I started going to Reiki treatments with Tania two years ago, after going to 15 doctors and specialists who could not diagnose why I was so ill. I had lost an unhealthy amount of weight, was trying to clean up my diet with organic food and eliminated all the possible known allergens. I had stopped all the drugs that the doctors prescribed after reactions to them all. I was feeling like nothing was going to change and I was going to have to live with this pain and difficulty functioning. After the first couple of treatments, I could sleep after two years of not sleeping properly, and my body started healing itself after a few months of treatments. Tania has helped my healing and put my body back on the path to better health. Thank you Tania.
S. M.
Reiki treatments for end of life care
Some months ago I was asked to give in-home Reiki treatments to a gentleman who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. After receiving 30 rounds of chemotherapy he appeared very frail, but was still in good spirits. Having been a Senior Policy advisor at Health Canada, he revealed to me that prior to his illness he never believed in “this stuff”, meaning any kind of complementary medicine. After receiving an informal Reiki treatment from a friend on his couch, he decided he wanted to receive a series of professional Reiki treatments at home. He was delighted at the prospect of laying down on a comfortable treatment table. Within a few minutes of beginning the Reiki treatment his breathing slowed and he fell asleep.
After the session he recalled how wonderful the heat sensation felt on his body and how much better he felt. He asked me to come again the following week, which I did. He had just returned from getting another round of chemo at the hospital. He didn’t talk this time. After his Reiki treatment, he quietly headed to rest on his couch accompanied by his beautiful cat. I was contacted by him a third time, but he later cancelled because he was heading back to the hospital. I came across his obituary several weeks later. I felt blessed to have been given this opportunity to help ease the suffering of this wonderfully brave and once vivacious man. Rest in Peace Roger.
Reiki treatments support people going through divorce
A year ago, a client (name withheld for confidentiality) came to me requesting a Reiki treatment. He explained that he was going through a divorce and that someone suggested to him that he should try a Reiki treatment. After receiving his treatment he said he felt relaxed, in a similar way as one feels after taking a yoga class. He continued to come in for regular treatments and gradually they became further apart. He found it helped him so much that he began to send his business associates in for treatments. Almost a year later he asked me if I could give a Reiki treatment to a woman I assumed was another associate. Only later on he revealed to me that this was his ex wife.
Finding courage through connection ... reiki and me
A year after I moved to Ottawa, while pregnant with my first son, I decided that I wanted to volunteer at a local drop-in women's shelter giving Reiki treatments. Prior to that, I had been practicing Reiki out of a yoga studio in downtown Toronto and I really missed it. The volunteer coordinator suggested that I help out at a permanent residence for women in need of continuous care and support. She felt this would be a safer, calmer place than the drop-in shelter. And so my journey as a Reiki volunteer began.
Even a few minutes of Reiki can help calm a person and restore their sense of wellbeing. “What the heck is Reiki?” you might ask, as many do. Reiki, pronounced RAYKEY, is a practice that helps to restore balance to one’s system by engaging the body's self-healing mechanisms. A Reiki treatment, which is usually facilitated through light touch on or just above the body, typically brings rapid stress reduction and relief from pain and anxiety. The recipient remains fully clothed and can either be seated or lying down. Having experienced this feeling myself through treatments, I was well aware of the benefits and wanted to share the experience with others. It is so rewarding to help bring more ease, calm, focus and peace of mind to people.
The rewards of volunteering far surpassed my expectations. I became friends with women of all ages and backgrounds. Some shared stories of their trials and tribulations, some preferred to just quietly receive Reiki, and others just curiously looked on. After an evening of volunteering I would happily return home to my role as a stay-at-home mom, feeling like I made a meaningful connection, not only to the world outside, but also to the sacred world inside. Reiki assists one to open a channel to the divine – it inspires and uplifts. I have gained a greater sense of purpose from serving others in the community as well as my family. Connecting with women through Reiki has nourished my spirit. I get to do something I love and receive trust and friendship in return.
Recently, I was invited to offer Reiki at a new permanent residence, built in 2011. For the first time ever, many of the support staff, including nurses and social workers, have come to try Reiki. Many have reported feeling calmer and more peaceful after a session. It only makes sense that caregivers also need to take care of themselves. Offering Reiki in the workplace can help ease stress and tension, improve concentration and boost morale. When you feel good, that feeling spreads to others!
As a volunteer, I have made new friends, heard many stories and learned more about myself and the world. By touching the lives I others, I have gained a valuable sense of confidence and contribution. Serving in this way has deepened my connection with Reiki and the community I live in.
Curious about how Reiki can bring more ease and energy into your life?
[This article was originally published in Tone Magazine - January, 2014]