JANE LEO           
MSW, MEd, Mental Health counselor, Reiki Practitioner and Meditation Coach 

I found Reiki in 2017 and have been eagerly making up for lost time. How had I made it this far in life without this simple yet powerful healing practice? On a year of sabbatical from my job as a first grade teacher, I chose to spend my hours as an intern with the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center Reiki program. Being able to provide moments of comfort and peace for people struggling with long term or terminal illness was and still is an incredible feeling.

I see first hand how Reiki eases the anxiety of an upcoming surgery, allows the release of emotions difficult to face, lessens the side-effects of chemotherapy, and even lifts the despair of a dire diagnosis. I once gave a Reiki treatment to a patient who was gasping for breath. Through her gulps of air she told me she had reduced lung capacity due to surgery and terrible anxiety. She was desperate to try anything. After only 10 minutes her breathing had returned to normal and she was dozing in and out of sleep. "What have you done?" she asked. "I can breathe!" In one way or another we've all lost sight of even the most basic ways to care for ourselves. We've forgotten how to breathe. By connecting mind and body, Reiki has the power to remind us of a deep knowing--we have great capacity for healing within us.

My experience at Beth Israel has made such an impression on me, that I have since quit my job of 16 years to give Reiki my full attention. Reiki is the most gentle, non-invasive, and soothing healing modality I can think of to relieve physical symptoms while bringing about a greater sense of wholeness and peace. Reiki can benefit everyone. I invite you to find out what it can do for you.