REIKI EXPLAINED

Julie was first introduced to Reiki as a student at Christine Valmy. She recalls, “When an instructor put her hands over my head, a pleasant feeling of warmth radiated down my body. I tucked that feeling away in my mind.” After moving to Vermont, she fortuitously connected with Amy DeGroot, a Reiki master teacher and practitioner, who eventually became her teacher.

Julie becomes animated when explaining the art of Reiki, an ancient healing method originating in Tibet. “The name comes from joining two syllables in Japanese,” she explains. “Rei is universal cosmic energy, and ki refers to the life energy that runs through all living beings. The concept merges what we know about Western and Eastern healing and results in a really beautiful outcome.”

Julie goes on to say that the energy that flows in the body might be blocked by physical or emotional trauma, manifesting itself in exhaustion, mental distress, and inflammation. Reiki loosens blockages, reduces stress, promotes relaxation, and improves the natural healing process, bringing the body into balance, while its nonintrusive, gentle touch encourages energy circulation. Julie adds, “Often clients are curious but don’t know what to expect. The responses to Reiki are very individual: some people feel warmth, some have an emotional response, and some just fall asleep.”

BENEFITS OF A REIKI FACIAL

During a traditional facial, skin is exfoliated, deep-cleaned, and then infused with ingredients and products that are beneficial to individuals, such as hydration, skin sensitivity, or breakouts. Julie explains that while skin health is always the focus, her facials target the facial muscles with massage as well. She says, “The majority of the muscles in the face are muscles of expression. Facial expressions are deeply linked to our emotions, which are uniform worldwide, transcending language barriers. Both expressed and unexpressed emotions put an enormous load on the facial muscles. In fact, repetitive movements triggered by emotional patterns carve lines in the face.”

Julie hails the facial massage as an alternative to medical interventions. “People use Botox to paralyze the facial muscles,” she says. “But you can actually reduce the lines on your face by releasing your emotions.” During the massage, the facial muscles are manipulated so that they relax, and the muscle tone returns to normal. She adds, “The lines soften, and facial posture is restored, as the massage relieves tension, increases blood flow, and delivers nutrients to the cells. This facial feedback can even be effective in releasing emotional tensions.” Reiki adds an additional layer of body balancing to a facial, helping the body to heal, relax, and move toward its natural equilibrium while promoting a state of deep relaxation. Having regular facials benefits the skin the most, so scheduling a facial every six to eight weeks is ideal.

CUSTOMIZED SKIN CARE

Skinvigo partners with Image Skincare, the number-one brand for spa use, and Julie notes that the sustainably sourced physician- formulated line is sold in over 60 countries. “I love the line because it allows me to customize each facial,” Julie explains. “I start with a skin analysis and then customize exfoliation and the products I use afterward to address skin stresses like dehydration, sun damage, breakouts, and premature aging.” She can also recommend a home-care regimen that will meet a client’s needs, lifestyle, and budget.

If you want soft, healthy skin and to feel beautiful from the inside out, book a Reiki facial. As Julie likes to say, “Start with skin health first, and that will carry you a long way. My clients leave the treatment room with invigorated skin and a restored mind and soul. The concept of skin care has come full circle.”

Skinvigo