By Supporting Others, You Support Yourself – My Reiki Story

I began my Reiki studies shortly after I became my grandmother’s caregiver. She moved from NJ to live with my husband and I, here in Southern CA. It shortly became full-time care.

Bambi, as we lovingly refer to her, had lived with my family since I was in the second grade, so we already had a strong bond. As time went on, so did her mind, and her once very active being became dependent on another. She was also deaf without her hearing aids, which she decided she no longer wanted to wear. To love on her, be that a hug or foot massage became difficult as she became more frail.

I had been part of a Spirit Circle group, at which point I was introduced to Reiki. With the encouragement of my best friend back in NJ, I began to research instructors to receive my own training. As Reiki would have it, Reiki Master Colleen Benelli was holding Reiki certification classes in San Diego. So my mother flew out from NJ to stay with Bambi so I could go do my training. I never expected this to be the part where my life totally changed!

I thought I was doing the training so I could continue to bond with Bambi, which I was. I was also about to discover my true self. Reiki gave me the strength to be Bambi’s caregiver, to put another human being before myself on a daily basis. It also helped calm me, relieve pain, get off antidepressants, and so much more. Bambi thought I was giving her a massage, when in fact, I wasn’t even touching her. I knew I had to continue with this training

For six months, I dedicated all my time to Bambi and Reiki as I prepared for my Master training. In that time one would think it was all hands-on practice sessions, but it’s So Much More. It’s diving into self-discovery and getting rid of all the built-up crap inside that doesn’t serve your purpose. It’s getting honest with yourself and with others.

Once enough time had passed, I decided I wanted to return to the same instructor for my Master training. This time, I went to Colleen in her home-state, Oregon. My life would never be the same. I was paired with a Shaman at one point, who I will forever be grateful for. I learned and became so much more than I already was.

For the next year, I treated my Reiki time like an internship, offering free sessions to anyone I could get on my table. Neighbors, friends of friends, you name it, I got my hands on them! Shortly after, I decided to jump into teaching Reiki myself. I knew that this is what I wanted to do as my career, helping as many people as I could/can.

Reiki also helped me and my family as Bambi transitioned to the other side. She did get to pass at home, in her chair, peacefully.

Reiki helped us all through the grieving process. My mother even got Reiki certified through me afterward.

Almost six years later and I’m still at it. I’ve taught Reiki certification classes at:

• The Lippencott Center for Wellness in Branchburg, NJ,
• Mt. San Jacinto College-Adult Ed and Workplace Training in Menifee, CA,
• Sage Sanctuary-Wildomar, CA,
• private residences with a minimum of two people.

Some people train for themselves and never share Reiki with others.
Some people train for themselves and their family.
Others train to become practitioners
Others to be practitioners and teachers.
I thought I was the first but ended up being them all.

Article by Katy Russell

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Katy Russell is an Intuitive Reiki Master – Practitioner and Teacher, certified in Usui / Holy Fire III®️Reiki. She has also been a Professional Member of The Reiki Membership Association for over five years. While Katy enjoys seeing clients privately, she also finds fulfillment in holding workshops and certifying other students in Reiki throughout healing centers within her own community, as well as across the country. She has certified students on both coasts of the US and was the first to bring Reiki education to her local Community College. Katy is also an Ordained Minister with The Universal Life Church, which allows her to expand the love through officiating wedding services.
Katy can be reached at [email protected] and on Facebook and Instagram under Katy Russell Reiki.