Nancy Mintzer, owner of Peace N Reiki, provides reiki, Chakradance, Inamojo and new moon circles to help adults and children achieve a peaceful state of mind in a not-so-peaceful world. She teaches classes and one-on-one sessions by appointment at the Bldg. 7 Yoga studio, in Wyomissing.

Mintzer has long been intrigued by nature’s rhythms and how they connect with the Earth and the universe. When she initially experienced reiki, a deep relaxation technique that uses gentle touch to help reduce stress and anxiety, she felt it was the missing piece of her wellness puzzle. “I felt it was my purpose to connect to my inner self and rediscover the hopes and dreams of my youth. Reiki helped me rediscover what I want in life and how to get there,” she emphasizes.

Mintzer continued to study and obtained reiki master certification. She used it to help family and friends, and gradually started seeing clients while establishing her business, Peace N Reiki, where many clients seek self-growth and purpose. “My approach is that reiki is one of many modalities to help you become more aware of your inner being and desires. It helps you to discover the obstacles in life that may have detoured you along the way,” advises Mintzer.

The practice of reiki helps people achieve a relaxed state. Mintzer explains that reiki is not about the client absorbing the practitioner’s energy or vice versa. The practitioner holds energetic space for the client, creating an awareness of any stagnant energy that may need to be released. Every reiki session is different for every person, and each session can be a different experience.

“It’s like an ice cube. When you find yourself in stagnant, repetitive cycles in your subconscious, reiki sessions are like warming water slowing melting that ice cube,” Mintzer explains. She advises clients to find a practitioner that resonates with them. “Give reiki three tries, because for the first session, you may not know what to expect. The second session, you have a perceived idea, and it will not be same as first. The third session, you’re more open minded and things that are uncovered in the first two sessions become clearer.”

When introducing personal growth modalities such as reiki into our life, Mintzer emphasizes that the client ultimately has to take ownership. “It’s not the practitioner, it is the new self-awareness that will prompt change.” In addition to the reiki treatment, Mintzer uses intuition and experience to listen and discuss the next steps “You have to decide if you’re ready to uncover roadblocks holding you back and embrace change. It’s not me; I’m just holding the space. It’s up to the individual to do the work.”

Mintzer is an accredited Chakradance facilitator, a movement therapy modality founded in 1998 by Natalie Soughgate, that comprises three components. The first is a guided visualization accompanied by chakra-specific (energy points in the body) music. “Everyone will experience a spontaneous response to music and visualization, and the Chakradance session concludes with mandala art, a creative expression of the experience and a closing meditation. Chakradance creates space for transformation and healing.” Chakradance Freedom  is offered as a group class, as well as private sessions. Mintzer plans to offer a Chakradance program for pre-teens and teens.

Inamojo is a nine-week course for children that teaches skills to help them navigate life with a greater understanding of themselves and others by weaving together stories, music, movement and art. Each week, the class for kids 5 to 8 teaches a different story related to each chakra.

Mintzer hosts new moon circles each month, creating a safe space for people to come together to listen and support each other. These themed gatherings acknowledge the moment with guided meditation and an intention-setting ritual. New moon circles are currently held virtually and will return to in-person gatherings in April.

Mintzer describes her motivation as, “Pure amazement! Miracles are all around us, and when you step into your own energetic flow, there are no words to describe the feeling. I want to be present and guide others that are ready for this, and help people put the pieces of their lives into place.”