Why a sceptic fell in love with Jikiden Reiki: part 2!

Reiki as a First Aid Kit: A Mother’s Story

One day, my mum, the girls, and I went on a little road trip—a rare adventure we were all excited about. We boarded the train with snacks, activities, and a whole day planned out. But within an hour of arriving, my youngest started to complain that she felt unwell. When I touched her forehead, she was burning up.

There wasn’t much choice but to gather our things and get back on the next train home. She curled into me as we travelled, drifting in and out of sleep, getting hotter as the journey went on. Being two hours from home, there was very little I could do other than give her some medication and offer her Reiki. So I rested my hand on her head and simply held that space for her the whole way back.

When we finally got home, I settled her into bed and stayed with her, offering more Reiki as she slept. She had a high fever and a cough—classic flu symptoms (this was pre-Covid!). I fully expected her to be much worse the next morning.

But to my absolute surprise, when I got up, she was already awake—playing with the dogs, no fever, no cough, nothing. Just completely herself again.

I can’t say exactly what happened, but moments like that made me realise how valuable Reiki is as part of my “first aid kit.” It gave me something gentle and supportive I could do while we navigated that scary night. Even now, the girls ask me for Reiki when I see them, and having a dedicated treatment room means I can give them the time and care they love whenever they visit.

Staying Connected Across Oceans

Jikiden Reiki has also helped me feel closer to my family back in the UK. Being thousands of miles away can be incredibly hard when someone you love is unwell—it’s easy to feel helpless when you can’t be there in person. Distance Reiki has given me a way to offer comfort and support from afar, even when physical distance makes other forms of help impossible.

This became especially meaningful to me when my mum became unwell. I wanted so much to be there to support her, but at the time, the distance was simply too great—particularly while I was still healing and managing my own work and wellbeing. What I was able to offer her were distance Reiki sessions.

While it wasn’t the same as being together physically, it helped us both. She felt supported and comforted during her recovery, and I felt less powerless knowing I could still be part of her support team, despite the miles between us. That sense of connection meant more to me than I can easily put into words.

I’ve seen this sense of connection reflected in my work with others, too. Not long ago, I offered distance Reiki to a woman in the UK who had been living with long-standing back discomfort. After a couple of sessions, she noticed she felt different when she attended a routine specialist appointment and was able to discuss reducing some of her medication—something she hadn’t previously felt ready to do. Neither she nor her specialist could point to a clear reason for the change. It wasn’t until she saw my message the following day that she noticed the timing.

Experiences like these remind me why Jikiden Reiki feels so special to me. It doesn’t rely on being in the same room—or even the same country—to offer support. It’s about creating a sense of calm, connection, and care, wherever someone happens to be.

Reiki and the Animals Who’ve Shared Their Healing Moments With Me

Reiki hasn’t only touched the lives of the people I work with—some of my most meaningful experiences have been with animals. They respond to energy work in such an honest, uncomplicated way, and their openness has taught me so much about trust and connection. Watching them respond in such intuitive ways is a privilege I treasure.

One of the most memorable experiences was with an elderly sanctuary cat I fostered for a local shelter. He had a long list of health challenges, and because of that, he was never adopted out. Instead, he became part of our family. He absolutely loved Reiki. He would climb onto my lap, slowly shifting his body to show me exactly where he wanted the energy. Once he found the perfect spot, he’d settle in and drift off to sleep. Those moments felt like pure, wordless bonding—a gentle exchange of comfort and companionship.

Escobar is enjoying a treatment

Another time, a friend reached out, worried about her dog, who had suddenly started behaving very strangely—refusing food, avoiding walks, and growling without clear reason. When I visited, she allowed me to offer her dog some Reiki. The dog guided the session in her own way; when she’d had enough, she simply got up and walked away. The next morning, the dog was walking again, eating normally, and her behaviour had softened. Her owner was deeply relieved and grateful to see her returning to herself.

There are many stories I can give you about the treatments I have given and received and the benefits that were gained, but I don’t want to bore you! The list is long! Most of my clients talk about how much more relaxed they are, or how much better they slept, or how the pain they were in decreased. As I said before, I am not a healer; their body is. I just help people to relax so that their body can do what it does best, heal itself.

Reiki, Responsibility, and Respect for Medical Care

I want to be absolutely clear about one thing: I am not a doctor, and I would never diagnose, label, or tell anyone that they have a medical problem. That is not what Reiki is for me, and it’s not how I practise.

After a session, I may share where I felt more energy or areas that seemed to draw extra attention. But I’m always mindful of how this information might be interpreted. For those who are new to Reiki or unsure about how energy works, it might sound as though I’m suggesting something is “wrong” with that part of the body—when that isn’t necessarily the case at all.

An area that feels energetically active could simply reflect old or stagnant energy from a previous injury that the body is still processing. It might also be a spot that naturally needed more support in that moment. Energy flow is complex and personal, and it doesn’t translate directly into medical conditions.

I will never tell anyone to stop medication, avoid seeing a doctor, or go against medical advice. That would be irresponsible and far outside my role. I have deep respect for trained doctors and healthcare professionals, and I encourage clients to follow their guidance.

What I do believe is that Reiki can complement and support other forms of care. A holistic approach—one that combines medical treatment with practices that promote relaxation, balance, and emotional ease—can create a more complete path to wellbeing.

I believe that Reiki is not a replacement for medical care; it is a gentle, supportive addition. My intention is always to offer comfort, calm, and energetic balance while respecting the essential work of the healthcare professionals who manage the medical side of healing.

Why I Wish I’d Discovered Reiki Sooner

From my experience, regular Reiki sessions can help people feel more relaxed, grounded, and in tune with their bodies. When the body and mind are calmer, many people notice they cope better with stress and feel more balanced in their daily lives. In Reiki terms, this can be described as helping the energy flow more freely—releasing areas that feel stagnant or heavy.

While Reiki does not diagnose or treat medical conditions, many clients find that feeling more centred and less tense positively influences their overall wellbeing. When we support the body’s natural sense of ease and relaxation, it may help people navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience. This can sometimes mean fewer moments when they feel the need to seek help for stress-related concerns, though medical advice should always be followed when needed.

For me, the most important thing is offering a space where people can rest deeply, reconnect with themselves, and feel supported—while working alongside, not instead of, traditional healthcare.

If I have one regret on my Reiki journey, it’s simply that I didn’t discover it sooner. When my dad was alive and facing the pain of terminal pancreatic cancer, I had no idea that something as gentle and supportive as Reiki even existed. I often think about how much relief, comfort, and quiet rest it might have offered him during those difficult days.

I feel the same way when I think back to my children’s early years. Reiki could have helped them sleep more peacefully, relax more easily, and move through the usual childhood illnesses with less stress—for them and for me. But at that time, Reiki wasn’t yet part of my world.

What I’ve come to understand, though, is that dwelling on regret doesn’t help. I can’t change what I didn’t know then—but I can focus on what I know now.

Today, I’m grateful to be able to offer Jikiden Reiki through in-person treatments and distance sessions. Whether someone is nearby or far away, I can offer a moment of calm where life feels heavy, comfort where there is tension, and space to rest and reset.

In the end, what once felt like regret has become a sense of purpose. I may not have had Reiki when my dad or my children could have benefited from it most—but I have it now, and I’m deeply thankful to be able to share it with others who may need support, rest, and gentle care.

If something in my story resonates with you and you’d like to explore a session, please feel free to get in touch.

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photo taken by Daisy's Butterfly