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What Reiki did for me, a breast cancer patient

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What Reiki did for me, a breast cancer patient

May 31, 2018
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin9:35 pm

In April 2017, I was undergoing my final round of chemo treatments for Triple Negative Breast Cancer.  I had two infusions down in my second round of treatments and was facing two more.  To say I was struggling, is an understatement.  To this point, my cancer journey was filled with unexpected medical issues such as bilateral pneumonia, bilateral pulmonary embolisms, sepsis, and even an internal bleed that filled my chest cavity.  I now had to give myself two shots a day, of Lovenox, a blood thinner.  I spent a total of 37 days in the hospital.  After my second treatment I decided that I was done.  I had had enough.  I made up my mind that I was done with pain and sickness.  The nausea was intense and the bone pain was debilitating.  I made the decision to stop my chemotherapy treatments.  I was going to refuse the last two treatments that could potentially save my life.

Later that night, I talked with my family.  I told them that I could no longer endure the pain.  The look of fear and worriedness on my boyfriend’s face is a look that I’ll never forget.  My daughter cried.  I felt like a “failure” that just left my biggest support system down.  I prayed for the answer as to what I should do.  I scoured the internet for things to try.  I remembered a reiki appointment that I had had a few years ago and how it made me feel afterwards.  Reiki?  I asked myself.  Could Reiki help?  I decided that it was worth a try.  I was desperate.  I reached out to my dear friend Rickie Freedman, owner of ReikiSpace and asked if she could schedule an appointment for me after my next chemo appointment.  I was nervous and very apprehensive because I knew what was coming after that appointment.  The nausea, the pain.  But I committed to giving it a try.  Not just for my family but for myself.

I had my reiki appointment within a day or two after my third appointment.  Days 3-6 were always the worst days after chemo.  I was skeptical and anxiously waited for the bone pain to set in.  Around day 3, I could feel an achiness start to creep into my bones and I could feel the nausea start to settle in my belly.  I cried, as I knew what was coming.  I just laid there and waited for it.  Day 4 came and still no intense bone pain, no severe nausea.  My symptoms were all still so very manageable with the meds that were prescribed.  Day 5 then day 6 and I was through the days that I knew should be my worst.  We did it!  We made it through treatment number 3, of this last round, with little to almost no bone pain and nausea.  Was it a coincidence?  Could it be the reiki?  I wasn’t sure but it gave me the courage to try to make it through my fourth and final chemo treatment.  I reached out to Rickie once again to set up another appointment after my last treatment.  We scheduled the appointment for a day or two after the final infusion.  Again, I waited and tried to mentally prepare myself for the worst and again, it didn’t come.  I made it through that final treatment the same way I made it through my third appointment, with minimal bone pain and manageable nausea.  No way was this a coincidence.  It was the Reiki.  This may sound extreme but, Reiki contributed to possibly saving my life.  I was ready to stop my last two treatments, but out of desperation, I tried Reiki.  It worked.  Reiki helped me manage my unbearable symptoms.  Reiki helped me finish my treatments.  It not only helped me physically, but mentally as well.  It moved me spiritually.  It gave me hope for the future.  Reiki helped make me a Survivor!

Kim Sheaffer

Triple Negative Breast Cancer Survivor

 

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Managing Holiday Stress

December 9, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin8:04 am

Managing Holiday Stress

1) SMILE – Increases  Serotonin (feel-good hormone) for you and the recipient! Improves you Immune System and Wellness

2)Meditate – actually changes your brain for increased Happiness. Twice a day for 10 minutes each keeps Cortisol reduced. Deep breathing calms your body and you think clearer. Focus on a word or mantra – “I AM too Blessed to be stressed”. Can do walking Meditation (Meditation Evening first Thurs. of every month in ReikiSpace).

3) Gratitude- cultivates Happiness. Physiologically impossible to be stressed and grateful at the same time. Gratitude Journal- 3-5 things every morning and evening. Floods us with endorphins which energize us and enhance our health

4)Random acts of Kindness – Doing nice things for others increases our own Happiness. What you extend to others you get back 10 fold.

5) Socializing/Social Support

6) Creative outlets – journaling, Art

7)Music- health and stress benefits

8)Laughter- reduces stress hormones, increases endorphins, strengthens immune system, increases energy and reduces fatigue. Fun/ Play/ Share your Joy! Keep things in perspective!

9)Setting Boundaries and Priorities – Address problems rather than being negative or complaining. Honor your core values. Learn to say NO. Offer a  solution- Visualize and help create it. Wayne Dyer says “You’ll see it when you Believe it”

If angry ask: a) Is it worth it? b) Is my anger appropriate c) Is there something I can do about it? d) Is it worth it?. If YES – express in a healthy way

10) Eat Breakfast. Skipping breakfast increases Cortisol for the entire day.

11) Exercise

12) Get help- talk about it

13) Relaxation Exercises

14) Be Positive

15) BREATHE

16) Self care is not Selfish! Filling yourself up allows you to  share from a Healthy place so you won’t feel drained, burned out or resentful.

17) DO LESS- You DO have a Choice!

18) REIKI ~ Peaceful , Relaxing, Centering, Balancing, Grounding

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EXPERIENCE Reiki – YOUR Place of Peace

December 1, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin11:03 pm

Peace ~ It doesn’t mean to be in a place where there is no noise, trouble or hard work. It means to be in the midst of those things, and still be Calm in your Heart. Unknown

The Holiday Season is a Wonderful time of Love, Light and Connection. It can also generate a lot of stress, especially for successful busy Business women trying to wear our many hats. This can be challenging enough on a day-to-day basis, but now there are gifts to choose and wrap, family events to attend (not to mention complex family dynamics), and the stirred-up emotions dealing with the frenetic energy which abounds everywhere this time of year.

Reiki can be a way to keep yourself “Filled-Up”, so that when you choose to share your precious time and energy with your friends, family and co-workers, you do so from a Healthy and Loving place, rather than becoming drained, burned-out or resentful.

Reiki is a Natural, Holistic Hands-On Healing technique which is very Gentle and Deeply Relaxing. It is primarily for reducing  stress, promoting Balance, and restoring Inner Peace. It is shared fully-clothed on a massage-type table. Within the course of an hour, people typically feel their stress, and the underlying sources, simply melt away. It is also very energizing, and after their sessions, my clients report increased creativity and productivity. Their energy is calm and focused as they move forwards with their busy days and lives.

Reiki can work physically, assisting with both pain issues and muscle tension. It also works deeply at the  mental/emotional level releasing what no longer serves you, as you are ready. It helps you feel connected, and is unconditionally accepting and non-judgmental. Additionally, you can learn self-Reiki which is a practical tool in your own hands whenever you are feeling anxious or having trouble sleeping. You can share Reiki with your family and pets. Moving forwards on the Reiki Path means “Living Reiki”. You become conscious of how the energy of all your words, thoughts, attitudes and emotions affect your own well-being as well as everyone around you. Although life will always continue to have its challenges, you can learn to bring yourself back to your place of Inner Peace easier and quicker.

In alignment with the Reiki Healing Principles, here are my wishes for you throughout the Holidays and into the upcoming New Year:

May you REMEMBER what you Love, what Sparks you, and brings you endless, timeless Joy. May you Consciously Create more time for these things in your life.

May you Forgive yourself and others for the sake of Peace.

May you remember that we are ALL doing the Best that we can with the Knowledge, Wisdom and Experiences we bring to this moment. This will allow you to see with the eyes of Compassion.

May you know how precious your Energy is, and Choose Loving and Peaceful words, thoughts and attitudes every day. May you attract the same.

May you remember that life’s challenging people and situations are a GIFT helping you learn and grow in ways that you wouldn’t/couldn’t have chosen on your own.

May you find the Perfect Balance of Quiet Introspection, Service, Connection, Laughter and PLAY.

May you Receive your Heart’s Desire, and most importantly, may you KNOW that you are Worthy and Deserving of Receiving.

May you continue to be of Loving Purposeful Service Always.

May you keep things in Perspective and Remember to BREATHE.

May you Feel the Peace, Contentment and Joy Within You.

May you remember that we NEED each other. Allow yourself to be Vulnerable and Receive, for this allows others the Joy of Sharing too.

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Reiki on Good Day PA again!

October 10, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , — admin9:43 am

Here is the link for this week’s appearance on Good Day PA. Enjoy!

Reiki on Good Day PA

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Congratulations to ReikiSpace!

August 2, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , — admin4:39 pm

I am so Excited to announce that Reiki by Rickie ~ ReikiSpace & Learning Place has been chosen for the 2015 2015 RC jpgReaders Choice Award by Harrisburg Magazine Readers in the Category of Alternative Medical Specialist!

Thank YOU so much! This is a Wonderful boost for Reiki!

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Transcribed for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Community

Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin2:57 pm

Thanks to my good friend Joyce Edmiston, my recent interview by Amy Kehm on the ABC Channel 27 News program Good Day PA was transcribed Teresa Russ, professional captionist. There will be captions available for the video soon, as well.

ABC Channel 27 News
An Interview with Rickie Freedman
Reiki By Rickie ~ ReikiSpace & Learning Place

GOOD DAY PA: When it comes to healing techniques like Reiki, I think some people are skeptical of whether or not the practice actually works, but for some, it has a profound effect on their health and well being. Rickie Freedman is the owner of Reiki by Rickie, and she is here to get us on board with it.
Honestly, before I met you and experienced it, I wasn’t really sure what Reiki was; so I’m sure there’s lots of folks that feel that way; so what is it, Rickie?

RICKIE FREEDMAN: True. A lot of people are skeptical the first time that they try it, and it’s very much an experience – once you feel it, then you understand it. Reiki is a very gentle and very deeply relaxing hands on healing. It was originally from Japan, primarily for stress management, and we know that stress underlies probably 90 some percent of doctor’s visits.
Helping people relax is a very deeply healing experience itself; so Reiki helps to balance your energy, and then you feel more peaceful and able to handle all the stresses around you and in a much more calm way.

GOOD DAY PA: I mean, what is a session like? What happens during a session?

RICKIE FREEDMAN: Reiki is a very comfortable session. You get to be fully clothed. You’re on a massage table, and there’s absolutely nothing that you need to do, think about or try. You get to just relax and allow and be. It consists of a gentle light touch and also some balancing in your energy. Reiki is an energy balancing. A lot of people can feel that even though I’m not physically touching them. GOOD DAY PA: Yes, you had described that to me.

RICKIE FREEDMAN: So people describe feelings of warmth, tingling, sometimes vibration. Many people fall asleep or go to a very deep meditative state where your mind is finally quieted and that is a very healing place to be.

GOOD DAY PA: Well, Rickie was so nice. She actually let me come experience it before your appearance here on the show. I found it very relaxing, and I told you that, when you were doing this with me, I did feel like my face felt warm at some point, you know, and now I was under a nice cozy blanket, which was lovely, but I did feel that warmth.
It just felt so relaxing like I could have just zoned out from everyday life for a little bit. Do other folks share the similar experience?

RICKIE FREEDMAN: Absolutely, yes, and that deep sense of peace and calm and relaxation is a very common after effective Reiki, and when you go back out into the world with that more peaceful centered place, you’re able to handle all the stresses around you much easier, and so Reiki can be experienced by everyone.
Everyone can tolerate Reiki because of how gentle it is; so from the tiniest little newborn infants, to women who are pregnant, even people on a hospice program because of how gentle it is. It can help bring a more peaceful acceptance, also can help with pain or side effects of medication.

GOOD DAY PA: Well, I want to get to the special event that is coming up. This is really neat. I mean, who doesn’t love a fun time at sea so tell me about this.

RICKIE FREEDMAN: This is a really unusual opportunity. Next January, January 16th of 2016, I’m co-producing the Healing Water Holistic Cruise with Scott Travel in Mechaicsburg; so in addition to all the regular cruise and fun and activities, you’ll get to experience the work of six healers and practitioners as they share sessions and workshops onboard —

GOOD DAY PA: Now, another thing our audience — excuse me — might be interested in is a special offer you have just for the Day PA viewers today.

RICKIE FREEDMAN: That’s right. Anyone who contacts me by the end of this month we can get you scheduled for your first session in ReikiSpace & Learning Place, and you’ll receive a ten-dollar discount.

GOOD DAY PA: Woohoo! Ten-dollar discount. Love when folks bring offers for our viewers.
It was lovely having you on the show today. You’re going to come back with us to share more about this in the coming weeks.

RICKIE FREEDMAN: Looking forward to it.

GOOD DAY PA: Okay. Rickie, good to see you. We’ll see you again soon.
[End of Transcript]

Transcribed by:

Teresa Russ, CSR, CRI
Lic.#13770
Certified Court Reporter
CART/Provider Captioner
(For the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing)
http://abc27.com/2015/07/16/reiki-by-rickie/

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Reiki on TV!

July 19, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , — admin9:52 pm

I’m very excited to share the Gentle Touch and Deep Healing of Reiki to a broader audience, as I was interviewed on ABC27 Good Day PA this week. I want everyone to know how Peaceful and Natural this is, so that Reiki becomes a household word!

Please listen at: http://abc27.com/2015/07/16/reiki-by-rickie/

Feel free to Share!

Joy and Namaste’, Rickie

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Fast Food Reiki anyone?

March 5, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin1:19 pm

We live in a fast-paced, fast-food world. One of the many things I LOVE about Reiki is the reminder to stay Present and BE. No ruminating over the past, no worries about the future- just BEing in a place of Trust that all is in Perfect order. Remembering in the midst of challenges that they are for our growth, and that in retrospect we will Know their purpose in the Grander scheme of things. It is so important for our Balance to create the Gift of Honoring ourselves as a priority by allowing the TIME to do self Reiki and meditate on the Reiki Healing Principles every day.

There is, of course, no time in the energy realm, but we we need to live and function on this earth. It is very easy to get so absorbed in day-to-day routines and distracted by life’s details. We often forget to make time to even Breathe deeply filling ourselves with precious life-force Healing Energy. Healing is a process- levels, layers and spirals. Deep, juicy and delicious, although not always fun or easy. It is the path to our Enlightenment and getting to the Source of our Healing so that we don’t need to keep being presented with the same lessons over and over in different forms with different faces.

This is what allows us to be a Healing presence for others. It is always about Service. Loving Service from a Healthy, filled-up place. No draining, no resentment- our Choice.

Some students (and teachers) want the faster road, shorter path, less expensive path. There is no one right answer for everyone. Be clear with your intentions. Choosing a Reiki master, and especially a teacher is a very important decision. It is a forever connection. Be sure that you Resonate with their energy, their words, and their philosophies. Being a Reiki master is way more than just learning how to share attunements, it is way more than a piece of paper that says you are. It is choosing to Live in Conscious integrity with the Reiki Healing Principles- Living and Sharing Reiki with your entire BE-ing. It isn’t about Perfection or there would be no teachers- it is about the constant Loving work of clearing away all that masks your TRUE SELF. A never-ending process. No rush, slow down and digest it slowly and completely….

Love and Namaste’, Rickie

 

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I don’t DO Reiki!

January 19, 2015
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , — admin3:24 am

I was recently Honored to be the speaker at a Networking Gathering for Natural Awakenings magazine. I shared my story of gradually transitioning from Physical Therapist to full time Reiki Master/Teacher. I shared the process of envisioning , manifesting and creating ReikiSpace & Learning Place. I talked about my Heart Centered, Service first Business philosophy. They also wanted to hear how I share about Reiki with my words keeping it grounded and relatable to various audiences.

What I said next really surprised them ~ “I don’t DO Reiki!” After a few moments I added “I LIVE Reiki!”. I am consciously aware of the Energy of every word, thought, emotion and attitude and how it affects me, others and the world. I AM Reiki, I exude Reiki. I Trust that when I enter a space radiating Light, that anything less than Light will either be Healed by the Light, or will go away.

Living by the Reiki Healing Principles is about living in total Integrity, allowing myself to fully experience every emotion, and then CHOOSING to return to my place of Peace. I allowed them to feel how quickly they can shift their energy by closing their eyes, consciously breathing in Light, Love and Healing Energy, and allowing themselves to be filled to overflowing. Everyone can do this, and choose Love instead of fear.

This is the path of a Reiki Master. BEing of Service. Revealing more and more of our True Selves for the Highest Good of all. Namaste’.

With Love, Joy and Gratitude, Rickie

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ReikiSpace featured in Natural Awakenings Magazine

November 17, 2014
Filed under: Reiki — Tags: , , , , , , — admin1:38 am

article

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