Called by Light: My Journey into Reiki

My journey into the world of Reiki didn’t begin with years of study or a long-standing interest in energy work. It began in a completely ordinary moment, while finalizing grades in the library at the school where I worked as a teacher and principal.

Reiki is a holistic healing technique that originates from Japan. It involves the practitioner channeling universal energy (also known as "chi" or "ki") into the recipient's body, promoting relaxation, balance, and overall well-being.

Back in the summer of 2016, I was deep in spreadsheets and deadlines when suddenly, the word Reiki surfaced in my mind. It didn’t arrive with fanfare, just a quiet, curious nudge. At the time, I knew almost nothing about it. I didn’t fully understand what Reiki was, where the thought came from, or why it felt so charged with meaning. But something in me stirred. It felt like a whisper I couldn’t ignore.

Within minutes, I found myself online, searching. That’s when I discovered Jordi Ibern, a Reiki practitioner and teacher in Barcelona. I had never met him, but something about his photo and his words on his website felt right, as it seemed grounded, gentle, and sincere. I booked a session that very week.

That first Reiki session was nothing short of transformational. I walked in with curiosity and walked out with clarity. I felt something shift, like a doorway inside me had quietly opened. I knew, without doubt, that Reiki wasn’t just something to receive. It was something I was meant to carry, share, and explore more deeply.

My First Reiki Session

When I booked my first Reiki session with Jordi back in 2016. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I had followed a mysterious inner pull. One word, Reiki, came echoing through my mind as I finished school reports, and now here I was, sitting quietly across from a man I had never met, about to receive energy work I barely understood.

Jordi welcomed me warmly and explained the basics of Reiki. What struck me most wasn’t the technique itself; it was what he said just before we began, "It’s okay to cry. To yelp. Even to laugh."

Laugh? That surprised me. Crying made sense. I could imagine someone shouting or releasing grief, but laughter during a silent healing session? That felt... absurd. Sacred work was meant to be still, right?

And yet, as I lay on the table, the hum of a small fan whispered near me. Jordi began by placing his hands gently on the crown of my head, then shifted to cover my eyes. That’s when something strange happened: the fan, without changing speed, suddenly sounded as if it had kicked into overdrive. The volume surged, not uncomfortably, but noticeably, as if the room itself was tuning into something deeper.

Then, I felt it: a soft, unmistakable touch on my right cheek. For a moment, I assumed it was Jordi. But his hands had already moved to my shoulders and were nowhere near my face. That’s when I knew, without doubt: my grandmother was there. Not in a spooky way, but with warmth, like a hand reaching across time to let me know, you are not alone. It wasn’t the first time I’d felt her presence, but it was the first time it came so gently, so clearly, in the middle of something I didn’t yet understand.

As the session continued, Jordi moved his hands to my solar plexus. Suddenly, out of nowhere, I had the bizarre and undeniable urge to laugh. Not politely. Not nervously. But belly-deep, soul-shaking laughter. The kind you try to hold in at the worst moment, like needing to pee during a quiet meditation. And despite my best efforts, it came out loud, unexpected, and completely out of place.

I was mortified. This was supposed to be sacred. And here I was, laughing as if someone had told a joke at a funeral. But I couldn’t stop it. It felt like a pressure valve had opened, and in that moment, the laughter became its own kind of healing.

After the session, I sheepishly explained what had happened. The odd sensations. The fan. The touch on my face. The uncontrollable laughter.

Jordi leaned in, smiled kindly, and said, “You know, anyone can get into Reiki... but some people are just naturally inclined to this work. We think you’re ready to learn it.”

I blinked. Wait... we? Who’s we?

I looked around the room, half-laughing again. Were there spirits present? Guides? (Spoiler alert: yes, there were.) At the time, I didn’t yet understand how much more there was to Reiki, to intuition, to energy, to the unseen.

But in that moment, with laughter still vibrating in my chest and something soft still lingering on my cheek, I asked the only question that felt right:

“When do we start?”

The Reiki Journey Continues

I began my formal Reiki training with Jordi in October 2016, studying Usui Reiki I and II in Barcelona. The teachings resonated immediately, but what truly surprised me was how natural it felt, like remembering something I had known all along. By December 2017, I had completed my Reiki Master training, not just as a milestone, but as a deep commitment to the practice and to the people I would eventually support through it.

In the months that followed, I practiced Reiki with anyone who was open, friends, family members, and even strangers I met through word of mouth. I gave sessions on sofas, in spare rooms, and before I got my Reiki table, on the living room table (with lots of cushions for support). Wherever someone needed space to rest, release, or reconnect, I was there to practice, practice, practice.

Each session taught me something new. I learned how energy moves differently in every body. I witnessed how people cried, laughed, or simply fell into deep rest and snored. I saw how even those skeptical of Reiki left feeling lighter, more at ease.

It was never about building a business back then. It was about learning to listen, not just with my ears or hands, but with my whole presence.

While life took me through many chapters since then, the essence of Reiki has always remained close. Now, based in London, I’m continuing my journey by completing UK certification and offering sessions once again. This time with even more intention, depth, and gratitude.

For me, Reiki isn’t just about healing. It's about remembering. Returning. Restoring. It’s a way of connecting with the deep stillness beneath the noise, and helping others feel held in that same light.

If you're curious to experience Reiki, whether for the first time or as a return, I would be honored to walk with you.

👉 To find out more about my Reiki offerings, click here for more information.