May 21, 2011

Reiki is a form of energy work that promotes balance in body, mind and spirit, and is often used for stress and pain reduction. Mozella Gatewood received Reiki through SPARK’s free reiki program at the Greater Chinatown Community Association and then learned reiki level I with SPARK. She shares more about her reiki experiences in the brief interview below.

1. What is your background?
“I’m 60 years old and was born and raised in New York City. I live four blocks from Ground Zero . Before 9/11, I suffered from asthma and had stopped breathing three times. After 9/11, I received ear acupuncture at 170 Broadway as part the relief program. While receiving a treatment, the acupuncturist gave me my first reiki session. More recently, I suffered from a fibroid. Growing up, my grandmother was a psychic, and I had often been told that I had strong energy. I later researched what that meant, and learned about energy-related topics.”

2. How did you learn about the SPARK program?
“By word of mouth. I received ear acupuncture at Saint Vincent’s program at the American Legion on Canal Street, and heard about the free chi gong program, which turned out to be reiki.”

3. How did you feel before, during and after your Reiki sessions?
“Before a session, I’m tired, drained, and very tense. After, I usually feel very relaxed to the point that I can’t get off the table. Between acupuncture and reiki my asthma is much better, and I stopped taking medication, but still carry a pump, just in case. I followed doctor’s orders and my fibroid has also all but disappeared. I would love to have another sonogram to see the change.”

4. Why did you decide to study Reiki?
“I read the book, ‘The Life You Were Born to Live’ by Dan Millman and felt that Reiki was something I was meant to learn. I want to give back to the community. In our complex, there is a community room for seniors and I would like to offer them Reiki.”

5. Has the Level I workshop changed your life in any way?
“Life has changed. I sleep better and dreams are more vivid. I sense things more strongly, such as the news, which seems very harsh. I also reiki my pet bird, and she now wants to come to me.”

6. What do you think about the SPARK Reiki program?
“I think it’s amazing! I’m so honored to be a part of it. I feel more, in all aspects of my life.”

Dave Gorczynski is president of SPARK, a non-profit organization that has provided free energy work sessions and workshops across New York City since 2002. He writes a regular column about energy work and meditation for the Compact News in New York City's Chinatown. E-mail him at dave@sparkenergy.org.