotional states (happy, relaxed, calm) and reductions for all negative states (stressed, angry, sad, frustrated, worried, scared, anxious). Changes in emotional state trended from most positive emotional change with Reiki treatment to least positive emotional change with resting control, with music intermediate.

In addition to the findings, there are several reasons to be encouraged by this research.  First, it was conducted in collaboration with Pamela Miles, a Reiki Master who has tirelessly worked for acceptance and adoption of Reiki as an adjunct therapy by mainstream medicine.  Second, it demonstrated that Reiki was as effective as traditional treament (use of beta blockers) for improving heart rate variability – and without the side effects.  Third, Reiki was practiced in an acute-care setting successfully and without adverse effects.  The authors “suggest that Reiki can be incorporated into standard hospital care to provide therapeutic benefit without additional cost or disruption of the nurses’ workday.” 

The study does not suggest that Reiki is a “cure-all.” What it does conclude is that the emotional state of patients who experienced Acute Coronary Syndrome (heart attacks) was significantly improved, leading to a more positive state of well-being that can improve their overall recovery rate and reduce the risk of another ACS event.  Experiencing a heart attack is often a traumatic, life-changing event, and patients need support beyond what standard medical interventions can provide.  It is my hope that cardiologists take notice of this study and express interest in including Reiki as part of an overall treatment plan for patients as a safe, therapeutic option.

Dragonfly Reiki is pleased to be a sponsor of the ”Conscious Parent Movie Matinee“ series, hosted by my colleagues at Lumina Birth and Lotus of Life Chiropractic.  The series features films covering a variety of topics on pregnancy, birth and parenting.  The films will be followed by a panel discussion with local childbirth and health care experts.  In addition, sponsors will be available with information on their services and/or products. 

This is an amazing opportunity for parents and parents-to-be in the Atlanta area to learn about how to have healthy, happy families from pregnancy and on through the childhood years.  The women from Lumina Birth and Lotus of Life Chiropractic have made very conscious choices when raising their own children, including their approach to pregnancy, healthcare, nutrition and green/organic living.  They have much experience – and expertise – to share.  My involvement not only supports their efforts, but provides opportunities for parents to learn more about the benefits of Reiki for their family’s improved health and well-being.

Upcoming films include:

October 10, 2010 – “Birth into Being” – Russian Spiritual Midwife Tatyana Sargunas and her filmmaker husband, Alexi, take you on a breathtaking expedition to witness two families birthing in the Black Sea, and into their home to see two of their daughters being born in a handmade clear birthing pool.

November 14, 2010 – “Orgasmic Birth” –this documentary brings the ultimate challenge to our cultural myths by inviting viewers to see the emotional, spiritual, and physical heights attainable through birth. Witness the passion as birth is revealed as an integral part of woman’s sexuality and a neglected human right.

December 12, 2010 – “What Babies Want“–an award winning documentary film that explores the profoundly important and sacred opportunity we have in bringing children into the world. Filled with captivating stories and infused with Noah Wyle’s warmth as narrator, the film demonstrates how life patterns are established at birth and  before.

January 9, 2011 – “Nature, Nurture and the Power of Love” — Dr. Bruce  Lipton, Ph.D.-author of “Biology of Belief” and “Spontaneous Evolution”

February 6, 2011 – “Babies” – Directed by award-winning filmmaker Thomas Balmès, from an original idea by producer Alain Chabat, Babies simultaneously follows four babies around the world – from birth to first steps.

Tickets: $3 per person or $5 per pair/couple. Bring your spouse! Bring a friend! Buy tickets online on the Lumina Birth site, at the Lotus of Life Chiropractic office, or at the door. Info: 404-377-7743. Print your Paypal receipt and bring it with you if you purchase tickets online.

Childcare will be provided on-site for a small fee of $2 per child, for children ages 4 months to 4 years. RSVP for childcare is highly recommended by calling Lotus of Life 404-377-7743. Please mention child(ren’s) ages and date of the film you are attending. Childcare can be pre-paid online at the Lumina Birth site.

Time & Place: All films are being shown at 3:00 pm at All Souls Fellowship, 647 E College Ave, Decatur, GA 30030. (Corner of New Street.)

 (Photo courtesy of Storyvillegirl)