Reiki Lifestyle
Reiki lifestyle is a lifestyle of balance and empowerment—empowering you to live a healthy, happy life by developing simple health-promoting habits starting with daily self-Reiki practice, and choosing quality, health-promoting products according to your needs.
It’s heartbreaking to see people trying to help themselves and their families, and either wasting money on poor quality products because they don’t know what’s good, or getting frustrated and giving up. Maybe you’re one of those people.
On this page, I share product recommendations I offer my private clients most often so you can make smart, practical choices to strengthen your well-being everyday. I have carefully vetted all products listed here. In fact, most of these products are what I use for myself and my family; the few I don’t use are simply ones I don’t need.
All these products are superior quality and well priced. This information is offered to enhance your self care, and in no way replaces your relationship with your physician. Full disclosure: I have an affiliate relationship with some of the sources mentioned. But that doesn’t affect my choice of what products to share.
My basic strategy for health and happiness starts with Reiki self practice, CBD, chocolate, and tea. These are part of my every day (ok, no chocolate when I’m fasting—although I dream of a chocolate fast). And there is more that I do to take care of myself as I feel the need.
But first Reiki…
If you’re not already practicing self Reiki, please consider learning how. I make it as easy and accessible as traditional Reiki practice can be.
Practicing self Reiki will bring better results from everything else you’re doing because Reiki practice is balancing and optimizes your self-healing.
While it might not be the only support you need, Reiki self practice can help and is safe no matter what challenges you’re facing.
Do you have a sensitive system that is easily overwhelmed or reactive to various therapies or interventions? Because Reiki practice gently elicits your body’s self-healing response from within, self Reiki can be a game changer. It’s effective and empowering.
I offer small group, live, interactive videoconference Reiki Self Care trainings. When we don’t need to maintain physical distance, I also offer in-person classes in NYC at least once a month. When you decide to learn to practice Reiki, please choose your teacher carefully because there are no standards for Reiki education or practice.
MY FAVORITE CBD
What I learned about CBD made sense, so over the years I looked into many CBD products — those I purchased and samples handed out at medical conferences — before I found a line of products that actually made a difference. And I so appreciate that these fine products come from a company that’s making a difference.
Please note: these products are not psychoactive.
Support Your Immunity
Wondering how to maintain optimal immunity? The most effective immune strategy is simple to take care of your health. Immunity is part of good health. There’s no shortcut.
Daily self Reiki practice brings balance to every day and helps your body and mind function optimally. Additionally, eat fresh, unprocessed food; move your body by walking, yoga, dancing, whatever appeals to you, just get off the couch; keep a regular schedule; sleep well (in bed by 11PM); and interact with your loved ones and friends as is possible.
There are also herbal products that specifically support immunity. Here’s what I’m taking now:
Andrographis
VirugoMax
Myco Forte
When extra Vitamin C is a good idea, I reach for Vitality C.
Clearing Dirty Electricity at Home or Work
Dirty electricity is an invisible stressor that can contribute to nonspecific discomfort and even lower your capacity to fight disease. Now you can measure the dirty electricity coming from the electrical outlets in your home or office. Start with the ones near your bed or desk as that’s where you spend the most time.
This Stetzerizer kit includes a microsurgery meter to measure the amount of dirty electricity coming from your outlets and three electromagnetic pollution filters. Once you see the difference the filters make, you will likely want to get a few more of them. Graham Stetzer was the pioneer in this technology so look for his products.
Ayurveda to the Rescue!
Ayurveda has been a longtime support to my family’s wellness, and Banyan Botanicals has been my preferred source for Ayurvedic herbal formulas for many years. The formulations my clients use most often are the intestinal toner Triphala, Mental Clarity, Ashwagandha and Women’s Support. The formulations are gentle, comprehensive, and nutritive. Although many botanical products bring a quick response, the deeper benefits may not be apparent for 4-6 months. That is particularly true of Ashwagandha, which is an adaptogen known to improve sleep and resistance to stress.
Cleaning your tongue each morning when you awaken, before brushing your teeth, removes bacteria and toxins, gently stimulates the digestion and inner organs, and can help you avoid bad breath. Banyan’s tongue cleaner is inexpensive enough to keep one in the bathroom and one in your travel kit.
“I don’t know what to eat” is a complaint I hear often. When your appetite is confused, it’s an indication that you are disconnected from your body’s wisdom, and there are a few simple interventions that can help you feel better quickly.
A kichadi mono-fast actually stokes your digestion and encourages a gentle detox, quickly relieving that bloated feeling and restoring bowel function.
Kazana kichadi packet is the quickest route I’ve found to home cooked kichari. The packet itself is all you need, and it’s even better with ghee and whatever vegetables you have on hand. Kichadi is sometimes spelled kichari.
I only use ghee, olive oil or coconut oil for cooking. Ayurveda prizes ghee as a health-promoting fat, good for the liver and the nervous system. Be sure to buy organic, as pesticides congregate in fat. Ancient Organics makes by far the best tasting ghee I’ve ever had, so good I’ll eat it on bread, veggies — or my finger!
ITone is an inexpensive Ayurvedic eye drop which has been researched and which relieves dry tired eyes effectively.
Organic India is another conscious business that offers Ayurvedic products, including various adaptogenic herbs to help strengthen the body’s resilience to stress. Ashwagandha and turmeric are two of the most widely used adaptogens. Organic India also offers tulsi tea plain or in lovely blends such as sweet rose. Tulsi is another adaptogen and the teas are delicious, caffeine-free, and available loose or in convenient bags.
Probiotics to Support Healthy Microbiome
Probiotics provide another valuable digestive support, and Theralac is the one I recommend and use. Probiotics are the friendly bacteria that inhabit a healthy digestive tract. A vibrant bacterial community is necessary for health, both to optimize absorption of nutrients and to discourage the growth of harmful bacteria that wreck havoc with our health. Since healthy bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics and stress, it only makes sense to send in reinforcements.
The challenge, however, is to get the probiotics past the stomach, where they are destroyed by the acid needed to digest food. Theralac is enteric-coated so that bacteria is protected until it reaches the intestine, and is the only probiotic I’ve ever taken and noticed a difference. The suggestion is to take one capsule daily for 2-4 weeks, depending on your need, and then just twice a week for maintenance. If I’m traveling or feeling low, I take it daily until I feel better.
Potent, Safe Botanical Helpers
Do you suffer from sinus congestion? Why not try Gold Root (chilcuague) spray?
Reiki practice helps relieve anxiety, and you might still need occasional support, or something to help you until you learn self-practice. Kava root is effective against anxiety, insomnia, and restlessness, and your mind stays clear. Kava Kona and Gaia offer excellent products.
Columbia psychiatrist Richard Brown wrote about the value of a Siberian adaptogen in his book The Rhodiola Revolution, and Rosavin is the product he recommends. Rhodiola rosea helps the body balance stress, and is particularly known to support healthy adrenal function.
Diamond Mind capsules include Tibetan rhodiola among other herbs renowned for their benefits to the mind and brain.
Taoist tonic herbal formulas can lift your spirits and improve health. Dragon Herbs offers a range of reishi formulas such as Duanwood reishi tincture or capsule. Or try their adaptogen formula Tao in a Bottle.
Phytodent was formulated by master herbalist David Winston for Herbalists & Alchemists. It contains six botanicals and two essential oils traditionally used to promote healthy gums. Diluted with water and used as a mouth wash, Phytodent can be a useful adjunct to your daily oral hygiene. I have known David as a colleague for many years and he is one of my most trusted sources for botanical products.
If you are concerned about bone health, take a look at Herbalists & Alchemists OsteoHerb. Thistles Compound supports healthy liver function.
Food for Thought
Quality food is one of our most important health resources. I buy from local farmers whenever possible (we have greenmarkets in my neighborhood four days a week). But that doesn’t meet all my family’s needs. When choosing plant-based food, it’s so important to choose the source carefully. Here are sources I trust and use.
You might already know the value of organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO), but do you know that many oils marked organic and/or EVOO do not measure up? I purchase organic extra virgin olive oil from Fandango, a small family farm in California. That way I know the oil exceeds legal standards and I support a solar-powered farm with earth-friendly practices where the olives are hand-picked. milled within hours, and bottled on site as needed.
Black cumin seed oil is an acquired taste that is well worth acquiring as it carries many health benefits. You can take a spoonful or drizzle it into a salad (don’t heat it).
I met the people at Vital Choice some years back at various integrative medical conferences and was consistently impressed by the quality of their offerings and what great folks they are. Owner Randy Hartnell was a fisherman for 20 years and knows more about salmon than anyone I’ve met (we don’t have too many salmon fishermen in Manhattan but we have a lot of experts!). Although I usually prefer fresh fish, even in NYC, that’s not always available, and even some reputable shops have sold not-so-wild salmon as wild, so I keep a few tins of salmon in the cupboard. Vital Choice also offers a line of organic foods and green tea.
Smells Good, is Good!
I use scent in various forms every day, several times a day. Never perfume or cosmetic scents, which are synthetic; I use only natural healing products such as essential oils or hydrosols.
Lavender is the top all purpose oil, the one I recommend if you are going to keep only one on hand. Lavender is calming, balancing, and antimicrobial, as useful in wound care as it is for anxiety, restlessness, distress, and insomnia. Add a few drops to baking soda and dissolve in warm water for a soothing bath that is great for your skin. Avoid making the water too hot. If you break a sweat, add cold water.
Wild harvested Palo Santo helps with meditation.
Healing with Flowers
You may have found Reiki practice while looking for gentler approaches to wellness than what is available at your neighborhood drugstore. Maybe you want to support your health — and that of your family — now rather than wait till there is a reason to see your doctor.
Flower essences are a safe, gentle, and accessible approach. The most commonly used flower essence is Bach Rescue Remedy, and research supports its usefulness in reducing anxiety. There are no side effects, and you can use it as needed without worrying about dependence or withdrawal.
Rescue Remedy Cream is a gentle, light and deeply soothing cream that helps heal burns, diaper rash, and other irritations, even insect bites.
Flower Essence Society (FES) has a line of essences that I particularly like. Self-Heal reminds your system of its innate ability to right itself. Think of Echinacea, St. Johnswort, and Yarrow to help balance and strengthen delicate constitutions. Look at Yarrow Environmental Solution to help when there is stress from your environment. If you need help with endurance, if you have trouble with sustained, focussed effort and tend to feel sorry for yourself, Penstemon may help. Additionally, think of Madia to support your capacity for disciplined thinking, which is often compromised when we’re overwhelmed, yet which is so necessary to create lasting change. And Activ-8 is useful to gather your energy when you are starting a new project.
Weight Management
People often practice Reiki to support healthy weight management, and rightly so, because it is well documented that stress negatively affects metabolism.
Read about triphala, kichadi and ghee in the section on Ayurveda, as they help rehab digestion and metabolism naturally.
If weight management is a challenge, you may also find these CDs useful: The Self-hypnosis Diet: Use the Power of Your Mind to Make Any Diet Work for You by Steven Gurgevich, PhD. Try placing your Reiki hands on your body while you listen.
DIY Wellness Guide
The Wellness Inventory helps you assess and strengthen your overall wellness by recognizing those parts of life where you consistently support your well-being, identifying those areas where you are not satisfied, and creating an on-going program to raise your satisfaction.
Health-Promoting Chocolate
It is well documented that chocolate improves mood and energy, and can help reverse insulin resistance (a precursor to Type 2 diabetes, a reason many people have trouble losing weight). But the processing of commercial chocolates, even the dark ones, destroys much of the health benefits, and raw chocolate from the health food store just doesn’t taste like chocolate.
That’s why I scout around for good quality, low-processed dark chocolate. My current favorite is Ritual Chocolate.
Safe Cell Phone Use
Emerging evidence shows that cell phones can be damaging to our health and especially to the health of children. Respected researcher and advocate Devra Davies, PhD documents the evidence in Disconnect.
None of us want to give up our cell phones, but adopting a few simple practices and a couple of products make cell phone use safer.
Use a headset, preferably either one with a ferrite bead to absorb the radiation, or I use this hollow tube headset (the sound is carried through the air instead of radio waves).