In one of the later "Godfather" movies, there was a scene where Al Pacino was meeting with a priest in Rome. The "Don" was diabetic and not feeling well and the priest said to him, "Ah, my son, when the mind suffers, the body cries out." For such a violent movie, it was a poignant moment and a powerful illustration of the body, mind, spirit connection.

It is now accepted knowledge that there are four basic aspects to our being; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. When these are working synchronistically one with another, optimum health in these areas is most often the result. However, we live in an increasingly complex world and it is not always possible to remain symptom free in these areas at all times..

A discipline that I found especially helpful was Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") which is a quiet yet powerful technique that supports the body's natural ability to heal itself on a deep cellular level physically, mentally , emotionally and spiritually.

Reiki is a 2,500 year old modality that dates back to Taoist and Tendai Buddhist practices. It was "rediscovered" in the early l900's in Japan by Dr. Makao Usui. Seven years after the death of Dr. Usui in l937, the Usui System of Healing was introduced in the West by Mrs. Hawayo Takata.

Reiki is a hands-on healing technique based on a particular attunement process which all practitioners must go through. There are three levels involved. Level I opens one to the Reiki energy which enables a person to become a facilitator or conduit of that energy and to work on themselves or others.

Level II further enhances this process and also introduces three of the four Reiki power symbols enabling one to do distance healing which enables the student to send Reiki across a room, across the country and through space and time both past, present and future. Level III training is for those who wish to become a Reiki Master/Teacher.

The Japanese term Reiki means (Rei) Universal (Ki) Life Force. All living things channel life force and Reiki is a technique that moves this life force to promote healing on all levels, physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. If one rubs their hands together until they feel warm, then slowly holds them apart and brings them close together with palms facing each other, you can feel this energy. Another method, after rubbing your hands together with your palms facing each other is to move your hands in small circles and feel a “ball” of energy.

Reiki can be done anywhere but it is preferable to find a quiet, comfortable place. Reiki energy flows through clothing. It is helpful to remove shoes and jewelry. The Reiki practitioner may work with their hands directly on the body or a few inches above it. Most clients report feeling various sensations such as tingling, heat or shifts or movements in parts of the body. The most common is a sensation of heat in the area of the body being worked on. After a session, most clients feel revitalized, calm, at peace and centered. The Reiki experience is different for each individual and it usually has a powerful effect in many different ways. It is an energy that flows where it is needed. Distance healing has the same effect. Many clients report feeling similar sensations and telepathic experiences similar to thinking of a friend or loved one and having them call at that moment.

Animals respond well to this modality. As Reiki is gentle and non-invasive, a quiet and relaxed response is typical in most sessions. Some animals prefer hands on body work while others, especially if nervous, stressed or in pain may not want to be touched. The practitioner, if a Level II or higher, can then work with their hands a few inches or a few feet away “beaming” Reiki. Being a divinely guided life force energy, Reiki innately travels where it is needed, however, in many instances, once a session is started, an animal will often signal with a turning or nod of the head or other form of physical communication in the direction of the problem or through a telepathic message where they need help.

Reiki can benefit an animal before, during or after a show and/or a long trip. While the energy is soothing in nature, it can help energize where needed also. Animals respond as well to distance sessions where the practitioner, if a Level II or higher, is not physically in their presence. Reiki can also help people and their animals with the issue of death and/or euthanasia in a loving, calm and peaceful manner.

Reiki is a healing tool that compliments and supports other health care regimes, traditional medical treatments and/or personal therapies.

This method is unique in that is was born and reached its maturation within the context of conventional Western medicine. It was developed in the 1970’s by Dolores Krieger, PhD.,R.N., a professor at New York University and Dora Kunz, a natural healer. It is a contemporary interpretation of several ancient healing traditions.

It is based on the principle that the human energy field extends beyond the skin and the practitioner can use the hands as sensors to locate problems in it that correspond with problems in the physical body. Disease is seen as a condition of energy imbalance or blocked energy flow. Assessment is done by passing the hands over the body from head to toe at about two to four inches above the surface.

The practitioner then serves as a conduit for universal energy, consciously and actively transferring energy into the recipient. The hands are used to direct and focus the energy, sometimes in rhythmical, sweeping motions. The method is initially taught “off body,” meaning the practitioner’s hands do not touch the physical body, though later with experience some physical touch may take place.

Since it is not necessary to touch the physical body (what is being touched is the energy field or energy body), this method can be applied in situations where the patient may not be able to tolerate contact (e.g., in postsurgical patients or burn victims). Sessions last up to thirty minutes and can be done sitting or lying down fully clothed.

Therapeutic Touch is currently taught in over eighty universities and thirty countries and is practiced by twenty to thirty thousand health care professionals in the United States and around the world.

As a Shaman/Medicine Woman, I have been gifted with the ability to tap into the Earth Energy from my studies with Native American Medicine Men and Women from the Comanche, Lakota Sioux, Oglala Sioux, Cherokee, Cree Nations.

With the ancient knowledge that has been passed on to me in the Oral Tradition from Lip to Ear, I have the capability to call upon the Energies, Gifts, Guardians of the Four Directions; East, South, West, North and the Four Elements; Earth, Air, Fire, Water.

I have been gifted with the skill to connect to our Brothers and Sisters the Animal Creatures (four legged, winged, finned, crawling ones), Standing People (Trees), Plant People, Stone People (Rocks), Sky People (Clouds, Thunder-beings, Stars).

We walk the skin of Mother Earth, receive the breath of life from Father Sky, bask in the warmth of Grandfather Sun and the magic of Grandmother Moon.

With great respect, ceremony, humility and thanks I use these abilities to help facilitate healing on all levels physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually for both people and animals.

 Flower Essences

The “Grandfather” of the Flower Essences was a physician well ah

ead of his time. His name was Dr. Edward Bach (1886-1936). His remedies are called Bach Flower Essences. The most popular essence today is one known as “Rescue Remedy” - It is comprised of 5 of the 38 Flower Essences he developed and is used as the name implies for people and/or animals who find themselves in emergency, stress situations.

Flower Essences are natural remedies made from wild flowers, plants and trees. They are liquid plant preparations each of which carry the healing vibrational energy of the specific flower, plant or tree used.

There are many companies today that have developed hundreds of remedies similar to his.

They are not drugs since they are based upon the etheric energy or “imprint” of the specific flower, plant or tree from which they are derived. These essences are used to help the body heal itself both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

They work synergistically with any other traditional and/or alternative regimes and are non-toxic and non-habit forming working in a similar way to homeopathic remedies. There are no unwanted side effects or chance of overdose. The person and/or animal do not use whatever is not needed.

These gentle natural remedies can be of great help in unlimited ways.

I can help guide you in working with these remedies for both yourself and/or your animal friends both domestic and wild.