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An Introduction to Reiki: The Century-Old Energy Practice That’s All About Flow

Ever wish you could melt away stress with just a light touch—or you feel tired-tired, or like your energy is off but can’t quite explain why? Reiki might be the wellness practice you didn’t know you needed.


My Introduction to Reiki

I didn’t set out to become a Reiki practitioner. Like many people, I found Reiki when I was searching…searching for something to help me feel more grounded and less anxious.


At the time, I was working as a high-level beauty executive in an incredibly toxic environment. I lived in a constant state of go-go-go, and even in rare moments of stillness, my mind raced. I didn’t know what I needed. I just knew I needed something.


That’s when Reiki found me. I was venting to my friend Allison Feehan, a Reiki Master and owner of Integrative Healing and Wellness in Bay Head, NJ, when she offered to teach me a few techniques to protect my energy at work. From box breathing to energy-shielding visualizations like the “zip-up technique” (imagine zipping yourself into a head-to-toe onesie to block out negative vibes)—I was intrigued, if a bit skeptical. But within a week, colleagues were commenting on how much more confident and calm I seemed. That’s what sparked my curiosity to lean in.


What Is Reiki, Really?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese energy healing practice that translates to “universal life energy.” It’s based on the idea that when energy flows freely in and around us, we feel well—physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. When that flow is blocked or depleted, we feel off, anxious, disconnected, or even physically unwell.


I’d actually experienced Reiki years earlier with a practitioner named Otono Johnson when I was living in NYC. During my first session, I felt a gentle warmth move through me, like I was being unplugged from the noise and plugged back into myself. I left feeling lighter, clearer, calmer—like something had shifted.


But it was Allison who helped me understand Reiki not just as an experience, but as a practice. Reiki doesn’t “fix” you. It supports your body’s natural ability to heal and rebalance. It helps with everything from stress and insomnia to grief, physical pain, emotional wounds, or simply feeling overwhelmed by life.


How Reiki Supports Well-Being

While Reiki isn’t a replacement for medical care, it’s increasingly used alongside traditional treatments to support holistic healing. People turn to Reiki for:

  • Stress + anxiety relief

  • Better sleep + relaxation

  • Emotional healing

  • Recovery support

  • Grief + transition support


Many hospitals and wellness centers now offer Reiki as part of integrative care, especially for patients navigating cancer, chronic pain, or mental health challenges.


Becoming a Practitioner

In 2025, I finally felt called to take the next step and got my Reiki Level I and II certifications with Ann Merli, owner of Cardinal Way Wellness with locations in Bradley Beach, NJ and the Pocono Mountains, PA. Ann demystified the process and emphasized something important: Reiki is, first and foremost, a self-healing practice. Practitioners aren’t “healers”—we’re simply channels for the Reiki energy to flow. Anyone can learn to work with it. And anyone can benefit.


Now, as a certified practitioner, I get to hold space for others the way Reiki once held space for me. What began as a personal journey has become something I’m honored to share.


What to Expect in a Reiki Session With Me

Reiki sessions typically last 30 to 90 minutes (I offer 45-minute sessions). We begin with a short grounding meditation, then you can choose to sit in a chair or lie comfortably on a table, fully clothed and covered with a cozy blanket. I’ll place my hands lightly on or just above your body in a series of positions, channeling energy to areas where it’s needed most.

You might feel heat, tingling, or simply fall into a meditative, dreamlike state. Afterward, I invite you to rest, sip some herbal tea, draw an oracle card, or reflect on any insights that came up.


The Invitation

In a world that’s constantly demanding more from us, Reiki offers something rare: permission to pause. To breathe. To remember that healing doesn’t have to be loud or complicated. It can be quiet, subtle, and deeply restorative—a reset for your nervous system and spirit.


Each session is unique. Reiki is gentle but powerful. You don’t need to understand it. You just need to be open.Whether you're seeking deep healing or simply a peaceful place to land, Reiki meets you where you are—and helps guide you home.






 

 
 
 

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