Hola, Pinkies! Introducing guest Pinkie Alice Langholt, a Pink Posse Member, Mommy with Mojo, Reiki Master, teacher, business owner (see the link to her Reiki practice on our Pink Links page), and all-around Pink Goddess. Alice is here to share how she Owns Pink through Reiki, and to give us some Mojo-boosting benefits as well as misconceptions about this healing art. Alice's thoughts on Owning Pink? "Owning Pink means making the most of my time, energy, and finding some way to get the work done while keeping my sense of humor, wearing my jeans, and being myself!" A big Namaste bow to Alice for sharing her wonderful wisdom and spirit, and helping the Pink community Own their Bodies. Welcome, Alice!


Reiki, have you heard of it? It's not about raking the leaves, as my husband likes to joke. Reiki is an energy healing practice. What's the energy? Universal Life Force Energy - it's all around us, and accessible to everyone. Energy animates all life. Reiki is a practice of receiving this energy and directing it to oneself, another, or for a purpose. It's not a religion and it doesn't require belief, though an open mind helps a lot.

Anyone can learn Reiki, even kids, regardless of previous intuitive ability, experience, or education. My nine year-old daughter describes Reiki as "a warm energy that makes you feel better." I think that is perfect. Reiki is not so much "learned" as the ability to do Reiki is opened, or awakened in you, by a Reiki Master via an attunement. An attunement is an adjustment in your energy field that turns you from one who can receive Reiki only to one who can actively call the energy for herself. It's simple enough to surprise you. It surprised me. I came to Reiki with no previous experience, no spiritual connection, and a healthy dose of skepticism. It changed my entire perspective on reality. Suddenly, I could feel tingles in my hands, and when I intended to flow this energy to another person, the person felt better. It worked, even if the recipient was across the world from me. Used on myself, I was able to release stress, relax, sleep better, and be more focused. I was hooked. Now I do all I can to show people how they can do the same for themselves. So here are some things that Reiki can do for you...and in the interest of full disclosure, some it can't!

1. Reiki CAN improve your relationships with your parents, your children, your spouse, friends, and yourself. The energy helps you cope with those things people do that push your buttons, and healing energy can release grudges and emotional damage. All of these can help you be a better you, and that affects the way others relate to you. Your zen attitude will keep the tension away from otherwise irritating interactions.
Reiki CAN'T change someone's mind, manipulate someone, or make someone like you. (Although you may find that people are more receptive, positive, and nice in response to the way Reiki has improved your outlook.)

2. Reiki CAN release stress. Had a bad day? Sit a few minutes and run some Reiki energy on yourself and feel the tension melt away. Aaah, that's better! Try adding some Reiki to a backrub and you're adding love energy that your partner will appreciate! If your child is upset, a hug with some Reiki love helps that much more. Giving Reiki to a child who has had a nightmare can help the child release the fear and get back to sleep.
Reiki CAN'T keep stress out of your life. (Although you may find you get less stressed out over those things that used to drive you nuts when you receive regular Reiki.)

3. Reiki CAN relieve pain. Have a headache? Pull a muscle? Crampy? Try Reiki instead of the pain reliever (or until it kicks in!). The energy is soothing, relaxing, and simply helps. It's also great on your kid's boo-boos, tummy aches, bumps, and bruises.
Reiki CAN'T prevent illness. (Although you may find that your immune system has improved through regular Reiki healings.)

4. Reiki CAN speed healing. Catch that cold that your lovely toddler brought home from preschool? Self Reiki can help you feel better sooner, improve your body's ability to heal itself, and help you return to peak Super Mom performance that much faster. It'll do the same for your toddler.
Reiki CAN'T cure alone. If you need a doctor, see one! Always remember that optimum health is a balance of many equations, so forgoing medical care when needed is just a bad decision.

5. Reiki CAN restore healthy balance. The energy fills in where there are needs, and smooths over where there is excess. Anxious? Reiki relaxes you. Sluggish? Reiki perks you up. Angry? Reiki is soothing. (Yes I love this. Did you notice?)
Reiki CAN'T do it all in one healing. A good Reiki healing lasts a few days. Keep it flowing regularly for continuous results.

6. Reiki CAN clear the energy around you. Send Reiki to the room you're in and observe people behaving differently. A positive atmosphere is achieved in many ways, and Reiki energy can be one of the ways to put a positive mojo into the room.
Reiki CAN'T remove a stinky smell. Open a window.

7. Reiki CAN increase your intuitive awareness. The more you allow yourself to be open to spiritual energy, the more you become more intuitively aware. You're more tuned in to "coincidences" and things will have a way of synchronistically lining up. Who doesn't need more mom's intuition? With four kids, I'll take all I can get!
Reiki CAN'T turn you into a psychic medium. (Although I know a few people who found that once their intuition increased, psychic abilities were awakened.)

8. Reiki CAN work over any distance. How? It's an energy. Do you use a cell phone? Love someone? There are all sorts of energy, some measurable, some not (yet). Reiki energy is directed by intention. (Thoughts are so powerful! Use that power for good!) Learn how, and you'll be amazed at the way you can do more than you ever imagined you could. That's what happened for me. I feel like a healing super hero! Pink power!
Reiki CAN'T help someone who doesn't want it. We all have free will to accept or not accept the energy that others send us. (By the way, that includes negative energy of those really annoying people. You don't need to accept that either. Pink power! Okay I'll stop that.)

9. Reiki CAN help animals and plants. Pets, plants, and your garden will all respond positively to Reiki. There are Reiki practitioners who exclusively Reiki animals, and the results are amazing. Pets experience the same benefits from Reiki as people do, and really enjoy Reiki. You should see my friend's cat and our guinea pigs bliss out when they get some Reiki love from my kids. Plants thrive on good energy as well.
Reiki CAN'T keep a dying pet from transitioning. (Although Reiki can ease the pet's pain and show your pet you care. It can also help you and your family get through the emotional stress of losing a pet if it happens.)

10. Reiki CAN change your life for the better. With all the ways that Reiki can help you, what's not to like? It changed my life, opened up a new dimension of reality, and awakened my purpose. Powerful stuff.
Reiki CAN'T harm, be overdosed on (you only absorb as much as you need), or deplete you (it's not your energy, but Universal Life Force energy at its source).