“The best and most efficient pharmacy is within your own system.” –  Robert C. Peale

After years and years of working through the trauma, the EMDR therapist suggested that I try Reiki.  The hard truth about trauma is that trauma is everywhere in the body, mind and soul.

Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing (EMDR) uses bilateral stimulation by stimulating the right and left side of the brain to process fragmented or traumatic memories that are stuck and are not pieced together.  This memory processing was so incredible beneficial to me and moved me forward in my healing.

However, I had places with EMDR that I was just stuck.  I had memories especially in my body that I was unable to get past.

When I went to Reiki, I had no idea what to expect with Reiki.  I had a little Reiki long ago when I saw a sports massage therapist.  I knew that in that it felt good.

I was already finding benefit from my once or twice a week yoga practice and Reiki practitioners seemed to be highly connected with yogis.  Reiki and yoga are both about moving energy and bringing the mind, body and breath into balance.  I asked yogis for recommendations and recommendations are what I got.  There was one particular Reiki practitioner that I spoke with that in my gut felt right.

What is Reiki? Reiki is a very specific form of energy healing, in which hands are placed just off the body or lightly touching the body, as in “laying on of hands. In a Reiki session, the practitioner is seeking to transmit Universal Life Energy to the client. The intention is to create deep relaxation, to help speed healing, reduce pain, and decrease other symptoms one may be experiencing.

I went in not knowing what to expect.  My energy flow was highly blocked.  My trauma caused a lot of negative energy to be trapped in my body.  In the beginning, I just cried and cried because there was a lot of negative energy that needed to be released. I did not need to talk or figure anything out. It just happens while I lay there and while this incredible gifted healer worked her magic.

After the first time, I felt a little better. I was exhausted, but felt better.

After the second time, I felt my feet for the first time in my life! I could actually feel the fibers in the carpet and grain on the wood floor. This was a miracle!

Not only did I get Reiki treatment, but she suggested that I practice meditating every day.  How could I not try meditating because I was feeling better. I did this every day for three weeks because three weeks creates a habit. Something magical happened, I felt calmer and less anxious.

The Reiki practitioner would give me tips on how to deal with the trauma or other things in my life.  Sometimes a different perspective is what you need.

As I trained for a triathlon, she gave me tips for a workout recovery that involved some yoga poses.  Those poses greatly aided my post workout recovery.  I was less anxious after a very long workout and those yoga poses calmed my nervous system down.  I learned that a simple yoga pose can calm the nervous system.

Then, after about a year of so, the Reiki practitioner said that I needed to do yoga every day.  I thought that she was right about so many things that I would give it a try for the same three weeks.  Of course, she was right about this, too!

Reiki is a magic that heals in such a deep level.  There are so many layers that I needed to heal.  Now, when I go for Reiki treatment, I can often feel that life force energy that feels warm and comforting.

Trauma sits in the body and needs body work to fully heal. World renowned experts like Dr. Peter Levine and Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk discuss the need of somatic work for trauma survivors.  There are many types of somatic healing.  Reiki is just one of many.

During my journey, I do need each healing method that I encounter.  Each one has a specific purpose in healing.

Reiki was and is magic and a miracle to me.  Reiki and my Reiki practitioner forever changed my life!