About Allison Brice
I was first exposed to Reiki in 1998, after being diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis at a young age. The arthritis most severely affected my hands and wrists, and was extremely painful and debilitating Unfortunately, it did not respond to conventional medicine, physical therapy, or a multitude of natural remedies. After years of suffering, I was afraid that I would never regain adequate use of my hands again.
I was fortunate to find help with Reiki, and began to receive Reiki treatments from my dear friend Becky Rogers, who at that time was studying Reiki with Amy Weeks of the Southeastern Reiki Centre, in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. After only one treatment, I noticed that the swelling in my hands and wrists was dramatically reduced. After the second treatment, I was able to, painlessly, move my right hand for the first time in nearly a year. My spirits were lifted by the effectiveness of the treatments, and I was determined to learn more about Reiki.
I enrolled in classes at the Southeastern Reiki Centre, and in June of 2000 received my first and second degree certification from the centre’s founder, Amy Weeks. I continued my studies throughout that summer, and in September of 2000 received my Master level certification. I began practicing daily, first on myself and then on family and friends. The results were nothing short of remarkable, and within a matter of months I was seeing a marked and noticeable improvement in my condition…both physically and emotionally as well.
In December of 2000, I left the US for Sweden, and continued with my Reiki practice for two years there before relocating to the UK in 2002. In 2003, I began teaching small Reiki courses in Covent Garden, London, where I am still based to this day. I also practice and teach from my home in Sydenham, which is in south east London.
As my Reiki practice developed, I began to take an interest in learning about the system from a traditional Japanese perspective. I began by reading the work of Frank Arjava Petter and later that of Frans and Bronwyn Stiene. The Stienes’ research was incredibly helpful in cultivating my understanding of Japanese Reiki, and to this day I’m very grateful to them both for the time and effort they have put into their ongoing research. I gradually began to introduce more Japanese techniques into my practice, and found the approach to be incredibly balanced, grounded and effective. Eventually, I decided to redo my Reiki training with Nina Fotara, an Essex based Shinpiden student of the Stienes’, and teacher of Usui Reiki Ryoho. Usui Reiki Ryoho is a traditional approach to Reiki which strives to honour the teachings of the systems founder, Mikao Usui.
I have now been practicing Reiki daily for over ten years, and teaching for the past seven. Reiki has been a life-changing gift to me, and I am very grateful to both of my teachers for the support that they have given to me in the development of my practice. Reiki has helped me to regain my physical mobility, and effectively manage what is generally considered to be a chronic, painful and debilitating condition. My practice has also helped me in numerous other ways, improving my mental clarity and emotional stability and furthering my spiritual developement as the years have passed.
So far, I have been immeasureably blessed in my work with Reiki. It is a constant joy for me to practice this healing art, and to pass the gift of Reiki along to others in need.