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Articles in the Inkwood Journal

What is shamanism?

Shamanism is the ancient practice of working with spirits for guidance, healing, and knowledge. It is the oldest spiritual and healing practice known to humans.

Shamans specialize in working in the spirit realm, and learn and develop techniques for traveling and working there to effect healing change in the physical realm. Through ceremonial and journey work, shamans create a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, bringing balance and harmony to individuals and communities by invoking the presence and power of the spirits.

Shamanism is rooted in the philosophy of animism – that everything, from cells to mountains, is alive and infused with spirit. Shamans seek to become a part of the energetic flow of life, and to teach others to do the same. It is not about control or dominance over the natural world, but rather about aligning with it. We seek to walk in harmony with the rhythms and wisdom of the world that are older than human history.

Are you a shamanic practitioner or a shaman?

I am a shaman. A shaman lives a life deeply in tune with nature and the spirit realm, and has been called, initiated, and trained by other shamans in the physical realm, the spirit realm, or both. I have been called, initiated (multiple times), and continue to train in the spirit realm with a specific shamanic lineage and shamanic guides.

Shamans serve their communities as healers, spiritual leaders, and teachers. Their lifestyle is different from that of other Westerners and is dedicated to their outer (healer, leader, teacher) and inner (spiritual seeker) shamanic practice.

A shamanic practitioner is a Westerner trained in one or more specific shamanic healing techniques which they incorporate into a larger healing practice that might also include non-shamanic techniques. They may or may not have an association with a larger shamanic lineage. They live a primarily Western life, and have varying degrees to which they integrate shamanic practices and beliefs in their outer and inner lives.

What can I expect in a healing session?

I provide a relaxing, soothing atmosphere for healing sessions. We begin with a short consultation or check-in to assess needs before starting. Gentle music plays while we work, and every effort is made to help people get comfortable and unwind. Clients remain fully dressed and (when in person) lie on a massage table while I work on them.

My shamanic guides and intuition, along with my clients’ immediate needs, inform how I move through all my healing sessions. Every healing session with me is unique and tailored for each client, regardless of the healing modality.

When in-person, shamanic and regular energy healing sessions consist of hands-on and off (over) the body; clients can request a completely hands-off session if desired. I use a comfortable massage table for clients to lie on, but a chair can be used instead upon request. Many clients report feeling warm or gentle tingling sensations during energy healing and an overall feeling of relaxation. However, not everyone feels this, which is normal. Reiki and energy medicine work regardless of a client’s perception.

In shamanic healing sessions, more time is spent at the beginning of the session making sure the client is comfortable with the journey process and clear on their intention(s) for the work ahead before we begin the energy healing and guided journey work.

After a session, I check in to see how my client is doing and if they have any further needs before heading off. I ensure they feel grounded and stable and have access to any resources they might need to further their healing once they get home.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is an ancient healing practice Dr. Mikao Usui rediscovered through esoteric Buddhist teachings around the beginning of the 20th century. He brought the technique of channeling Reiki to Japan to heal others and taught and passed on attunements to some of his students. It is a specific and universal healing energy that is channeled from an attuned practitioner to a client. The sent Reiki energy is noninvasive and promotes physical, energetic, and emotional healing.

Although there is still an association with Japan as Reiki’s origins, Reiki is as old as humanity. It is an ancient healing practice that humans lost the ability to connect with over the past two millennia. My shamanic lineage utilized Reiki energy, among other energy healing techniques, including energy medicine. Energy healing was essential to our shamanic practice in a landscape with a very short growing season for medicinal plants and animals. Shamans in my lineage recognize that Reiki and other energy healing frequencies were brought to humans by Reindeer, and it is Reindeer who makes his shamans energy healers.

What are the benefits of Reiki?

From: the International Association of Reiki Professionals – https://iarp.org/reiki-life-stages/

“Reiki treats numerous physical maladies, emotional imbalances, mental disturbances, and spiritual afflictions. It also extends its healing energies to nurture your environment and strengthen your relationships.

Some specific benefits include:

  • Pain, stresses, and agitations that are associated with long-term suffering can benefit from cumulative Reiki treatments.
  • Reiki can be safely used in conjunction with all other conventional health practices.
  • The swiftness of Reiki’s healing properties has demonstrated that it is an effective first-aid
  • Reiki assists us in letting go of the aspects of our lives that negatively impact us.
  • Reiki can expedite the body’s natural healing ability reducing the recovery periods that follow surgeries and injuries.
  • Using Reiki may awaken or improve spiritual awareness.
  • Reiki releases toxins. clearing our bodies of impurities and stagnant energies.
  • Reiki will penetrate beyond obvious systematic conditions of the body and treat the underlying causes of illness.“

What’s the difference between energy medicine and Reiki?

Energy medicine is a term used by a variety of healers, including some shamans, to describe the practice of healing and balancing the body’s chakras, meridians, and energy field through the direct manipulation of these areas. Some techniques include meridian tracing, acupressure, and moving the hands through the aura/energy field, or chakras.

Energy medicine differs from Reiki in that it is a “hands-on” method of interacting with the energetic body, while Reiki focuses on sending healing universal energy to the body’s physical and energetic systems to achieve healing and balance. The two therapies complement each other, and I work with both of them along with reflexology in my energy-healing work.

What professional training/education do you have?

Energy Reading and Tracking, Level 3, 15 hr class series, Healer Aileen Dashurova, 2025
Divine Sleep® Yoga Nidra Guide Training, Jennifer Reis Yoga, 2025
RISE: The Kripalu Approach to Resilience,15 hr class, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, 2024
Reiki 3 Master/Teacher Training Certification, Usui and Hayashi Methods, Garden Gate Herbals, 2024
Energy Reading and Tracking, Levels 1 & 2, Healer Aileen Dashurova, 40 hrs total, 2024
Ordained Interfaith Minister, The Esoteric Interfaith Church, 2023
Reflexology Certificate Program, The Centre for Excellence, 2023
Prana Yoga for Mental Health, 25 hr course, Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, 2022
Essentials of Energy Medicine Certification, Eden Energy Medicine, 2022
Crystal Healing Workshops, Love & Light School of Crystal Therapy, 2022
Reiki 2 Certification, Usui and Hayashi Methods, Garden Gate Herbals, 2021
Hospice Volunteer Training, Beacon Hospice, 2018
Mental Health First Aid, the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 2018
Reiki 1 Certification, Usui Shiki Ryoho, Karen Selznick, 2016
Ordained Pagan Minister, The Society of Elder Faiths, 2015
Master of Science in Conservation Biology, Antioch University New England, 2002

Professional Associations:
International Association of Reiki Professionals
Society for Shamanic Practice

Where are you located?

North Central Massachusetts in the US – my healing office is located at 69 Broadway St., in Westford, Massachusetts.

Are you insured?

Yes; I have liability insurance through the International Association of Reiki Professionals.

What payment options do you accept?

I can accept payment through Venmo, Paypal, Cash App, and debit or credit cards via Square. I also accept gift cards through Spa Week.

What is your cancellation or refund policy?

Healing sessions canceled or rescheduled 24 hours or more before the scheduled appointment time will receive a full refund (if canceling) or a transfer of their full session cost. An appointment no-show forfeits the entire session cost. Cancellations with less than 24 hours notice incur a $15 administration fee and a refund of the remaining session cost. Please see our full Return and Refund policy page for more information.

How do you use the data collected on your website?

Please see our full Privacy Policy (https://inkwoodhealing.com/privacy-policy/) for information on how we use all data we receive, including that for our mailing list.