Pauline's most recent project is expanding her practice to include mobile Reiki sessions in the Manhattan and Brooklyn areas. Learn more about Pauline and her company at www.BalanceLife360.com.
1. How did you first become aware of Reiki--and what inspired you to learn to become a Reiki practitioner?
I've been vaguely aware of Reiki for many years. I would meet a Reiki practitioner here and there, but I never asked for a full description of what Reiki was, which is interesting now that I'm thinking about it because I'm usually more inquisitive about things that intrigue me.
I knew it was energy healing that involved placing your hands on the recipient. I also remember most practitioners I met were slightly odd, perhaps that was a coincidence, or maybe they were on a different level of consciousness than I was and that's why their vibe was weird to me, who knows? What I can say is I was always intrigued by Reiki--the word itself is quite unusual; it's always had an erotic mysticism about it. Now who sounds odd, LOL! I've always wanted to try a session; even though the few practitioners I met seemed odd (not in a bad way), the idea of Reiki had a compelling allure to me.
My first attunement, that's when the transference of the Healing Energy is passed from the Reiki Master to the student, was a a game changer for me. I decided I wanted to do something personal and special to celebrate my 50th birthday. I was already on the path of spreading my wings spiritually, and in other areas of my life, I guess you can say I was having an awakening on many levels: reclaiming my power, validating, valuing and stepping up for myself etc. So it seemed like taking the Reiki class happened at the right time, or more specifically in Divine Order. I knew in my heart I discovered two things that weekend; one was the perfect vehicle for me to use to get people to initiate a self-love, self-care regimen, and the other was that Reiki was going to enhance my entire life. I'll never forget what fellow students said to me on day two of the class: "Pauline, something has shifted with you; it seems like you have a peaceful glow." That was interesting because I didn't notice any major shifts that I thought others would pick up on, only internal stuff that I was feeling a because I was spending my birthday doing something loving and beautiful for me. Whatever "it" was, was very noticeable to people that didn't even know me. I thought to myself, "Wow, this stuff is deep".
2. How does Reiki fit into the context of the self-care and healing practices you have been engaged in with your company, Balance Life 360?
My healing practice at Balance Life 360 is Empowering People to Choose a Healthy Life.
This is a good question, Mandy, because self-care is just what it states, self-care. Reiki self-care is a part of my daily healing routine. I'm experiencing positive changes in many areas of my life, which makes me a clearer vessel for the transference of Reiki energy to my clients. As I continue to practice Reiki on myself, I'm becoming a better practitioner, and I'm growing spiritually as well. The extra benefit is it's helping me to understand that people are as unique as snowflakes, and it isn't until you begin to deal with everyone as a unique individual that you are an effective conduit for their healing. No matter what your practice is.
Balance Life 360 is about encouraging people to explore their options when it comes to healing modalities. Self-care should be a multifaceted labor of Love.
Reiki is the perfect fit for anyone that wants to introduce a self-care practice into their life because Reiki balances the energy in our body, and enhances our body's natural ability to heal itself. Reiki is unique in that it's individualized--it gives each recipient what they need, bringing all the areas that are out of balance in their life into balance.
Balance Life 360 is a holistic approach to healing that encompasses all aspects of the client's life. It's taking into account what's eating them as well as what they're eating. It's gently supporting, loving, and empowering the client to develop a self-care system, or as I like to call it, a self-love system, that feels right for the individual.
3. What has been your own experience in developing healthy habits, and how has your own experience motivated you to help others?
Trial and error, going easy on myself. I'm not out to prove anything to anyone. I don't define myself by my diet, which changes according to my moods and how much I weigh; rather I pay attention to what my body communicates to me. Yes, we have to learn how our body communicates with us, as that will eventually lead you to healthier habits. Like everything else, committing ourselves to a healthier lifestyle is a habit. I'm still giving myself time to develop healthier habits in all aspects of my life; it's an ongoing process.
It's crazy that we think we can change a lifetime of behavior overnight; it's not realistic, and we're setting ourselves up for failure when we believe this. Let's take nutrition, for example. I come from a culture where food is a very important aspect of bonding and our celebrations. I've grown up on some of the most culturally diverse foods that you can imagine, from dishes of my southern roots, to sampling the cuisine of many friends of various ethnicities that have entered my life. Food, or should I say experimenting and enjoying rich delicious food, is as much a part of my spiritual flow as breathing! I've added healthier options and have developed a deep appreciation for high vibration foods, those foods that give us life and energy, so my desire to eat unhealthy foods has diminished considerably; however, I'd be lying to you if I told you fried chicken, lasagna, macaroni and cheese, and a delicious glass of wine, were a thing of the past for me, smile.
When you're taking loving care of yourself on a regular basis, then you don't have to become a fanatic about anything in your life. My healthy habits are me doing what feels good and right for me. Sometimes it's bike riding or a trampoline workout, here and there I've experimented with yoga, at times it's a vegetarian or vegan flow, morning lemon water....
My staples are drinking lots of water, green drinks, lots of walking, reading--nourishing the mind is just as important as nourishing the body. The most important life-changing habit is daily meditation. It's my time to connect with my source, my divinity, my light. It's my opportunity to connect to my true self, and get answers to many of my questions, direction, my time when I most experience unconditional love, my moment of peace.
Wow!!! It seems each question takes me deeper into myself.
4. Would you tell us a little bit about your mobile Reiki practice?
My mobile Reiki practice is just like the name says, mobile. It's part and parcel of who I am as a person: I don't like to feel encumbered or tied down, and I like the freedom of being able to meet people at different locations, and participate in events that wouldn't normally have a Reiki practitioner there. I noticed most people were tired of going to the gym, or having to rush to a class of one kind or another. A lot of people don't have the energy to add anything else on their plate. Many people tell me they like the privacy of their own environment, and some say they don't have time to add another appointment to their a schedule; however, if they didn't have to leave the house....
Mobile Reiki speaks to all of these issues, and I can relate to most of what people were telling me because these people are me, either now or at one point in my life. I love working out in the privacy of my own home, creating my own schedule; there was a time when I had ZERO energy to do anything, and Reiki is a energy balancing therapy that not only enhances a person's energy level, but it also makes people feel good. NONE of the people I spoke to had a problem with feeling good--in fact, EVERYONE is open to feeling good. BINGO!!! Reiki makes you feel good, which then makes you want to do other things that make you feel good, work out, eat right, create a hobby, seek more interesting friends, improve your intimate relationships and so on and so on....
Reiki, I discovered, is a catalyst for introducing ALL other healthy habits into your life, which in turn makes you healthier by default. POW!!!
I ask my clients at the beginning of a session or before a demonstration, if they are willing to set an intention to feel good, and surrender to the process. Everyone is is usually OK with that request.
5. What else would you like readers to know about Reiki and about your work as a Reiki practitioner?
I'd like people to know that there are no silver bullets; Reiki can be an invaluable part of a consistent self-care regimen that has enormous health and spiritual benefits, but it's not everything. We have to be willing to love ourselves enough to make our wellness a top priority in our lives. No one can give that to a client, not your family, your lover, or your Reiki practitioner. We have to be brave enough to participate in your own rescue. The Reiki practitioner is not the healer; we are conduits, vessels, supporters, but we are not the healers. That comes from a higher source and within the individual. We all have the power to heal ourselves and bring our body into its healthiest state with self-healing, but sadly, many of us are not aware of this power.
Sharing Reiki continues to be a humbling experience to me on so many levels, and most importantly, it gives me tremendous joy to be a part of another person's journey.
It takes one person to change your life, YOU!
Love Light & Healing,
Pauline
Thanks, Pauline!
