The Path Back to Myself

After the very first Reiki treatment I received, I slept for 12 hours. 

The year was 2002, and I hadn’t slept that well in almost two years. I already had regular yoga and meditation practices, exercised and ate well, but I was under a tremendous amount of stress, had bouts of depression, fibroids on my uterus, and hormones out of whack. 

Clearly something was missing from my approach to health.

Many sleepless nights were triggered by a recurring dream in which I was hiking through the wilderness when the path abruptly ended at a vertical rock wall. I could see the path continued along the cliff above where I was standing, so in wanting to go forward, I began to clamor and claw my way up the wall. About half way up, I looked over to see other people easily walking along a path around and up to the top. What?!?!? But I was already fully committed to the struggle, all-in to effort my way up. It made no sense to me that there may be an easier way. At that point, I would wake up, completely exasperated with a burning sensation at my solar plexus. 

Getting back to sleep was futile. The dream reoccured many times over many months with almost identical details. 

I talked to my doctor, saw a sleep specialist, and began somatic psychotherapy, but something was still missing. Then, one day, I was at the yoga studio and saw a notice for Reiki treatments. The posting, simple yet elegant, had probably been there for some time, but there was something that sparked in me that day when I saw it. 

So I made an appointment.

After that first session, I continued regular treatments with her as well as other energy healers and modalities. While that initial session allowed me to sleep, it also awakened within me a recognition of an aspect of myself I didn’t have full access to previously and initiated an avid interest in the subtle body. 

I followed threads of ancient teachings in Vedanta, Traditional Chinese Medicine, South American Shamanism, and Tibetan Buddhism; grew fascinated in the ways of pioneers in energy medicine, such as Donna Eden, Barbara Brennan, and Bruce Burger; studied chakras with Anodea Judith, Carolyn Myss, and others; practiced yoga and qigong; explored vibrational qualities of plants and flower essences; delved into modern biofield science and quantum physics; and the list goes on. Eventually I trained in Reiki and have practiced self-treatment for many years, now giving sessions for others. 

I consider this an integral part of my journey of becoming.

To know and care for my energy has not only elevated my physical health but also helped me know myself better and navigate the world with more ease as a sensitive yet social person. It has opened and aligned me with my intuition; has informed the way I approach and teach yoga as an energy-based practice; and supported my life as a mystic immersed in embodied spirituality.

After that first Reiki treatment and profound night’s sleep, I started on a new path that as of present, hasn’t ended abruptly at a sheer rock wall. It hasn’t been without challenges, detours, and course corrections, but it has slowly and sustainably led me forward, more illuminated with every step I take.

Now, 20 years later, I’m passionate about sharing the world of energy and empowering others with the knowledge and tools to care for themselves so they, in turn, can share their passions and unique contributions for a better world.