Reiki

RESTORING HARMONY & VITALITY WITHIN

I was introduced to Reiki many years ago by my design boss back in Peru when I was starting my career in graphic design before I got into the healing arts, she was design director and a Reiki practitioner.

Since I can remember, I have been interested in anything mystic, so when I heard about Reiki I got into it straight away! Fast forward 13 years, and I was at my very first Reiki class in Sydney, Australia. I now offer and teach Reiki in New York City. This journey has been truly transformative for me, I’m so happy to share it with you!

Below, I’ll cover what is Reiki energy, where it came from, and what Reiki is best used for.

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle yet powerful form of energy healing that originated in Japan. 

The practice is based on the belief that there is an unseen life force energy flowing through all living beings, and disruptions in this energy can lead to physical, emotional, and spiritual imbalances. 

It works with the body's natural energy centers to promote balance, relaxation, and improve overall well-being.

Reiki sessions help you reconnect with inner harmony and tap into your body's innate healing abilities. Sessions also help to reestablish the energy flow between energy centers (chakras) that may be stuck or blocked.

Curious what it’s like “Becoming a Reiki Healer”? Anyone can learn Reiki, whether you want to practice on yourself or share with others, if you feel called to! I teach Reiki in New York City. 

The Light Arts Reiki, Reiki healing, energy healing
the Light arts Reiki sessions NYC

What is the History of Reiki?

The traditional Reiki story begins in Japan in the 1800s with Mikao Usui – but Reiki was ancient even then! 

What is known as Reiki today, was known in India from the time of Gautama Siddhartha, and was partly described in the Buddhist Sutras (holy books). Today, now that I’m a shamanic practitioner, I realised that shamanism was talking about Ki since the beginning of time as well.

Usui named the energy of healing Reiki, which means Universal Life Force. This combines the Japanese words “Rei,” meaning universal, and “Ki,” meaning life energy.

Ch’i or Ki is an electrical type of energy that creates the body and determines its state of health. Ki in Japan, Ch’i in China, Prana in India, Ruach in Hebrew – you could go on describing the history of energy in various cultures.

Ki is also the essential life force of the Earth, the planets, the stars – these energy sources affect any living body’s Ki. Everything contains Ki and radiates it – this is the biomagnetic energy of the aura. Learn more about the story of Mikao Usui here. 

the Light arts Reiki sessions NYC
The Light arts Reiki
The Light Arts Reiki, Reiki healing, energy healing
The Light arts Reiki session

What is Reiki Good for?

Reiki energy is always used for the highest good of all involved. Reiki is pure loving energy from universal source. 

There’s no such thing as someone using Reiki energy to send low vibes. It wouldn’t work, it wouldn’t flow! So, no harm can be done with Reiki.

  • Promoting relaxation: Reiki is renowned for its ability to induce a state of deep relaxation and calm, helping to alleviate stress and tension.

  • Balancing the energy centers: By clearing blockages and aligning the body's energy centers, Reiki restores balance to the mind, body, and spirit. It also addresses emotional and spiritual aspects, fostering a sense of peace and well-being.

  • Supporting healing: Reiki can accelerate the body's natural healing processes, supporting recovery from illness, injury, or emotional trauma. People living with health conditions or terminal illnesses can receive Reiki alongside their regular treatment.

  • Enhancing overall well-being: Regular Reiki sessions can boost energy levels, improve sleep quality, and overall well-being.

  • Offer pain relief: Many individuals find relief from chronic pain and discomfort through regular Reiki sessions.

  • Managing stress: The gentle nature of Reiki therapy has a soothing effect on patients who are overwhelmed with invasive therapies, resulting in fear or stress.

Reiki treatment should not be used as a substitute for the consultation of a physician or a psychotherapist.

For more information go to the FAQ page.

The Light Arts Reiki session

What Happens in a Reiki treatment?

Anyone can receive Reiki, from a baby to an ill person, a plant, pet – even food. 

In my experience, people perceive Reiki in a range of ways, some say that the practitioner’s hands become hot, others report cooling hands, and some feel pulsating waves. 

Generally, breathing slows down during a Reiki session, and so, blood pressure lowers. 

The most common reports are stress release, emotional calming, and deep relaxation. Some people fall asleep straight away, and describe the sensation of being fully present but also sleeping. 

What does this all mean? You be the judge.

A session can be as quick as 10 minutes or up to an hour. Offering Reiki in New York City, my sessions are usually an hour long.


Book a session here!

The Light arts, Reiki, energy healing

Like a massage for the soul

The Light Arts Reiki, Reiki healing, energy healing

What is ‘Distance Reiki’?
How Does It Work?

Distance Reiki sessions are for clients who may not be able to visit us in person or prefer the convenience of remote healing. 

It works on the principle that energy is not limited by time or space, but can be transmitted across any distance. 

During a Distance Reiki session, the practitioner channels healing energy to the recipient, who can be located anywhere in the world. 

Clients often find Distance Reiki to be just as effective as in-person sessions, with many experiencing profound relaxation, stress relief, and emotional balance from the comfort of their own home. 

If you're unable to attend an in-person session or prefer the convenience of remote healing, Distance Reiki could be the perfect option for you.

Book a Distance Reiki session here.


The Light Arts Reiki NYC and remote

Want to Receive Reiki in New York City, or Remotely?

Reiki is for the highest good of all beings.

If you feel you could benefit from receiving Reiki, book a session with me today!


  • “I’ve been fortunate enough to have had both Reiki and Access sessions with Vanessa. For a newbie to this world, and for someone who is quite subconsciously stressed through work, I find my sessions extremely relaxing and strangely resetting, something similar to a massage but with longer lasting mental benefits. The immediate impact to my balance has been a feeling of being centred, realigned. My sleep improves from that day, and I find a bounce in my step as I realise it’s more fun to live at a higher vibration. Vanessa has warm energy, creating an open and inclusive environment full of possibilities and with no judgement. Her ability to put you at ease from the moment your session begins is an amazing reassurance, and really allows you to receive all the goodness that she provides. I’m looking forward to my next session!”

    MARC H

  • “I stumbled upon Vanessa during a very confusing time in my life, and I am so grateful that I did. I have worked with many healers, and Vanessa is by far the most humble, caring, & knowledgeable. She takes the time to address your concerns and explains in great detail. You will not be disappointed working with Vanessa!”

    – Dawn W

  • “My mom choked on food and was resuscitated by paramedics 40 minutes later after being pronounced dead. At the hospital she was unresponsive for almost two weeks In a vegetative state. Vanessa came in to visit my mom three times and the last time it was only two hours prior to her passing. She gave me and my family so much insight about what my mom was thinking and feeling while she was in the vegetative state in the hospital. We had to resolve some issues in our family in front of my mom per Vanessa to give my mom the ultimate peace. This gave me and my family even more peace of mind and closeness with her passing, knowing she had some unsolved issues that now we resolved. Knowing your mom has resolved her issues before passing is a great gift that Vanessa has given us. I highly recommend her gift to any loved one going through what I went through with my mom. She is a real talent!”

    – JOEY O

  • “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Vanessa over the last 5 months, and she is a highly talented healer. The sessions I’ve had with Vanessa (both Reiki and Access Bars), have been instrumental in helping both catalyze and maintain my ongoing inner transformation. The sessions have helped shift my energy, add momentum to important life changes I was initiating, while also greatly helping me navigate the day-to-day with more grace and ease. Each session leaves me in a state of total peace, bliss, calm contentment. Incorporating sessions with Vanessa as an ongoing practice definitely helps cut through the mind clutter and quiet the noise, grounding

    KAREN B

  • “Vanessa unraveled in me, in a 20 minute conversation, what I had not been able to unravel by myself in two years. Her intuition is amazing and hearing from her the exact words that my mind and soul needed to hear in order to take the step that I did not dare, nor allow myself to take made me admire her even more since I am a hard person to convince. She gave me clarity and enthusiasm at the exact moment I needed it to destroy my own limitations and give my expansion a chance. I recommend making an appointment with her and start your journey with the message she comes to give us. Vanessa is light!✨”

    SANDRA V