My introduction to Reiki 6 years ago was through working in the NHS. Under the umbrella of ‘Improving Working Lives’ Reiki training was being offered to all staff working for the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust as a self development course. From doing my 1st Degree training I knew that this was the path for me and that I wanted to learn more about Reiki and I did by completing my Masters training.

Having completed my training under Leza McLean I now teach Reiki in the Bury area and also offer Reiki treatments at home and mobile. I am a Master Practitioner member of the United Kingdom Reiki Federation which carries with it full insurance to practice Reiki.

From a personal view point my life has changed drastically, I now have the tools to help me work with my life on a physical, mental and emotional level, bringing my health and well being under my control, therefore enhancing my everyday living, giving me a calmer response to life’s challenges.

I am also a volunteer Complimentary Therapist with the Oldham Cancer Support Centre in Failsworth. I give my service half day a week and seeing the difference a Reiki treatment can make to a cancer sufferer or a carer is wonderful.

My name is Jane. I am 33 years old and live in Springhead with my son Adam. I first came into Reiki in November 2006 where I received a very powerful treatment. I took the Reiki level 1 class a week later!

I have never looked back as training into Reiki has empowered me as a person and helped me to take responsibility for my life. I have trained into Reiki levels 1, 2 and masters and have recently completed Reiki 1 apprenticeship which enables me to teach Reiki1 to others.

I am employed as a Housing Support worker in Oldham and work with single homeless and vunerable men. This lead me on to begin giving regular Reiki treatments in October 2008 to men and women who are recovering from addictions and in twelve step treatment (as part of the recovering communities model). This has proved to be a very successful few months and the service users have found using Reiki along side twelve step treatment very beneficial.

“ Ten months ago I was homeless and still in addiction but I’ve been clean and sober now for seven and half months. Since starting treatment and having Reiki on Wednesdays, this has relaxed my mind and body and helps me to see the right way of life. I have now finished treatment but still comeback for Reiki” ------ Neil

I am married to Andrew, I have two children: Jacob and Gabriel and I completed my first degree in 1999. I became one of Leza's students in 2005 and continued my training, Andrew took his 1st and 2nd degree with Leza . I went on to complete my apprenticeship in 2006 which enabled me to teach first and second degree Reiki. This then enabled me to attune both of my own children which was a wonderful experience and probably the best gift I could have ever given them, so now we are just one big Reiki family!

I am currently the community arts leader at New bridge school which has specialist performing and visual art status and caters for pupils with special needs from 11-19 years of age. Some of my duties include organizing performing arts projects and teaching drama. I have been a member of staff since the school opened in 2005 and offer Reiki to staff and pupils, which has always been readily received. In 2006 the staff was asked by senior management if we would like to provide in house training. To my amazement my proposal of first degree Reiki training was unanimously accepted.

Now every year myself and Lisa Butterworth (my sister in law, work colleague and fellow student of Leza's) take in excess of 12 members of staff, to first degree. I have very few private students but maybe the sessions I do through my work is enough!! Especially as the staff are now requesting second degree Reiki training - watch this space!

I have been a student of yoga for many years but whilst studying with Leza I have learnt more about the importance of the breathing techniques particularly the more advanced pranayama techniques and meditation. In my drama sessions I often begin with relaxation and focused breathing and end with a meditation ,this helps the class stay focused and on task. Many of my more challenging pupils now request a meditation session every week. I feel that Reiki has certainly opened new ways of working for me both at home and in my job.

I have been teaching Reiki since Nov 2006 and I have found teaching Reiki is not as straight forward as just doing Reiki classes. Even though I teach ‘conventional’ classes, the circle for teaching and learning goes stretches far wider than that. Learning how to share Reiki in more and more creative ways has been and continues to be a very special gift for me, whether it’s just offering a kind word and a smile in a shop queue or taking someone through to their masters the intention is the same.

Being a musician I've played and sang to people for years and watched them enjoy the music from safety of the stage, I've recently broken down that barrier and started a singaround group, where people who love music and singing can have the opportunity to sing without the pressure of getting up on stage or worrying that they can’t sing, the only requirement being that they want to. I provide the songs, music and encouragement and we sit in a circle and sing, and the energy created from that has bowled me over. And now they want to share their special singing gift with others. It’s only the beginning for the singaround group and I look forward to seeing where it will lead. It only took a small change in my approach to the music I play to create such a massive difference. It makes no difference to the universe how big or small you feel your contribution is, if it is done with love it is a wonderful to us all.

Hello there, my name is Mary, I am a magnificent sixty six years of age, a mother, grandmother and soon to be great-grandmother. Actually I have ten wonderful children, 3 handsome sons and 7 beautful daughters and 16 adorable grandchildren, lucky me, I love every minute of it.

It was whilst I was working full-time for the NHS in Oldham as an Health Care Assistant on the busy maternity ward that I first came into Reiki in 2004. Although I found the job, seeing new life come into the world and helping the new mothers very rewarding it could be quite physically and emotionally demanding and I was looking for some 'energy' to help me cope with my life.

I found 'energy' alright. The all encompassing, benevolent, compassionate, caring, sometimes callenging, exciting and thrilling but always loving energy of Reiki that not only helped me but changed my life. Changed my life, in the way that I look at life. That Life is an opportunity to Learn, Love and Grow. I took my 1st, 2nd and 3rd degrees of Reiki with Leza and my apprenticeship to teach to 2nd degree. I have had the honour to bring several people into their 1st and then into their 2nd degree and it has been a wonderful privilege to witness the change and help that Reiki has given them in their lives.

I have come to regard that the way we 'treat' people is the way we 'teach' people and the way to 'teach' people is how we 'treat' people. When we become concious of the way we breath, think and act we can then transform every breath we breath, every thought we think, every action we take into a Loving prayer and our lives become a Living prayer.

I am 47 years old and have been involved in Reiki since 2004 when I did my 1st and 2nd degree with Leza McLean. I felt it changed my life as I started to look at things differently, because of the impact it had on me I decided to further my studies and I now teach 1st and 2nd degree myself and do reiki sessions from home and also mobile.

I am now working as a carer at a home in Springhead and do sessions on the residents. I have 3 children and very often do reiki on them, I have also attuned my children. I can't imagine not having reiki in my life as it has given me so much inner strength

My Journey into Reiki began in 2004 in the UK. I had been working day and night 6 days a week for 3yrs, and was sick with colds every six weeks. It was a time when I was unhappy with my life and I was not looking after myself.

Once Reiki entered my life things started to change, it gave me confidence and the ability to trust and let go of my day job and concentrate on my business. Allowing me to start taking responsibility for myself and my own healing. I progressed and took an apprenticeship to teach Reiki, and have been teaching since then.

I moved to Canada 3yrs ago and now teach Reiki levels 1 2 & 3. Since then I have learnt and now teach breath work classes and work with crystals. I would like to thank Leza McLean who has guided and supported me on my journey and has taught me to teach with unconditional love and to keep growing through the students the Universe sends to me.

Thank you Leza.

Hi my name is Marcus and I came in to Reiki in November 2001, the initial reason I was drawn to Reiki was for depression and insomnia.

My first session was amazing and the months after were an awakening for me. I learnt Reiki for myself so I could start my own healing journey and find the answers I was looking for. I have had a few teachers of Reiki in the years leading up to October 2007 and always felt something was missing. I met Leza at the hospital and started my journey of personal development.

I've come a long way in the 3 years I've been studying with Leza and have definitely healed myself on many levels. I now know who I am and what my purpose is here. Reiki is no magic wand but if we let go and take responsibility 100% for our lives we can achieve amazing things and get to know our true selves.

Reiki is much more than an hands on healing therapy, it is like a gentle hand that shows us the way if we want to walk through the door. All I want to do now is give this healing system and knowledge to anyone who sincerely wants to change their lives.

Namaste

I have been a member of the Oldham Reiki network for several years now and being a part of it has had a massive, positive effect in all areas of my life. What I have learnt over the years, through my Reiki studies – things such as - meditations, releasing negative energy through deep breathing exercises, yoga work with breath awareness - I now pass on through my role as a Drama teacher, at New Bridge school, where I work with students with a huge range of, some may say disabities or special needs but I say – abilities.

The students create fantastic performance pieces, comedies, classics and cutting edge theatre, which challenges outmoded ideas, and allows the students to grow and move forward with a sense of hope and achievement. Using Reiki with the students gives them a sense of connection, helps the students to feel safe enough to let go of inhibitions and together with the drama work they are left feeling empowered.

I also teach Reiki to individuals and groups. As part of the in house training in school, myself and a colleague, who is also an Oldham Reiki network member, deliver Reiki classes to staff members. This has been a wonderful experience and has really helped to bring staff together and help people work through the challenges of balancing out their busy lives.

I live in Greenfield with my husband and son and Reiki - it has enhanced our lives and I give thanks to it and to the Oldham Reiki Network.

My name is Catherine Florence.
I live in Rochdale with my wonderful family.  For the past 14years I have enjoyed working with children initially as a Registered childminder then onto Classroom assistant .
Occasionally in school  the opportunity to support children and young people through bereavement, loss and transition travels my way .
My dream is to teach Reiki to the younger generation. Equipping each individual with a unique  self  help tool which will support them through life s roller coaster of events.
Reiki heals and has been my best friend through the feelings and emotions of transition and  transformation of  SELF .
I was first introduced to Reiki at a well being evening organised for staff at Rushcroft primary school. It has  taken  2  years  to  complete Reiki 1, 2, Masters , an apprenticeship to teach 1st degree and some Personal identification work .
My eldest son is just 14yrs and has recently completed 1sdegree .
The biggest reward along the way has been the magical moments of special one to one  time shared with my children brought to us by this universal energy.

Thanks to Wendy Cooper for bringing Reiki to school.
Special thanks to Leza McLean for her inspiration, massive amounts of patience, continued support and unconditional love on this life changing  journey .
Letting   go of the steering wheel of life and putting  faith in the universe to drive is  a huge challenge but an extremely exciting adventure !
Love and Reiki
Catherine   x