My name is Leigh Shaheen, and I discovered Reiki in 2006 when my goddaughter purchased a natural-products day spa. Among the practitioners was a Reiki Master and Teacher. I had heard from various sources about Reiki; in fact, a psychic I knew had told me years before that I would be very involved myself. Although I sincerely doubted it at the time (I was totally involved in writing and editing), she was absolutely correct. After my first Reiki treatment, I felt as if I had come home.
Reiki I, II, and Master Training
I'm lucky to have a close circle of friends to whom I voiced my fascination with and enthusiasm for studying Reiki. And so for my birthday, they bought me entrance to a Reiki I class with the Master/Teacher at the day spa, Nancie Leon. That led to Reiki II and Reiki Master/ Teacher training in the Usui tradition of Reiki.
When Nancie moved to Florida, I felt as if I were a voice calling alone in the wilderness. I needed some Reiki friends, people who knew that feeling of vast well-being, along with the relief of aches and pains and worries, that comes from giving and receiving Reiki treatments. It's been said that when the student is ready, the teacher will appear; no truer words could describe my meeting and association with Judy McCracken of Mentor, Ohio. And what a teacher, mentor, and beloved friend she has become!
Reiki Rays of Hope, Inc.
Along with Mary Ellen Lucas, Judy had founded Reiki Rays of Hope for Caregivers, Inc., a nonprofit organization dedicated to teaching Reiki I to adult children who care for parents with Alzheimer's and Dementia; parents and other caretakers of children with Autism; and professional caregivers, such as nurses, doctors, therapists, and others who deal with patients who bear chaos and pain in their bodies, minds, or spirits. In 2011, Judy and Mary Ellen honored me with an invitation to join their group.
Under their direction, I was privileged to be one of the teachers of Reiki I for employees at Ahuja Medical Center. Ahuja is one of the newest facilities in the University Hospitals system of Cleveland, Ohio, and it offers a wonderful Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) department. More and more hospitals across the United States are developing CAM centers to offer their patients a wide range of healing alternatives and complements, such as massotherapy, acupuncture, and Reiki. It was such a thrill for me to be a small part of this revolution in holistic medicine!
Reiki Light Touch at The Independent Studios at Private Spa
After completing training and internship in Judy’s and Mary Ellen’s RROH classes, I jumped at the opportunity to participate in Judy’s ART (Advanced Reiki Training) class. (Note: Although many Reiki Masters teach ART in advance of or in conjunction with Master training, Judy feels – and I concur – that ART lends itself best to post-Master’s training,) When I felt prepared, I began offering professional Reiki treatments through my goddaughter’s business, Private Spa. In early 2013, she initiated an exciting new approach, offering studio rooms for independent businesses. After brief consideration, I decided to expand my Reiki practice and join in. And so Reiki Light Touch officially was born on May 1, 2013.
In 2018, Private Spa closed after a successful run. I moved to a wonderful place, Rising Sun Holistic Choices, where I feel right at home. And here I am! Besides offering Reiki treatments, I’m also going to be teaching Reiki I, Reiki II, and Reiki Master classes. So if you’re in the Northeastern Ohio area (or specifically, in Canton, OH) and you are intrigued by Reiki and want to learn to do it, for yourself only or for others, please contact me at LeighReiki@gmail.com I’ll be glad to steer you to the next available class.
