Starting my practice. This decision was difficult to make. There is a comfort working from your home......with friends. How would the people of area respond to this type of treatment? With discussion, one of the chiropractors in my small town was open to renting a room on a part time basis. It was time to step up and step out. After much trial, error and contemplation, it became obvious that the small town could not support the practice. There was interest, but, not enough for a full time commitment. I loved the work and knew that this was what I was to do with my life. The next step was to find a population that could support my practice. A room became available above a holistic natural food store in Ottawa. The net result was to work in Ottawa four days per week, while working in Perth for one. This would involve more driving than I had anticipated, but was achievable. My practice started to grow. Along with it, the learning curve of small practice grew as well. How could I make this sustainable?
Denise's Blog
Remaining Present. The most challenging aspect of giving a Reiki treatment was staying present. My brain would wander off to... "to do lists"... what is for dinner... where should my hands move next... who just phoned...what does this sensation mean... is the house clean enough... what is the recipient feeling? There seemed to be a need on my part to explain what was happening rather than experience what was happening. When giving a treatment, you become the delivery system for the energy. That is all you do, not diagnose, not direct, just stay present. The Reiki energy has an innate intelligence that works toward bringing the recipient's energy system to balance in the manner most appropriate for them. This truly was my struggle......just trust and let the experience happen.
The treatments begin. I have a home based business that operates 6am to 6pm Monday through Friday. There is time at the end of the day, twice per week, or on Saturday to begin. My first "clients" are friends. They are willing to be my practice people. I needed to work out timing, environment, Reiki music (yes or no), appropriate clothing (my shirt needs to stretch in the back), intake forms, insurance, apprehend a treatment table, how to charge.....the list of details took me by surprise. At first, one treatment per week challenged my stamina physically. It was demanding on my body to stand for one hour using my arms in such a defined way. And, equally demanding on my brain to stay focused for one hour (this took one year to learn).
The months continue to pass. My health continues to improve, emotionally and physically. Gently, ever so gently, life is becoming something to enjoy, instead of something to endure. There are subtle changes in my children as well. Their allergies are improving. They enjoy each other's company in a deeper, more profound way.....I am not certain they are even aware of their changes - maybe only I notice. My friends start to ask me what is happening in my life? What changes have I made? Why am I looking better? I am asked to start speaking publicly about my health changes......How do I communicate the idea of Reiki? How to bring together the idea of multiple layers of healing-physical, emotional, spiritual-in our culture, with our existing language? How to present to people the combination of diet, exercise, counseling, vitamins, prayer, and Reiki in a way that can be heard? My friends now start asking for Reiki treatments. Life is becoming exciting!
It is October. Mould is in the air, the furnace is coming on periodically, my allergies should be acting up. Previously, spring and fall would bring environmental allergies to the forefront. Since my Reiki training, the allergies have been less noticeable....my skin is clearing, the sinus less congested. As the days pass, other improvements to my overall being are apparent.....less chronic pain physically, lessening of allergic reactions, improved digestion, improved sleep, my hair is starting to grow back, my thoughts are evolving. I began doing self treatments-10 minutes in the morning and 10 minutes at night-after the training. The idea of improved self care haunted me-exercise a bit more, be mindful of the food being eaten, explore emotional turmoil in a detached way, be open to the idea that you are OK. Gradually, these ideas found expression in my everyday life........gently, ever so gently, they became routine. Is this how Reiki works????
