ABT-accredited Reiki courses in serene surroundings
All About Your meets Sarah Boxer, Reiki Master and Teacher to learn more about her ABT accredited Reiki courses at her West Midlands' retreat
Located in the leafy suburbs of Stourbridge in the West Midlands, Sarah Boxer's Reiki retreat offers an oasis of calm and serenity for those looking to experience Reiki and learn the skill of this ancient form of healing.
After running a successful business in the eighties and nineties, Sarah's Reiki journey began whilst nursing her late husband after he experienced a major stroke and heart attack. During an eight-year period of caring for her husband and raising their three children, during which she undertook reflection and soul-searching, Sarah was introduced to Reiki by a friend who recommended it as a way of relaxation.
“I embarked upon the more holistic approach to life,” Sarah explains. “I did that for myself, to accept that certain things happen in life, that you have certain obstacles along your path, and I became involved within the Reiki sphere. Reiki is a more holistic approach to life, it's a great de-stressor, and I've never looked back.
“I've been involved in Reiki for 14 years now, and have been a Reiki Master since 2010. During the time that my husband was very poorly I needed to keep my brain working; I decided to do a whole myriad of different courses which were in holistics and beauty, and I also did a teaching qualification. I'm now teaching Reiki and my courses are accredited by ABT.”
Sarah practices and teaches the Usui system of Reiki, developed by Dr Mikao Usui in Japan during the last century. This system of healing is based on ancient teachings in Sanskrit which Dr Usui developed through extensive travel, research and meditation. “Reiki itself is a hands-on ancient Japanese energy technique that is a wonderful de-stressor, it's great for people who suffer from migraines, insomnia, aches and pains, anxiety, and stress. It can help with some skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis,” says Sarah. “It works on the premise that we have seven major chakras in our bodies, and if at any time one of these chakras is closed and the energy cannot get through, you start to feel out of sorts."
Sarah continues: “Reiki has no religion attached to it although there are certain symbols which have their roots in Buddhism. Usui Reiki uses a variety of Buddhist symbols to send out distance healing, so you can send healing to people who aren't necessarily with you, they are elsewhere in the world, and it can be sent to war zones, to world disasters, c climatic change.”
She adds: “In the West we lead such incredibly stressful lives, it's a rat race, and it's all self-inflicted. There is an increase in holistic therapies to help people de-stress. In the East they have been doing it for thousands of years. The West are now looking towards those ancient techniques such as meditation, Tai Chi and Reiki; they're becoming very popular. People are always talking about mindset, the Miracle Morning, these are things we should be integrating into our lives. , we should be integrating five minutes of meditation, to gather our energy, ready for the day. The same at night time; you should be coming back down again, relaxing before you go to bed, doing a little meditation. We should all be doing some form of exercise, every day, even if it's just walking.”
As well as running a successful therapy business (Totally Gorgeous by Sarah offers facials, eye treatments, hand and foot treatments, and spray tanning), and acting as an Independent Consultant for Arbonne, Sarah's Reiki 1, Reiki 2 and Reiki Master / Teacher courses are proving incredibly popular amongst those who would like to learn the hands-on healing technique for personal use, or who would like to work as Reiki practitioners themselves.
Two years ago, Sarah moved to her current premises, which enabled her to create a retreat complete with south facing garden, a summer house for relaxation, and garden room where Sarah undertakes treatments and Reiki attunements. The garden has a noticeable relaxing energy, and is adorned with Buddhist prayer flags, a water feature and Buddha statues, adding to the serene and calming atmosphere. An outdoor dining area allows students to bond whilst enjoying Sarah's selection of healthy refreshments, and students are welcome to use the garden for meditation and reflection, helping them to completely submerge themselves in Reiki's holistic approach to life.
Prior to undertaking a Reiki course, Sarah advises that students prepare by ensuring they are well-rested, have eaten a ‘clean' diet, and avoid alcohol. “You want to be able to get the most out of the weekend, because that weekend is all about you,” she says.
Sarah tells us a little more about her ABT accredited courses…
“Reiki 1 is for those who have expressed an interest in Reiki; it is just purely an introduction, for students to use to self-heal, and also for them to help friends and family, but not to go and practice or receive payment from the public.
“Reiki 2 is a progression from Reiki 1. If someone has undergone Reiki 1 training elsewhere and would like to train to Level 2 with me that's absolutely fine. I like to meet them first, and talk about their Reiki journey.
“Reiki Master / Teacher is where you've devoted your life to Reiki and the major five principles: Just for today I will not worry, just for today I will not anger, just for today I will count my many blessings, just for today I will do my work honestly, and just for today I will be kind to every living creature. It's for those who totally embrace Reiki.”
Courses are usually taught in groups of five to six people over a two-day weekend, however Sarah will undertake one-to-one courses with individuals on request or when she thinks they will respond and learn better in that environment. Sarah is happy to recommend accommodation for students wishing to undertake a two-day course who may not be local to her retreat.
“I wouldn't train a group of more than five or six students at a time because I like to give excellent value for money and personal service,” she explains. “I give 100% of my time, my effort, and myself. When students have their attunement it's on a one-to-one basis. After attunement your awareness becomes heightened. I find that students go away with a great sense of well-being of acceptance, and it helps them to look at how they react to situations, how could they deal with it in a better way.”
After completing their course, students are invited to take part in monthly Reiki Shares, where they exchange healing treatments (a key principle of the system is the process of giving and receiving), and have the opportunity to discuss their Reiki journey with other like-minded Reiki practitioners, and continue to receive support from Sarah.
For more information and to book your Reiki course:
Reiki by Sarah
Location: Norton, Stourbridge DY8 2DL
T: 07896 363 312 / 01384 827 529
