There it was again, that niggling ache in my left shoulder, dull but persistent and gradually getting worse. Initially a strain picked up at my weekly Zumba class. Over enthusiastically throwing myself into the routines no doubt and then unfortunately made a whole lot worse when I was in a collision which involved a violent knock to that same area. Whiplash and nerve pain were the end result of that. Ouch, ouch, ouch.
Nerve pain is the worst pain in my opinion, it impacts on everything and sucks the enjoyment out of life. Luckily I found a really good sports therapist for a deep tissue massage which brought some instant relief and after a few more sessions it cleared up and the pain went away.
Over the next few years I was largely untroubled by this area, just the occasional grumble from time to time which I tended to put down to the cold and changing seasons. Winter chills getting into my bones no doubt or spending too much time working in cold environments. It just never occurred to me that this ache could be linked to my emotions instead and the turmoil going on in my life at various points. I would, in years to come, learn that you store emotions in your left shoulder and when unexpressed can manifest themselves in a physical ways instead.
A friend invited me to attend a pampering and shopping evening at the local school. There were lots of stalls and various therapies spread throughout the building. Amidst the hustle and bustle I found myself drawn to a lady who was offering Reiki. I had never heard of it, but was up for trying something new. It was just a matter of choosing a time slot and then returning later for a taster session.
About 10.15pm I found myself lying on her couch and wondering how it would be possible to relax with all the noise going on around me and feeling self conscious about closing my eyes with so many people milling around me. So it came as a surprise to find myself so completely at peace and unaware of my surroundings. I was relaxed throughout and the one place that I really felt the Reiki energy was, you guessed it, my left shoulder. It rocketed down my arm and felt like it was exploding out of my hand. What an experience.
That was the first time I had experienced energy coming out of my hands…but it would not be the last.
