An advocate of reiki and its energy healing effects, Stephanie Schueller tells us about this alternative treatment and how she got into it.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Stephanie Schueller, the founder of State of Reiki, gets it done like a boss.
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
I’ve always had a great interest in alternative treatment modalities because I believe that sometimes western doctors don’t have all the answers to our aches and pains. A few years ago, my 8-year-old daughter started getting very stressed at school, resulting in panic attacks including sweaty hands, a racing heart rate, pacing and sleeplessness. So I started looking into holistic treatments to help her.
I heard about reiki from a friend who took the course to become a therapist and remembered her telling me all the relaxing effects it had on her family. It sounded very intriguing. The first time I experienced reiki, I was blown away by the amazing soothing effect the energy had on me. My entire body was prickly and tingling. After a few minutes, a relaxing wave washed over me. I was in another world.
After my basic and advanced reiki training, I felt inspired to lay my hands on everyone who had aches and pains. Friends and family first, but soon I received requests for reiki via referrals. So I asked myself, why shouldn’t I share what I know and be of service?
The Singapore circuit breaker in 2020 gave me the perfect opportunity to build a website and offer distant reiki treatments by way of donation. People could pay whatever they wanted and all proceeds went to my chosen charity. This created a lot of interest from people who were stuck at home and loved receiving reiki energy.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?
Reiki isn’t something that’s common knowledge, especially in Singapore where the majority mostly receive traditional Chinese medicine. It’s my daily mission to educate people about reiki and its benefits, especially how it can help on an emotional level. The majority of my clients look to improve their mental well-being and overcome their anxieties and feelings of being “stuck”.
Another challenge I face is the stigma of “woo woo” that’s often attached to reiki. You have to experience reiki first-hand in order to understand its effects. So next time you see me, ask me to lay my hands on your shoulders for five minutes and just feel the energy.
How do you stay motivated and energised?
Seeing my clients improve their anxiety levels is motivation enough for me to keep going and love what I do. A client once came to see me after going through a particularly challenging time. She only realised she needed help when she got to a point of sleeplessness and had trouble focusing and waves of panic.
During our sessions, she went from crying to laughing to feeling nauseous as all sorts of emotions came to the surface. I supported her with in-person sessions as well as distant reiki whenever she had a rough day. After about four to five sessions, she started to feel better, her sleep improved dramatically and she was able to move on with more confidence and motivation. Stories like these validate what I do.
How do you keep stress levels low?
I wear the hats of an entrepreneur, boss, accountant, wife, mother, homework tutor, cook, and nurse all in one. It can be challenging at times to maintain that work-life balance. Our mental and physical health is so important for us to function in our active lives. Of course, I reiki myself whenever I get the chance. I really enjoy “walk-and-talk” sessions with a friend, too. My most recent discovery is the new Rifle Range Nature Reserve.
Favourite places to work?
I recently moved to a lovely space at Cluny Court. It’s so serene and peaceful that maximum healing can take place – not just for the client. It also gives me an opportunity to listen inward. My home is another favourite place of mine. I make myself available to my clients whenever I can. You’ll often see me spending my evenings sending distant reiki to someone.
Can you share a work mantra that you use?
My mantra would be the famous words by Dr Mikao Usui, founder of reiki. Just for today: I will let go of anger; I will let go of worry; I will do my work honestly; I will be grateful for my many blessings; and I will be kind to every living thing.
One thing you can keep talking about for hours?
I am fascinated by the body-mind connection. I love reading about the link between physical pain and its metaphysical meaning. Take the neck problems many of us suffer from. The neck represents the ability to be flexible in our thinking, to see the other side of a question, and to see another person’s viewpoint. When there are problems with the neck, it usually means we’re being stubborn about our concept of a situation.
Your go-to self-care activity?
I enjoy going for long walks with a friend or alone with a good podcast. Singapore has so many beautiful nature spots to offer and I feel lucky to live in such a green city.
One piece of advice to your younger self?
That’s a tough question, so I’ll quote myself giving advice to my teenage daughter, as this is a relevant topic right now. Enjoy what life has to offer you, follow your dreams and passions and don’t forget to breathe.
Get in touch with Stephanie Schueller online.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!