Good energy flowing from local holistic practice

PINE PLAINS — Although it’s a practice that’s already caught on in other parts of the country, reiki, the Japenese-based holistic practice of channeling positive energy, is still relatively unknown in the Harlem Valley. That might just change with the addition of Suzanne O’Brien’s new Pine Plains practice.O’Brien, known as “The Fitness Nurse,” has experience on both sides of the medical fence. She is a working resident nurse at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie, continuing a long line of family and relatives in the medical profession. But after hearing about alternative treatments being offered at hospitals like Memorial Sloan-Kettering in New York City and Yale-New Haven Hospital, her interest was piqued and she eventually enrolled in courses at the Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, becoming a certified reiki instructor a year-and-a-half ago.O’Brien works in the oncology department at Vassar and deals with many people with debilitating diseases and terminal illnesses. Reiki and other forms of alternative medical treatments offer additional ways to find comfort and empowerment in your everyday life, O’Brien explained.“People are often under a lot of stress, and often think they can’t do it,” she said. “But reiki and my practice is about helping people to realize their potential. Everyone deserves to be the best.”A reiki treatment involves channeling energy through the hands. O’Brien places her hands lightly on particularly points on the body to a person lying on a massage table over an hour-long session that is intended to calm and soothe the body.“The energy flows through them,” she explained. “It’s actually energy you can feel, and it’s very calming.”Reiki can be used for people suffering from particular conditions, but is not an exclusive treatment.“It doesn’t have to be a physical ailment,” she added. “You can target things, like say someone is looking to quit smoking. It’s about small changes, and reiki is not this huge mountain to climb in order to get a result.”As a holistic approach to self-betterment, O’Brien’s converted barn behind her house is part gym and part reiki studio. Sessions with The Fitness Nurse can combine a variety of health education and physical training as well as alternative medical treatments.“Let’s work from the ground up,” she explained. “It’s exercising, it’s cleaning up your diet, it’s everything.”O’Brien has published a book, “Fit for Life,” and started her own company as well, Take Charge of Your Health. Personal sessions with O’Brien are $75 for 60-minute sessions, but the first session is half price and the initial consultation is free. O’Brien also pointed out that, given someone with a serious medical illness or condition, she is willing to reduce her price by as much as half.Sessions are by appointment only; call The Fitness Nurse at 845-337-0389.