by Brian Dean

It was the beginning of the new year. Unlike most New Year's days, I ended up doing something really meaningful, I did Reiki on Rilind.

Ericka had set up a Facebook page called Rilind Reborn (hopefully that link into Facebook works) so she could get some sponsorship to pay down the costs of bringing this dog back to full health. As part of that, she set up the photo shoot with Carmen (a student of mine and excellent photographer) at a local elementary school. She wanted me there to give the dog Reiki and to be in a couple of pictures.  (The pictures here are from Carmen.  Visit her website, Carmen Cay Photography.  To go directly to her photo story on Rilind, go here.)

What I saw amazed me. This dog looked a lot different than the one I had seen at the vet's office less than a week ago. He was much more awake and alert and willing to move around. He was actually even half running which was the first time he'd done that since being rescued. It was very clear that this dog has the heart and will to get better.

Throughout the couple of hours I was there, I gave him Reiki on and off. He stayed with me while I gave it, and seemed to enjoy it. I even got more doggy kisses as I worked. He definitely remembered me from last week.

In this past week, he has gained almost 3 pounds, and has lost all the fleas that were all over him. His eyes are clearing up and he is learning manners. I watched him sit and wait for his food bowl to be put down before going over to eat.

He is still skin and bones, and has trouble balancing now and then, but he is doing so much better than last week it is not funny. He's reacting to the love and the care given him by Ericka and people in her foster group, and of course the Reiki.

It is just neat watching him progress. I hope that he will continue to do so, and of course, I will be there with energy work as he needs.

Rilind needs the support of anyone willing to help.  If anyone does wish to contribute, you can contact Ericka through the Rilind Reborn Facebook page or PitSisters.org, the group that has rescued him.  Or you can email Caring Palms and I will put you in contact with them. 

• February 11 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm  Confirmed  
• March 17 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm (this date has changed) 
• April 14 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• May 12 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• June 9 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• July 14 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• August 11 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• September 8 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• October 13 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm
• November 10 (Saturday) 10am - 5pm  

Recently, a client came out of a Caring Palms session in tears. Believe it or not, this is not because she was beaten on. The massage and energy session she had gone through, had been so beneficial and so uplifting, that she just started crying with tears of joy. But in truth, emotions can be a part of any session whether it be energy or physical body work.

Through our lives, we collect energy in every cell of our body (this is what Myofascial Unwinding is all about, releasing energy of past experiences stored in the cells of the body). There are many things that can release these energies, and they can come out in emotions, and these emotions can be happy or sad. It is not unusual for someone to have an emotional response to a certain touch or certain feel. At times this can cause the client to start crying, or start laughing, depending on what emotion is brought forth.

If someone has had traumatic experiences in their life, it is very possible that a touch in a certain area can bring forth memories that have long been buried. The same is true for people that have been abused. Such an occurrence can bring forth emotions from those time periods and have them relived again at this very moment. Occasionally, the client can become sad, or afraid, even have a panic attack.

The same is true for happy moments. A touch can release the memory of a very special time causing emotions of joy and love. It can even tickle the funny bone and cause hysterical laughter.

This can be more true when dealing with energy work such as Reiki. With energy being pushed into the body, it connects with other energies in the body. This can stir things up and release emotions have been setting for quite some time.

That is not to say that one should not have massage or energy work. It is simply to make one aware of the possibilities that could ensue. Any good massage therapist will be expecting the possibility that something other than a normal session could occur, and hopefully be ready for these occurrences. The idea is not to stop the motion from happening, but let the emotions release themselves, run their course and be free of the body. Sometimes, what happens to the body, connects to the spirit and the emotions and creates "a lifting of the soul" where great stresses are removed so a person can feel lighter. This was the case in the session mentioned earlier. The client had such a relief, and felt so uplifted, that she just burst into tears of joy.

Every therapist hopes that at the end of the session, there client is physically and emotionally happy with the work that was done. But there are those sessions that go beyond that, and those are magical.

At Caring Palms, we pledge to do the best work we can at every session.  We not only do this to continue to earn your business, but because we believe that you deserve the best care possible every time you are here.  This is true whether it is massage, or energy work, or classes.  This is our promise.  This is what we will continue to do.