By JONETTA BADILLO
Press Staff

DURHAM — Specializing in energy balancing, Personal Harmony and Health is now open within the Durham Naturopathic Health and Wellness Center at 16 Main St., Suite 204. Not only does the center have a naturopathic physician, but now it also has Diane Esposito, a Reiki Master Teacher, who is also a clinically certified reflexologist, intuitive healing arts practitioner/holistic coach, Angelspeake and guided meditation facilitator.

“It’s just something I always had in the back of my mind,” Esposito said, “to be associated with a wellness center. And it happened.”

Though she’s been running an office for five years out of her home in Wallingford, Esposito said, she did some volunteer work for quite some time.  From teaching classes at various centers around the state about the basics of meditation to providing presentations on the healing arts at her local library, Esposito said, it’s “an enriching feeling” to have her own business — and be back in Durham.

“When I first started this business, if I had one client I would hold a class,” she said. “You wouldn’t believe the success I had because most people would say the class is canceled, but I didn’t do that. I did it with one, with two, with three and then eventually it just built from there.”

After having lived in Durham for 17 years, Esposito said, when the opportunity to open a second office in town arose, she had to take advantage. She initially was recommended to the owner of the center to teach Reiki and was later hired to provide her services. Esposito offers her clientele reflexology, angelic readings and aromatherapy. A portion of those services are offered at her Wallingford office.

As a part of her upbringing, Esposito was taught to talk to angels through prayer, so her profession that continues to flourish pretty much came “naturally,” she said.

Most of Esposito’s services are done in, what she calls, a healing room. The healing room, painted sky blue with art work framed on its walls, has lots of natural lighting. Esposito said she loves the privacy of the room and how it’s in the back on the center, sort of “tucked-in.” The room gives clients a space where they can feel like they’re “out of the hustle and bustle of everything,” she said.

“My interest in the healing arts began with my introduction to meditation,” Esposito said. “It taught me to be more of an observer than to get caught in the drama of life.”

The healing arts, she said, teaches an individual to “respond more effectively,” rather than react. Her practices teach people to in turn teach themselves how to make better life decisions.

“It’s like an eagle above the storm,” Esposito said. “It’s the perspective of having much more clarity.”

Esposito wrote a book called “Play, Heal, Love!,” which discusses the art of creating healthy relationships, but not just with friends, partners and family members, but with oneself. She said the core of the healing arts is “to address how people can take inspired actions to address their strengths.”

“All people want is to be seen, heard and understood,” Esposito said. “By checking in with self, you learn to treat others the way you treat yourself.”

Esposito does one-on-one sessions as well as group sessions with her clients. Reiki, an ancient hand placement healing art, is a “spiritually guided life force of energy rooted in love,” she said.

While Reiki can be performed hands-on, it depends on the laws of the state and the certification the teacher holds. Esposito said even hospitals are using Reiki before and after operations and doctors are finding that patients are healing faster and recovering much better. The practice, Esposito said, is viewed as equivalent to medical management.

Reflexology, another form of the healing arts, is an alternate medicine that involves the physical act of applying pressure to the hands, feet, ears and other areas of the body. It can help to alleviate stress, improve sleeping habits and increase energy. Esposito said it “deeply relaxes the whole body,” which explains why her clients come back so quickly for another session.

Daria Smith, of Southington, has been one of Esposito’s clients since 2007. Smith, also a friend to Esposito, said she typically receives holistic coaching and angelic readings, but she’s taken a bunch of meditation classes. What’s great about what Esposito does, she said, is how she uniquely integrates the healing arts during all of her sessions, which is “much more empowering.”

“I’m thrilled that she’s doing reflexology,” she said. “It’s a nice extension of the Reiki sessions.”

Both Esposito’s clients and family support her work, she said. Esposito’s husband is a Reiki III practitioner, while her daughter is a Reiki II practitioner, so they understand her passion for what she’s doing. She said her dream is to be able to do her job worldwide through telecast that way “there is no corner that doesn’t reach people.”

“My intention is for every person who leaves walks out that door feeling empowered,” Esposito said, “They don’t need me to fix them. I’m not there to fix them. They came and tapped into their strengths.”

To learn more about the healing arts visit personalharmonyandhealth.com or contact Diane at (203) 284-1204 to register for a Get Aquainted Tea and Talk informational on Wednesday, Oct. 19, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Author: Diane C. Esposito

Reiki , defined as spiritually guided life force energy,  has promoted relaxation, stress and pain release for many  over the centuries.  Although Reiki is not a substitute for licensed medical or psychological care, it may be used to complement  these treatments.

When choosing a Reiki Practitioner,  begin with a brief consultation to be sure you are comfortable with the ethics and are guided on what to expect.  This is the time to express any questions or concerns.  An effective practitioner and/or Holistic Coach creates a safe environment for troubling thoughts, feelings, and physical discomforts to be shared and addressed in a personalized, non-judgmental, and supportive manner.

When practitioners discuss the benefits of Reiki, many clients  find they are better  able to relate to and feel gratitude for their progress. One or more Reiki sessions may provide subtle to obvious and continuing benefits:  relaxation, rejuvenation,  emotional and physical pain release, as well as personal and spiritual growth . 

Some of the most obvious benefits of Reiki can be seen in the warm glow of relaxation on the client's countenance and in their body language as they  step off of the Reiki table.  Some clients relate that they felt as though they had received an energetic massage.  Others share that they are finally able to sleep well.  Many express the decrease or elimination of physical and emotional pain or a sense of light-heartedness.

One of the most important aspects of a Reiki session may be the dedication.  For example:  The session may be dedicated to expand the Universal Consciousness to that of the Power of Love. Thus the healing is limitless in its scope.  It goes far beyond the practitioner and client, and the time of the session.  Results of a Reiki session unfold  over time.  Each client is invited to set the intention for the session.  This helps to create the focus for the session on what we can be, do, or have.

A session begins with a brief consultation to address any additional questions or concerns .  The practitioner then provides direction to relax on the Reiki table prepared with fresh sheets, blankets and pillows for comfort and support. Guidance may also be provided to take a series of cleansing breaths to relax further and connect with the Reiki energy. 

To begin,  a sweeping motion over the body from the head and down over the feet may be used to clear the aura or energy field.  Next, the hands may be placed on or over the body in predetermined hand positions over each of the seven main chakras or placed intuitively.  The energy may come across in several ways to the practitioner and client: warm or cold sensations,  tingling, pulsing, vibrating, drawing in or pushing out, and more.  At times the practitioner or client ceases to feel the sensations.   The client may simply relax more deeply or fall asleep during part of the session.

Practitioners have reported that their clients were freed from emotional and physical pain, anxiety, anger, and more during or after a Reiki session or series of sessions.  Many clients have  shared  that where the benefits of medical treatment and psychotherapy have been exhausted, Reiki has brought remarkable progress in healing.

For example, a client with phantom limb pain found several Reiki Sessions relieved the condition.  A  woman with ongoing ovarian pain found relief after one Reiki Session.  Others have reported relief from sleeplessness,  injuries, depression, disorders, and diseases.  Several scientific studies, such as those presented by Dr. James Oschman, author of The Scientific Basis; Energy Medicine in Therapeutics and Human Performanc;  and Science and the Human Energy Field, reference the benefits of Reiki and other hands on or over the body energy work which have prompted leading hospitals to offer them as a widely used complimentary pre and post operative service.   Among those in Connecticut are MidState , Yale New Haven , Griffin , and Hartford hospitals.

Since becoming attuned to  Reiki over ten years ago, integrating the ideals and teachings of Usui Reiki  has opened doors to create healthy relationships,  activate talents, and expand gratitude for beauty, strengths, and passions.  Personal Harmony and Health LLC was founded on these concepts  over three years ago, just after completing my Communication Arts degree. Volunteering as a Reiki Practitioner at MidState Hospital was the springboard to making this my life's work. The vision to bring the practice of Meditation,  and other Healing Arts such as Angelspeake™,  Magnified Healing,  Emotional Freedom Technique, Angelic Readings, Aromatherapy, and Holistic Coaching together was compelling.

Reiki has created the sacred space in my life to offer unconditional love, support, and guidance to integrate the keys to stress release, relaxation, and rejuvenation.  Coupling Reiki with Holistic Coaching has formed the pathway to support and nurture healthy relationships with oneself and beyond.

I could have never imagined so many people would find peace and healing through this Holistic Coaching and Reiki practice. Their journeys have inspired me to write my first book and online journal, Play, Heal, Love! The Art of Creating Healthy Relationships.  Their struggles and triumphs over divorce, disease, grief, pain, depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem have moved us to the heart of healing. Every client, family member or friend who practices or receives Reiki, has created the pathway to healing for others as it has for me. Reiki is a practice that lives through us and helps us to focus on what unites us- Love.

Diane Esposito is the founder of Personal Harmony and Health LLC and that's just what she helps you bring out in yourself.  With personalized, interactive, private or group sessions and classes, discover how you can play heal and love your way to personal harmony and health.  Diane maintains her private  practice in Wallingford,  CT and provides options to receive services by phone or face to face. To reserve your Reiki Classes or Sessions;  Angelspeake™ Classes , Angelic Readings, Guided Meditations and Holistic Coaching,  visit her website http://www.personalharmonyandhealth.com   Call 203-284-1204 or email diane@personalharmonyandhealth.com