Yoga, Reiki, and Self Love

It’s easy to view reiki as something that someone gives you, like a haircut or a massage.  However, reiki also works well when you do it yourself (unlike cutting your own hair).  The basic elements of a personal reiki practice are giving yourself treatments and saying the reiki principles.  These two pieces can bring about transformation when used consistently.

You don't need to go here to have a great reiki practice (although it does look lovely).

Just like eating healthy, exercising, meditating, or anything else, your reiki practice can only help you if you actually practice.  So the first order of business is to make room for it.  If you can take time to sit quietly and reiki yourself that’s wonderful.  I try to give myself a full session at least once a week.  For those other days I give myself reiki when I’m going to sleep or waking up.  It’s informal, takes little effort, and doesn’t eat at my day.  You can also give yourself reiki while driving, standing in line, or talking on the phone to name a few options.  As long as you’ve got a free hand to place over your abdomen or heart you’re all set.  I often reiki myself when I’m having a difficult conversation.  It helps me to respond from my best self instead of reacting with fear.

The other key piece to a strong reiki practice is saying the principles.  They have been an amazing tool for reprogramming the way that I think about and react to life.  The aspect of thinking about things just for today helps me to be in the moment.  How can I be peaceful, grateful, kind, and useful today, right now?  The more often I say the principles, the more I remember them in the moment, and the more I am able to consciously change my thoughts from the ones that torture me, to the ones that inspire me.

Reiki Principles

Just for today I will not anger,
Just for today I will not worry,
Just for today I will do my work honestly,
Just for today I will be kind to myself and every living thing,
Just for today I will be grateful and humble.

-Mikao Usui

Remember:

• Make space for reiki in your day (be creative)
• Post the principles where you’ll see them
• If you miss a few days, or weeks, begin again

I like things that I can figure out like math, puzzles, and knitting.  I enjoy both the question and the answer, and I try to bring that spirit of inquiry to my reiki study and teaching. Reiki can sometimes seem mysterious or out of reach. It is my goal to bring it down to earth where people can learn about it and make use of it. Reiki is an excellent tool for self healing, relaxation, clearing the energy of a space, self empowerment, and calming the mind. So I’ve created a new domain name for this site: downtoearthreiki.com.

Hello Lovelies!

Big things are happening.  I’m managing and teaching at a wonderful new yoga studio called Yoga Palace, and I’m getting married in a few weeks!

Yoga Palace is a wonderful place to practice and learn.  We teach vinyasa without heaters, letting the heat build from within.  We have slow flow which is challenging and meditative, calling on core strength to sustain longer holds.  Our deep stretch focuses on flexibility for athletes and cubicle warriors alike.  So come check us out.  We have a special for new students, $39 for an unlimited month, and we have classes to fit  any schedule.

I’m so excited to be playing a role on the business side of this studio in addition to teaching.  Our yoga director is the fantastic Christine Navarro, and the owner/investor is Candace Khashman of Peekaboo Couture.  Between the three of us I’m sure you’ll be seeing big things from Yoga Palace.

In the coming months you’ll start seeing me by another name (and I don’t just mean kaitlin@yogapalaceclt.com).  I’m taking my future husbands name, so starting in mid-October I’ll be known as Kaitlin Lacey!  I can’t tell you how thrilled I am!  If you see the new name around, know that it’s still me.

Stay awesome.