Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter

Summertime brings thoughts of sunshine, carefree schedules, vacations and weekends away at the cabin. Is summer a season that replenishes and restores you? For some of us, summer simply is not a time of year that rejuvenates. As I continue to explore and deepen my understanding of being a highly sensitive person (HSP), I have come to realize summer is a season that holds challenges and triggers for me.

According to leading expert Elaine Aron’s bestselling book, “The Highly Sensitive Person," the highly sensitive trait impacts 15%-20% of the population. Being a highly sensitive person is a scientific personality trait also known as sensory processing sensitivity (SPS). HSPs are naturals when it comes to picking up on subtle cues or stimuli that other people miss. This is due to a nervous system and brain that process deeply and are more in tune with subtleties in the environment.  As a result, highly sensitive people do best with plenty of rest and downtime to regulate their nervous system and replenish their body and mind. 

Are you wondering if you might be a highly sensitive person? If so, you can take this sensitivity quiz developed by expert and sensitivity psychologist, Julie Bjelland. 

Unfortunately, it can be common for those of us that are highly sensitive to feel misunderstood and out of sync with the rhythms of mainstream society. For many years, I convinced myself summer is a season to relish and love. As I have gained greater knowledge about the genetic trait of high sensitivity, I have become more in tune with my personal needs and better acquainted with the environments that overstimulate my body, brain and nervous system. 

Last summer, I became acutely aware that heat, noise and disruptions to my daily routine are all things that stress and overwhelm my nervous system and body. With this realization, I have finally been able to make sense of the seasonal feelings of dread and anxiety that are ushered in with the season of summer for me each year. 

Personally, summer often feels like the odds are stacked against me, with high heat, humidity, noise from road construction and air conditioners plus longer days with fewer hours of sleep. These triggers can all add up to be a formula that challenges me physically and makes me feel like my mental wellness may come unhinged at any moment.

Not all highly sensitive people will find summer to be challenging. In fact, much of the population adores summer, which can make ‘summer blues’ that much more stifling. If summer makes you feel mostly miserable and everyone else seems so happy hanging out in the summer sunshine, it can can make you feel that much more isolated and out of sync with society. 

Specific symptoms of ‘summertime blues’ can look like:

• low moods 
• lack of energy or motivation
• Irritability 
• Anxiety

If your symptoms begin to include loss of appetite, weight loss, trouble sleeping, or you no longer have interest in hobbies or activities that usually excite you, please seek professional help. Summertime SAD (seasonal affective disorder) is a more serious form of ‘summertime blues’ and affects 1 out of 10 people that suffer from seasonal affective disorder.

If you struggle with low moods and lack energy during the summer months, below are some tips that have tamed my ‘summertime blues’ and blahs. I hope these tips might be helpful for you too.

Identify Your Summer Triggers 
It is not exactly known why individuals impacted by ‘summertime blues’ are affected, but it is thought increased heat, higher humidity, longer days and disruptions to routine and schedules may play a role. By identifying your personal summertime challenges, you can begin to develop a plan to manage your triggers in healthy and sustainable ways.

Create A Routine  
If you have struggled with low moods or depression personally, you will know that having a reliable routine is one of the best ways to keep depression symptoms at bay. Unfortunately, summer usually unmoors our daily rhythms and routines and can create chaos within even the most calm individuals and families. Following a consistent schedule each day of the week can assist in stabilizing your moods as well as your life.

Prioritize Sleep
With the longer days of summer, it can be challenging to get enough shut eye to stay feeling mentally well. Purchasing blackout shades or curtains can help create an environment that is conducive for sleeping more hours within a given night. For highly sensitive people, sleep is imperative and is one of the trusted ways to work through the increased information HSPs take in each day. Many sensitive individuals do best with 9-10 hours of sleep each night.

Commit to Self-Care
One of the greatest challenges highly sensitive people face is an overstimulated nervous system. As highly sensitive individuals, self-care is an essential part of our equilibrium and wellbeing. If you are highly sensitive and summer is a season that creates challenge and triggers for you, self-care practices will be imperative so you can get you through the warmer months with sanity and ease. Bodywork like massage, acupuncture, Reiki or any other type of service that nourishes you can be supportive and helpful in calming your nervous system and body. If finances limit your access to services, find creative low cost ways to support your sensitive soul. Here are a few ideas:

• Make herbal sun tea — try this lavender rooibos sun tea
• Place your feet in an ice bath 
• Keep moistened washcloths in the refrigerator or freezer to create your own chilled compresses. Add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the washcloths before you refrigerate or freeze them. This simple addition of essential oil will elevate the experience and delight your senses.

Stay Cool
The increased heat and humidity of summer seems to inflame body, mind and emotions. Finding ways to stay cool can help temper irritability and any physical discomfort. Heading to the movies to sit in a cool dark theater can be a perfect remedy or take a dip in a natural lake or nearby swimming pool. Air conditioning can be a good option as well, but for those that are sensitive to noise, you will need to balance the benefits of being cool with the disruptive drone from the air conditioner. 

If the season of summer is not refreshing and replenishing for you, please know you are not alone. Focus on activities you enjoy during the summer and give yourself plenty of time for rest. Carve out space in your life and clear your calendar, so you can begin to naturally counteract the stimulus and triggers that overwhelm your nervous system. Continue to commit to simple acts of self care, so you can find relief from the sweltering summer moments. 

REFERENCES
Seasonal Affective Disorder by Mayo Clinic

5 Signs You Have The ‘Summer Blues’ by health enews Staff

Summertime Blues Really Are a Thing by UCI Health

Summertime Sadness: 11 Ways to Chase Away the Warm-Weather Blues 
By Michell Pugle and Medically Reviewed by Alison Young, MD

Summertime Sadness by Tala Ciatti

Being a Highly Sensitive Person Is a Scientific Personality Trait. Here’s What It Feels Like  by Juli Fraga

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

With the holiday season upon us, I want to reach out to those of you that identify with being highly sensitive and reassure you that you can create holidays that are calmer, brighter and more meaningful for you.

Many individuals find this time of year to be exhausting, but when you are highly sensitive, you are particularly vulnerable to overwhelm and becoming overstimulated. Busyness and the hustle of the holidays can leave sensitive people prone to burnout and depletion.  

When you are a highly sensitive person, your nervous system processes the world at a much deeper level than others. Being highly sensitive is completely normal and in fact, is a genetic trait that runs in families. Highly sensitive people (HSPs) make up 15-20 percent of the population. If you are wondering if you may be highly sensitive, you can take this free sensitivity quiz developed by leading expert and sensitivity psychotherapist, Julie Bjelland. 

One of the greatest challenges highly sensitive people face, is the amount of information taken in daily due to our highly attuned nervous system. This easily leads HSPs to feel frazzled and overwhelmed as well as stressed and anxious.

It can be downright hard attending numerous social engagements, being bombarded with noise from multiple stores and having your daily routine disrupted during the holidays. Your natural instinct may be to withdraw from holiday and family activities in order to preserve your own energy.

Working with highly sensitive people and being one myself, i have found one of the greatest ways to offset stress of the holidays (or any stressful event) is to give yourself permission to be true to who you are. This means learning to honor your own unique needs and then learning to communicate these needs to yourself, family and loved ones. 

Come back to what brings you joy and peace this holiday season, so you can create more calm and ease in your life. Below you can find ways I have found to make the holiday season calmer, brighter and more meaningful for myself. I hope these may bring you back to calm as well.

Find Meaning and Magic in the Season
What matters most to you this holiday season and what will bring meaning and joy to you at this time of year? I love twinkle lights, holiday decorations, handmade gifts, and candles. I enjoy the opportunity this time of year lends to attend intimate gatherings with close family and friends. Take time to ponder what events and activities bring your heart warmth and help ease holiday tension for you. 

If you are able to identify the most meaningful (and even magical parts) of the season for you, it can foster a greater sense of purpose and deeper connection with the activities and gatherings you attend. 

Finding both purpose and connection in life as highly sensitive people is incredibly important to us and helps us to feel a deeper meaning in our life. Identifying areas of purpose, meaning and connection in our lives will also allow us to feel more stable and settled as highly sensitive souls.

Awareness of Holiday Season Needs 
As highly sensitive people, we simply need more time, space and rest than the other 80% percent of the population. Time and space are what allow us to sort through all the information and emotions we take in day-to-day. When we learn to honor our deep need for alone time, reflection and rest our life begins to feel better. 

Consider how much quietude and time alone you really need to offset the level of activity you take in during this busy time of year. The more stimulation you have in your life, the more rest, space and quietude you will need to offset and bring your nervous system back into a calm and normal state once again.

Choose to engage in activities that soothe and calm your nervous system on a regular basis. Cooking, baking, taking baths, knitting, making art, journaling, sitting quietly or reading by a fire are just a few ideas. 

Make a list of activities that are settling to your body and nervous system and keep it nearby as you navigate these upcoming weeks. I recommend calming your body and nervous system at least once a day. You will find even more calm and benefit if you commit to activities that settle your body several times a day. 

Keep as close to your daily rituals and routines as possible. This will help to ease the strain of travel as well as offset the unsettling nature of interrupted schedules this time of year often brings. 

Limit Family and Social Gatherings
Highly sensitive people think deeply about things in life and we crave meaningful time together with the people we love. Take time to reflect on which events and social gatherings will be most meaningful for you to attend this holiday season. I encourage you to politely give a “no” for any events that will drain or overstimulate you. 

Spend time contemplating how many events you can sustainably attend in the weeks and months ahead. You can turn to the saying ‘quality over quantity’ to help you decide which events or gatherings to choose. Your body and nervous system will thank you for your discernment. 

Sometimes you don’t even need to skip a family or social event entirely to avoid overwhelm. Give yourself permission to leave gatherings or events early. This way you won’t miss out and you will also have time left for you.

Get Creative to Find Calm
Most highly sensitive people have a creative side as well aa a deep appreciation for nature, beauty, art and music. By carving space for creativity this holiday season, you can naturally nourish and support your body, mind and spirit.

One of the ways I offset the hustle of the holidays is to make handcrafted gifts for family and friends. I find knitting settles and soothes my body and slows me down. By choosing to create handmade gifts, I calm my body and nervous system on a regular basis while making meaningful gifts to boot. 

No worries if you don’t know how to knit. Get creative in ways that matter most to you. Take time to listen to music or appreciate art that soothes and settles your soul. 


During this holiday season, give yourself the gift of quietude, contemplation and rest as a way to keep your energy renewed. If you need guidance on how to come back to your heart this holiday season, I highly recommend Courtney Carver’s hands-on-heart practice. This activity takes only 5 minutes a day. Time with family and friends can be more enjoyable and fulfilling when you make space for your thoughts and heart along the way.

​
Resources:

• How to Thrive During the Holidays as an Empath, According to a Psychiatrist by Dr. Judith Orloff, MD
• 8 Things All Highly Sensitive People Need to Survive the Holidays by Andre Solo 
• 25 Simple Ways to Care of Yourself Over the Holidays by Courtney Carver 
• Holiday Survival Plan for the Highly Sensitive Person by April Snow, LMFT

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

This is a question I am finding more people asking at this unique and tender time in history. Individuals are instinctively feeling the need to know what intuition is so they can use it to help them make decisions in their life.

Can you remember a time when you just knew something to be true? Or you made a decision from a gut feeling? These experiences could be referred to as using your intuition. Sometimes intuition is referred to as our sixth sense or following our instinct or hunch.

Every human being has intuition. It is a natural and organic part of life and something all humans have. Our intuition can be thought of as our deeper knowing. Insight and information from our intuition comes to us through our physical body. The language of intuition is our feelings.  

Intuition can be defined as the ability to understand something immediately, without the need for conscious reasoning. It helps us to know something in life from an instinctive feeling rather than conscious reasoning. When we are in tune with our intuitive knowing, we can live from a more authentic place and step into our truth with more ease.

The key to working with and developing our intuition or deeper knowing is to become more aware. To live more in connection with our intuition, we have to sharpen our awareness so we can tune into subtle energies and vibrations that are giving information to us at each and every moment.

We don’t naturally and easily live from an intuitive place due to the influences of the Age of Reason. We have been taught to disregard and discount our intuitive and direct experiences. Every human being is intuitive, but not all people pay attention or listen to their intuition. Many people discount the subtle information they receive or experience in their life.

Quite literally, our intuition serves as our inner teacher and guide and is a moment-by-moment tracking of energy as our life unfolds. Listening to our intuition allows us to know what is most true for ourselves in each moment. Here are some guidelines that can help us live more in alignment with our deeper knowing and intuition:

• Be open to intuition
• Expect that our intuition knows more than we think
• Act on our inner voice and intuition
• Breathe and pay attention

Stillness, quietude and calm all foster a deeper relationship with our intuitive knowing. We need to put down our phones and computers and begin to tune into our body and heart if we hope to live in harmony with our intuitive guidance. Below are three key ingredients we need if we hope to develop a deeper relationship with our intuition: 

• Trust
• Quietude
• Move out of our head/mind and into our body

Connection is essential for the mental health and wellbeing of all humans. Intuition is one of the greatest connectors in our life and our world. Let us create things that connect us and no longer isolate us from others and the world that surrounds us. We can be more connected to others and the world around us simply by being open to our own intuition. 


References:
What Is Intuition? by Sonia Choquette
What Happens When You Unleash Your Intuition by Sonia Choquette
Definition of intuition 

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

As a highly sensitive person (HSP), I experience the world deeply. I am attuned to subtle changes in my environment, other people’s moods and I sense and feel things intensely in the world. The constant barrage of input and information of the modern world can be overstimulating and exhausting for me.

The trait of high sensitivity is found only in 15-20% of the population. Highly sensitive people often feel misunderstood and as if they don’t quite ‘fit in.’ Although being highly sensitive is completely normal—meaning it is not a disorder or a disease—it can leave individuals feeling isolated and different from others. 

Are you wondering if you are a highly sensitive person? Take this free quiz developed by Julie Bjelland, Sensitivity Psychotherapist to find out if you have traits of being a highly sensitive person. This quiz confirmed for me that I am highly sensitive and I have never looked back. The more knowledge and information I have gained about what it means to be a highly sensitive person, the more balanced and enjoyable my life has become. 

Being highly sensitivity can be our superpower rather than our burden, but we have to discover how to get things turned around. Over the years (through trial and error), I have learned to include small increments of self-care into my daily routine to bring about more balance, calm and harmony to my nervous system, brain and life. When I stray too far from my commitment to self-care, I begin to spiral into a deep and dark place. 

Over the years (and with lots of missteps) I have learned that maintenance is far easier than catastrophe clean-up and recovery. Once I have already sunk into a deep and dark place mentally and emotionally, it takes me that much more time, effort, money and commitment to get back to balance once again. Insight has taught me to prioritize a few simple self-care practices, so I can avoid the collision with the dark hole of despair all together. 

Here are some self-care practices I have discovered to move me from daily stress, overwhelm and exhaustion into a life of appreciation, mental balance and emotional equilibrium:

Eat right
‘Hangry’ is a real thing! When my blood sugar is low I become anxious, bad-tempered and irritable as a result of being hungry.

Highly sensitive people are usually more sensitive to changes in their blood sugar levels. Eating small frequent meals throughout the day keeps blood sugar balanced so you can experience even moods. The equation is quite simple: balanced blood sugar equals balanced moods. Eat whole nutrient-dense foods 5-6 times a day to keep your blood sugar and moods balanced and on track. 

The formula of foods below meet the biochemical needs of my body each and every time I eat them in combination. It is a formula that works like magic for me to balance my blood sugar and regulate my moods:

• Animal protein 
• Vegetable or fruit (healthy carbohydrate)
• Healthy fat

If you are interested in learning more about how to keep your own blood sugar and moods balanced, you can enroll in this online class Good Foods Good Moods created by Nutritional Weight & Wellness.

Exercise
Moderate daily exercise has been one of the most profound commitments I have made to my self-care routine. Studies have shown people who exercise regularly have fewer symptoms of anxiety and depression. This is a result of an increase of serotonin levels—which helps your brain regulate mood, sleep and appetite. Exercise also increases levels of endorphins, which function as natural mood lifters.

I like to keep my exercise routine simple and low cost by choosing to walk or bike outdoors. Research has found exercising in nature has added benefits for our mental health. Even 20-30 minutes of exercise outdoors three times a week can elevate your mood.

Sleep 
Sleep is one of the most profound self-care practices I use to keep myself healthy and well as a highly sensitive person. If I do not prioritize my sleep, I pay a price physically, mentally and emotionally.  It is not just the amount of sleep that matters (7-9 hours is best for me), but getting into bed each night at a regular time. 

If you are looking for more information on how to get more sleep or you would like guidance on starting your own bedtime routine, please read Why Highly Sensitive People May Need More Sleep Than Others.

Meditation
Meditation is a bit of a buzzword these days, but for me it continues to be a nourishing tool to manage my moods and metabolize my emotions. Each day, I look forward to sinking into silence and listening deeply. 

According to leading expert, Elaine Aron, Ph.D. and author of the book The Highly Sensitive Person, highly sensitive people need meditation to reduce and recover from overstimulation. In her article Meditation For Highly Sensitive People, Aron addresses different types and styles of mediation if you are interested in exploring a practice for yourself.

Clean Up Clutter
By nature, I am not a person that puts things away where they belong. I am a ‘pile person’ but I have learned I need my home to be a sanctuary. As a result of this mismatch, I have often lived in my home with feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. The environment in my home serves as a reflection of my internal and emotional state. I feel the most calm and at peace when my living space is clutter free and spacious.

In order to conquer my clutter, I have learned to set a timer each evening for 10-15 minutes and then pick-up and put away as many items as possible during the allotted time. This practice has created a lasting change in the tidiness of my environment. I can finally return home from a day out in the world with a sigh of relief and a sense of relaxation. 


Committing to Self-Care Practices Supports Balance + Wellbeing
The self-care practices I have mentioned above help me to foster a balanced life and support my wellbeing. When I follow these practices with regularity, I thrive! I encourage you to make a list of your own self-care practices and begin using them today. 

If you don’t know where to begin, start by finding one activity that will bring more calm, balance and joy to your life. Keep your activities simple and use short increments of time for best results. I usually walk for 15-20 minutes a day, engage in 15 minutes of meditation and at the end of the day, I set a timer for 10-15 minutes and pick up as much clutter as I can.

Any self-care routine is easiest to put into practice when it is in alignment with your current needs. Check in with yourself seasonally or quarterly, so you are sure your self-care practices are truly supporting your health and wellbeing. 



References 
1. What Is a Highly Sensitive Person? (A Relatable Guide)
2. These 3 Sets of Genes Make You a Highly Sensitive Person
3. Good Foods Good Moods online class by Nutritional Weight and Wellness
4. Exercise and mood
5. Sour mood getting you down? Get back to nature
6. Why Highly Sensitive People May Need More Sleep Than Others
7. Meditation for Highly Sensitive People
8. How to Create Your Own HSP Sanctuary
9. How Minimalism Changed My Life as a Highly Sensitive Person

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

I have to be honest, these days I deeply desire to see people in-person. I crave seeing my friend’s face and I long to laugh, cry and (maybe) even curse with a real live person next to me.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau (May 26, 2020), one-third of Americans are showing signs of clinical depression and anxiety due to the recent COVID-19 pandemic. 

The CDC (July 1, 2020) has found that stress during an infectious disease outbreak may lead to any of the following:

• Fear and worry about your own health and the health of your loved ones, your financial situation or job, or loss of support services you rely on.
• Changes in sleep or eating patterns
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating.
• Worsening of chronic health problems.
• Worsening of mental health conditions.
• Increased use of tobacco, and/or alcohol and other substances.

Although “social distancing” strategies are crucial in helping limit the spread of the Coronavirus, the isolation and loneliness that remains in the wake of this global conundrum is unprecedented. In my own quiet desperation for survival and sanity, last month I decided to start meeting one friend a week for a walk in nature. 

According to the Harvard Medical School (July, 2018), taking a walk in the woods is an effective way to help reduce stress, anxiety and depression. It's not completely clear why outdoor excursions have such a positive mental effect, but it appears that interacting with nature offers therapeutic benefit such as lowered blood pressure as well as lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Nature sounds and even outdoor silence can naturally calm the body's fight-or-flight response. 

I have definitely felt the positive effects in my life of walking with a friend once a week in nature. The outdoor adventure is always an indulgence for my senses. I love to look at the patterns of leaves and foliage, hear the wind in the tress and smell the earth beneath my feet. I am finding my weekly walk is something I look forward to and it continues to bring me a greater sense of calm and helps to balance my moods. 

In a 2014 study, Harvard Medical School noted that people who had recently experienced stressful life events like a serious illness, death of a loved one, or unemployment had the greatest mental boost from a nature outing in a group.

Any type of natural setting seems to help and brings benefit. Wood Lake Nature Center is one of my favorite local spots, but you can walk right out your front door, find a trail or lake nearby, or choose to drive to a local nature center near your home. Just get outdoors and get into nature - preferably with a friend or loved one. 

If you are not comfortable connecting with a friend outdoors for a walk, you can go it alone and receive many of the same benefits. According to a report published online March 27, 2017 by Scientific Reports, research suggested that listening to natural sounds even while indoors had a similar calming effect on the brain. So even if you are not able to make it outdoors, you can increase the calm of your nervous system by listening to nature sounds right from the comfort of your own home or office. 

My weekly walks have had such a profound and positive influence on my moods and life, I have decided to keep up my weekly walks through the winter season as well. I hope you can find some solace in your own life soon from being outdoors and in nature.

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Reiki is an ancient energy healing modality which has origins in Japan dating back to the early 20th century. As a treatment, Reiki addresses healing on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level.

What is distance Reiki?
Distance Reiki offers an opportunity to receive energy healing from anywhere in the world and does not require you to be in the same physical space as a practitioner. An energy healing session can help you relax and feel more balanced if you are feeling stressed, anxious or physically drained. The session is performed via phone or video conferencing depending on the practitioner’s preferences. 

Engaging in a distance Reiki session can be just as effective as in-person. Some of my clients who have tried both say they prefer the distance sessions. They enjoy being cozy in their own home and there is no drive time required.

How does distance Reiki work?
The word Reiki means ‘universal life force.’ We all have access to life force energy. This energy is sometimes also referred to as chi, qi or prana. Life force energy naturally flows through each and every living being. Distance Reiki is one of the many ways to connect with and channel life force energy for the healing benefit of others.

Energy is not confined to time or place. Since Reiki energy transcends time and physical space, it ‘works’ regardless of where you or the practitioner are located.

Universal energy is present and available at all times and so it is with a distant healing session, the practitioner taps into and channels this Universal energy during the session to use for healing purposes and the benefit of the client.
 

Who is distance Reiki right for?
Distance Reiki sessions offer clients flexibility as well as an alternative option to support their wellness from the comfort of their own home. It is a perfect option for those that are not able to visit an office where energy healing treatments are usually received.

Having a session take place from your home often proves to be even more relaxing. It has been my personal experience as a Reiki practitioner that many clients are able to move some deeply held energy patterns while participating in a distance Reiki session. I believe this is possible as a result of the client feeling fully supported and safe in the comfort of their own space and home. I have witnessed that a familiar setting for the client aids and fosters a deeper experience within the session.

Get the most from your distance Reiki session
If you are considering distance Reiki, below are a few steps you can take to get the most out of your session. Wherever you are in the world, you can follow these steps to help prepare you to receive the healing energy.

• Choose a room that is comfortable, quiet and has a place to lay down. It is important you choose a space for your session where you feel comfortable, relaxed, safe, and you will be free from distraction. I generally recommend a room with a couch or a bed. 
• Have items nearby that help you relax into comfort and safety. I recommend finding a snuggly and soft blanket to help you feel cozy. You may also choose to use an eye pillow or simply use a folded hand towel placed over your eyes. The purpose of the eye pillow or towel is to help reduce any stimulation from light in the room. The weight on your eyes can also foster a deeper state of relaxation. This is not a requirement, simply a suggestion. Please do what feels most comfortable for you.
• Have your phone or computer with earbuds or headphones accessible.  Gather any technology and equipment you will need prior to the start of your session. Be sure to familiarize yourself with any technology that is new to you. You don’t want to be overly stressed when it comes time for your scheduled session. Consider using headphones or earbuds for a more intimate experience during your session.
• Begin by finding your breath. With so many distractions in our modern world, we often forget about our body and breath. Breath awareness is a perfect place to start relaxation and to begin to bring us back into our body.

If you feel a bit skeptical of distance Reiki, please know you are not alone. You don't need to completely grasp the concept of energy healing to gain benefit from the practice. I recommend going into a session with an open mind for maximum benefit.

It is important to note that energy healing is a complementary modality. This simply means, energy healing will aid in the effectiveness of any Western medicine practices or prescriptions already being used.


References

• Long-Distance Reiki: What It Is & What To Expect During A Session
• What Everyone Should Know About Energy Healing
• Everything is Energy, Everything is One, Everything is Possible
• Get The Most From Your Distance Reiki Session

Authored by Julie Schmit, MA, Energy Healer and Relationship Guide

I just attended my first funeral during the current pandemic; not as a result of COVID-19, but the timing of the death made it truly challenging, nonetheless. It was my father’s funeral and it was conducted virtually, on Zoom. He was an elderly man and had lived a full life, but that, of course, does not necessarily reduce the grief of his loved ones. Although we tried as best we could to preserve and enact the customary funeral rituals of my tradition on-line, the experience, in several ways fell short, and caused me to reflect on the meaning of these rituals.  

Some of the most profound elements of a funeral for me, such as the procession to the graveside and the act of family members taking turns shoveling dirt onto the grave, we had to do without. I also sorely missed the hugs and tactile reassurances one craves from extended family members during a time such as this.  

There were tears, prayers, songs and stories, of course. There were also elderly people struggling with connecting online who were assisted by younger, tech-savvy relatives. That brought laughter and some comic relief. People who wouldn’t have been able to attend the funeral due to work obligations, or who lived too far away to travel, were able to take part through their Zoomed-in phones and laptops.  That was an unexpected blessing.  

But the omission of key features of this all-important ritual at the end of a loved one’s life caused me to contemplate the importance of rituals, especially during this time of social distancing and inability to physically be together. 

According to scholars, a ritual is a ceremony that is a time-honored act whose purpose it is to transform those who take part in them. They occur in every culture on earth suggesting their purpose is tied into our humanity. Rituals move participants from one position in life to another, from pre-birth to birth, from being single to marriage, from being among the living to being among the dead. As such, rituals have a beginning, a middle and an end, much like a journey. The end result is having traveled and landed in a place that could not have been achieved without the ritual.  


Ingredients for a Ritual 
In order to perform a ritual, people need to slow down. This is a time for reflection and re-centering oneself. The essential ritual connection with oneself and other people can only be achieved when one has slowed down the mind and body. Oftentimes this is aided by a collective silence.

Entering into a sacred space, a place that feels safe and supported is also a feature. There may be special music, incense burning and ritualized gestures of support from friends and family.

Ritual themes and intentions include formalized greetings and farewells, the giving of blessings, the invocation of healing, the answering of questions, or the honoring of a cycle, such as welcoming a new moon or acknowledging another year of sacrifice for collective goals. Enacting the ritual might include a slow procession, lighting a candle, sharing a poem or an inspirational reading, sprinkling water, or offering flowers. The closing of a ritual often involves a celebratory honoring, often done by sharing food, fond memories, toasts and gratitude to those who assisted in enacting the ritual.

The final step is a re-orientation to ordinary reality, as those who took part in the ritual,  transition back into their normal lives, all the while reflecting on their experience.   

I believe that paying attention to the essential features of rituals will help us carry forward into our brave new, pandemically-inflicted world, the power of ritual to transform our lives. If you’re looking for more help and information in creating your own ritual, I have listed a couple of my favorite books on this subject, below. Best wishes creating something meaningful and purposeful during these unprecedented times we’re in.

​
Resources for Ritual

• Ritual: Power, Healing and Community by Malidoma Patrice Somé
• The Joy of Ritual by Barbara Biziou
• Sacred Circles: A Guide to Creating Your Own Women’s Spirituality Group by Robin Deen Carnes and Sally Craig
• Creative Grieving: A Hip Chick’s Path From Loss to Hope by Elizabeth Berrien

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter

In the Northern hemisphere, the start of spring is marked by the spring equinox. March 21st is approximately the date the equinox takes place and signifies when our days and nights are equal in length.

While winter is a time to conserve energy, reduce our activity and look within, spring fosters awakening and blossoming. Our sleepy bodies are roused from dormant states of introspection from the winter with new and expectant visions of growth and rebirth in the spring. 

With the promise of renewal, warmth and longer days on the horizon, spring offers an opportunity to dust ourselves off and freshen up. It is a perfect time to cleanse our body and environment, support our souls and revisit our intentions. If we come into these activities of rejuvenation with wisdom and mindful compassion, they can serve as a nourishing practice.

PUTTING RENEWAL INTO PRACTICE

We can refresh our bodies in the spring by engaging in gentle detoxifying practices like: exercise, sweating on a regular basis, drinking plenty of filtered water and eating lots and lots of veggies!!

Decluttering the spaces we inhabit can assist us in clearing out our homes as well as our hearts and minds. I am a huge fan of incremental steps of tidying, so I won’t get too overwhelmed. If you don’t know where to begin, please read ‘Decluttering Tips: 3 Teeny-Tiny Steps to Help You Get Started’ by Courtney Carver here.

We can also renew our passion and purpose in life by ‘coming home’ to our heart and our soul. I believe the greatest work in our life is to develop our soul and listen to our heart. I have found everything—work, relationships, and finance—fall into line, if I stay true to my authentic self. One of our greatest accomplishments can be to develop our hearts and use this ‘knowing’ to elevate our life as well as the world. 

SPRING ENERGY—FOR BETTER OR WORSE

As wonderful and beautiful as spring is, there is often an energy of agitation and angst that surfaces in the earliest portions of this season. Spring is full of joy and promise, but also holds potential and pressures of renewed energy. Like the buds and blossoms pushing out into the world, we hold feelings of vitality, fresh hope and new beginnings.

This possibility and anticipation may create a visceral sense of pent-up energy, anger and agitation that is waiting to be released. It is normal to feel irritated, impatient or even angry as we usher in the new and enlivened energy of spring. We can rest assured, the angst and irritability we may experience, can find its resolution as the world comes into full bloom and settles into summer. 

While we wait for the world to renew, we do not need to sit back and suffer. We can call in calm for our bodies, seek out solace for our spirits and settle into the present beauty and awe of the unfurling all around.

REIKI CAN HELP REBALANCE

The gentle approach of Reiki is a perfect support during this time of change and renewal. As a hands-on energy healing technique, Reiki nurtures and restores us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. Working on a nonverbal, subconscious and energetic level, Reiki allows us to let go of unwanted energies and negative ways that keep us stuck and confused in our lives. 

Fostering deep relaxation, Reiki promotes a sense of calm and balance for our body, mind and spirit. When our bodies deeply relax—they naturally heal and come back into harmony. A Reiki session can effectively assist us in resolving tension and imbalance created during this unsettled time of year. 



REFERENCES
Spring Equinox—Vernal Equinox
Spring Equinox 
Spring Cleanse With Reiki
Why Reiki Is The Perfect Holistic Treatment To Kick Start Your Positive Changes This Spring
Spring: The Season of Renewal: The Elements of Wood
The Spirit of Renewal: Spring and Traditional Chinese Medicine
What’s The Deal With “Detox”?

Authored by Dr. Brittany Stamer

Healing occurs on a physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual level. This healing is achieved through many modalities including nutrition, lifestyle, herbal medicine, counseling, and many more. One of my favorite ways to aid in healing is through energy medicine. This energy medicine can include reiki, qi gong, flower essences, and one of my favorites, which is homeopathy.
 
Homeopathy is a practice that has been used for hundreds of years, and practiced across the world. There are even hospitals that solely focus on homeopathy, including some in Britain and India.
 
Many different types of practitioners prescribe homeopathy, but it can also be used by patients in their daily lives. This is one of my favorite things about homeopathy.  That it is accessible to everyone. There are thousands of remedies though, so often it is advantageous to have a healthcare provider skilled in prescribing homeopathic remedies on your team.
 
Homeopathic remedies are made in a very specific and methodical way, eventually diluting a substance so much that it is beyond what can be physically measured. Most often they are made from plants, minerals, or animal substances. These substances are made into a tincture and one drop of that tincture is mixed with 99 drops of water creating 100 total drops. This new mixture is then shaken vigorously while also being tapped on the heel of the hand of the person preparing the remedy. This creates an energetic imprint of the substance onto the water, and some would even say an energetic imprint of the preparer onto the new mixture! Then 1 drop of that new mixture is mixed with 99 drops of water, and so on and so on. This preparation gives us different dilutions and therefore different strengths of the remedies. The more dilute a substance, the stronger the remedy. Usually lower dose remedies, such as 6C, 12C, or 30c you may see in the grocery store, are used more for physical issues. Stronger remedies such as 200C, 1M, or greater are used more often for mental, emotional, or spiritual healing.
 
The way homeopathy works is not quite known. There is only theory, as is the case with a lot in medicine, more than we may think. What we do know is that every substance in our world is made of atoms. These atoms are always moving, vibrating, creating a frequency. Each substance has a different frequency that can be measured. Our bodies also emit different frequencies depending on our state of being and health. Homeopathy’s goal is to cause an energetic shift in the body by gently altering the frequency, and with the hope of bringing you back to a state of health.
 
Personally, I have had a relationship with homeopathy ever since I learned about it. I use it for acute issues that come up in my life, including the common cold or stage fright, and also have used it for chronic conditions. I self-prescribed a remedy to aid in diminishing my monthly menstrual migraines and have never had one come up again! Of course, this was in conjunction with many other nutrition and lifestyle changes, but the remedy is what seemed to finally change that energetic pattern for me.
 
It does sound like magic, and it partially is, but it is a wonderful way to promote healing as part of a comprehensive treatment plan. It is holistic medicine at its finest, focusing on the entirety of a person in order to heal, and harnessing the body’s energy in order to set itself back onto a course of healing.

Authored by ​Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Is your energy and motivation lacking lately? With the winter solstice right around the corner some of us may be feeling a bit lackluster. The winter solstice marks the shortest day of the year bringing us the least amount of daylight and the longest night in the calendar year. December 21st or 22nd usually marks the winter solstice in the northern hemisphere.
 
With shortened days and the decrease in sunlight in fall and winter, we can begin to feel a downward spiral in our moods. You may find yourself feeling apathetic, lethargic or you may feel more down and less social overall. Although feeling more gloomy during the colder and darker days of winter is quite common—and is often referred to as the ‘winter blues’—usually these feelings do not inhibit us from enjoying our everyday life.
 
Winter Blues or Seasonal Affective Disorder?
 
If your winter blues begin affecting the day-to-day aspects of your life such as work, relationships or your overall enjoyment—you may be facing a more serious form of depression known as seasonal affective disorder (SAD). According to Mayo Clinic, SAD is a type of depression that relates to the change in seasons and is reoccurring each year for those affected. 
 
Typical signs and symptoms of SAD may include:

• Feeling depressed most of the day, nearly every day
• Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Having low energy
• Having problems with sleeping
• Experiencing changes in your appetite or weight
• Feeling sluggish or agitated
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Feeling hopeless, worthless or guilty
• Having frequent thoughts of death or suicide
  
  

According to the World Health Organization, depression is the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide. Depression is a mental disorder that affects more than 300 million people globally. Statistics show more women than men are generally affected by depression.
 
Whether you are contending with a mild case of the winter blues or the more intense seasonal affective disorder, symptoms often start out subtle at the beginning of the fall and become progressively more severe through the winter months with relief arriving along with the sunnier days of spring or summer.
 
Please know it is completely normal to have some days when you feel down or unmotivated, but if you begin to have loss of appetite, you are not able to get motivated to do activities that usually bring you joy and you are experiencing trouble with sleeping or oversleeping—it is advised you seek professional help. It is especially important to see a professional when your sleep and appetite patterns have shifted, you turn to alcohol for comfort and relaxation or you feel hopeless.
 
How can Reiki help bring relief to those suffering from the winter blues or depression?
 
For those of us feeling more gloomy than normal at this time of year, self-care and self-focus may help to bring our mental, physical and emotional selves back into alignment. A Reiki session can put us back in touch with ourselves and lead us back to relaxation and joy.
 
Here are several benefits of receiving a Reiki treatment:

• Helps to clear blocked energy in our body so our energy can flow freely again
• Replenishes and restores our vital life energy
• Rebalances and resets our nervous system
• Reduces anxiety and tension
• Assists in releasing old energy patterns and/or beliefs
• Helps us to feel lighter, more grounded and calmer
• Reconnects us with our heart and our true self or life purpose
• Promotes deep relaxation and healing

 
Although it is common that the winter blues and SAD usually melt away with the arrival of spring or summer, there is no need to suffer through the darkest days while waiting for the sunlight to reappear. Reiki is always right here, ever-present and willing to assist with relief, renewal and rejuvenation.
 
Learn more about what to expect from a Reiki session here. 
​
References:
How Reiki Can Help Reduce Stress & Anxiety
How Reiki Help You Beat The Winter Blues
Reiki For Depression
How Reiki Helps Depression
More Than Just the Winter Blues

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Recently, I have taken a deep dive into learning about being a highly sensitive person (HSP). I am realizing more and more how rituals and routines stabilize and bring a sense of calm and peace to my life. Are you wondering if you might be a highly sensitive person? You can learn more here about being an HSP and see if this temperament resonates with you. The more familiar I become with the HSP temperament, the better I am able to identify my triggers and challenges during each season and time of the year. I believe it is important for us to be in touch with our triggers so we can appropriately plan self-care to counterbalance the challenges presented to our system.
 
We are quickly moving into autumn. For me, autumn is a time to regroup, find my routine and begin to commit more regularly to an internal and spiritual practice. Summer is a chaotic season for me, I relish in the regularity and routine autumn brings. I realized for the first time in my life how loud of a season summer is: construction, motorcycles, radios and air conditioners. I am relieved to be moving into the cooler and more contemplative feeling of autumn. The loud noise of summer in conjunction with the high heat temperatures overstimulate my system and make me realize why summer has not been a favorite season for me. I hope summer fills you up! If not, this is great information for you so you can begin to add in those increments of self-care to offset the challenges the season may present for you.

Lets take a minute to reflect on what may be working for you or what may be challenging:

• Which season revitalizes you and gives you the most energy?
• What time of year is the most challenging for you and why?
• When during your day or week do you feel the most challenged and stressed out?

As we begin to layer our rituals and routines into our life they create a healthy tapestry of habits and patterns. As we begin to live out of these daily patterns and routines we are stabilized by what is coming next rather than living out of our fear or the stress of not knowing. About five years ago my daughter started asking if we could get a family dog. At the time we owned an aged cat. Initially, I was not keen on the thought of getting a dog. We had been devoted cat owners up until that point. Each and every year, my daughter continued to inquire about getting a dog and I got more curious and willing to consider the request. I am an individual that craves routine, but I am not very good at implementing structure and routine in my life. I have always thrived and been most happy when external circumstances have created ritual and routine for me. Ultimately, my daughter’s wishes were granted and in April of 2017 we adopted a 6-year-old female greyhound and named her Harriet. This pup has been an equalizer for me and has helped me to rebalance my mental wellness. Each and every day since we have adopted Harriet, I more happily get out of bed, get dressed and walk her first thing in the morning. The ritual and routine of dog walks has been an amazing help for my mental state and attitude. I have struggled with anxiety and depression most of my life. Exercise and being out in nature help me to regulate my challenged mental states. The regularity of walking my dog 3-4 times a day has its challenges in a busy modern life, but I have found the routine and the payoff to far outweigh the challenges.
 
So, what if you don’t own a dog or you do not want to become a dog owner. Don’t worry. You do not need to adopt a dog to turn your life around. Begin building in your 3-5 minute rituals one at at time and then begin stacking and layering these rituals into a routine that feels restful and restorative for you. If something is not resonating or working, change it. Stay curious to help combat overwhelm and come back to basics.
 
As you traverse the upcoming months, please keep the basics in mind and draw upon balance by settling into some nourishing and supportive routines. This will help you to incrementally stabilize and reset your nervous system and moods.

Here are some suggestions of balance and equilibrium I have found to work well for myself and my family:

• Take time to decompress
• Allow time to adjust to change
• Focus on meaningful relationships
• Find healthy ways to resolve conflict
• Leave enough time to accomplish your tasks (or take tasks off your list)
• Arrive to your destinations early
• Get plenty of sleep
• Stay hydrated
• Eat healthy meals made with real food
• Go caffeine free
• Create a nurturing space for yourself in your home
• Use low lighting to soothe
• Venture out into nature and surround yourself with beauty of all kinds 

​
References
The Psychology of Daily Routine by Brianna West

Authored by Lynn Salmon-Easter, Reiki Master

Reiki is a form of energy healing that has origins in Japan. The word Reiki comes from a Japanese word (Rei) which means “Universal Life” and (Ki) which means “Energy.” As a treatment, Reiki addresses healing on a physical, emotional, and spiritual level. Individuals that have not yet resolved their health concerns with other forms of treatments often benefit greatly from an energy healing session. Reiki can access healing on a subconscious, nonverbal and energetic level. Working at this level, individuals are able to let go of unwanted energies and negative ways that have kept them stuck and confused in their lives. Deep relaxation is one of the greatest benefits of a Reiki session. When our bodies deeply relax—they naturally heal and come back into balance and harmony.
 
What will you experience during a session?
The session will begin with a heart-centered conversation about your hopes and wishes and how you envision Reiki fitting into your life and wellness plan. Working from our conversation, together we will set an intention which will guide the direction of our session together. An awareness of what you would like to ‘let go of’ or ‘bring in’ during your session aids and assists the movement of old stuck energy as well as helping to draw in the positive energies desired.
 
During the treatment, you will remain fully-clothed and light hands-on touch is used throughout the session. Usually, I start at your feet and work up one side of your body to your head and then back down to your feet again. During the entire session, I listen intently to the unique energetic needs of your body. As a result, each session is unique and individualized. Clients often fall into to a relaxed state between wake and sleep  fostering the body to recalibrate energetically, emotionally and physically. You may experience a warm or tingly sensation in your body during the session, this is the Reiki at work.
 
At the end of the session we will spend 10-15 minutes talking about your experience, answering questions and speaking about the energies that were cleared away or new energies that were brought in while working together. This intuitive conversation is an important an integral part of the session and will help you to glean insights from our time together. I enjoy helping my clients continue their work outside of our session by teaching simple tools to support their wellness when appropriate.
 
What happens after your session?
Post treatment effects can vary according to the individual based on their sensitivity. Each person and situation is different in regards to the way they respond to a treatment. Most individuals leave feeling more emotionally and physically balanced, calm and grounded. Please know, Reiki and energy work can bring emotions to the surface. It can be helpful for an individual to continue working through their emotions at home by journaling, creating artwork, doing meditation or yoga. I often recommend easing slowly back into your regular routine on the day of your treatment. It is also best to drink extra water, possibly take an Epsom salt bath or take time to be in nature to ensure unwanted energies continue to release and clear.
 
Follow-up sessions are highly recommended as Reiki sessions often work by clearing old energies and traumas layer by layer. Most of us do best with a bit of time and space between our sessions. I usually recommend clients come every 3-4 weeks for treatment unless there is an acute situation taking place. Then I would recommend treatments every 1-2 weeks until the situation is resolved. Packages are available for individuals interested in continuity of care.
 
Is Reiki right for you?
Although I believe anyone can benefit from a Reiki session, from my personal experience, it is those individuals that are highly sensitive and/or empathic that greatly benefit from energy healing sessions. A highly sensitive person feels things more deeply, is easily overwhelmed by hectic environments or crowded spaces and feels the need to retreat or to be alone to recuperate and reset their nervous system. Are you wondering if you are a highly sensitive person? Please check out this article or this one to see if this temperament resonates with you.
 
Empaths are highly sensitive individuals that have a keen ability to sense what people around them are thinking and feeling. It is common for empaths to feel mixed-up inside, confused, out of balance and often emotionally exhausted. As an empath you may have a hard time knowing what feelings belong to you and what feelings belong to someone else. Staying grounded in our bodies is one of the first and foremost steps for resolving this confusion. Reiki assists those of us that are highly sensitive and helps us begin to sort through our emotional and energetic confusion, which has likely been with us most of our lives. If you are interested in learning more about being an empath, you can begin  your journey here.
 
Being a highly sensitive and empathic person myself, I have taken a keen interest in working with these individuals in my practice. It has been my own personal experience that my health and well being did not stabilize until I learned more about my highly sensitive temperament and how to properly support myself as an empath with energy healing and other tools. Please know being sensitive does not need to be a burden or exhaust you, you simply need to find ways to support your sensitive system.
 
Here are three simple and important facts everyone needs to know about highly sensitive people:

• being highly sensitive is a normal trait as well as a temperament
• high sensitivity is a real and research-based characteristic 
• being highly sensitive comes with both strengths and challenges

Authored by Julie Schmit, MA

Are you a good candidate for energy healing?  When most people hear that term – or if they have had an energy healing before – they typically think Reiki, or chakra healing, or maybe shamanic healing.  What these practices have in common is that they derive from Asian or non-western indigenous peoples.  Fewer people know that there is a potent form of energy healing that comes to us from western psychotherapy: energy psychology. 

My purpose in this blog is to introduce you to energy psychology to help you understand why it is so valuable so that you can make good decisions in your pursuit of health through energy healing.  It is a cornerstone of my healing practice, Energy Healing and Relationship Guidance. Combining energy healing with energy psychology opens up an array of new ways to help you heal, learn and grow. 

In this two-part blog series, you will learn:
1)     What is energy psychology and how is it used?
2)     Energy psychology and the body
3)     How to get started with your own body/mind energy healing today

What is Energy Psychology: Part I
Energy Psychology, also known as body-centered psychotherapy, blends both mind and body into therapy in distinctive ways.  The domain of traditional psychotherapy - recurrent thought processes, emotions and behavior –– are combined in energy psychology therapy with the body’s physical sensations and its systems, such as the nervous and immune systems.  Therapy based on energy psychology has been found to be beneficial for treating an array of ailments, including trauma, anxiety, depression, chronic pain and stress, self-damaging behavior, and difficult to treat mind-body problems that may not respond to traditional psychotherapy.  There is even a learned society dedicated to its practice, the Association of Comprehensive Energy Psychology, so you can be assured that the practice stands on a solid professional foundation. 
Where did this distinctive form of therapy first appear in the West?   Elements of energy psychology first appeared in the West in late 18th century with mesmerism.  For the purpose of this blog, however, I am focusing on how energy psychology was shaped by Sigmund Freud’s psychoanalysis. 
 
Energy Psychology and Western Psychotherapy
From the earliest days of psychoanalysis in Vienna in the early 1900s, Freud and his first students paid special attention to the various ways the body’s sensations and emotions interacted.  In their therapeutic work, they referred to a “psychic energy” and how it shaped the sufferer’s experience.  They wove these observations into Freud’s ideas about how ego defenses operated to block growth and perpetuate repression and anxiety.   

One of Freud’s successors, Wilhelm Reich, took Freud’s ego-defenses in a different direction.  Reich proposed that “wounds” to the self were inflicted in early life. They may happen due to a hostile parent, or due to a lack of nurturing, or due to a parent rejecting a child’s natural expressiveness and creativity. These wounds become internalized and “preserved” in the unconscious as a part of the individual’s character structure.  Thereafter, the effects of the activation of this character structure becomes automatic and it operates independent of the conscious mind (Reich, 1933/1945 p. 154). Within the person, these processes create what Reich called “character armoring,” which as it sounds, is a kind of armor whose purpose is to protect, but inadvertently burdens the person.  As internal, unconscious structures they play a central role in psychological problems, in mind-body ailments and in other socio-emotional disorders (Corrington, 2003;  Reich, 1933/1945).  For Reich, the purpose of psychotherapy was to dissolve the armor (what Freud called ego defenses).  This in turn, provokes the memory of the childhood experience that was the impetus for the blockage in the first place (Greenberg & Saffron, 1987).  That realization was considered a key to healing and the dissolution of the armor.

In the mid-20th century, Reich became a highly controversial psychologist for some of his ideas and his work remains a topic of dispute.   His student, psychiatrist Alexander Lowen, however, took Reich’s work, incorporated it into his own advanced understanding of the human body and developed a therapeutic system called Bioenergetics.   Lowen’s system combined psychoanalysis, Reich’s character defenses, and a decidedly physical component: subconscious muscle tension. He introduced a number of compelling techniques to help “ground” mental and emotional states in the body with the understanding that doing so helped unlock a cure.  For example, in Lowen’s system, a client’s feet and legs become important.  By bringing conscious awareness into the lower half of the body, and out of the mind, compulsive thinking and psychological obstacles generated by the mind that resist healing, can be circumvented (Lowen, 1975). Lowen and another student of Reich’s, physician and psychiatrist John Pierrakos, founded a school of Bioenergetics, which In turn, was very influential in the formation of energy psychology. 

In Part Two in this blog series on energy psychology, I will describe the relationship between energy psychology and energy healing and show how energy healing can help you create an electric life you deserve with relationships that cherish you!

To experience energy healing and energy psychology yourself, schedule an initial phone consultation with Julie Schmit, MA, Energy Healer, Reiki Master, Relationship Guide and Marriage and Family Therapist. You can learn more about Julie and her work by visiting her website: www.julieschmit.com

References
Association for Comprehensive Energy Psychology (2019). https://www.energypsych.org
Corrington, R. (2003). Wilhelm Reich, psychoanalyst and radical naturalist. New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Lowen, A. (1975). Bioenergetics. New York, NY: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, Inc.
Reich, W. (1933/1945). Character Analysis (Higgins, M., Ed.).  New York, NY: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.     
©2019-2020 Julie Schmit, Shakti Bodyworks, LLC
 

Q: What made you choose to pursue your profession?
A: In all honesty, I feel as if energy healing chose me! I am simply saying YES!!  For the past couple of decades, I have been studying and focusing more deeply on self-care and wellness. In 2017, my father was declining with Lewy Body and Parkinson’s disease. As a way to elevate my own care, I signed up for a Reiki level 1 training. During the class my body was exhilarated and curious. Reiki felt so natural to me. I left the training hungry for more, knowing I would sign up for Reiki level 2. As my father continued to decline, I continued on my path of Reiki. One of the greatest gifts Reiki offers is you can perform the healing on yourself. After my level 1 training, I committed to daily practice in bed each night before drifting off to sleep. This practice became my centerboard through my father’s death and deepened and informed my growing curiosity about the loving and healing practice Reiki holds.

Q: What keeps you engaged in your profession?
A: The human connection of the work is what keeps me coming back. I love to go deep and feel the emotional and energetic intricacies of the world. Energy healing is my calling and I continue to say yes to the work each and every day.

Q: What kind of clients do you like working with most?
A: As a practitioner, my mission is to empower people to reconnect with themselves and to accompany them on their own paths of self-discovery and self-care. Looking ahead, my wish is to build a practice based on integrity and to work with open-minded individuals seeking to find balance and harmony in their lives. I also have a particular interest in working with individuals that have ongoing health challenges and have yet to reach their ideal wellness. For me personally, energy work was a missing piece to my optimal wellness. Once I learned more about healthy energetic boundaries, my health challenges began to decrease and balance returned to me.

Q: What are you currently working on in your professional life?
A: I am expanding my knowledge of energy healing through the accredited program of Healing Touch. Although both Reiki and Healing Touch are forms of energy healing, they each lend themselves well to different circumstances with clients.

Q: What is your favorite beverage?
A: I enjoy teas of all kinds. I am particularly fond of green tea. I find tea can be a terrific tonic, something you can sip on for leisure or you can turn to tea when you need a pick me up!

Q: How do you spend your free time?
A: I am particularly fond all of the trails and lakes we have to take advantage of here in the Twin Cities. I like to venture out with my family and our dog Harriet. I enjoy living locally and exploring all of the little shops and eateries in my neighborhood as well. Creating works of art, spending time in museums, knitting, hiking, cooking and canoe camping in the Boundary Waters are also some of my favorite pastimes.

Q: How do you celebrate living in your body?
A: I love to engage in activities that bring balance, alignment and harmony to my body. Yoga, meditation and chi-gong are just a few examples. Swimming has also been a big part of my life. Water makes me feel magical.

Q: What do you look for in a health care practitioner?
A: I look for someone that is compassionate and practices from their heart. When I work with a practitioner I want them to be a partner in my health journey. They need to be an advocate for my health and wellbeing by listening to me as well as applying their education, knowledge, and expertise.

Authored by Erica Wallace Moore

When was the last time you went to the ocean? I mean really visited it and immersed yourself in the salt water? How about on a perfect summer day? You first walk from the beach and the water flows over your feet, and it feels like a warm bath?

On the day before I turned 40, I experienced a perfect day at the Atlantic ocean. It was sunny, the heat index was 90 degrees. The ocean was perfectly soothing. I giggled all day as wave after wave gained momentum and washed over me.

At one point in the afternoon I settled down to savor what was happening. I was in a state of least resistance. My husband asked me why when every wave came rolling in did I turn around. I told him it hurt my chest when the waves crashed. It felt so much better to let the wave cascade over my back and shoulders. I tried different tricks. I ran forward toward the beach with the waves carrying me. I hopped forward. I swam with the waves.

And I understood this vibrationally... I have no idea when or where any of those waves began. They could have started in the middle of the Atlantic or all the way on the coast of Africa. But I do know each wave began in the past and I was only feeling its momentum in the present. And I had a choice:

Face each wave head on and feel the pain as it slammed into my chest, or get ahead of the wave and let it roll through and over me. Once I knew which way I wanted to face waves, I understood I can experience that what ever comes my way in a state of meditative peace.

Waves will come into your life even on perfect days. And we can even sense them coming if we tune in and listen to the sound as it gains momentum.

All you have to remember is that waves begin in the past and you are experiencing the momentum in the present.

You can face the wave if you want to. Or you can find the place to be ahead of it when does come and just let it flow, let it roll, and let it wash over you.

When the wave comes and you allow it, it'll only guide you to a safe shore. Remain in the present moment while looking ahead to the shore.

Authored by Erica Wallace Moore, Reiki Master

Authored by Erica Wallace Moore

It's that time of year again. The holiday season is right around the corner. While this season jingles with activity, for some of us, this time of year can be physically, mentally, and emotionally overwhelming.

Let's face it, you're down to the last push before the end of the year. A year that has already challenged and matured you. And for the next two months you may be spending a lot of time with friends and family. You may be at tables weighed down by meat, mashed potatoes and pies. You might even host a dinner or two. You will eat a lot. And you will shop. You'll spend money. Your boss or your significant other might expect your presence at a holiday party. You've got a tree to put up and decorate, or you've got plane tickets for a week's worth of travel.

That's a lot of doing.

Don't get me wrong. I absolutely love this time of year. 

The annual ritual of connecting with family is so deeply set in my Root Chakra going all the way back to my childhood. But I too have my moments. Times when I need a break from the insanity of the holidays. 

Staying grounded and protecting your energy can seem impossible at this time of year, but I promise it's a worthwhile skill to practice cultivating. 

If you're looking for ways to stay perfect through the holidays, this ain't it. But what you will find here are several practical ways to stay present and sane through the holiday season:

1. Set Boundaries
I cannot stress how important this practice is. You might experience the pressure of being pulled in many directions, decisions, as well as the pressure to say yes to everything. If an activity feels like too much than it's worth, ask yourself whether or not it's really worth doing. Additionally, setting boundaries for your budget and your meals can help you remain present as you step toward the new year.

2. Set Aside Alone or Down Time
After any considerable amount of doing, your body needs moments to be. For all the doing that the holidays requires, create intentional space for yourself to just be. This also includes rest and indulging in your self care. Give yourself a gift.

3. Set a Meaning
Have you ever had a holiday when you ask yourself: "Why am I doing all this stuff? What does it even mean?" Sometimes it's so easy to go through the motions of expectations that we lose meaning. Decide what the holiday season means to you and honor it. Does the season mean family, thankfulness, caring? Or perhaps it reminds you of loss. Don't ignore the emotional significance of the season. Maybe you can give to a cause or charity, volunteer, or create a new ritual. Write a letter or light a candle to a loved one. 

4. Set Up a Holiday Journal
This one is simple: whatever frustrations arise for you, write them out. You may find yourself more aware of your holiday triggers and be able to be more gentle with yourself.

5. Set Time for Creativity
Part of the holiday frustration for me is the amount of consumerism that we all get invited to partake in. I find it comforting as a reminder that though my children want gifts from the toy store, I'm still at my core a co-creator of the universe. Whatever your creative gifts are (baking, cooking, sewing, crocheting, knitting, drawing, writing, singing, acting, dancing, photography, etc), throw yourself into your creativity. 

6. Set Goals for the New Year
Setting a goal for the new year helps to keep you present and grounded because you can be reminded that the holidays are temporary and you still have this big, great life to live. And you get to pause, reflect and ritualize your presence and your new beginnings into the new year.

​If you're really looking for a way to ground yourself, or if you are new to the idea of what it means to be grounded, I would absolutely love to work with you! Or perhaps you are looking forward to the new year and you desire new goals and new intentions in which case, I would also love to be able to work with you! 

Authored by Erica Wallace Moore

Do you remember when you received your first diary or journal?

My first diary had a lock on it to keep my twin sister’s prying eyes away. And though the lock could be opened with something as simple as a bobby pin, I still couldn’t wait to pour all of my childhood secrets into it. I kept a diary for most of youth and now having a journal always close by has become as important to me as my daily vitamin supplements. 
​
My journal is my container for writing down my life, my experiences, my goals, my thoughts, and my emotions. 

But What Does Writing Have to Do with Wellness?

Well, in my writing life, the physical act of writing is essential to my wellness. 

Or as Zadie Smith says in her essay “Fail Better,” “writers have only one duty, as I see it: the duty to express accurately their way of being in the world.” 

Authored by Erica Wallace Moore

I get it it. Reiki is one those curious mysteries.

Although you may experience healing touch in the form of a hug, a kiss, or hand-holding, there’s an unseen force of energy, and that’s tough wrapping our minds around especially since we’ve been so conditioned to accept only what we see.

Still, nonetheless you’re curious about Reiki and its promise of healing energy. Maybe you’re asking, “what exactly is energy?” Or, “how can I experience energy in a personal yet understandable way?”

After my first experience of receiving Reiki, I became fascinated with energy. I grew up in a setting where energy was not taught. As I grew to an adult and really wanted to know how my power played into my journey, I realized a deep desire to be aware of and to understand how energy was working within me, so I researched and found ways to participate in my own energy experience.

My mind was blown away. I understood that not only was my energy alive, but I came to know how much inner power I had to heal myself and greater even my truth and purpose as my calling to participate in assisting others to accept their own healing power.

Feeling energy as a sensory experience raises your awareness. What I have found is that awareness is the first step to understanding. For example, you may understand love because you have an awareness of what love feels like. You may understand how water is essential to life because you have an awareness of how your body reacts to being hydrated. The same goes for energy.

You can understand energy by simply having an awareness of it.

How about this—what if I invite you to experience energy for yourself? With a few fairly simple techniques, you can gain an understanding of energy by being conscious of how it is constantly interacting within you and how you are constantly attracting energy into your life.

Experience Energy Solo
This technique enables you to feel or sense the field of energy that is inside and surrounding your body.

1. Find a quiet, interruption free space to sit down. Begin to breathe in and out slowly relaxing into your seat.
2. Gently close your eyes and raise your hands with your palms facing each other. You’ll want to begin with them spaced apart, approximately a shoulder width.
3. Focus your thoughts on feeling the energy between your hands, then slowly bring them closer together until you begin to feel the energy between them. You may feel sensations of warmth, tingling, resistance, a thickness, or magnetism.
4. When you feel something, keep your hands where they are and slowly pull them apart until you feel the edge of energetic power. There’s no magic rule for how close or far apart your palms have to be. The more you practice this technique, the easier it will be to detect your energy.

That’s My Energy Game
When you wake up fully in the morning, try this:

1. Make a mental list or write down no more than three concrete objects. For example: red shoes, turtles, and good news. My absolute favorite and most easiest object to attract is good news!
2. Next, spend no more than 10 to 15 seconds thinking and creating a light and playful vision of each object.
3. Go about the rest of your day. Each time any of these items comes into your awareness, say out loud, “That’s my energy.”
4. Play this game everyday and as you realize you’re becoming better at being aware of how your energy is attracting what you think about, move on to objects that have greater meaning to you.
5. As you discover how fun it is to attract light, playful objects, think also about something you may have been attracting that you don’t necessarily want.

Of course, you are not limited to these three techniques to raise your awareness of energy. I believe the key to understanding energy is being aware that the smallest form of energy is the atom, and the entire universe is abundantly full of atoms. Take a look around you. Your phone, your computer, your desk, your couch, your body, is composed of billions and billions of atoms. Within each atom is the consciousness of energy. You have the power to increase the light within yourself by first being aware of the abundant opportunities to attract what you desire deep within you.

Maybe you’ve discovered that energy is working in your life, and working in a way that you have more questions, and working in a way that you desire to release some negative energy in order to create space to attract positive energy.

I would love to work with you to uncover ways to release some of that energy so that you are able to walk forward through life attracting the truth and purpose that is meant for you.

Authored by Erica Wallace Moore

Reiki is the practice of gentle, light touch therapy that ignites the flow of energy of the healing power of the universe into the body and consciousness of the person receiving Reiki. The Reiki practitioner is the bridge on which the energy passes to the receiver through the practitioner’s hands. It is meant to clear internal energy systems and allow the possibility for a person to heal from within.

While Reiki was founded by Dr. Mikao Usui in Japan in the early twentieth century, people from all over the world benefit from it.

"Reiki" is the combination of two words. "Rei" can symbolically mean God, Source, Light, Spirit, however, one does not have to believe in any of these things. "Ki" (also spelled "chi" or "qi") is the energy that makes all living things alive. It flows through every living thing including plants, animals, and humans. A person can have high energy or low energy, and we receive energy from food, sunshine, sleep, prayer, meditation, exercise, yoga, etc.

Essentially, we are all made up of energy and it flows through every aspect of ourselves—our cells, thoughts, and emotions. We are also connected to all that is, including our family, neighborhood, city, state, country, continent, planet, solar system, galaxy and the entire universe. Reiki is the energy connection to all that is in the universe flowing from practitioner to the receiver.

What to Expect:
During a Reiki session the practitioner lightly places her hands on approximately twelve positions of the body depending on the intention desired for the session. These body positions include: the top of the head, eyes, throat, shoulders, heart space, both sides and middle of the abdomen, hips, knees, and feet. On occasion, the back can also be taken into consideration.

It is normal for the receiver to feel deeply relaxed as it restores the body’s natural energy balance. You may feel heat on the touched areas of the body, tingling, itching, and/or inner shifts. Sometimes the receiver won’t be aware of feeling anything yet the Reiki is still flowing. It’s important to know that the flow of Reiki acts where it is needed most.

Because Reiki is essentially the flow of the universe’s energy, it is not assigned to any religion, culture, or belief system. The energy of the universe simply exists.

Reiki is a complementary therapy and does not replace mainstream medical treatment or medication.