Our autumn issue is out now. Editor Alison McEvoy writes on the practice of Reiki. Dive on in to find out more…
Reiki
Lake Shore Calling: An Inspired Healing Centre
One of the amazing holistic luminaries we interviewed for our Autumn 2021 issue was Yvonne Skelly. Yvonne is a healer and visionary entrepreneur who runs three wellness businesses – the newest of which is the beautiful Lake Shore Wellness Centre, located in Blessington.
Healing With Dheai: A Meeting With the Acupuncturist and Author
Dheai Ilsaaid is a general Oriental practitioner and author who has trained extensively in acupuncture, Reiki, massage, iridology, cranial sacral manipulation and many more healing methodologies. He treats children under the age of fifteen for free. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. The best way to contact him is to call him on 086 077 7700. I met with Dheai to discuss the differences between Eastern and Western forms of medical treatment, how he approaches his healing sessions, and his new book, ‘Oriental Medicine & Eastern Philosophy’.
by Aisling Cronin
If you are looking for a comprehensive guide to the fundamental concepts that inform Oriental healing practices, Dheai Ilsaaid’s book Oriental Medicine & Eastern Philosophy is one to read. Two of the most important concepts – Qi and Yin/Yang – are explained succinctly in the book. Dheai says, “Qi (Chi) is the life force of every living thing in the universe. Just as different cells have different functions in the body, so also are there different types of Qi, relating to the different organs and their functions. There is Yin Qi and Yang Qi.”
Of Yin and Yang, Dheai says, “Yin is the fluid aspect of everything. Its function in the human body is to cool and moisturise and nourish the cells and organs. Yang represents the warming and the pushing upwards activities, such as circulation. Hence, Yin needs Yang. Yin is fluid in nature, Yang is movement or energy.”
Dheai treats a wide range of both mental and physical ailments such as insomnia, depression, respiratory problems, epilepsy, arthritis, infertility, high blood pressure and diabetes. Dheai uses many techniques to assess his clients’ ailments, based on the philosophies of yin and yang and the five elements. These techniques include facial diagnosis, tongue diagnosis and pulse diagnosis. He may also recommend treatments for the subconscious mind, including neurolinguistic programming techniques, positive affirmations, mindfulness, meditation, dream interpretation and hypnosis.
Dheai believes in treating each client as an individual, rather than assuming that every person who comes to his clinic with a similar complaint must have an identical cause behind that complaint. During our conversation, he offered a simple example of three people coming to him with a headache. One client may have developed a headache because of suppressed anger, another could be dealing with suppressed jealousy, while the third client’s headache might be caused by a poor sleeping pattern.
Bearing this in mind, when Dheai diagnoses a client, he uses a range of indicators to determine their health issues, then selects the best treatment for that specific individual. These treatments can include nutritional advice, a course of acupuncture treatments, exercises to improve postural alignment, or specific types of physical movements that retrain the subconscious mind.
Dheai is enthusiastic and passionate about spreading his knowledge about health to as many people as possible. He treats children under the age of fifteen for free. Children must be accompanied by an adult guardian when they visit his clinic.
Dheai practices in Waterford, Templemore and Dublin. He also runs his own Private College of Acupuncture and Oriental Complementary Medicine. The best way to contact Dheai is to call him on 086 077 7700. His website is generalorientalpractitioner.
This is taken from our Spring 2015 issue. Subscribe here to receive our summer issue.
“If they could give you just one tip each for healthier, happier lives, Olivier says, “Do everything from a place of love.” Yvonne says, “Listen to your heart, follow your gut.” They both agree five hugs a day is an equally good alternative!”
By Elva Carri
In 2014, Olivier and Yvonne, co-owners of Naas Holistic Centre, met through a series of fateful coincidences that resulted in the pair deciding to open a space where therapists and clients could blossom into their highest potential. Olivier originally studied mathematics, “… which I believed to be the only absolute science at the time. I graduated as an Engineer in Applied Mathematics,” and now describes himself as a natural healer.
Having spent considerable time developing his skills, he is now passing these skills onto others through workshops as well as restoring clients back to full health. Yvonne, a Dublin native, began her healing journey when she was initiated into Reiki. Yvonne had never experienced Reiki before attending the training and says she didn’t know much about it, but felt a strong intuitive urge to train and notes that this strong intuitive guidance is what has driven her towards many different healing modalities and experiences.
When I asked if there were any therapies or treatments they were particularly excited about, they mentioned Solfeggio sound healing. “It’s still relatively new in Ireland. During a session, the client lies on a massage plinth while the therapist uses solfeggio tuning forks on and around the body, concentrating on the auditory system and energy centres in the body.” Yvonne is a pioneer of this therapy in Ireland and Olivier attests to the benefits of it.
If they could give you just one tip each for healthier, happier lives, Olivier says, “Do everything from a place of love.” Yvonne says, “Listen to your heart, follow your gut.” They both agree five hugs a day is an equally good alternative!
This is taken from our Spring 2015 issue. Subscribe here to receive our summer issue.
Izabella Linuza, Artist
Intimacy, for me, is a beautifully intense connection with another. The Celtic term for this contact is “anam cara,” meaning soul friend. With my anam cara, a deep, eternal union is rooted. Openly, I share the innermost aspects of my Self with this person.
Within the depths of the others’ eyes, our own reflection is confronted. In these gloriously intimate moments, we take off our masks, revealing our vulnerable selves – our most pure essence. Ego leaves this space for us. We have channelled a force greater than ourselves where selfless-love flows, uniting us. We melt away into a perfect Oneness.
Among the Na’vi tribe in the film Avatar, the phrase “I See You” is used as a greeting. It means “I understand you. I see your love, your feelings and your soul.” This phrase illustrates intimacy oh so majestically.
Love & Light.
Declan Hammond, Homeopath, Shamanic Therapist & Co-Founder of ISH
Intimacy has become almost an obsession for me. It is what I crave most in my relationships with lovers; what I value most in my friendships. It feeds me on every level, makes my heart sing, turns me on, adds juiciness and aliveness to my every contact, and is a constant reminder of all the riches that life offers.
Rooted in presence and acceptance, it invites me to live my life in the most authentic way, to trust and to relate honestly, to listen and share without prejudice, to move beyond the tyranny of old stories and meet the other in trust, without barriers or projections.
Whether alone in nature, in my lover’s embrace or in a gathering of friends, intimacy calls me home, reminds me of who and what I am, and challenges me constantly to be fully alive to all of life and love’s possibilities.
www.ish.ie
Lucie Chvojková, Tantra Counselor
The first time I had a tantric massage, I discovered how natural and liberating nakedness in this context can be. Not only can it bring deep relaxation, but also a new knowledge of your body and soul.
Some people believe that intimacy equals sex. For me, sex is only one ingredient for creating intimacy. Tantra has taught me that sex is a nice but superficial exchange of energy, while lovemaking with full presence creates a deep soul connection which provides a high level of intimacy between partners. It is a mosaic that is formed gradually and consists of many stones.
Intimacy involves lowering your defences and sharing that fragile part of your soul that may have been hurt in the past, trusting your partner not to hurt you again. It is about being able to share the whole range of feelings and experiences we have as human beings.
Xavier Vercaemst, Amatsu & Reiki Practitioner
Intimacy is a deep-rooted art that I use in every waking moment of my personal life, as well as my professional one. This sacred form of communication, mainly done by touch, translates to a non-verbal connection with myself, my partner and my clients. Moreover, I’m able to touch people’s hearts in an intimate way by the words coming from the depth of my soul, which connect to their true essence and transcend their Ego.
I practise this art by staying completely present, embodied, and with an intention of care or appreciation for every person I meet.
In this fast-paced society, which focuses on material matters, I truly believe that this art of intimacy seems to make my personal, social and healing practice more fun and deeply felt, and opens people’s hearts to amazing beauty and healing.
Vered Zur, Co-founder of Expressive Arts Ireland
I am a woman, a wife, a mother, an expressive arts therapist and nature lover. I would like to share a wonderful moment in my life: Nature; standing on a cliff. Sunset; the sea looks beautiful and the sun slowly sinks into the water, touches in a gentle moment of wonder. The day is about to end and a new era begins. It is my wedding. I can feel my heartbeat. I can see the eyes of my partner as we are ready for the moment, to create our unique commitment of intimacy that will follow us as years go by.
Being intimate is building meaningful friendship and close relationship, allowing complete honesty. I have the ability to hear and feel parts of my heart touching the soul. Love and trust fulfil my heart. It is the artwork of nature’s harmony.
My life is compounded with memories that include intimacy and powerful moments.
expressiveartsireland.com
Mick Sawtell, Tantra Therapist
A few years ago, feeling that it was time for some emotional and sexual healing, I decided to go for a tantric massage.
I arrived feeling very vulnerable, but ready to take what seemed like a giant step into total intimacy with a complete stranger. As the process unfolded, we gracefully ended up naked, with her request to keep my eyes closed, focus within, breathe consciously and feel. The massage was soft, caring, sensual and exotic.
The sexual feelings seemed so innocent within a safe feeling of real intimacy. As the massage evolved and reached new levels of intimate touch, I found myself starting to weep. It was such a beautiful, liberating feeling to receive a heartfelt genital massage with no sexual expectation attached to it.
At the end of the massage, I was floating deep in my heart in a place of Heavenly Bliss. WOW!
Tantra-TLC.com
By Geraldine Walsh
Giving time and space at the Dublin Positive Health Centre
I could very easily get lost in the wilderness and never come back; that would actually suit me down to the ground. Some of the experiences I have had in this life so far have been very challenging, but I suppose what kept me on track were the wonderful therapies I experienced, such as Homeopathy, Reiki, Seichem and Shamanic Therapy & Counselling. I survived and blossomed, embracing those same therapies, learning them along with life’s experiences. I decided that I could support others on their journey too, and now my dreams have come to fruition with the setting up of the “Dublin Positive Health Centre.” It’s been amazing.
Travelling abroad, we’d turn a corner and say “Let’s see what happens,” with no expectations, just going with the flow of spirit. Those travels were life changing; and this is very much a parallel to the way I now work with clients, allowing that which needs to change the space to make that turnabout, without judgement or expectation.
I especially enjoy the practice of Shamanic therapy; witnessing that shift take place right there during the treatment. These techniques are especially beautiful because they allow the client to be a part of understanding that shift while allowing it to happen knowingly and to work with it afterwards.
I continue to travel, bringing me back to that hermetic sense of peace, away from it all, refuelling and refreshing me for the work that I do.
Taking a Leap
My name is Karoona Jhugaroo. I’m originally from Mauritius, grew up in England, and have been living in Ireland for seven years. One year ago I took a massive leap – I let go of my secure and well-paid job, and started my own reiki centre Rainkoat Energy Therapy.
In the beginning I thought the word reiki sounded odd and mystical. It was ironic when I discovered the name karuna reiki – it’s the original Sanskrit of my name, which means compassion. I think I was searching for something more meaningful in my life, but I was afraid of change. When I discovered that reiki was energy and frequencies, it made sense to me. From witnessing sickness at home as a child, I always had an innate feeling that we can do more about healing and refuelling ourselves. I began a journey into the unknown; a little journey into me.
I learned so much during my years of reiki training. It helped me let go of the layers and conditioning. Conflict at home had an immense impact on my childhood. Like many second generation offspring, my sister and I felt confused as we were expected to be Westerners at school and traditional at home in aspects such as discipline, dress, food, and living in general. It seemed that we had to be part of a culture we didn’t really know about. Then my parents’ marriage took a turn for the worse, making a stale and extremely sad home. It’s funny that as children we’re asked to learn from adults. And now as adults we’re searching for that place we had as children – shedding the conditioning, finding clarity, and peace.
I’ve come to realise it’s about faith in yourself and taking responsibility for the circumstances that surround you. You are the lever for change and your past has equipped you for it. Everything we have been through means we have all the experience and wisdom required to handle today. Everything seems relevant to me now; every coincidence and every circumstance. Synchronicities indicate that I’m on the right path, but of course I am – where else would I be!
Many of my parents’ traditions were based on natural remedies like respect, chakras, and yoga. The ironic thing now is I’ve done a full circle, returned to my roots, and made peace with my past. It’s funny how you can always join the dots when you look back.
You know it’s amazing how the body can heal itself – even a group of people together can create such a flow of energy in one room. Like last weekend, I had a gathering of friends and we all lay on the floor with duvets and mediated.
Looking back I can’t believe where I am today. If you take a leap the prospects are amazing. Embracing change is important because change is the only thing that’s constant. Did you know that there’s no cell in your body now that was the same seven years ago? That means we go in cycles. We keep evolving, in fact, we have to. To recognise this, one needs to be still. Then you have the ability to open up your desire to know more. By taking that first leap the rest will follow. I can vouch for that.
www.rainkoat.com
In conversation with Katie Roche.
By Patricia Sheehan
In 2002, I had been working in the Pharmaceutical Industry for twenty years. I loved my job – great working hours: 7:30am to 1:30pm, allowing me time with my husband and three boys – then aged 5, 7 and 10. Also, I loved the people I worked with. So, why resign?
From as far back as I can remember, I have always been interested and intrigued with the vastness of our universe, and with how we can extend our minds beyond what we normally comprehend. At age fourteen, my Dad brought me to Transcendental Meditation. It was very different at that time, but I loved it and meditated daily from the age of 14 to about 20. I then came across Silva Mind Development in 1984. I found it great for expanding my mind, to be more effective. Around this time, I had also taken up Skydiving and found the Silva Mind Development techniques great in this regard. I represented Ireland over 7 years on the National Irish Skydiving team and have a couple of world record achievements to my name and over 1,800 skydives.
Still, I was looking for something!
In 1998, I came across Reiki. Reiki is a simple, hands-on, energy healing technique. It relaxes both the mind and body, releasing physical tension and allowing balance back into mind, body and spirit. One of the best things about Reiki is that it works beyond your mind. So even in those moments when you don’t feel like doing anything, Reiki will bring this powerful divine energy or universal conscious energy through you and alter your state to a happier, more peaceful one. As you clear your energy system, you automatically have more healing energy coming through your hands to provide healing for yourself and others.
After my Reiki Level 1 workshop, I knew this was it, this was a new beginning. I knew I had been looking for something beyond the confines of my mind and, at the same time, I wanted to connect to something greater than myself, but which is also a part of myself. Reiki goes beyond the mind to connect with universal consciousness, all-knowing self and spirit.
At that time, I was juggling a full-time job and looking after our three boys: Tadhg, age 6, Myles, age 3 and Ruairi, age 1. So, life, you could say, was hectic. But even the night routine for the boys was teeth, story and Reiki. Minor ailments like coughs and colds, stomach pains, headaches, etc., were all managed through Reiki. Reiki automatically boosts your immune system. I could see that the boys were not succumbing to normal childhood ailments, or if they did, I would Reiki them for whatever time was needed until they got over the issues, generally with their own energy. I was always healthy, luckily, so I didn’t see any physical changes for myself. I was becoming happier, peaceful and more relaxed.
After Reiki Level 2, in January 1998, I knew I wanted to share my Reiki more and work with other people. Then, in September 2000, I did my Reiki Advanced Practitioner Level. My yearning was to start working at Reiki, but in my mind the question was, “How?” We had 3 young children, a mortgage, and I was well paid, with a pensionable, professional job. It didn’t seem possible. Then, I came across a course called “The Landmark Forum” in February 2002. In this weekend course, I got to understand that anything is possible. I altered my view of life to “anything is possible”. Within 4 months, I had resigned from twenty years in the Pharmaceutical Industry and set up my own Reiki Practice as a Reiki Teacher and Practitioner.
It all happened in 2002. By then, a group of eighty Reiki people from around Ireland met to start up a Professional Reiki Body in Ireland. I joined and, with others, we worked together to establish Reiki Federation Ireland. I became their first PRO. Reiki Federation Ireland is voluntarily run by enthusiastic Reiki Practitioners and Teachers who have an interest in promoting Reiki in Ireland and having Reiki Healing available in mainstream health care. Reiki is finding its place and is being integrated into mainstream health, so people can use Reiki for health maintenance for themselves and their families. Follow your heart, listen to your spirit and your body will be at home.
Reiki Practitioners and Teachers can be found on our Website www.reikifederationireland.com or by phoning 0879819366