Advocating holistic approach for well-being.

 

(May 24, 2016) DUBAI- At first, Mabie Amirah Bangsoy Alonzo and Virgilio Lichauco simply enjoyed volunteering for  promoting cancer awareness and supporting fellow Overseas Filipinos Workers (OFW)  in Dubai, United Arab Emirates ,who are undergoing cancer treatment through a Facebook page. But now, they are holistic therapy practitioners.

They started barely three months ago and has shown passion and dedication in community services ranging from massage for a cause, Zumba for a cause, rummage sale for a cause, coin for a cause, and who would have thought of a “selfie for a cause?”All these done with no qualms for the sake of a cancer patient. Time, money and effort did not matter at all.

Primarily, the main focus of their crusade was to help  raise money for chemotherapy  until they chanced upon a different kind of volunteering project, the Reaching Out With Reiki Middle East  (ROWR ME) – an organization that provides free Reiki treatment to cancer patients in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates during spring and winter.

They have no clear understanding of what this project was all about but they were willing to do anything for cancer patients. However, Alonzo already had an inkling about Reiki. The first time she heard this alien word, her curiosity persisted. ” When I heard a lady named Marissa shared to Ate Mia  (that’s me, the owner of this blog, who happens to be a Reiki level 1 and 2 practitioner), her experiences from the distant Reiki extended to her by one of her officemates, an Indian guy, I could not get over it,” she said.

Alonzo personally requested for a Reiki session. Lichauco, on the other hand, was always teased by Alonzo to undergo Reiki, as this guy, one of our dearest friends and classmate in Photojournalism class seems to be always in a hurry, stressed, hyperactive, inattentive, in short, restless.

Cutting the story short, they assisted during the Reiki with cancer patients and survivors. Alonzo  was very excited and Lichauco was in his usual mode, playful.

(Photo by Lapis Mia)

Kasey Conrad, organizer of ROWR ME and a Reiki Master was set to conduct Reiki attunement to those interested to practice “universal energy” approach for  him/herself or to others the following month. Alonzo had put her heart into it while Lichauco, still clueless but was  willing to join as well.

On May 20, 2016, after two attunement sessions with Conrad, an American Reiki Master with 20 years of experience, Alonzo and Lichauco were among the six   Reiki Level 1 certified to practice Reiki, (including me, who had the chance to be attuned again after my first in 2005.)

(Photo by Lapis Mia)

Three Filipinos (two ladies and a gentleman, two Indian ladies and one Arab lady  taught by Reiki master Conrad are the latest addition to holistic therapy practitioners promoting emotional, mental, physical and spiritual balance for a healthy being.

With the knowledge of Reiki,  the three OFWs are glad to further extend support to all people battling cancer and also to their distressed fellowmen who are experiencing work-related trauma, family concerns, and personal issues, under stress and other dilemmas.

 

 

 

Reiki reaches out to cancer patients

 

Reiki practitioners and volunteers who participated in Dubai poses for a souvenir photo. (by Louie Fungo.)

(May 09, 2016) DUBAI -“Compassionately created to help cancer patients cope,” is how the organization, Reaching Out With Reiki Middle East (ROWR ME) is  best described. Such is also their guiding principle in conducting their annual spring and winter activities.

Me (left), a volunteering Reiki practitioner with Kasey Conrad (right) receiving support. (photo by Virgilio Lichauco)

ROWR ME ,supported by Change Works HRC, Abu Dhabi,  is established to provide 2 days of complimentary healing approach to cancer survivors and multiple sclerosis (MS) patients of all ages and at any stage of cancer/MS. It is a 2-day, 4 -session weekend event, free of charge.

Reiki session ongoing. (Photo by Louie Fungo)

“We’ve put together a core group of professional and dedicated Reiki practitioners, with passion and the motivation to make a positive difference to organize and coordinate the project, ” according to Kasey Conrad, the event organizer.

A post-Reiki session conversation  with the participants usually ends in a light and fun mood . (Photo by Louie Fungo)

Reaching Out With Reiki Middle East volunteer project is an adaptation of  a program designed for cancer patients in New Mexico, United States of America since 1996. More than 120 individuals in the United Arab Emirates. have joined their first events in October 2015.

The group of Filipino volunteers (cancer warriors of Kabayan Cancer Patients) join the Reaching Out with Reiki Middle East as volunteers too. (photo by Virgilio Lichauco

“We are looking forward to maximizing our impact on the community through this project, and building lasting relationships with support organizations, Brest Friends Dubai, Bosom Buddies Abu Dhabi, Dr Diab NMC, Dr. Tank Doctors Clinic, Dr Dehab Al Twaam hospital and individuals who are joining us on our journey.”

Reiki practitioners and participants seal their appreciation with hugs and well-wishes. (Photo by Louie Fungo)

In a standard procedure, Reiki energy flows from the practitioners’ hands into the client. The recipient is usually laying on a massage table but it can also be done  while the client is seated or even standing. The client remains fully clothed. The practitioner places her/his hands on or near the recipient’s body in a series of hand positions. These include positions around the head and shoulders, the stomach, and feet. Other, more specific positions may be used based on the needs. Each position is held for three to ten minutes depending on how much Reiki the recipient needs at each position. The session usually lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. (http://www.reiki.org/faq/questions&answers.html)

Reaching Out with Reiki MIddle East gives back to the community by providing free Reiki sessions during spring and winter. (Photo by Louie Fungo)