People You Should Know: Jen Kessenich, Reiki Practitioner

For Jen Kessenich, the art of practicing Reiki is a life-long learning experience. The certified Yoga teacher, who has her Yoga for Golf certification and certification from the Titelist Performance Institute to teach level 1 Golf Fitness, says she is still receiving training because every person who comes through her door teaches her something.

She began receiving Reiki herself a few years ago while going through a difficult time in her life, and she immediately understood that Reiki was going to be part of her life forever. From there she began an apprenticeship with a reputable Reiki master.

Kessenich defines Reiki as “a life balancing vibrational healing practice that engages our own body’s ability to self-heal physically, emotionally and spiritually."

For a session, the recipient lies on a Reiki table, fully clothed, or sits comfortably in a chair. A light touch of hand placements at different energy points will naturally and gently meet you where you are and ultimately leave you feeling more connected to what is meaningful.

“It’s a tricky thing," says Kessenich, "because you can be trained for Reiki in a day. But that doesn’t mean you should tout yourself a practitioner and go out and start laying hands on people. I received Levels I and II advanced and am still in apprenticeship with my Reiki master. It’s extensive; my Reiki master mentors me one on one and I attend monthly Reiki clinics.”

Reiki is a spiritual practice that can be traced back to a spiritual seeker named Mikao Usui who lived in Japan between 1865 and 1926.

In 1922 Usui had a profound meditation after a three-week fast that led him to discover Reiki. He shared his findings by training many in his practice, which he called “Secret of Happiness.”

Kessenich believes that if we support, inspire and encourage each other to connect to what is real and meaningful then we are not only helping each other but also ultimately ourselves.

She adds: “As my father always says, 'We are all in this together'. If I find something that will make me a more balanced and happier person, it is in my best interest to share it with others. If my neighbor is a happier person than the neighborhood is a happier place."

Kessenich practices Reiki at the Center for Well Being in Westhampton Beach.