personal & teaching philosophy

My personal philosophy has grown out of life experience moreso than reading and studying, although these are also necessary in the development of the self. I began Reiki after a trek in Nepal in the late '90's where I observed a miraculous healing in the Himalayas near the Tibetan border that literally involved raising the dead. When I returned from Nepal, I signed up for a Reiki class the very next weekend, not knowing anything about it! My first attunement was life-changing. As soon as I learned Reiki I recognized it as a similar kind of healing that I had witnessed.

Reiki reliably heals. Having experienced many other forms of spiritual, hands-on, and distant healings from the time of a teenager, I have to say that Reiki is the most gentle, transformational and reliable kind of healing I had ever had. I feel gently supported during it while also having my energy balanced and invigorated at the same time. Clarity of understanding and awareness occur after treatments and do not require mental activity. Intractable emotional issues start to resolve without "working" on them. Sometimes the effect is immediate, sometimes a subtle change over a few days or weeks. But something always happens after a Reiki treatment or attunement! Reiki is a positive new way to work with events from the past, and it reliably heals.

Reiki allows space for discovery. Since Reiki I have developed a level of trust in my Higher Self and in the Universe that surpasses anything I previously had. I now combine my background in Catholicism and Tibetan Buddhism with Reiki and find it to be a powerful spiritual catalyst. For me, Reiki is different from other forms of healing because it works along with and draws inspiration from (not trying to change or alter) my beliefs and values. Reiki works for the greatest good. No matter who you are: young, old, atheist, agnostic, believer in God, Buddha, Mohammed, Pan, believer in science or nothing at all, it works for everyone. I have seen this proven over and over in the responses of my students and clients. We all have in common one thing: we are fellow seekers. Reiki allows space for discovery.

Reiki is grounding. Perhaps the most important thing that training in Reiki has given me is an immense sense of grounding. It has consolidated all of my experiences into one frame of reference that has given me the ability to manifest my goals and life purpose. Reiki focuses me in a way that transforms me. In my personal life, I have more energy every day for relationships, work, creativity and healing that is renewed every time I give or receive a treatment. The light and love of Reiki is pure joy.

teaching philosophy

Attunement from a Reiki Teacher is the only way to acquire the gift of Reiki. Taught at different levels, each is a pre-requisite for the next. For several years I was one of only a few Reiki teachers world-wide licensed by the International Center for Reiki Training. Now I still teach all levels of Usui-Tibetan Reiki and Karuna Reiki® in classes and privately. My training in Gendai Reiki Ho has enormously increased my understanding of Reiki, because it is closest to the "source" of Japanese Reiki--- that which Sensei Usui taught. Keeping with this tradition, in the lineage of Hiroshi Doi, my classes are small for optimum learning. I emphasize demonstration, practice and the use of intuition over didactic teaching.

Open, interactive discussion is encouraged during training, and at the same time there is respect for your confidentiality and privacy concerning sharing of personal experiences. We have had some great conversations about life in class, and the wealth of information the group has to share is always positively amazing! I believe learning is exciting and fun, not about performing. As a clinician, I want to be sure that you really experience Reiki during class. I am used to working intensively with the intention to teach people to help themselves. So I emphasize lots of hands-on practice--- especially with Japanese Reiki Techniques.

Other things I have taught (dance, piano, stress management, human relations seminars, psychology, meditation and all sorts of self-awareness and self-help programs) have helped me to learn different methods, but I have learned most from my students themselves. Unlike classes where information is conveyed mostly by explanation consisting of "cookbook" lists and slight of hand tricks and slideshows ---but you are not sure how to use it afterward--- I can promise that you will learn to use your Reiki with confidence, no matter the level of training, and with a sense of humor too!

Natural elements are an intrinsic part of the Reiki experience with Avanti Healing Arts®. Attunements are often held at spiritual locations--- at the ocean’s edge or in the mountains if weather permits. Sometimes we have a puja (fire ceremony) or observe the solstice. Classes are structured when possible to give you the opportunity to have solitude if you wish, to walk or meditate before or after class, or have a stimulating interactive time. In addition to information drawn from world medicine practices, particularly from Nepal, India and Japan, additional aspects may be included to enhance the Reiki experience such as Guided Visualization & Journeying, Heart Sutra Meditation, Qi Gong, Jin Shin Jyutsu, Yoga Breathwork and Reiki Healing Dance™.

Class starts at 9:00 and ends at about 5:30 PM. For all classes you receive complete training manuals (Reiki The Healing Touch, Reiki Master or Karuna Reiki Master Manuals by William Lee Rand or Gendai Reiki Ho manuals by Roberta Barnes) and supplemental class handouts. William was my first Reiki Master teacher, and I continue to study with other great teachers. Sensei Usui said that he never wanted to achieve the highest level in Shinpiden (Master) because that way he would always have more to look forward to learning.

It was a blessing for many years to teach in my private sanctuary at Avanti Healing Arts®, surrounded by the peaceful vibrations of years of meditation in this beautiful wooded place in Maine. For awhile I traveled a good part of the time to teach in Canada as well as internationally. The nomadic way of life suits me. I was able to write a lot and am working on Reiki on the Road. But now it feels right to live in one place, currently in beautiful Colorado.

I believe that we all find our teachers in exactly the right place and time in our lives, as I have done. I am comfortable practically anywhere (because I've lived practically anywhere), in a tent or a resort. If you would like to sponsor a class in your area at your workplace or home, please contact me to discuss this possibility. I love to teach Reiki and I look forward to sharing its transcendent wisdom and wonder with you.