Just about everyone wants to heal physically, emotionally, mentally or spiritually. Many of us want to arise in the morning with energy, inspired to make a difference in our world and express our true selves. But when we’re hurting or worrying, all is not well and we turn to the gym, our chiropractor, our therapist or spiritual group seeking the one thing that will make it all right. But my belief is that we don’t always know what will make us better. We can guess. We can heal ourselves physically but never get at our existential angst. We can make progress in therapy and never address our body’s aches and disease. We can be physically fit and still suffer loneliness and emotional pain. Only the universe - God, spirit, whatever we want to call this truth that sees us out of time and place - can see our soul and give us what we need. We don’t always know what lessons we are meant to learn in this lifetime. Can we accept this not knowing peacefully and learn to be surprised?

Florence Scovel Shinn, who created many effective affirmations in her day, said: “The unexpected happens. My seemingly impossible good comes to pass.” What is that good? What is that healing? Through Reiki, we get a glimmer of what that may be.

Reiki, which originated in Japan, is translated as Universal Life Energy. An energy that heals on all levels of our being, it is passed along either through laying on of hands or from a distance. One never forces Reiki on anyone; it is offered and accepted or declined. Common outcomes of Reiki are deep relaxation, calm and healing of what our organism and spirit needs. Often Reiki can help resolve difficult situations. It never does harm.

In a series of sessions - ideally a minimum of four sessions as close together as possible - the client can either lie on a massage table or sit in a chair to receive Reiki. The practitioner’s hands are gentle and non-manipulative and can be either on the client’s body or hovering over it. Reiki can also be requested and sent long distances at an agreed-upon time of day.

When I finished my Level 1 training, I was drawn to doing Reiki on myself every day. I loved taking the time to be still for an hour or so in my hectic musical life and feel this energy move through my hands. We were encouraged to do Reiki daily for two weeks before practicing the healing on others. I remember I was on the Big Island of Hawaii for the Christmas holiday and had some hip joint achiness that I hoped Reiki would help resolve. After a nice vacation, we flew home and a few days later it hit me, “I’m not anxious!” Usually, upon returning to “life” after a vacation, I would feel an unexplainable existential angst about returning to the daily rhythm. This time, nothing but peace! I was giddy and then understood: Reiki flowed to what needed healing - my emotions and fears and not necessarily my hip, which, by the way, also got better through continued Reiki and Alexander work.

This is one aspect of Reiki that I love: awaiting the Universe's blessings and healings in the face of the unknown. Reiki allows me to stop striving and helps me to surrender to life and have faith that its gentle flow will lead me down the right paths. Of course, I’ve also seen Reiki heal directly: a back spasm, for instance, releases. Neck and jaw pain disappear.

I offer Reiki to clients with muscular and joint pain, deep fatigue and general physical and emotional discomfort. Depending on a client's needs, I also encourage learning the principles of the Alexander Technique to help you free your whole self from years of habitual psychophysical and structural imbalances. To learn more about the Alexander Technique, please check out my website at www.norcia.biz.

Our bodies, psyches, minds and spirits are all part of nature. Reiki energy moves through us and realigns what has gone astray.


REIKI IN THE VOICE STUDIO

I have been studying voice and the Alexander Technique with Monica for several years now. Most recently, I arrived for my voice lesson feeling tense and fatigued by my strong seasonal allergies. Monica used her Reiki skills and my head cleared within minutes. I’ve experienced Reiki as a very subtle, yet powerful technique. I love working with Monica and keep recommending her to friends.

                                  - B. Fischlin, Redwood City, Calif.