As someone who suffered from chronic panic attacks and anxiety, I restored my well-being through Reiki. In 2012, my brother was in a serious motorcycle accident. At the time, I tried my best to balance the responsibilities of a full-time job, caring for my family and my commitment to pursuing a graduate degree. But eventually, the compounded stress and my tendency to keep everything afloat at the cost of my own needs began to take a toll on my health, both physically and mentally. I felt stuck in an endless cycle of self-sabotage. My heart was in a place of wanting to support everyone else, but through it all, I lost myself along the way. I lived in a space of what felt like never-ending chaos.

One afternoon, during lunch break, I came across material about holistic modalities. Something about the book’s cover page drew my attention. The artwork featured two hands illuminated by what appeared to be light around their outline. The image triggered a sense of familiarity within me. I purchased the book and began to read about the idea that everything in the world is part of an energy field. At this stage in my life, I was desperately hoping to find a solution to alleviate the pains of my circumstances.  At first, I was skeptical. But as I did more research, I became intrigued. Reiki, I learned, was a non-invasive practice used to balance the body’s energy field and promote inner peace. The best part was that it did not require any special tools, just my body and quiet focus.

In 2015, I decided to train as a Reiki practitioner. The training required demonstrated phases of self-care, something I lost touch with. After my first personal Reiki session, I felt a deep sense of relaxation in every part of my body. It seemed like I had been laying under a tree on a breezy summer day completely at ease, yet I had not left my immediate surroundings. The uncomfortable feeling that had been churning in my stomach for years began to dissipate, and I felt a sense of peace that I hadn’t experienced in a long time. I was able to finally sleep peacefully that night. Something I hadn’t done in a long time. Over time, the practice of Reiki became my trusted companion, a gift to myself, which would continue supporting my journey as I navigated my human experience for the next several years. I was finally able to pause enough to remember that before all the chaos, I was always calm in my natural state of being.

Over the course of several sessions and years of adopting more consistent self-care practices, I noticed positive changes in my mental and physical health. My mind felt clearer and more focused. I found myself feeling more connected to my body and more in tune with my emotions. I was able to remain more at ease regardless of the situations I needed to handle. I decided to continue studying the modality eventually training to a Master/Teacher level. My first Reiki client was my dear grandmother Helena, a sweet soul suffering from arthritis. I will never forget her initial feedback. As I gently placed my hands over her body, within just a few minutes, she yelled, “It is so hot in here! Open the window!” It was a cold Autumn evening and that night, I officially performed my very first Reiki session on someone other than myself. She described her experience in so much detail I was in disbelief, yet my heart was so grateful for the validation that different states of energy can truly be altered in a more favorable way. My grandma was always willing to try anything new and trusted me with my creative ideas to find solutions. For the first time in a long time, she slept peacefully that night without the usual disturbed sleep because of pain.

Since she lived overseas, conducting her sessions in person was not possible until I could visit over the summer breaks. Learning distance Reiki allowed me to continue supporting her until her last days on Earth in spring 2021 when she suddenly transitioned. That same year, both of my grandmothers passed on. I found myself processing the heaviness of family grief. Reiki practice served as a compass through the darkness. Even if it was just a few minutes, I learned how to “be” with myself no matter what was happening in my world.

During the summer of 2021, I felt a shift within me calling me to expand my practice to a larger community. I joined a Chicago-based volunteer group offering Reiki sessions to the public. This new path provided me with opportunities to work with various organizations ranging from local police departments to youth engagement groups all looking for ways to improve their lives and cultivate peace. I found a new sense of purpose within my volunteer work. The feeling of being able to help someone overcome their own struggles filled my heart with joy. But this time, I learned the importance of taking myself first before choosing to be the saving grace for others. Reiki taught me the importance of balance between giving and receiving.

In November 2025, Frontiers in Psychology published a research paper documenting the impacts of Reiki sessions provided to the Chicagoland community. I invite you to read about our work here. LINK.

I continue to be amazed at the incredible transformations that occur when we tune into the energy that flows through all of us, expanding our existence. I am forever grateful for the countless opportunities of being able to share a moment with another human along their own journey of self-growth. Practicing Reiki has changed my life, and I am confident that it can do the same for you.

My intention is that each session serves as a reminder of your inner strength and personal ability to create desired improvements in your life.

You are your own healer.

-Joanna