If you’ve been stuck in a gloomy headspace while trying to navigate the winter doldrums, get ready to radiate because energy healing is predicted to be one of the hottest wellness trends of 2020. While seeking out ways to boost positivity is certainly nothing new, negativity and enervating thoughts have gotten harder for most us to manage in everyday life. Maybe it’s all the bad news: climate change, the political landscape, our universal addiction to social media, or our dwindling and goldfish-like attention spans that preclude us from the joy of prolonged focus. The fact that we’re seeking out energy healing in droves is perhaps a sign that we’ve reached a tipping point and, like moths to a Nag Champa flame, we’re ready—like, truly ready—to bask in light rather than wallow in darkness. Because many of us don’t have the tools to achieve this on our own, we need expert practitioners who can instruct us on how to get there. Luckily, not only do they exist, but these glittering angels in yoga pants are eager to help. We reached out to Millana Snow, founder and CEO of Wellness Official, an online marketplace of practitioners and brands for the wellness community. An energy healer herself, Millana introduced us to two other healers within the Wellness Official collective. We asked them all the same 5 questions. Here’s what they had to say.
Millana Snow, CEO & Founder of Wellness Official, @millanasnow
What is something we can do every morning to invite good energy in and repel the bad?
I really love to keep a gratitude list. If you don’t journal every morning, doing this to show you’re grateful for a new day is a good way to start the day off right.
What is something we can do every night before bed to prepare ourselves for a restorative sleep? Stop looking at your phone before bed because the screen’s light keeps your brain awake. Other than that, a hot bath is really helpful to relax the body and ready it for a cooler sleep.
Can you share a mantra that is both powerful and practical? A mantra that I like to use when I’ve been really working hard to work on myself and/or work through things, or manifest something, is “My work works.” This is my reminder to keep my faith, energy and enthusiasm high because I know that eventually my inner work pays off if I keep it up.
What are three signs of a person with good energy? What about three signs of a person with bad energy? We all have both and, to be honest, I don’t like to label things as good or bad. But I can say there is resonance and contrast. I look for people who I want to be around and collaborate with, and I work to be that person for others as well. I notice how they speak: are they self-sovereign or in victim or bully mode? Do they tell the same stories of things working out, or that things are unfair? Lastly, I check body language: is it open and warm, or closed and cold?
If you could suggest one travel spot with the most healing powers, where would that be? There are so many, but I have really loved my time in Ibiza, Spain. I’ve experienced so much healing there. It’s not just a place to party!
Ssanyu Birigwa, Bone + Reiki Healer, @ssanyu_letgoandletlove
What is something we can do every morning to invite good energy in and repel the bad? Pray. To talk to your god is a powerful action of faith. Developing a habit of a spiritual practice with oneself is simply going to allow for more good to happen in life. In prayer, give gratitude. Giving gratitude first thing in the morning will set the tone for how you will feel throughout the day, which in turns creates an opportunity for us to walk with a grateful attitude. In gratitude, things happen! Delights and grand manifestations are realized. The Universe cannot help but to conspire with us when we have an attitude of gratitude. Grounding our bodies to Mother Earth, Ensi Lusi, which we call earth in Uganda, is very, very, very important. I cannot stress this enough. This creates the roots and pathways of connection within us and nature. Envisioning roots coming out of your feet towards earth, and then imagining the same connection moving upwards to the crown of your head should be done every morning--using deep, slow breaths to carry this energy throughout the body. Visualize the energy moving up towards the crown and back down again. To close, visualize in your mind’s eye that there is golden light surrounding you from head to toe and literally see yourself zipped up in it. I call this your “spiritual condom of protection.” This ritual takes less than 3mins to do!
What is something we can do every night before bed to prepare ourselves for a restorative sleep? Gratitude! Studies have shown that an attitude of gratitude keeps worries at bay and brings in more positive thoughts and fewer negative ones at bedtime. An attitude of gratitude allows us to root into joy and happiness and feel a greater satisfaction about our lives. Take a moment to list what you are grateful for in your gratitude book that you keep by your bed. Write down at least 5 things you are grateful for. They can be as simple as writing, “I am grateful for the comfortable bed I have to sleep in tonight.” Remember, this is a choice you are consciously making in shifting your mindset. If you don’t get into the habit of doing this every damn day, we shouldn’t wonder why we don’t see results.
Can you share a mantra that is both powerful and practical? “I Am open to receiving with ease, delights and grand manifestations, I Am.”
What are 3 signs of a person with good energy? What about 3 signs of a person with bad energy? I don’t use the words “good” and “bad.” I focus on authentic energy and masked energy. Authentic energy is positive energy. When we attune to our body and capture what it feels like when moving through certain emotions, we develop our skill to sharpen our sensors. When our sensors are sharpened, one will tell right off the bat if an energy is authentic or not. The saying “trust your gut” exists for a reason. Naturally authentic energy exudes positive energy. Ever heard people say how someone has great energy? Well, it’s a feeling you get when they are in your space of lightness, and maybe even joy. It’s as if you literally feel their presence as light in the space. Our energy is a combination of our mindset, how we think of ourselves in the world and our thoughts--the ones that continue on replay. So, we will attract what we are. We must check ourselves. Take a pause and look at your own energy as you develop the skill in identifying authentic and masked energies. Ask yourself “are these my emotions to work through?” We don’t want to absorb other people’s negative energy. So, release yourself from this burden of feeling the trauma and pain of another. Again, this is why it’s so vital to protect yourself with the spiritual condom every day. Masked energy folks are often judgmental, complain a lot and are passive-aggressive or aggressive-aggressive. Put simply: when you know you know. Trust your gut.
If you could suggest one travel spot with the most healing powers, where would that be? Source of the Nile, Jinja, Uganda. The Pearl of Africa. Ancestral energy will root you!
Jasmin Harsono, Founder of Emerald and Tiger, @emeraldandtiger
What is something we can do every morning to invite good energy in and repel the bad? Move, dance, and shake your body. Shake off what is no longer serving you through a good ol' boogie. I love to listen to soul and disco music to help me through any heaviness or tension that I am feeling. *For Jasmin's playlist head to Story + Rain's channel on Spotify.
What is something we can do every night before bed to prepare ourselves for a restorative sleep? I find chanting and connecting to sound clears the cobwebs from the day and prepares me for a restorative, healing sleep. I usually say something like, “I am happy, healthy, safe and at peace” taken from Metta meditation. I audibly repeat this over for about five-to-ten minutes while clapping my hands or playing some great instrumental music. I love the track "Remain in the Unborn" by Listening to Smile. The frequency of this song is played at 528 Hz, which is often described as the “miracle tone” or “love frequency.” It is known to heal at a cellular level, supporting transformational healing and repairing DNA. I also love to think about what I can create and dream during sleep--illustrating some of those creations on a notepad before sleep is fun and creative, but also a way to release tension.
Can you share a mantra that is both powerful and practical? I will share an affirmation that I am following at the moment: “Everything that I desire is within me” or “RAM,”' the Sanskrit mantra. They basically have the same meaning: everything is made up of the same sacred life-force energy--oneness. We have everything we need inside of us to support an abundant and fulfilled life. The universe is co-creating with us at all times, we are fully supported, and must be patient and trust the path that we are on.
What are three signs of a person with good energy? What about three signs of a person with bad energy? There is a spectrum of low-and high-energy vibes and signs that you can look out for. When someone is feeling aligned, "good" energy is flowing and they may show signs by positively glowing from the outside. You will feel attracted to their light energy. They may use positive language and are supportive of others, operating from a place of love. When someone is feeling blocked, "bad" energy is flowing and they are feeling stuck. They may show signs by feeling sad, jealous, uninterested, and confrontational.
If you could suggest one travel spot with the most healing powers, where would that be? In the U.K., two of my favorite spots are Glastonbury and Hampstead Heath. Both are spiritual and healing. Nothing beats nature--Hampstead Heath is my go-to, green landscape in the city of London. You can go for a dip in the ponds or a long walk. In the summer, I enjoy evening picnics with friends and beautiful sunsets.
