Healing Children Mandala

This mandala includes the four elements - earth, water, fire and air, and was created with the intention to send healing energy to a newly blended family. The four hearts in the center represent the four children in the situation; the four roses are the four parents, new ways to grow

It definitely took a few layers to create the right shading, both to create the secondary colors and to create the range of light within the colors. I thought a lot about energy blending while doing this exercise, noticing which colors were harmonizing and which were complementary, realizing this would be a good tool to use when creating mandala to create areas of flow as well as areas of creative tension.

Secrets to Success: Challenge Your Self

When we're not empowering and inspiring our readers and viewers, we sometimes empower and inspire ourselves by slipping away for a little fun. Neither Kayla nor I had been zip-lining before, and there is a great course in Felton, just a few miles from Santa Cruz. On Sunday, September 18 2011 we took a short drive to a different world.

Located within the Mt. Hermon conference grounds, Redwood Canopy Tours offers a guided experience through redwood tree tops over six separate zip-lines and two sky bridges.

-- Chip

Who gets Reiki?

Who gets Reiki?

Reiki clients come in all shapes and sizes. My youngest client was two and a half, my oldest so far is 83. My clients drive a few hours, from San Mateo, Marin, Aromas, Hollister... all the way to Santa Cruz simply for a session. Reiki clients are CEOs and auto mechanics, doctors and engineers, with many different world views, faiths and beliefs.


Each person has a unique experience during the session. Some folks are visual, and will see patterns of light and color or images as if from a dream unfolding before their eyes. Some folks are more kinesthetic, and will feel warmth or coolness, tightening or loosening of the muscles, electric impulses or tingling sensations. Most people simply, deeply relax, going deeper and deeper inside, where the true healing lies. When the mind and body rest, ease and regeneration occur, from the cellular level to the spiritual level. And who doesn't want that?

Click here for more information on Reiki in Santa Cruz. Please use the contact page to schedule your Reiki appointment.

Healing Relationship Mandala

The healing relationship mandala was the one I spent the most time on. I meditated upon four symbols to represent blending families and to create a healing for my daughter and I, most of which came to me during a cranial sacral treatment. I created arcs of energy that linked four of us together, surrounded by a ring of symbols for friends and family, and a bigger circle representing being grounded and connected to the earth. I abided by the instructions to just keep working, and in the end know I created a potent symbol of my own process of integrating family dynamics as a part of an alchemical whole.

Looking Through Old Journals

What is in your old journals?

Once I was a diamond in the rough
Life was hard and life felt tough
Times I felt fragmented, times I felt shattered
Ultimately I found out what really mattered

Cutting away what was simply not sublime
Polishing my edges, simply tailing the time
Like a precision jeweler, chipping away the past
Revealing the heart of the jewel that really does last

My burdens, my woes, all of my stressors
Let this lump of coal do good under pressure
I have many facets and each of them shines
I own all my flaws, they are uniquely mine

Sometimes cold, sometimes hard, always brilliant
My jeweled tones have become more resilient
Times I am humble, times quite ferocious
I know now that I am always precious

I am sparkly and glittery, something quite rare
It took years and years of work to get me there
What was once simply a part of the earth
Now knows her true self her diamond self worth

Everyday I can take care of body and soul
Exercise my mind and exercise my health
In looking through my old journals what I discover:
I have always been engaged with my self.

The 5 Secrets of Reiki

Practice this short simple meditation, based upon the five principles of Reiki, to foster feelings of equanimity, loving kindness and acceptance.

Just for today...

I let go of anger, knowing I can gently express my inner needs
I let go of worry, choosing to trust that I have been heard
I am deeply thankful, to a kind and benevolent universe
I am focused on my work in creative & productive ways
I am kind and loving, to myself and all beings.
Blessed Be.

What is Reiki?

What is Reiki? Good Question!

It's always interesting for me to receive a Reiki session, as I am reminded why my clients like it so much. Reiki is extremely subtle, deeply relaxing and rejuvenating to the core. It is a perfect modality for anyone who doesn't like to be touched,whether from fibromyalgia or emotional issues. Reiki helps to clear stuck energy, feelings of being blocked and mental stagnation. Much like jump starting a car, the gift of Reiki can jump start your life after a draining experience. The other metaphor is that of tuning up a musical instrument - Reiki helps to harmonize the soul.

But what is Reiki exactly? You really have to experience it for your self. Definitions abound from the laying on of hands to energy work. Indeed, Reiki can be done with a light physical touch to distance healings. Anyone can tap into Reiki as a gift of beneficial energy.

Practitioners go through a series of attunements and teaching.Then like any skill, it's all about practice, practice, practice. On your self, on your pets, your friends and family, and yes, I have even done Reiki on a jammed up photocopying machine (the WAY of the paper, the WAY of the paper...). All healing is self healing and Reiki is a way to hold the space and the higher vision for that healing to occur.

Click here for more information on Reiki in Santa Cruz. Please use the contact page to schedule your Reiki appointment.