Description of Classes

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Classes & Retreats

Students Meditating in Maine's Acadia Natonal Park, Master Class, 2006

Reiki Training with
Avanti Healing Arts®

Training in Reiki enables you to acquire the ability to convey this ancient Japanese healing art, guided by spirit, to yourself, family, friends and anyone who wants it for the promotion of health and balance in all things. It is a valuable personal development method ---but more than this, it is a way of life---that anyone can learn! When people experience the Reiki energy, they say it feels warm and calming, and they feel a sense happiness and well-being afterwards. There are other healing effects that can occur too, and often these are incredibly powerful.

Gendai Reiki Ho.

Traditional Japanese Reiki, thought to be closest to the Reiki of Usui Sensei, is a way of life. While there are many exercises and techniques taught in all the levels of Shoden (Introductory Level I) up through Shinpiden (Master), the focus of this training is acquisition of the purest, simplest and most joyful energy for your life. The empowerments allow for a high vibration to enter the system in a way that brings an exquisite appreciation of all that we are, and can be, guided by the spirit of Reiki. Special emphasis is given in the Classes to Teate, or "palm healing". Students also receive Reiju, which in its extreme simplicity is a connection to the Divine through Reiki that must be experienced to be understood.

There are not many Gendai Reiki Ho teachers in the United States. Studying this, after having already taught other syles of Reiki (such as Usui-Tibetan Reiki and Karuna® Reiki), vastly deepened my spiritual connection to Reiki and made a profound change in my life, and lifestyle, as a result. My Gendai Reiki Ho lineage comes through Hiroshi Doi Sensei through Shihan Roberta Barnes, whose Center in Maine is authorized directly by Doi Sensei to teach this form of Reiki in the West. Doi Sensei is a member of the Reiki Ryoho Gakkai in Japan. Now as a teacher (Shihan) of this wonderful Japanese Reiki at the Gokkuikaiden (teacher) level myself, it is my calling to pass these teachings on to you.

Learning Introductory Gendai Reiki Ho is a lovely process of acquiring the Reiki Level I and II training, because it is taught at a gentler pace, sometimes in periods of 4 hours at a time with breaks of weeks in between. This allows the energy to more fully assimilate into the system. It also allows training to be offered privately, not only in a group class format. Each Level has important components to it. For example, in Shoden (Level I) it is necessary to understand Byosen, a way of finding the Reiki energy with the hands, and perceiving it with the other senses. In Japan, one could not go on to Okuden (Level II) until Byosen was fully understood. So it is more than learning hand positions; what you are being taught is energy sensitivity,

The beauty of Traditional Japanese Reiki is its simplicity. It is important to have a strong foundation in method and technique, yet this does not in itself give us access to the essence of Reiki. It is necessary at some point to shed preconceptions and methods and freely allow the Reiki to exist. In this way it is at its most powerful. Usui Sensei was said to remark that he hoped never to attain the highest level of Shinpiden (what some call "mastery" in the West) so that there would always be more to learn, more to experience. The idea of Reiki is not to "do" or"master" anything----that is for the egoic mind. It is to learn how best to simply BE.

It is a privilege to be able to bring Gendai Reiki Ho to others for healing, but truly an honor to do this as part of the Creator's work for the Earth. This peaceful, joyous energy is about harmony and balance, so in this particular time-space there is the awesome opportunity to apply Reiki to repair and stabilize rapidly shifting human-planetary patterns.

Advanced Japanese Reiki Techniques Intensive

This 8 hour workshop emphasizes advanced Japanese Reiki Techniques not usually taught as part of the regular Usui-Tibetan Reiki training Level 1&2 or the Advanced Reiki Training (ART) course. I am glad to be able to give these teachings to you in the Gendai Reiki Ho way of learning and practicing Japanese Reiki, drawn from this original form of Reiki developed by Usui Sensei and Dr. Hayashi, and only recently taught in the West by Hiroshi Doi Sensei.

I also teach Japanese Reiki Techniques as part of the Usui-Tibetan classes. I became more and more aware of the importance of these in practice the more experienced I became in Reiki treatment. When I became a teacher of Gendai Reiki Ho, I could see that these are not mere "techniques" or "methods" but moreso a way to transition into the real heart of Reiki practice, which is largely an intuitive process. So, in addition to acquiring ways and means of expanding the effectiveness of Reiki treatment, this Advanced Japanese Reiki Techniques workshop is an opportunity to share knowledge and experience with other Reiki practitioners and Masters who want to go beyond the introductory level in their practice.

The primary focus of the morning session will be enhancement of Reiki scanning and advanced Byosen. I take into consideration the unique properties of individual practitioners as they learn greater sensitivity and new methods of engaging intuition during the treatment process. Also there will be extended information on the Blood Circulation (Kenkueki Kokan).

In the afternoon session, there will be in depth applications of Gyoshi-ho, and expanded treatment methods such as Undo, utilizing movement for healing. Study of the Gokkai and introduction to the Hibiki way of approaching Reiki will be taught, as well as meditation with the Kotodama, the sacred mantras of Reiki.

Reiki Level 1&2, Usui-Tibetan style
(Introductory Practitioner Level, Usui-Tibetan Reiki)
This 2 day Class encompasses the History of Reiki, how it heals, an introduction to how Chi works in your inner and outer energy systems (chakras, auric layers), and several basic Japanese Reiki Techniques developed by Usui Sensei to initiate the Reiki treatment, such as introduction to healing with the breath and the eyes, clearing negative energy, and scanning and beaming Reiki. You learn not only give yourself treatment but also give a full treatment to others. You will leave this class having experienced Reiki first hand, not just from a manual but in person, with supervision. You will use the Reiki symbols given to you through Level 1&2 Attunements to heal on physical, mental-emotional, and spiritual levels, including the ability to send Reiki at a distance across time and space. You will do meditations to ground, balance, and put you in touch with your Reiki Guides. By the time class ends, you will have new insights and will sometimes experience profound emotional healing.

Students Practicing Attunements, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park, Master Class, 2007

Reiki Advanced (ART)/
Master Usui-Tibetan style
(prerequisite Reiki II)
In this 3 day intensive, Mrs. Takata’s Usui system is combined with the Usui-Tibetan style of Reiki developed by William Rand of the International Center for Reiki Trianing. When I teach this style of Reiki, I use the Manual developed by William which is free to students taking the training. I was an ICRT Center Licensed Teacher, one of 23 teachers licensed by them worldwide, for several years. This gave me a first hand, up-to-date understanding of Reiki, and a thorough foundation in the teaching of Usui-Tibetan techniques that are the underpinnings of Reiki methodology. Into my Master Classes I add Buddhist and Yogic meditations that I know from my studies. In some cases, depending upon what students are interested in, I add drumming, chanting or movement meditations. The syllabus is flexible, but the end result is to incorporate the new Master symbols, fully know the Attunements and confidently be ready to become a Reiki teacher.

The first day is Advanced Reiki Training (ART). It contains the content of Reiki IIIa (Attunement to the Master symbol which enables you to use this powerful fourth Reiki symbol for healing yourself and others). In addition you learn exciting methods for healing developed by William Rand, such as constructing and sending continuous healing from a Reiki grid; instruction in using crystals for healing; and a special Aura Clearing technique that can quickly remove obstacles to healing. These techniques are very effective and enhancing for your Reiki practice! In addition to the Attunement methods, Day 2 and 3 includes information on the use of the Antakarana, an ancient sacred Tibetan symbol, and training in the Microcosmic Orbit and other meditations for clearing and guiding energy. You also receive the two Usui-Tibetan symbols, give and receive the Healing Attunement, and learn to give Attunements in the Usui-Tibetan style of Reiki.

I recommend that you take ART together with the rest of the Master Class for several reasons. The first is that it is the prerequisite for Reiki III/Master, so you have to take it if you are going on in your journey. The second is that there is a lot to learn in the first day so being in the class for the next 2 days gives you an opportunity to continue practicing what you learned the first day. The third is that by learning how to give the Attunements to yourself and others (not just receive them), you acquire more of an in-depth understanding of what Reiki really is.

Students say that knowing the Attunement methods enhances their Reiki abilities all-around. It is not necessary to intend to be a Reiki teacher in order to benefit from this knowledge. You learn the beautiful Healing Attunement which, when used in conjunction with Aura Clearing, almost never fails to bring about powerful healing. And the last reason to take the 3 day Class together is that you become an actual “Reiki Master”. Reiki III does give the use of the Master symbol for treatment purposes, but some say that it is only when you have taken the full Master training and have taught a class that you are said to be a Master (by the way, in Japan there is no ‘Master’ concept, only advanced levels of Shinpiden).

Karuna Reiki® Master
(prerequisite Reiki Master for at least a half year)
During this 3 day intensive training that includes the Level 1&2 practitioner levels, you receive four Level I and four Level II symbols, and one Master symbol. I use these symbols during almost every Reiki treatment I give, and they never cease to amaze me with the acceleration of healing they convey. I feel that they are themselves living spirits, helping with every aspect, bringing in the Angelic Realms, boosting the breadth, scope and depth of all other Reiki energies.

This is a gentle and compassionate form of Reiki strongly connected with the heart energy. Guided by the influences of enlightened beings such as Kwan Yin and the Avalokiteshvara Boddisatva, it is a more “female” form of Reiki, closely but not exclusively identified with Goddess energy and the Temples of the Divine. Emotional, spiritual and karmic life issues can be accessed and healed, as well as past life issues through a meditation to heal the Shadow Self. Deep and powerful experiences often come with this spiritually protected light and love-filled training. You learn to do the Attunements for all levels. You also receive breath and imagery training, instruction in sound healing using chanting and toning, and meditations to connect you to the Angels and Archangels, your Reiki Guides, and the Creative Wisdom of the Universe.

When you complete this program (developed by the International Center for Reiki Training) you can elect to be a “Registered Karuna Reiki® Master” with the ICRT and to issue their certificates/use their manual should you wish to teach it. However, many people want to learn it not to teach but because it gives such deep healing on so many levels. Karuna Reiki® is truly transcendent! I prefer to teach it privately over time, rather than in a class setting, to allow for the energies to be assimilated little by little.

Reiki Healing Dance™ Practitioner Certification Course
(prereq. Usui Reiki Level 1&2)
Reiki Healing Dance™ is an expressive dance movement method that transforms emotions coming from deep within the psyche in a physically and psychologically safe and spiritually protected way. Guided by the universal wisdom and healing Ki of Reiki, I developed this method from my combined background in professional dance and energy healing work. This method includes choreographed, expressive and tonifying movements from Eastern practices such as Shiatsu and QiGong, and both Eastern and Western dance forms, and is based upon principles and practices of Usui Reiki Ryoho.

In this 2 day 12 hour Course you will learn:
Energy principles and how they interface with movement for mental/emotional health; Dance Exercises and their relationship to corresponding merididans/chakra centers, to prepare the body for healing through expressive dance; The Heart Chakra Dance©, a 3 part choreographed piece concerned with surrender, compassion and joy, for use with children through adults, to incorporate into your creative arts and for your own healing (training DVD is free for class members). You then go on to learn how to do Reiki Symbol Dance, using the Level II Usui Power, Mental-Emotional and Distant symbols expressively to enhance your healing abilities; selected Japanese Reiki Techniques adapted to movement; you will receive a Healing Attunement to help attain a personal goal or heal a habit and work through the cellular memory of that blockage via expressive dance. This infuses the energy system with light and love, smooths and expands it, and strengthens the aura after emotional wounds and other aspects of the shadow self have been healed and released.

You will receive the Reiki Healing Dance™ Attunement and a Practitioner Certification. This enables you to use the Heart Chakra Dance© and Reiki expressive movement for your personal self and other healing.

Reiki with Animals.

Little Big Red, Reiki Dog, Estes Park, Colorado Reiki with  Animals workshop, 2007

The Art of Reiki with Animals has only recently been emphasized in Reiki training and education. I developed this course specifically for Reiki practitioners, to help the animals and their extended families. While it is possible to provide healing energy to animals without knowing Reiki, there are several reasons that Reiki is particularly effective for animals, and enhances pre-existing intuitive methods of healing. In order to present this information to to those who do not already know Reiki, I teach it as the third day in the Reiki I & II weekend class, or by itself for those who are already Reiki II or higher practitioners.

It is interesting that the training of Reiki begins for humans with specific method and technique and hand position, and as further training takes place, the emphasis becomes more and more intuitive, until--- finally--- Reiki is a state of mind and a way of life that requires little or no mental thought process. Animals start out from this point: they do not need to get out of the way in order to receive (or give) Reiki themselves. This is because animals are less intellectualized in their responses than the typical humans. In this workshop you will learn how to apply Reiki to different types of animals, large, wild and weird; what works, what doesn't, and why. You are also invited to bring your animal to the workshop as long as well socialized). Little Big Red (the Reiki Dog) is always present to bring his love and wisdom and willingness to be practiced upon. although he is so used to Reiki by now that he just kind of melts to the floor and rolls over as soon as he hears the mantra for the power symbol.

As a clinical psychologist, I have added to this workshop emphasis on Psychological factors in animal "problem" behaviors. In animals, as in humans, such behaviors are often preceded by emotional trauma, what Kathleen Prasad calls a “bundle of emotions stuck in the energy field above the body” where the trauma occurred. This might be from a car accident, fight, or fall. Recognition of the incident that started the problem behavior makes it possible for to determine where and when a trauma or incident occurred and, using distant Reiki, initiate healing at the root cause of a situation. You will also receive a Healing Attunement to help access Spiritual healing for you and your animal.

An intuitive approach to Reiki is emphasized in this workshop. We do not have to "know" what the animal recipient is feeling or thinking, because Reiki has its own intelligence and to speculate might bring us the wrong information. So by activating Reiki and asking the questions with the guidance from our Higher Selves and Reiki Guides, it is possible to be able to more accurately understand our animals and provide them with the help they need. Reiki will do it’s job without your assumptions and attitudes and well-meaning wishes coming into the picture. Reiki will go to the place of greatest good and you can relax and just enjoy your animal and take pleasure in the helping role you are being allowed to experience through this gift.

Intensive Training Classes.

All of these training programs are intensive, packed with information. As your teacher, I am committed to following-up with you after class by phone or email when you have questions, stories and ideas. I want to hear about your experiences and enjoy staying in touch with my students. It is an on-going voyage of discovery to do Reiki. My view of teacher-student relationship is that we learn from each other, and I look forward to learning from you! The simplest things are the best, and so I am especially am grateful to Usui Sensei for the Reiki Gokkai, which helps me to deal in the moment with what comes my way every day. And do it is.

JUST FOR TODAY
Do Not Anger
Do Not Worry
Be Grateful
Work Hard
  Respect Others.

+++ NAMASTE +++

All Rights Reserved, Copyright Gianna Settin, 2008. Please do not reproduce any portion of these course descriptions without Author’s written permission. Thank you!