This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to learn about Reiki or is already practising, with specific emphasis on self-care through Reiki. The writing is scholarly, bringing it gravitas, but it is also approachable, which makes you feel like you're in good hands. Kindred Spirit Issue 182 July/August 2022 page 88 ~ Kindred Spirit, Review

Taking it back to its origin, Buddhist monk Mikao Usui introduced the energy-healing therapy of reiki in 1920 in Japan before it came to the United States in the 1940s, and then Europe in the 1980s. The aim of the practice? To provide for improved physical, mental, and emotional well-being via meditation, mindfulness, hands-on healing, attunements, and the use of symbols and mantras. Thus Reiki: A Self-Practice To Live in Peace with Self and Others is an easy to read, easy to understand and easy to put into motion new book from both Elise Brenner, PHD & Nancy Spatz, MD opens a door to a mindful way of living with ease rather than struggle. Whether it is fear of coronavirus, receiving texts in ALL CAPS, a frightening diagnosis, or worry over a child, the self-Reiki practices introduced here will alleviate pain and overwhelm, ushering in mindfulness, resilience, and recovery capacity. With their collective hope that their new book will democratize and demystify the teachings and practices of Reiki, bringing them into the direct reach of all members of the human community, both Brenner and Spatz bring forth a book that admirably showcases a way for those seeking a natural, non-pharmaceutical, strengths-based approach to health, mindfulness, resilience, and inner peacefulness. As I would hope we all know by now, and as a form of journalistic side bar, while Reiki is not meant to replace scientifically backed strategies prescribed by medical professionals, it can most definitely be called upon to complement other healing practices. And sure, though you cannot technically practice Reiki on yourself until after completing Reiki Level 1 training, you can use such things as Seven-Step Reiki re: a self-healing practice (much like the ones outlined here in this book) to your benefit at home (whether stuck in a lockdown, sheltering whilst in quarantine, and beyond). In closing, and as with any tool for transformation, the growth happens in consistently showing up for the practice and so we highly recommend you visit this book (regularly) to learn more about Reiki and its possible benefits for your very own mind, body and soul. FULL REVIEW: https://annecarlini.com/ex_books.php?id=277 ~ Exclusive Magazine, Review

In their book, Reiki: A Self-Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others, Elise Brenner and Nancy Spatz present effective personal practices rooted in the stress-reducing healing system known as Reiki. Their grounded, scientifically-referenced approach is expertly coupled with precise instructions and illustrative anecdotes. As a result, they succeed in connecting with the mainstream audience who are increasingly ready to invest in their own mind-body relationship for better health, mindfulness and inner peace. A comprehensive instructional manual of self-practice for wellbeing, all that remains is the commitment to personal practice by the reader. People of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs may benefit from this practice to experience increased inner calm, resiliency through challenging periods and an emboldened courageousness to engage with life more authentically. ~ Andrea Kennedy : Reiki Master Teacher. Founder of Mainstream Reiki, Review

Scholarly, thought provoking, and filled with clinical acumen, Brenner and Spatz have composed a comprehensive guide to the nature and practice of Reiki at a time when it is most welcome in our world as we live through current turbulence, including the pandemic of 2019. This lively and lovely text offers children, adolescents and adults alike readily accessible practices to steady the mind and restore wellbeing. Brenner and Spatz are grounded in an understanding of child, adolescent and adult development and they have modified Reiki practice to meet the needs of individuals of all ages. Parents will find it heartwarming to practice Reiki with their children and share with them the calming space where more authentic relationships can blossom. This book is clearly a gem and a welcomed resource for clinicians and the persons in their care! Rosemarie E. Camoscio, M.D. Child, Adolescent, Adult Psychiatrist ~ Rosemarie E. Camoscio, M.D., Child, Adolescent, Adult Psychiatrist

Reiki: Self Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others has arrived at an unprecedented time of individual and societal stress over the pandemic and social unrest. Drs. Brenner and Spatz have successfully presented a concise historical review of the origins of Reiki as well as the basis for the healing effects of Reiki on the mind, body, and spirit. The emphasis on hara breathing in conjunction with hands-on-healing and meditation techniques offers clear and practical instruction to achieve individual inner peace and calm and share this empowerment with others. The authors have skillfully outlined Reiki techniques for the individual to develop a sense of inner strength to meet life’s challenges, and through the teachings of the 5 Precepts develop a connection with and compassion for others. This book offers an excellent resource for those of us in healthcare to employ in our personal lives, and I also look forward to sharing this great contribution with colleagues and patients. ~ Nancy Efferson-Bonachea, MD , Ophthalmologist, Vitreo-retinal Specialist Private Practice since 1996, Tufts Medical School, MD 1990, Washington Hospital Center Internship Internal Medicine 1990-1991, Ophthalmology Residency and Vi

I have spent many years cultivating my own mindfulness practice out of necessity, and teaching this to others who work in healthcare. Working in the industry is extremely stressful, with myself and colleagues being both squeezed and stretched from all directions, and being asked to do more with less. Then, the pandemic seemed to change everything. For caregivers on the front lines, the stress levels amplified. We were asked for the first time to help in a real war, with a real threat of personal injury or death while enduring reduced pay. Images of our comrades falling in the line of duty either on the news or in person was distressing to see. Now that the memory of the pandemic surge of the spring of 2020 is fading, society is left with the challenge of picking up the pieces of a damaged medical system. There are many things that third parties such as the government and the insurance industry can do to repair things. But there are many things that we in the business of healthcare can also do to help ourselves. I have to admit I didn’t know very much about Reiki. A colleague and nurse in the operating room, now retired, was a Reiki practitioner and a wellness champion. She helped me out once with a laying of hands when I threw out my back one day moving equipment at work. Prior to reading this book, this was all I knew about the practice. This book by Drs. Brenner and Spatz has opened my eyes to another realm of self care that is welcome and sorely needed during these challenging times. There are many aspects of the book that resonate with me. Here at last is a technique for a more deliberate practice of developing calm from within. Reiki is a method to decrease the idle speed of our minds, to slow down our internal and mental processes, to reduce wear and tear on our systems. Furthermore I could now imagine a basic philosophical principle that if shared by all society, could possibly lead to a kinder and gentler way of approaching our problems. Notwithstanding, there are enormous economic and political forces that can be resisted by reducing our anxiety laden reactions to the media, daily interactions with others, and our expectations of life. This book can benefit not only healthcare and front line workers, but society as a whole that needs to grapple with and adjust to the new realities of life that this year has brought us. Resilience is a key skill that will help to see us through and possibly even flourish under adverse conditions. I feel privileged to have read this book, and I hope that readers will benefit from the same comfort and reassurance that its lessons provide. ~ Edwin T. Ozawa, MD , Lahey Hospital & Medical Center Burlington, MA

They had me hooked with the title alone! “Reiki: A Self-Practice To Live in Peace with Self and Others”. A brilliant definition of the practice and offering of Reiki that so many struggle to understand, describe and validate. Elise Brenner & Nancy Spatz have written a book that flows, comforts and guides with the ease of Reiki itself. It is clearly written from direct experience. The intentional choices in language as an act of compassion to reach and welcome all people, is clearly felt and appreciated. This book is a timely and needed addition to the libraries of Reiki texts. It will be a valuable resource for teachers, practitioners and students, as well as anyone with curiosity, facing challenges with life, or simply seeking peace. ~ Lonnie Poland, Physical Therapist, Reiki & Yoga practitioner/teacher, President Vermont Reiki Association

The ultimate guide to self-healing the soul, interpersonal relations and the world, Reiki: A Self-Practice To Live in Peace with Self and Others, provides the reader a captivating and practical guide for developing a strong self-reiki practice. This book could not be more timely in light of current affairs as our nation reels from a pandemic and highly escalated racial tensions. Brenner and Spatz have hit a homerun for energy healing with this guide that provides real-world examples making it easy to understand how reiki assists in healing. A must read! ~ Maisie Raftery, Publisher, Natural Awakenings Magazine Boston

This book is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to learn about Reiki. Mind-body practice has so much to offer us, especially during difficult times. ~ Valerie Leiter,PhD, Professor of Public Health & Sociology, Chair, Department of Public Health Simmons University, Author,Their Time Has Come: Youth with Disabilities on the Cusp of Adulthood,Editor, The Sociology of Hea

What a joy to find a resource that reminds me that self-care is not a luxury but an integral part of the Reiki journey. Drs. Brenner and Spatz create a path through the confusion and upheaval of today’s times to an oasis of centered calm and clear thinking. The principles contained in this book allow the reader to integrate beloved basics with a broader perspective of reiki self-care that leads to a more loving practice. I know that this will be a reference that I will use often. Barbara Gray, Master Reiki Practitioner ~ Barbara Gray, Master Reiki Practitioner

I love the concept of the book, taking Usui’s powerful wellness and spiritual living principles and making them understandable and usable for even people who haven’t taken Reiki training, to develop a self-care, self-practice. Your combining of the snow globe, palm tree and mountain metaphors are a wonderful way to focus on the importance of being anchored in the Hara, and then applying mindfulness to embody the Precepts for us "to build an inner mind-body unshakable foundation" against the waves of change and adversity for living life with ease rather than struggling, is especially important during these challenging times! I can also see the book further bridging the gap between traditional Japanese Reiki practice and practitioners and Western Reiki practice and practitioners. Reiki: A Self-Practice to Live in Peace with Self and Others brings Reiki out into the world in unique ways! ~ Lou Orson, Northeast Reiki Center