Search Results

Introduction: In the face of today's increasingly demanding and stressful world, many caring individuals find themselves seeking effective ways to protect and preserve their personal energy. One remarkable practice that has gained popularity is Usui/Holy Fire Reiki training. Rooted in ancient Japanese healing traditions, this gentle yet powerful technique offers a path to shielding and nurturing one's life force energy, making it particularly relevant for empathic individuals and those working in high-stress professions like teaching, healthcare, and public service. In this blog, we will explore how Usui/Holy Fire Reiki can serve as a valuable tool for safeguarding personal energy and promoting well-being in these challenging times. Understanding Reiki the Life Force Energy: At the core of Usui/Holy Fire Reiki lies the concept of life force energy, also known as vital force or vital energy. This energy is believed to flow within and around all living beings, connecting us to the universal consciousness. When our life force energy is balanced and harmonious, we experience vitality, wellness, and a sense of inner peace. However, exposure to stress, negativity, and emotional turmoil can disrupt this delicate balance, leaving us vulnerable and depleted. Empaths and Energy Sensitivity: Empaths, in particular, possess a heightened sensitivity to the energy around them. They can easily absorb the emotions, thoughts, and vibrations of others, which can lead to emotional exhaustion and burnout. Empaths often find it challenging to establish boundaries and protect their personal energy, especially when working in demanding professions. Usui/Holy Fire Reiki provides them with a powerful method to shield their energy and restore balance. The Protective Power of Reiki: Reiki training equips individuals with a range of techniques and practices to protect their personal energy and enhance their overall well-being. These techniques involve channeling divine energy and consciously directing it for healing and protection. Some common methods used in Usui/Holy Fire Reiki include: Energy Shielding: Practitioners learn to create energetic shields around themselves, which act as a barrier against negative influences and unwanted energies. These shields serve as a protective cocoon, preventing external stressors from depleting their vital life force energy. Protection: Reiki flows through the practitioner providing a one way channel of Reiki protecting the practitioner. Energy Clearing and Grounding: Through meditation and focused intention, practitioners can clear their energy field of any stagnant or unwanted energies. Grounding techniques help them anchor their energy to the Earth, promoting stability and resilience. Self-Healing: Reiki empowers individuals to perform self-healing sessions, allowing them to address and release any accumulated stress, tension, or emotional blocks. Regular self-healing sessions help maintain energetic balance and restore vitality. Personal Development: Reiki can be used to assist personal growth and empower goals. The Benefits for High-Stress Professionals: For professionals working in high-stress environments like teachers, medical professionals, and public service workers, Reiki can be an invaluable tool for self-care. By incorporating Reiki practices into their daily routines, these individuals can experience: Increased Resilience: Reiki techniques strengthen their energetic boundaries, enabling them to handle challenging situations with greater composure and emotional stability. Stress Reduction: Regular Reiki self-healing sessions alleviate stress, anxiety, and emotional fatigue, promoting relaxation and restoring energy levels. Emotional Well-being: Reiki enhances emotional balance and helps individuals process and release challenging emotions, fostering a greater sense of inner peace and clarity. Enhanced Intuition: Usui/Holy Fire Reiki practice enhances one's intuitive abilities, allowing professionals to make informed decisions and navigate complex situations more effectively. Energetic Protection: Reiki provides a type of protection for the attuned/ trained person, this allows a deeper connection and ability to assist others in ways that may not have been possible prior to Reiki training. Conclusion: In these trying times, caring individuals need effective tools to protect their personal energy and maintain their well-being. For more information about how Usui/Holy Fire Reiki contact Mandy Carter with Healing Homes & Hearts LLC. https://www.healinghomes444.com/book-online

How is Holy Fire® Reiki I & II different from other lineages? William Rand and the International Center for Reiki Training introduced Holy Fire® Reiki in 2014. This new form of reiki is now part of the ICRT's reiki classes. "It is both powerful and gentle and provides purification, healing, empowerment and guidance." — ICRT Holy Fire® energy is noticeably more sophisticated, coming from a higher level of consciousness. No one religion is associated with Holy Fire® energy — a divine and intuitive energy that protects and guides those who experience it. During a certification class, students receive the unique Holy Fire® energy through a process called placement, which can be performed in class or in one of Mandy's sessions. This is slightly different from the attunement used in the original Usui reiki. The placement is guided by the Holy Fire® Reiki energy and the student's free will. This separates the teacher's energy from the process in a way that a traditional hands-on attunement does not, enabling the teacher to hold the space for this process in a most beautiful way — separate from their belief system and ego self. My experience recognizing my healing powers was profound, and I've never faltered or questioned the path I have taken. The deeper I healed myself, the more I could understand why I was being drawn to Reiki. The more I understood, the deeper I healed myself and let go of what was no longer serving me. The space created through letting go led to an experience of joy I'd never felt before. My first Holy Fire® class was offered online during COVID-19, and I've since retaken Levels 1 and 2 and the Master-Level course in person. I'd never experienced a Reiki session before, but I recognized and listened to my intuition. I felt a strong knowing that I was being offered a tool to learn that would empower and protect me. Then, I followed the path on which I was gently guided. I felt empowered and full of life-force energy after every class. Now, I know that I was being guided to reiki healing so I could protect myself as an empath healer while helping individuals and the world heal. I've learned that reiki guides our lives and empowers us starting the moment we ask for it. I love to talk and answer questions about Holy Fire® Reiki. Please reach out if you have any questions.

Spring is upon us. It's a time of new beginnings and fresh perspectives. A new way of seeing. Our homes and bodies can always benefit from a cleanse. It is during this season that a cleanse can be extra effective. Just as the energy changes as winter turns to spring, so do living creatures. We can set an intention to release what is no longer serving us. We do this with prayer, meditation or awareness. Ask for renewal. Ask for the stale, stuck energy in our lives to move out and be replaced with the light of our higher power. Fresh new energy can move us to new places — mentally, spiritually, in relationships, and in so many other ways. Spring cleaning is also for our home's energy. Pack up some giveaways, clean those windows and welcome sacred smoke to cleanse your air. I'm always a message away from helping you to heal your heart or your home. In light, Mandy Carter Reiki Master Teacher and QHHT® Practitioner

Are you highly attuned to the emotions of those around you? Have you noticed that you sometimes sacrifice your own needs to help someone else, even those with whom you don’t have close personal relationships? Do you often put yourself in another’s shoes and intuitively understand their feelings? What is an empath? If you have a profound ability to sense the feelings of others, you may be an empath. Merriam-Webster defines an empath as “one who experiences the emotions of others” and “a person who has empathy.” In an article for Woman’s Day, Karen McLaren, M.Ed., the author of “The Language of Emotions: What Your Feelings Are Trying to Tell You,” defined empathy as the “ability to read and respond to the emotions, social signals, thoughts, and intentions of others.” Many people are empathetic, but empaths have a heightened awareness of the emotions of others. According to author Mary Rosenlund (pen name Josie Barrett): “An empath is someone who not only feels what another person is feeling, but experiences it as if it is their own experience. It is common for the unaware empath to mistakenly think what they are feeling is their own emotion.” Being an empath is not the same as empathizing with others. You will naturally show support and understanding when you help a friend through a loss when you’ve experienced a similar situation. As an empath, you don’t need to experience what the person is going through to feel their pain. It is not always simple to recognize that our feelings are not our own. Getting curious about what you’re experiencing can help shine light on how you can best care for yourself while staying true to your values. You can also ask your higher power/guides/angels/ancestors for guidance on what is behind your emotions. Self-care is not selfish Am I gaslighting myself? Empaths are often told we are “too sensitive” and questioned about what we are feeling and experiencing. Perhaps you’ve internalized this and begun questioning your own experiences. This can be a form of gaslighting – Merriam-Webster’s 2022 Word of the Year. Gaslighting is a type of emotional abuse in which someone manipulates another to make them feel or seem “crazy.” As empaths, we may experience a storm of positive and negative emotions, leading to anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions, when we aren’t self-aware. Taking time to replenish your spirit can help you move toward a healthier relationship with yourself, so you can be part of the movement to spread the healing light of reiki within yourself and around the world. Tools for energy clearing While being an empath is a unique gift, it can be unsettling to feel another person’s pain. Many empaths quickly become burnt out when they stop caring for themselves. Because emotions are energy at work, being an empath can be overwhelming, and we can’t always discern what is and is not ours. The most helpful technique I have found to support me as an empath, Reiki Master and QHHT practitioner is Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki, which serves as a one-way channel for healing energy and keeps clients’ energy from returning to me. It is also intuitive and has protective properties. In addition to Reiki and other healing modalities, there are many different ways to practice self-care, using energy-clearing techniques to cleanse and protect your own energy. The primary goal is to become more grounded and present in our bodies. We’ll touch on three simple strategies anyone can do, followed by a list of other techniques. Earthing Place your bare hands against a tree and attune to the energy inside it and between you. You can also walk barefoot outside. When standing still, imagine an intense beam of light rising from the earth’s center into the bottoms of your feet and through your chakras. Kenyoku – dry bathing The Japanese term “kenyoku” means “dry bathing,” a technique of purification incorporated into reiki. It involves using your hands or an actual brush to move and cleanse the energy in your body. Movement – dancing, yoga and more Don’t you feel better when you dance? Moving your body in a way that feels good is an effective way to release energy. Go for a brisk walk, join a dance or yoga class and find times to move your body regularly. Movement helps us stay centered within our bodies and transfer energy outside our bodies. Other techniques Crystals – hematite, black tourmaline, garnet, jasper and onyx are all excellent grounding crystals Epsom salt bath – sea salt cleanses and purifies Shower or other flowing water – water has been used since ancient times for religious and spiritual blessings Prayer, meditation or journaling I recommend camphor incense to clear your aura and prepare for a meditative or prayerful state. Hold a stick of incense in one hand while swirling it around your body throughout your auric field. Visualize a bright, white light surrounding you, and take several deep, equally timed breaths (in, 1, 2, 3, 4; out, 1, 2, 3, 4) – known as boxed breathing, a form of breathwork. When bathing, you can select tools such as candles and crystals to help clear your aura. Play calming music or crystal singing bowls, and give yourself the gift of time. I’d love to hear what tools you use to practice self-care as an empath!

Introduction: Our inner child carries within it a reservoir of joy, curiosity, and creativity that can profoundly influence our adult lives. Yet, the journey of life often takes a toll on this inner child, leaving it wounded and neglected. Inner child healing work is a transformative process that allows us to reconnect with and heal our inner child, cultivating a sense of safety, playfulness, and self-care. In this blog, we will explore the importance of inner child healing, provide journaling prompts to help you dive deeper into this work, and offer various tips to support your inner child's growth and nourishment. Creating a Safe Space: Before we delve into inner child healing, it's crucial to establish a safe and nurturing environment. Grab a notebook, find a cozy spot, and ensure you won't be interrupted. Take a few deep breaths, allowing yourself to settle into the present moment. Repeat the following affirmations to ground yourself: "I am safe and protected in my body." "I create a loving space for my inner child to heal and grow." "I am deserving of self-care and compassion." Exploring the Power of Play: Play is the language of the inner child. It allows us to reconnect with our natural curiosity, creativity, and joy. Think back to your childhood and reflect on the following prompts: How did you play as a child? What activities brought you immense joy? What beliefs did you develop around play and creativity? How can you support and honor your imagination now? Take your time and journal your thoughts, allowing your inner child to guide your responses. Embrace the playfulness and freedom of expression as you reconnect with this essential part of yourself. Inner Child Healing with Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki: Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki is a powerful modality that can support inner child healing. It works with the universal life force energy to promote balance, relaxation, and healing. Consider exploring this gentle and transformative practice to nurture your inner child. Mandy Carter, a Master Teacher and facilitator at Healing Homes & Hearts LLC, offers various classes and workshops using meditation and Reiki. Contact Mandy for more information on private workshops or classes that cater specifically to inner child healing. Embracing Playful Activities: Engaging in playful activities is an excellent way to connect with your inner child. Here are some suggestions to get you started: Coloring or drawing: Embrace the freedom of expression and let your inner child guide your artistic exploration. Dancing: Allow yourself to move freely to music, without judgment or inhibition. Exploring nature: Spend time outdoors, connecting with the beauty and wonder of the natural world. Playing games: Engage in board games, puzzles, or video games that bring you joy. Remember, the intention is to let go of perfectionism and immerse yourself in the present moment, where your inner child thrives. Conclusion: Inner child healing work is a profound journey of self-discovery, compassion, and growth. By creating a safe space, exploring the power of play, and embracing various activities that nurture your inner child, you can embark on a transformative path of healing. Journaling and Reiki can be valuable tools throughout this process, allowing you to delve deeper into your emotions and release any past wounds. Reach out to Mandy Carter at Healing Homes & Hearts LLC @ healinghomes444@gmail.com Website: www.healinghomes444.com to explore the benefits of Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki and to find support on your way back into connection with your inner child. Remember, they deserve love, care, and the freedom to play and flourish.

Crystals have been used for centuries for their healing properties and their ability to promote positive energy in a space. They are particularly effective in maintaining the high vibration of a space once it has been cleared. In this blog, we will explore four powerful crystals - black tourmaline, clear quartz, selenite, and blue kyanite - and how they can be used to maintain the high vibration of a space. We will also discuss how Reiki and crystals can work together for space clearing and energy maintenance. Use this as a guide if you feel called to. You can intuitively guide yourself to use other crystals as well as the recommended. Crystals love working with us in oh so many ways. Black Tourmaline: Black tourmaline is a powerful crystal for protection and grounding. It is particularly effective in absorbing negative energy and electromagnetic radiation. When placed in a space, black tourmaline can help to maintain a high vibration by absorbing any negative energy that may enter the space. It can also help to ground the space and promote a sense of stability. Clear Quartz: Clear quartz is known as the "master healer" and is a powerful amplifier of energy. It can help to amplify positive vibrations in a space and dispel negative energy. When used in conjunction with other crystals, clear quartz can help to enhance their properties and increase their effectiveness. It is also a great stone for programming with positive intentions, which can further enhance its ability to maintain a high vibration in a space. Selenite: Selenite is a powerful cleansing stone that can help to purify a space of negative energy. It is also a great stone for promoting clarity and mental focus. When placed in a space, selenite can help to maintain a high vibration by continuously cleansing and purifying the energy of the space. Blue Kyanite: Blue kyanite is a powerful crystal for communication and self-expression. It can help to promote open and honest communication and can also help to clear blockages in the throat chakra. When placed in a space, blue kyanite can help to maintain a high vibration by promoting clear and open communication and removing any blockages that may be hindering the flow of energy in the space. Reiki and Crystals: Reiki is a powerful energy healing technique that can be used to clear and balance the energy of a space. When combined with crystals, the effects of Reiki can be amplified, resulting in a more powerful and effective space clearing. During a Reiki session, the practitioner can use crystals to direct the flow of energy and to amplify the healing energy of the session. After the session, the crystals can be left in the space to continue to maintain the high vibration of the space. Wrapping up, crystals are a powerful tool for maintaining the high vibration of a space once it has been cleared. By selecting the right crystals, such as black tourmaline, clear quartz, selenite, and blue kyanite, and placing them strategically throughout the space, you can promote a peaceful and harmonious environment that is conducive to healing and growth. By combining Reiki and crystals, you can further amplify the energy of the space clearing and promote a more powerful and effective healing experience. Mandy Carter is a Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki Master Teacher. You can find her calendar and more @ www.healinghomes444.com Holy Fire® and Karuna Reiki® are registered service marks of William Lee Rand

Our living spaces can hold energetic residue from past events, people, and emotions. This can create stagnant and low vibrational energy, which can affect our wellbeing, relationships, and productivity. One way to clear this energy and invoke high vibrations is through Space Clearing. While there are many right ways to do space clearing, using Reiki is a powerful and versatile method that can work with anything and anywhere. Reiki is a beautiful modality that involves the channeling of universal life force energy to promote healing, balance, and harmony. Whether you are attuned to Reiki or not, you can call on Universal Life Force Energy to clear and imbue your space and items with high vibrations. Here is one way, remember there are many right ways, this is just a guide. Your intuition is always divine and perfect. Five simple steps to do a Reiki Space Clearing: Step 1: Clear the item or space The first step is to clear the item or space of any negative or stagnant energy. If you are attuned to Reiki, use the power symbol and distant symbol to assist you in this process. If not, simply ask for Reiki's assistance and imagine the clearing process. You can also ask for assistance from any high dimensional helpers that you work with, or say a prayer to God, Jesus, or angels. While there are other ways to clear items, such as with smoke, salt, or sunlight, Reiki is versatile and can be used with anything and anywhere. Step 2: Say Thank You The second step is to give gratitude to the space or item. Imagine a bridge of light that carries this gratitude to each and every thing that you use this item or space for. Really go deep into this feeling of being grateful and allow your imagination to guide you through all of the different ways you can allow gratitude pertaining to the item or space. Step 3: Imbue the space or item with Reiki Now that you've cleared the space, you need to fill it back up with Reiki. Use all of the Reiki symbols in this step, including Koki-ho (sending Reiki with your breath), Gyoshi-ho (sending Reiki with your eyes), or beaming Reiki through your hands to the space or item. If you are not attuned to Reiki, remember you are a powerful creator. Set an intention and call in Universal Life Force Energy to flow through the space intending it be cleared. Step 4: Place the intention Placing an intention into the item or space is the fourth step. What is the purpose for this item or room? What would you like Reiki to assist with? Speak or write your intentions for the highest good of this clearing and see it in your mind as being complete. Step 5: Seal Reiki into the item or space The final step is to seal Reiki into the item or space. Use the power symbol to seal the Reiki and state that the space or item is now sealed with the light of Reiki. Ask that no other energies shall be allowed to enter it and that this intention shall keep Reiki sealed in and undisturbed by any outside source. In conclusion, space clearing with Reiki is a simple yet powerful way to clear and imbue your space with high vibrations. It can promote healing, balance, and harmony in your life and the lives of those around you. If you're interested in learning more about Reiki and how to maintain energetic balance in your home and life, consider reaching out to a Reiki Master Teacher like Mandy Carter. Mandy Carter is a Usui/Holy Fire Reiki Master Teacher. She offers space clearing as one of her services. She loves to teach her clients how to maintain this energy balance in their homes and lives . You can find Mandy at www.healinghomes444.com or (513)266-1926 Holy Fire® is a registered service marks of William Lee Rand

A brief history of reiki Reiki (pronounced “ray-kee”) is a healing technique that is used to reduce stress and promote relaxation. This energy work brings balance to the body and mind, promoting self healing. Its origin is Japanese, and experts trace it to before Sensi Usui, who was enlightened with the energy of reiki on Mount Kurama in 1922. Some say Usui was the founder of reiki, but Mataji Kawakami, a Japanese therapist, created a healing style called Reiki Ryoho. In 1919, Mataji Kawakami published “Reiki Ryoho to Sono Koka” (“Reiki Healing and Its Effects”). There were at least four other styles of reiki healing that were being practiced in Japan prior to Usui. 1 Before Usui’s death, he asked one of his students, Dr. Hayashi, to expand reiki based on his medical training in the Navy. Dr. Hayashi was pivotal in spreading reiki. He was the direct teacher of Mrs. Takata, who brought reiki to the West in 1937. She opened a healing studio, providing reiki in the United States with guidance from Dr. Hayashi. Mrs. Takata continued teaching and giving sessions until her death in 1980. 1 Tuning into your life energy for relaxation and awareness Mandy is a trusted and certified Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki practitioner and teacher in Yellow Springs, Ohio. She offers reiki sessions and classes for those looking to experience this healing practice's physical, mental, emotional and spiritual benefits. We all have access to this spiritually guided life force energy. We can choose to become attuned to reiki through a class or simply receive the energy in a session. Reiki attunements are passed down from teacher to student. The development of this reiki energy is the responsibility of the student. It becomes a way of life, as the student learns to apply it to their own life . Then some learn how to assist humanity with this gift. Reiki is very soothing for the nervous system, including the mind. Reiki assists in realigning the body, mind and spiritual connection that comes from within and beyond us innately. This connection contains great wisdom and love as it works to help us heal and transform our lives. Reiki energy moves us to a place of high consciousness with ease and grace. This frequency assists in raising our awareness, consciousness and love. Reiki protects us and has no religious dogma. People of all faiths and no faith can benefit from reiki. Many incorporate prayers or Jesus with reiki, and many with Buddhist backgrounds practice the benefits of reiki. This spiritually guided life force energy is accessible to all. Many people have sessions or take reiki classes to support their overall well-being. Reiki is a fantastic companion to traditional medical care. Along with its ability to move energy, prevent illness, it also encourages wellness for body , mind and spirit. It allows for the body to align itself so that it can often heal itself or prevent illness. Read on to learn what to expect in Mandy’s reiki sessions and how to get started. What happens in a Usui/Holy Fire® Reiki session? A reiki session with Mandy at her studio in Yellow Springs usually lasts 90 minutes and includes guided meditation, chakra alignment and a comfortable guided reiki experience filled with love. When you arrive, you can sit in the comfortable waiting area. Feel free to browse a newspaper or book and use the common area bathrooms. Mandy will greet you in front and walk you to her private healing space. Mandy always likes to chat before a session if her client is open to it. Conversation helps bring anything that needs to be released from the body to the surface. You may experience an emotional release while Mandy holds a beautiful space for you to clear energy and self-regulate. You may experience complete relaxation, a body, mind and soul connection, reduced anxiety, a feeling of deep love, and nervous system realignment, enabling your body to do its miraculous job of self-healing. For an in person session, you will lie comfortably on a massage table, while Mandy gently guides you into complete relaxation with a guided meditation / experience. She hovers or gently places her hands over various areas of your body, such as your head and abdomen. This practice allows her to channel reiki energy into your body through her hands, which helps realign blocked energy pathways that may cause you mental or emotional distress, pain or discomfort. This work is done intuitively while you are in a complete state of relaxation. You are able to talk to let Mandy know how you are , if you need to. Most people go into a very deep state of relaxation. Some fall asleep. Reiki seep does not hinder the flow of reiki. Sometimes it actually enhances it, by removing the mind from its busy thoughts. Mandy may also use crystals and other tools during the session to enhance the healing process, but these are not required. She offers a safe space to share thoughts or feelings during the session. Mandy actively listens with compassion and grace and explains how reiki guides her as a channel for its light. You may notice heat or vibration coming through her hands as she channels reiki to you. Mandy is able to channel reiki to you from a distance as well. This can look like a connection via zoom, a phone call or a picture of you. The session works a bit different than in person reiki, but is very effective. Clients receive a complete reset and leave the session ready to tackle whatever life has thrown at them with calm. Many find this helpful to them as they heal from injuries, surgery and illness. Again, finding that place of nervous system regulation assists the body in it's miraculous job of self healing. What Are The Benefits Of A Holy Fire® Reiki Session? Reiki has many benefits, including reducing stress levels, improving overall well-being and moods throughout one’s day, promoting positive thinking patterns by being more aware of our thoughts and feelings, providing emotional balance by restoring harmony within ourselves, and helping us become more self-aware. Altogether, this helps us better understand ourselves on a deeper level. Additionally, it can help increase productivity and clarify decisions throughout life’s journey. If you are looking for a way to relax and center yourself mentally, emotionally or spiritually, book a Usui/Holy Fire® III Reiki session with Mandy at her studio in Yellow Springs, Ohio! Whether done online, via video or phone call or in person at her studio, you will find the peace that comes with connecting with yourself on another level while receiving the powerful healing benefits imparted by this ancient practice. Mandy also shares her gift of Quantum Healing Hypnosis Technique® (QHHT®) and offers spiritual coaching, pet reiki and home energy clearings. She uses her intuition and the light of reiki to guide all her offerings. Mandy can help determine the best fit based on your needs. Reach out with questions or book now for an experience that will leave you feeling relaxed and energized! Source: 1. Rand, William Lee. Reiki: The Healing Touch: First and Second Degree Manual, Revised and Expanded Edition. Vision Publications. ISBN 9780963156709 (ISBN10: 0963156705). August 1, 1998. Holy Fire® is a registered service mark of William Lee Rand.

Winter is a delicate time for many people in Ohio and beyond. You may feel anxious and drained as you come out of the holiday season. The excitement of gathering friends, family and loved ones has passed, and your feelings around the time following New Year’s Day may be complex. Perhaps you feel disconnected and lonely when you cannot share the holidays with others. As 2023 begins, Healing Homes & Hearts encourages you to set intentions and get serious about self-care and mental well-being. Reiki is one tool you can use to promote well-being, increase mindfulness and activate the body’s ability to heal and restore balance. Prevalence of mental health conditions in U.S. population The National Institute of Mental Health, part of the National Institutes of Health, reports the following statistics (pre-COVID-19 pandemic): Nearly 1 in 5 adults in the United States lives with a diagnosable mental health condition in a given year. Almost 10% of American adults ages 18 and older will experience a depressive illness — major depression, bipolar disorder or dysthymia — in a given year. Women are nearly twice as likely as men to have major depression. Anxiety disorders are also pervasive. Nearly 20% of people ages 18-54 experience an anxiety disorder in a given year. These include the following: Panic disorder Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) Phobias such as social phobia and agoraphobia Depression, anxiety and other mental health conditions are often co-concurrent with substance use disorder. Reiki to support mental health National and international studies and systematic reviews have identified the benefits of reiki as a complementary therapy to traditional medicine for holistic healing while noting that more large-scale studies are needed. For example, a review of 14 studies found that reiki is more effective in alleviating mental health symptoms than a placebo. “Incorporating Reiki as a complementary treatment to mainstream psychotherapy for depression, stress, and anxiety may be appropriate,” the authors concluded. Another study evaluating reiki for health care workers negatively impacted by the pandemic found preliminary effectiveness in decreasing stress, anxiety and pain and improving well-being. That study is ongoing. Other studies have found that reiki is effective in reducing anxiety and depression in cancer patients and improving sleep quality in hospitalized patients. PsychCentral reported on a 2017 review that found reiki’s effects on the parasympathetic nervous system include anxiety reduction, including that related to chronic pain. It also saw improvements in depression, changes in self-esteem, improved mood and emotional regulation, and an increase in positive emotions. What concepts in Reiki address mental health symptoms? Five precepts (rules or principles) guide reiki practice, and you can incorporate these into your daily life to get the most out of reiki sessions. Each precept begins with “just for today,” a reminder to bring attention to the present and out of the past or future. When we spend too much time analyzing the past or fixated on our fears of an unknown future, we miss living in the present moment. Translated from Japanese, the five principles include: Just for today, do not worry. How would it feel to you to trust that everything will work out in the end? This precept reminds you to try to let go of worry. “Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its joy.” – Leo F. Buscaglia Just for today, do not anger. Reiki can help you cultivate a sense of calm and peace in your daily life and avoid getting caught up in negative emotions like anger and frustration. Mindfulness enables you to identify and observe your feelings before letting them go without resisting or grasping them. Just for today, be grateful. Science has long backed the idea that practicing gratitude can improve mental health. Take time each day to appreciate the good things you have in your life, focusing on the positive aspects of your experiences. Some people find daily gratitude journaling helpful. Just for today, be humble. When you are humble and honest with yourself and others, you can strive to do your best in everything you do. Humility enables the light within us to shine as a beacon for others. Reiki helps us let go of our egos to promote self-love, intuitive guidance and profound peace. Just for today, be kind and compassionate to every living thing. Reiki encourages us to slow down and tune into our innate compassion for others. To do this, you can strive to be compassionate and understanding, treating everyone and everything you meet with kindness and respect. When we act with compassion and consider the needs of others, we are reminded of our shared humanity, a universal life force, and our own challenges and pain may seem less intense. How to incorporate reiki into your daily practice The five reiki principles can help you maintain a sense of well-being. But what could this look like in your life? Healing Homes & Hearts encourages you to start each day with a short meditation on these concepts or set reminders for yourself to pause and reflect throughout the day. Meditation and visualization can promote feelings of relaxation and well-being. Think of all your daily mundane tasks, such as brushing your teeth. Practicing mindfulness is another tool that can bring you into the present moment. Meditate on these concepts or bring your attention to the task at hand. Being mindful in your interactions with others will create kindness in the world — something we can all get behind. You can learn more at our upcoming workshop, Calm, Cool & Collected — Reiki as a Tool for Mental Health at Sunflower Yoga in Springfield. During this workshop, we will explore reiki principles and how to incorporate them into your daily routine to manage stress and maintain emotional balance. We will also discuss the scientific research supporting the use of reiki for mental health, and you will have the opportunity to experience a reiki treatment for yourself. This workshop is suitable for both beginners and those with prior knowledge of reiki. The cost is $20, and advanced registration is required. Space is limited, so register here today.

There are so many choices when looking for the best tools for clearing a space. Using the elements and our intuition we can move stuck energy, infuse positive energy and clear our spaces of any past trauma, sickness or negative energy that they are holding. Tools include sound, smoke, fire, crystals, water and more. This post focuses on a ceremony called Smudging. Smudging is a technique using smoke to clear the space, an object or even ourselves. It is an ancient practice we should bestow with gratitude. You have probably heard of smudging, a space clearing technique. This method is effective, although not everyone likes smoke in their homes. Using smoke (smudging) in this way can be an awesome tool, but some caution needs to be used. When we smudge with Sage , it is usually best to open at least one window in the space to allow the negative vibes to exit along with some of the smoke. Care must be used when smudging. Embers fall off and can be a fire/burn hazard. We should bring intention and prayer into the smudging ceremony. Prayers can ask our guides and angels to assist our efforts. We should offer them gratitude for their help. Be as specific or as non specific as you like, most important is an invitation and gratitude. I usually place a candle near the open door or window so there is a light for the negative energy to flow towards. Another practice I use is building crystal grids or placing crystals around the room. Some great stones for this are Black Tourmaline or Selenite. Any and all crystals are great for this don't forget thank them too! The burning sage should be held by one hand while holding a fire proof bowl or shell below the sage to catch any embers. We use a large feather, our hand or even blowing the smoke the direction we want it to clear. Using a clockwise pattern around a room we walk around the perimeter , edging towards the center as we move. We can use one piece of sage or a bundle. The larger the more smoke. More is not necessarily better. The intention is most important. Always end with a prayer of gratitude. We can clear a room or one room at a time. I love to teach my clients how to smudge and use other tools in person during our appointments. This gives them a tool they can use between our sessions. It empowers them to know that they can change how their space feels. I love to teach those that want to learn during our time working together. As I mentioned, we can also clear the energy of an object using sage. This technique is perfect for used second hand items we acquire. Again to begin, we form an intention and a prayer. We ask for our guides and angels to assist us in moving any negative or stuck energy, returning it to the light. If possible the object to be cleared should be held over the smoke. If that is not possible for larger items we can use a feather to blow the smoke over the item. Use the amount of time that feels best to you for the clearing. Always end the ceremony with a prayer of gratitude. If you have questions about smudging or any other space clearing techniques please feel free to reach out. I would be honored to help. In light, Amanda