Reiki Magic - Stefanie Fischer

Steffi is a seminar leader and offers Reiki and breathwork.

Steffi, could you tell us what inspired you to offer Reiki and how you came to learn this practice?

Actually, Reiki found me. I had already been in India for several months when I “accidentally” ran into my Reiki master. After a short conversation, my heart immediately told me that I had to learn from her. So I asked her about a course and shortly afterwards I completed my first Reiki degree with her. The knowledge of energy and the ability to feel this energy fascinated me so much that I continued to learn and practice. And that's how it is to this day! Every session is different, and I am always fascinated by everything that happens. For me, it's like magic, hence the name Reiki Magic.

What do you enjoy most about working with Reiki?

The genuine connection to people. In a world where we actually long for connection, but mostly feel alone and isolated behind our facades and smartphones, Reiki brings me really close to people. I see them and, above all, feel them—just as they are. And that is simply wonderful. It fulfills me, makes me humble and grounds me immensely.

Could you explain to us what Reiki and breathwork actually are and how they work?

Reiki is a method of energy healing through the laying on of hands that originated in Japan. Reiki restores the universal life energy to the client, which we often lack in our stressful lives that are controlled by external factors. It brings the client back into energetic balance, so to speak. In addition, Reiki can release physical, emotional and energetic blockages to improve quality of life in the long term. Breathwork consists of breathing exercises (pranayama), some of which are thousands of years old, which can also release blockages, make us more stress-resistant and reconnect us with our breath, our natural source of energy.

How do you typically structure a Reiki session? What can participants expect and how do you experience this together with them?

During a Reiki session, the participant lies relaxed on their back in a pleasant atmosphere. I touch different parts of the body with my hands and send energy to the participant. At the same time, I sense whether there is an imbalance in these areas or whether I can perceive anything else. I never do Reiki according to time, but according to feeling. A session (i.e., just giving Reiki without conversation) usually lasts about 60–80 minutes. After the session, I leave the participant alone for a few minutes so that they can come back from their deep relaxation and then we discuss what they and I felt.

Are there certain principles or values that you bring to your work with Reiki?

Honesty and authenticity, I would say. I am deeply connected to this practice and maintain a certain lifestyle because, over the years, I have noticed that the purer I am as a channel for Reiki energy, the “better” the energy flows. You could say I practice what I preach ;-)! I also give each client a few tips that they are welcome to incorporate. Ultimately, healing is always your own responsibility. I can't do it for anyone else. You have to be willing to heal yourself, willing to change your lifestyle, otherwise not much will change in the long run. I accompany you, release blockages, and activate self-healing powers with Reiki, but each person is their own healer.

What are some of the most common challenges you encounter when working with Reiki, and how do you deal with them?

As with many social professions, the biggest challenge is not to identify too strongly with the fate or problems of the people who come to me. I really enjoy helping others and am naturally very empathetic; otherwise, I wouldn't be able to do my job, which I consider to be my true calling. But it's important to stay true to myself and act as a channel for energy rather than trying to solve people's problems. Remember: healing is your own responsibility.

How do you see the connection between Reiki and breathwork? Are there ways in which you combine these two practices in your work?

Reiki and breathwork both activate a person's energy and self-healing powers. In Reiki, the participant is passive and relaxed, while in breathwork, the participant is active, breathing in a specific or changing rhythm. I combine both practices, for example in my breathwork workshops “The Connected Breath,” a technique with great transformative potential. Here, participants lie down and breathe in a specific rhythm for an extended period of time. This breathing often brings up deep emotions and helps to release them. Some people even describe it as a real “journey” that they experience. During these sessions, I go to each participant and give them supportive Reiki to release blockages so that they can let go even more.

Could you tell us more about how you integrate breathwork into your sessions and what benefits you see in it?

I not only integrate breathwork, I also give pure breathwork sessions or courses. Through individual breathing exercises, I can give each participant concrete tools that they can integrate into their daily lives. Short exercises for in between, for example, to relax, activating exercises in the morning, or balancing exercises for the evening. Practicing breathing exercises greatly trains mindfulness and helps us to be more conscious of ourselves.

What are some of the most important aspects you consider when combining Reiki and breathwork?

There aren't really any. Anyone can receive Reiki and anyone can breathe. Therefore, there are no contraindications. Only with connected breathing, a special technique, is it important that participants do not have severe depression or take strong medication. I would also like to note that I love both techniques because they are so simple. You don't need expensive equipment or long courses (even if you want to learn Reiki yourself), just lay your hands on or hold them over your body and the energy flows, just breathe and we can regulate our nervous system ourselves and live healthier, more relaxed and happier in the long term. How cool is that?

How would you like to shape the future of your work with Reiki and breathwork? Do you have specific goals or visions that you would like to realize?

I am always open to new ways of combining and developing techniques. I am also on my own journey with Reiki and breathing and of course I am learning through my practice and personal experience. For example, I am now doing breathwork sessions combined with sound healing with a friend, a breathing and sound journey in one for an experience that appeals to even more senses. My vision is a kind of Reiki ashram or meeting center where interested people can come to meditate together, do breathing exercises and learn and practice Reiki.