Nearly class time
In just 4 days, we meet for our Reiki I class - are you ready? (Though I've posted it on my women's creative group, this class is open to both women and men, and children over 12)
This is always a precious time of anticipation and preparation, for both students and teacher. I'll be pulling together handouts and supplies, and getting my extra massage table from storage.
Reiki Class in progress
Several students will be joining from our community, plus a few family members. I always look forward to seeing how the class unfolds, and the insights that sparkle through.
At times, students ask 'how to decide' where they fit on the sliding scale. Since I began teaching Reiki in the fall of 1991, I've wanted to make Reiki initiation available to anyone who felt called to do the work. I've also realized, like Hawayo Takata, that there needed to be an 'energy exchange' for students to value the teachings.
In her stories about Reiki, Mrs Takata shared that as she began teaching (in the late 1930s), she wanted to initiate friends & family at no charge, but was discouraged from doing so by her teacher, Hayashi Sensei. She decided to go ahead with several of these initiations, but quickly found those students didn't trust their own abilities, and asked HER to do the healings!
For reference, the fee is just a bit higher than that for my own first Reiki class (in 1989) $125-, which was in line with other 2 day workshops I took.
In her stories about Reiki, Mrs Takata shared that as she began teaching (in the late 1930s), she wanted to initiate friends & family at no charge, but was discouraged from doing so by her teacher, Hayashi Sensei. She decided to go ahead with several of these initiations, but quickly found those students didn't trust their own abilities, and asked HER to do the healings!
For reference, the fee is just a bit higher than that for my own first Reiki class (in 1989) $125-, which was in line with other 2 day workshops I took.
I offer both a sliding scale and take payments, which helps bring balance; students who can afford higher tuition supports the training of those who don't have as much. This is in the spirt of ᎦᏚᎩ (ga-du-gi) working together for the good of all
Just for today, be kind to others
Just for today, be kind to others
How exciting! I hope you and your students will have a fruitful class with lots of positiv energy!
ReplyDeleteNot sure what Mrs Takata's bottom line is. Was the class not valued because it was free of charge?
Thank you, Tamara!
DeleteYes, because they hadn't given anything in exchange for the training, they somehow didn't feel they had all they needed - that shewas the 'healer', not them!
Also, in the late 30s, Reiki wasn't really known in Hawaii, so she was the only one they knew who practiced it...
Funny story - at the healing retreat in Oregon where i began teaching Reiki 53 years later, I offered classes for staff members for just 25$ (in line with many of our teachers, who offered big discountsfor staff) ... and my students happily used their new skills.
Then, one of the staff returned from India where she'd gone for a yoga retreat. She was interested, but told me I shouldn't charge staff anything! ... I explained about the energy exchange to 'claim' the teachings, and that it didn't need to be funds ....
The next year, she returned from a trip to Mexico, and had brught back woven scarves to be sold in our little store for about 25$. She turned to me, asking 'would you like one in exchange for the Reiki class?' YES! She tool my next class!
I can feel the anticipation as you bring reiki to new people. What an exciting threshold for you, for them, and for the lives of people who will benefit from this expansion! Love the concept of "Working together for the good of all." Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteYes, it's always an exciting time for me!
DeleteIsn't it a lovely concept! The Cherokee guidelines are all so supportive - one is to 'hold on tight to each other.' In our summer language class, Woi explained it by having a student shake his hand - then, they moved their hands to clasp each other's forearm, and he said, 'if one of us was falling, this firm grip would hold the other up!'
Your classroom setup looks so inviting and cozy! I’m sure the students will love learning in such a warm environment. Wishing you a wonderful class time ahead! #Blogboost
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jazzy!
DeleteThe friend's office where we'll be for this class is also lovely, with cozy couches, and a treatment room for the exchanges!
I love that you offer a sliding scale and payment plans! But it seems weird to me that anyone would equate a lack of confidence with not having to pay for what you learned. I've learned lots of things for free and felt fully confident that I could do what I'd just learned to do. Hope your class brings you joy and fulfillment.
ReplyDeleteMe, too, Jeanine!!
DeleteI'm delighted that our ᏣᎳᎩ (tsalagi/ Cherokee language and culture classes are Free - AND that the Nation pays the teachers! And offer my bimonthly at/ craft circles at no charge - though I pay for a zoom account!
It's always intriguing to see people's reasoning around that - both ways! 'Shouldn't have to pay/ healers shouldn't charge ...' in this time of individual living and expenses for housing, etc.!
Or - if you charge less, is the teaching really worth while?