Michelle Altman‘s journey into Reiki began as a quest for holistic healing solutions after over three decades in the healthcare field. Discover how she transitioned from nurse to Reiki Grand Master and delved into various modalities like Crystal Reiki, Usui Reiki, Holy Fire Reiki, and Chromotherapy to empower clients on their wellness journeys, in the latest edition of MysticMag interviews
How did you get into Reiki and how and when did you become a Reiki Grand Master?
Before Reiki, I was in the healthcare profession for over 30 years, and I felt there were better ways to address certain health issues instead of using pharmaceuticals and I stepped away from my 30-year career. In 2020, I was taking a class at Northern Arizona University about Mind-Body health and was fascinated to learn about how the mind has such a profound effect on our bodies and our health. At this same time, a good friend of mine received her certification in Usui Reiki and I was intrigued and wanted to learn more.
After going through Usui Reiki Level 1, I personally experienced Reiki’s effectiveness and how it helped to diminish my anxiety and fibromyalgia pain. This ancient practice changed my life so much that I continued to Usui Reiki Level 2, to Usui Reiki Master, and now I am a Usui Grand Reiki Master. I have been practicing for over 3 1/2 years, ever since 2020, and I keep wanting to learn more about other holistic modalities that I can incorporate into my business to help my clients.
What are the differences between Crystal Reiki, Usui Reiki, and Holy Fire Reiki?
The various types of Reiki are very similar in that they are built on the concept that the practitioner uses light energy from a higher consciousness that flows down through the practitioner’s hands to the client to promote self-healing of issues connected to the physical, spiritual, or mental self. Reiki has many health benefits including relieving pain, decreasing anxiety, improving fatigue, aiding in depression symptoms, enhancing quality of life, and improving mood. Usui Reiki is a Japanese relaxation technique in which the practitioner uses hand movement to help guide the flow of energy to help boost the natural healing process in the body.
Crystal Reiki uses the natural properties of crystals in addition to Reiki to help bring balance and energetic alignment to the client. During a Crystal Reiki session, crystals are placed on the seven main chakras of the client and additional crystals may be placed on or around the client’s body to support deeper healings. Crystals are an amazing tool that can help to increase tranquility, positivity, and focus, and have protective properties. Holy Fire Reiki is a newer form of Reiki that comes from a higher level of consciousness to provide purification, healing, empowerment, and guidance to the client. The symbols and techniques used in Holy Fire Reiki are much easier for the practitioner to perform.
For those unfamiliar with it, can you explain how Chromotherapy works?
Chromotherapy is known as Color Therapy and is an alternative holistic treatment used to improve health and alter mood. Many different colors such as red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, and violet are directed to the client through lights infused with crystals. The use of colored light(s) when applied to specific region(s) of the body can help to relax muscles, alleviate irritation, improve sleep, reduce pain, regulate mood, and promote healing. I will incorporate this modality with Reiki if I feel the client will benefit from this added support, or the client can specifically request a chromotherapy session by itself. Many studies have been performed and have shown to be very beneficial.
You also offer Wellness Coaching services. What can you tell me about that part of your work?
Many of my clients who I have seen over the course of almost 4 years have health issues that I felt could be better managed and most of my clients want to know how to go about improving their overall wellness. For this reason, I became a certified Wellness Coach to help my clients work toward changes that can improve their overall wellness. My role is to support my clients by helping them examine their choices based on behaviors or habits, create a personalized plan that works towards their subjective and objective goals, explore any obstacles and challenging areas that can hinder their progress, and emphasize self-care and self-compassion so they can achieve the results they desire.
I can see clients with anxiety, work-related stress or stress management, losing weight, improve relationships, improve sleep, or becoming fit. When I coach, I focus on all aspects of the client’s health to include mind-body, which I feel leads to more sustainable changes in their lifestyle.
What is your favorite part of your profession?
My favorite part of my profession is listening and helping my clients improve their wellness. I find so much joy in seeing my clients’ anxiety improved, sleep improved, and pain levels decrease, and seeing them feel uplifted at the end of our sessions. Watching them overcome or push through their challenges has been extremely rewarding for me as a practitioner. So many of my clients have questions on subjects such as spirituality or wellness and I make sure I take the time to answer those questions and educate them on areas they are not familiar with such as how to meditate, how to protect their energy, or how to incorporate affirmations into their daily lives.
Is there anything else about your work that you’d like to share that we haven’t covered?
I currently hold many other certifications: Sound Healing, Aromatherapy, Law of Attraction, Spiritual Healing Advisor, Meditation Coach and I am finishing my Shamanic Life Coach and Yoga 200 Certifications. It may seem like a lot, but I feel the more I learn, the more I have to offer to my clients and help them with their healing or own spiritual journeys.
Although my business is holistically based, I always tell my clients to be sure to follow up with their primary care providers for any chronic health issues or new concerns they may be having.
To learn more about Michelle and her work, you can visit serenityhealingbymichelle.org
