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A 3-Step Daily Reset for Safety, Fear Rewiring & Emotional Healing After Trauma

By The Artful Woman
After surviving a stroke and a catastrophic accident, I’ve had to rebuild not just my body—but my nervous system, my thoughts, and my sense of safety in the world. At the very least, I dedicate 10 minutes each morning to anchoring my body in safety. From there, I’ve developed a simple 3-step daily reset that helps me move through fear, regulate my thoughts, and gently rewire how I relate to uncertainty, pain, and hope. This is not about perfection. It’s about returning to yourself, over and over again, especially after trauma. 1. Morning Safety Anchor (2 minutes) I place my hand on my heart and breathe: inhale for 4, hold for 2, exhale for 6. I say: “In this moment, I am safe.” This helps ground my nervous system and even supports calming phantom pain when it shows up. 2. Midday Thought Flip (30 seconds at a time) When fear starts to spiral into “what if” scenarios, I pause. Instead of feeding the fear, I answer it gently: “And if it happens, I’ll handle it. What if it goes right inst...
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I Took Reiki from 3 Different Teachers—Here’s What I Learned

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By The Artful Woman

 


When I first started learning Reiki, I was eager, curious, and—honestly—a little confused. I didn’t stop at just one class or one teacher. I went on to study Reiki Level 1 through Master Teacher training with one practitioner who offered a very complete, deep, and thoughtful experience. But then I took Reiki Level 1 and 2 again—with two other teachers. Why? Because I wanted to understand how it’s taught differently.

What I found was fascinating: each teacher offered something unique—some more detailed, others more intuitive or spiritual. But that led me to a big question…

If Reiki comes from a single lineage, why does it feel so different depending on who teaches it?

So I did some research, and what I found brought clarity—not just to my mind, but to my energy practice as a whole.

Why Reiki Can Vary from Teacher to Teacher

Reiki began with Mikao Usui and spread through his students, but just like languages evolve as they travel, so too has Reiki. Here’s why that happens:

  • Different Lineages and Teachers
    Each teacher after Usui added their own interpretation and emphasis, passing it down their way.

  • Cultural Influences
    As Reiki traveled from Japan to the West, it absorbed spiritual and energetic traditions along the way.

  • Personal Experience & Intuition
    Some teachers include visualizations like golden light or grounding to the Earth. Others keep it simple and emphasize feeling the flow.

  • Focus Differences
    Some schools highlight the spiritual aspects, others the hand placements, and some aim to awaken your intuition.

  • Levels & Symbols
    Techniques and symbols usually appear in Levels II and III, but not everyone teaches them with the same depth or structure.

  • Innovation & Commercialization
    In modern times, some teachers develop their own techniques either out of inspiration—or to differentiate themselves in the marketplace.

What I Learned from Taking Reiki with Multiple Teachers

I noticed that while each teacher had something meaningful to offer, the most complete, balanced, and aligned experience came from the one I received my Master Teacher certification through. Her approach felt deeply rooted in tradition while still honoring intuition and inner guidance.
That said, I don’t regret learning from others—it helped me confirm what resonates most and helped me develop a broader understanding of this sacred healing art.

So... Is There a Right Way to Do Reiki?

In short: as long as the foundational principles are honored, the rest is open to interpretation.
The heart of Reiki lies in:

  • Channeling universal life force energy

  • Working with intention and presence

  • Using the hand positions and symbols (when applicable)

  • Trusting your inner guidance

Different doesn’t mean wrong. It just means diverse paths to the same Light.


Are you feeling drawn to explore Reiki—or maybe confused by all the different styles and teachings out there? I’ve been there. If you’re curious about starting or deepening your Reiki journey with guidance that honors tradition and your intuition, I’d love to support you.

Reach out to schedule a Reiki session, inquire about upcoming classes, or simply chat about your path. Artful Living coaching 

You don’t have to pick the “perfect” Reiki style—just the one that resonates with your soul.

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Location: Dana Point, CA, USA

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