Although the mainstream medical profession is usually slow to include alternative health practices without extensive statistical evidence, Reiki is an exception.

Relying mostly on an enormous ground of positive healing anecdotes, a surprising number of doctors have recommended it to their patients.  Moreover, Reiki is offered as a compliment to traditional treatments in many leading hospitals such as Memorial Sloan Kettering, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center, Bassett Healthcare's Louis Busch Hager Cancer Center and the Yale Center.

In Memorial Sloan Kettering, for example, it's considered so valuable that it's offered regularly for in-service courses for all hospital staff so that they can integrate it into their patient care.

The response from practitioners and patients alike have been extremely promising.  Both groups report that this gentle healing art promotes natural healing, stimulates endorphins, lessons or eliminates pain, lowers blood pressure, reduces heart rate, regulates hormone levels, promotes deep relaxation and increases energy.

Even the American Cancer Society recognizes that Reiki speeds healing, contributes toward spiritual and physical well-being, and reduces the intensity and frequency of nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy.

Many practitioners attest that Reiki shortens hospital stays, decreases patients' need for drugs, lessens the side effects of treatment, and improves the quality of life.

Source:  newlifetransformation.org


The Therapeutic Effects of Music

Music can be characterized by how it heals.  The way music fires the neurons in the brain to the tempo that it is played, helps bring into play the characteristics that bring the biggest healing benefits to an individual.  Although the power, range and effectiveness of music as a healing tool has many variables, there are certain traits that are Universal.

1.  Music captivates and maintains attention, stimulating and utilizing many parts of the brain.

2.  Music is adapted to, and can be reflective of, a person's ability.

3.  Music structures time in a way that we can understand.

4.  Music provides a meaningful, enjoyable context for repetition.

5.  Music sets up a social context by setting up a safe, structured setting for verbal and nonverbal communication.

6.  Music is an effective memory aid.

7.  Music supports and encourages movement.

8.  Music taps into memories and emotions.

9.  Music and its related silence, provide nonverbal, immediate feedback.

10.  Music is success oriented.  People of all ability levels can participate.


USDA Food Tricks

There are many items that are misleading in the food advertising industry today.  Think of how many times you see the following phrases plastered all over food containers:

* Fat Free
* Reduced Fat
* Low Fat
* Sugar Free
* No Added Sugar
* Diet (Insert Product Name Here)

We are supposed to believe that each of these categories makes a food healthier.  In reality, this couldn't be further from the truth.

Here is what these phrases actually translate to:

* Fat free, but full of sugar and chemicals
* Reduced fat, but increased carbohydrates
* Low fat, but high glycemic index
* Sugar free, but artificial everything else
* No sugar added...because the all natural version has enough sugar to give you type II diabetes anyway.
* "Diet" food, but it causes cancer in lab rats so don't drink/eat too much of it

Consider the logic that food manufacturers would have us believe:  fat-free is good for you; jelly beans, jolly ranchers, and cotton candy are fat-free; therefore all those sugary candies are good for you.  Make sense?

Clearly there are many alternatives to sneaky consumer foods.  Fruits and vegetables remain a key ingredient in a healthy diet, and now you can look for tricky catch phrases when purchasing "health foods".


No Expectations, Endless Possibilities...

We expect things in life.  We expect things to be the way we want them to be, the way we feel things should be in our love life, our careers, our families, our vacations, and our relationships with others.

The greater you expect things to be, the harder it is to deal with things that do not go your way.

Having no expectations is one of the greatest lessons we can learn.  This is not an easy concept to wrap your mind around.

1.  Allow change to happen freely.
2.  Let go of old ideas.
3.  Embrace new ideas, no matter how different they are from yours.
4.  Conflicting thoughts are not a threat.  They can be a window of opportunity.
5.  Go into EVERY situation with an open mind.
6.  Follow a new idea or opportunity where IT leads you, NOT where you want it to go.
7.  Take a new situation, one day at a time.
8.  Be available mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for an approach that may be different than yours.
9.  Find the positive in EVERY situation that is presented to you.  Why was this situation brought to me?
10.  Learn the lesson the Universe is tossing your way.

Progress is not possible unless people embrace new ideas, mindsets, skills and expectations to match the opportunities.

By allowing yourself to be open to ANYTHING that is new to you and giving it a chance, you can find your life going in the direction of new adventures and endless possibilities!


Chakra Focus:  The Heart Chakra and the Color Green

Chakras are the energy centers in your body that basically align with your spine.  The Heart Chakra (also known as Anahata) is located in the center of your chest and is associated with the color green.

Our chakras affects us physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  The Heart Chakra is your empathy and feelings intelligence.  It provides you with your emotional energy.  When this energy center is balanced, you will notice the following:

Physically, it is associated with the heart and lungs.  You will be in excellent health.

Emotionally, you are compassionate, honest, and can love unconditionally.

Mentally, you live in harmony, develop understanding and have balance in your life.

Spiritually, you trust in the process of life.  Your spiritual wealth is greater than your physical wealth.

Ways to increase your yellow energies include:
* spending time with family and friends, taking nature hikes
* eating green foods (peas, lettuce, and spinach)
* listening to music with the sounds of nature and animals
* wearing green gemstones such as jade and emerald
* burning pine, eucalyptus or cedarwood essential oils

What's Coming Up?

On Tuesday, August 3rd I will be presenting Natural Health Alternatives at the Williams County YMCA.  Sessions will include color foot baths, ionic cleanses, Reiki, guided meditations and more.  The cost is $7.00.  If interested, call the Y at 419-636-6185 to sign up.

I will also be speaking at the Bryan Kiwanas Meeting on August 18.  Here I will be presenting and demonstrating Reiki.

Presentations are a great way to learn more about natural health and healing.

If you would like to book a presentation for your club or organization, please get in touch with me soon to schedule.

The Ribbon Cutting on July 10 was great.  Several people enjoyed free Reiki sessions throughout the morning.  Look for another free "try-it" day in September.

Look for The "Reiki Room" on Facebook and become a fan!