Peaceful energy in Sedona

Reiki Center of Sedona and Peace Place Gifts sooth the soul and restore energy

By Carl Jackson, Sedona.biz

Sedona, AZ - Oct. 11, 2008 - It was a hectic day running errands before my interview with Reiki Center of Sedona and Peace Place Gifts co-owner Laurelle Shanti Gaia and her business partner and husband, Michael Baird.

I zipped out of the house shortly before our 2:30PM meeting only to be stopped in a long line of traffic backed up from Sedona, Arizona's famous "Y" intersection.

I was feeling stressed, and my energy was certainly out of alignment.

As I entered Peace Place Sedona at 355 Jordan Road in Uptown Sedona (1 1/2 blocks off 89A), the heart of the Reiki Center of Sedona and Peace Place Gifts, I felt a calming energy flow over me.  Sitting at her desk working on her computer was Laurelle Shanti Gaia, a calm glow around her, it seemed to me. She smiled warmly and extended her hand to greet me, making me feel more calm and relaxed by just being in her presence. "Maybe there's something to this Reiki-thing," I thought.

Laurelle Shanti Gaia, co-owner of Reiki Center of Sedona and Peace Place Gifts in Uptown Sedona at 355 Jordan Road, on the corner of Jordan and Apple.

Michael was in the main classroom conducting a Reiki session with a small group of beginners, teaching them how hand positions can better align energy flows in the body.

Michael Baird, conducting a Reiki class at the Reiki Center of Sedona at 355 Jordan Road, on the corner of Jordan and Apple. The mural is Mt. Kurama in Japan, the location where Mikao Usui discovered Reiki.

Reiki (ray-key) is a multi-faceted spiritual energy that can be used to help with meditation practices, spiritual growth, healing relationships, manifestation of goals and activating the Divine healing power within all living beings.

Reiki is usually considered to be a "hands-on healing technique," but it's much more.  Mikao Usui discovered this healing art in Japan in the late 1800s.  The Japanese Kanji characters that represent the word Reiki can be translated to mean:  Rei=spiritually guided or wisdom of God and Ki=life force energy.

According to Laurelle, there are many ways to align energy within one's body to bring balance to life, release stress, and relax the body so it can heal itself; such as laying on hands, focusing on chakras (energy points along the spine), vibration, hand position, and breathing techniques.

Although not traditionally considered part of Reiki, Laurelle and Michael use crystals and drums to assist with energy alignment as well.

Laurelle and Michael are both Licensed Reiki teachers who have been practicing Reiki for 20 years and teaching it for 17 years.  Says Laurelle, "Promoting Sedona and sharing Reiki are two of my greatest loves."

At their Reiki Center of Sedona, students from all over the world (almost 1,000 a year) come to Sedona to learn about Reiki, from beginners to masters.  The workshops are typically 2-3 days.  The beginner Reiki 1 & 2 classes are two days (16 hours) and cost $350.  At the end of the workshop, students receive a certificate issued by the International Center for Reiki Training in Southfield, Michigan.  The advanced and master classes are 3 day workshops that cost $875.

There are also drumming and crystal classes for $475, and all tools such as crystals are provided in that price.

Laurelle says that she became a believer in Reiki when she was a stressed out mom with a computer graphics business and four kids at home.  She was allergic to medicine and used Reiki to restore her health.

Reiki and many other relaxation sessions are available at Peace Place. Paul Ka'iwi Vincze, David Singing Bear, Mariko Yamamoto, Michael Authelet, and Roger Crewse are among the practitioners offering sessions, and all are familiar faces in Sedona. The therapists offer, massage, aromatherapy, feng shui, Reiki, crystal healing, sound healing, reflexology and cranio sacral sessions, to name a few.

But the Reiki Center of Sedona is not all that Laurelle and Michael offer.  They also have a wonderful gift shop that sells Lemurian Quartz Crystal Spheres, Pyrite, Rhomboid Calcite, and Clear Quartz Bridge Crystals, to name just a few.

As soothing, meditative music wafts in the background, one can peruse the therapeutic grade essential oils, drums, soy candles, spiritual statues and paintings, and a wide array of healing books and CDs for sale. The music that is often played at Peace Place is Reiki Chants, healing music that is infused with Reiki. This CD was born out of the Reiki & Sound Healing Conferences that they sponsored in Sedona. Laurelle & Michael worked with Jonathan Goldman, world renowned sound healer, in the creation of this healing music.

Peace Place Gifts in Uptown Sedona at 355 Jordan Road, on the corner of Jordan and Apple.

To learn more about Reiki Center of Sedona and Peace Place Gifts, call (928) 203-7755 or visit ReikiClasses.com and PeacePlaceGifts.com.  Reiki Center of Sedona and Peace Place Gifts are part of the Infinite Light Healing Studies Center.

Tell a friend about this page! Their Name: Their Email: Your Name: Your Email: