I still remember sitting in my first Reiki class twelve years ago, listening intently to my teacher, Martin Crespo from Holistic Interventions. He said something that would change my life forever: “When you get attuned to Reiki,” he explained, “your vibration rises with each level. At Level One it increases, at Level Two it increases more, and when you become a Master it reaches an even higher state.”

Little did I know just how true those words would prove to be.

Reiki – A Path to Wholeness and Connection 

You know those moments when the universe just confirms you’re on the right path? Well, mine came only hours after my Level One Reiki attunement. I received an unexpected call from a friend who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. 

When she arrived at my door, she was shaking like a leaf, frightened and worried. Then something remarkable happened. Though I was just starting my journey as an energy healer, I intuitively knew I could help her. I felt a confidence, a peaceful kind of guidance and I began my very first Reiki healing session with my dear friend. 

As we continued our work together, she started rediscovering her balance and unlocking a deeper understanding of her emotions. I will never forget what she shared with me, “Maria,” she said, “I asked to be closer to God, to be more spiritual, and I think I manifested this challenge to strengthen my faith.” I concurred and am happy to say that today my friend is healthy and thriving.   

That day I knew I was destined to heal others and, in time, I would learn how much I needed Reiki healing for myself.

Reiki from a Distance – Healing without Physical Contact

One of the beautiful aspects of Reiki is that it works just as well from a distance. While this may seem surprising, studies have demonstrated measurable effects of distance healing (link to study). Research published in alternative medicine journals has shown that distant Reiki can reduce pain and anxiety levels (link to study) comparable to in-person sessions.

I’ve done remote sessions with amazing results. One time, while my daughter was in Spain, she was experiencing a panic attack and she called me frantic and afraid. I guided her through the chakras, channeling Reiki energy solely through my voice using the long-distance Reiki symbols. Her panic attack stopped midstream. She wasn’t even a believer in Reiki, but said afterwards, “Mom, I don’t know how this works, but I just know that it does.”

Reiki – More than just Physical Healing

 It Heals your Mind, Body and Spirit. 

When I practice Reiki, I feel and become aware of subtle energies within a person’s psyche, spirit, and body. Some kinds of energy can create disease, spiritual disconnection, and blockages. My work, as a channel for Reiki energy, is to allow the person’s soul to direct and accept the healing energy. Ultimately, those receiving the energy are in charge of their own healing.

I worked with a man who was grieving the loss of his cousin, who had taken his own life. He came to me filled with pain and anger, making it clear that he did not believe in any kind of afterlife. 

During our session he started sobbing, releasing so much emotion and grief. Then something extraordinary happened – My cousin is here,” he said. “He just gave me a hug and told me he was sorry and that he loved me.”

At the end of the session, he sat up from my table looking refreshed, with color back in his face and a sense of calm. His entire vibration had shifted. The weight of his cousin’s passing had lifted and he knew, beyond a doubt, souls exist beyond the physical plane. 

He was able to see his cousin’s death as a transition, not an ending, and this gave him great comfort and healing. I’ll never forget his session and how honored I was to witness the miracle of Reiki and the healing it brings.

Rewards of Reiki

Over the years, I’ve used Reiki in countless ways – in homeless shelters, combined with sound healing, crystals, and light therapy. One of my most rewarding experiences was at Lotus House, a shelter for women and children, where I volunteered twice a week. The transformation I saw in these women was incredible. Week after week, I could see their energy centers opening and their sense of self-worth growing. 

I even certified many of the children and women in Reiki so they, too, could be empowered through channeling the healing energy. Amazed at the children’s natural connection to Reiki and their mother’s newfound confidence, I vowed to bring the gift of Reiki to as many people (and children) as I could. To this day, teaching Reiki and attuning others to the healing energy brings me an overwhelming and inexpressible joy.

The Fundamentals of Reiki from Diane Stein

If you’re interested in Reiki, I highly recommend Diane Stein’s “Essential Reiki: A Complete Guide to an Ancient Healing Art.”  She’s quite controversial in the Reiki world because she was the first to publish the sacred Reiki symbols. 

As she explains it, Reiki is needed to help “the great suffering of people, animals, and the earth.” She believes it plays a critical role in the evolution and ascension of our planet.

One of my favorite quotes from her book is:

“The most common reason women initially refuse to become Reiki teachers is a simple lack of confidence. But if there’s one thing that Reiki heals, it’s a woman’s self-confidence.”

A lot of people don’t trust their own power or believe they can teach or use energy healing. The truth is, we all have the ability to raise our vibration with Reiki. Think of it as turning up the brightness on a light – everyone has this inner light and Reiki helps it shine even stronger. You don’t have to be special, it’s in our DNA. We are all aspects of the Divine Creator and are blessed with this gift to heal.

All Healing Begins with Self-Healing

I believe that practicing self-Reiki is beneficial for everyone.

You can start by learning about the chakras and what parts of the body correspond with each one. I do self-Reiki regularly, and it’s been a lifesaver during challenging times. Reiki is the only thing that has ever reversed the onset of a migraine, which in the past had been debilitating for me. Even the strong pharmaceuticals that I have had to use over the years did not relieve my headaches the way Reiki does. 

One of my students, Jamie Lee, was going through a difficult time with infertility and it had been causing tension with her partner. She took my Level One training and practiced self-Reiki every day. She said to me, “Oh my God, Maria, I had no idea Reiki was so powerful,” she happily reported when I next saw her at the level 2 class.

Her daily Reiki practice helped her balance her own anxiety, which also helped her and her partner get through the emotionally turbulent time together.

A basic self-Reiki practice can take as little as five minutes a day. Whether you’re dealing with anxiety, processing trauma, or simply seeking greater self-awareness, Reiki can be your go-to. I promise you, when you practice it everyday, you will notice a huge shift in your energy and cultivate greater self-awareness.

Start Your Reiki Journey – A Simple Yet Profound Practice

What I love most about Reiki is its simplicity. You don’t need any special equipment or years of training to start feeling its benefits. After more than a decade as a practitioner, I’m more convinced than ever that we can all heal ourselves and others.

I use Reiki on plants, the earth, myself when overwhelmed, and even send it across distances to peopleI love.

The journey begins with a single step. Sometimes it’s as easy as placing your hands on your heart and opening to the possibility of healing. 

That’s the blessing of Reiki—it meets you where you are and guides you gently where you need to be.