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Cassandra (Cassie) Johnson
I'm a certified Reiki Master/Teacher and I work with two types of clients--those in generally good health who need to reduce stress in their lives and those who have chronic or serious illnesses. I also teach classes (see Reiki I and II class schedules) for people who want to become Reiki practitioners for self-healing purposes and, if they'd like, to share Reiki's restorative benefits with others.
If I'm not giving Reiki treatments, classes or presentations, I might be relaxing in my butterfly garden (where I snapped the photo above). Otherwise, you may find me curled up with a book or watching "The Young and the Restless" with my husband, a diehard Y&R fan. Family is extremely important to me and I'm grateful to have a large one. I'm a music lover and traveler, and I enjoy nature's awesome beauty on my frequent walks. Another of my favorite enjoyments is volunteering at Carroll Manor Nursing Home where I read to a delightful group of ladies every week. The icing on all this cake is that I'm blessed and privileged to practice Reiki daily.
My Usui Reiki Master/Teacher training was completed in Atlanta, GA in February 2007. And on December 1, 2008, I received certification as a Karuna Reiki Master/Teacher*. I've also added to my continuous training by participating in a Medical Reiki program at Tai Sophia Institute to work with medical professionals and people in ill-health. I'm a member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals.
*Karuna Reiki is a registered trademark of the International Center for Reiki Training, Inc.
How I Became a Reiki Master/Teacher
My story begins with soap. I was working in an uninspiring job and felt a strong need to put some balance in my life by doing something imaginative. I don't know where I got the idea, but all of a sudden the thought of making soap was very appealing.
After doing some research, I drove to the nearest craft store, purchased soap base, fragrance oil, some molds, and I was ready. The next day I had four fresh soap bars that I'd made myself. This was terrific! I really began to spread my wings after that. Soapmaking wasn't just creative, it was a way to relax. I learned about the properties of various soap bases and the differences between fragrance oils and essential oils. I was becoming a soapmaking expert and the bars were multiplying.
But the enjoyment I got out of making soap began to make my job even more of a hassle. So I got help. I called my sister-in-law Rainy in Atlanta who's always been a great sounding board. She immediately recommended two books, "Ask and It is Given" by Esther and Jerry Hicks and "Excuse Me, Your Life is Waiting" by Lynn Grabhorn (I highly recommend both.). And then she talked to me about Reiki.
"Cassie, I love my Reiki." I knew Rainy was a Reiki Master/Teacher, but I'd never thought to become one myself until she offered the classes. I remembered how Rainy had talked about Reiki as such a comfort. How she had explained that by practicing Reiki on herself she was better able to cope with stress and could even help her own healing process when faced with health issues. And how she spoke of the Reiki practitioner's ability to help others relax and heal, not with drugs, but naturally. Not only that, as a Reiki Master I could teach others who wanted to become practitioners. I was in.
So I went to Atlanta to become a Reiki Master/Teacher. I was more than a little surprised by the profoundly moving and spiritual nature of the classes, and I understood immediately that I was undergoing a life-changing experience. Now Reiki provides me with a center of calm. Of course, there are still difficult days when life is pure challenge for some reason or another. But I'm able to cope a lot better with Reiki.
What's often occurred to me is that soapmaking was a symbolic step on my journey to a more awakened path. I was washing away the old life. Reiki began the new. Its power is transformative. I find it a great privilege and blessing to be able to invite people to relax, heal and enjoy this wonderful, calming practice. Its such a pleasure to give treatments and help to create more healers through Reiki classes. And even though my life has changed dramatically, I still love to make soap.
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