Today we’d like to introduce you to Caroline Ruderman.
Caroline was working at a stressful job when her anxiety took over. At the end of each day, she was completely burnt out. There was a lot of crying, a lot of giant cups of coffee and evenings at the bar and just a lot of emotional overwhelm. This was not the first time that she felt stress, but meditation and yoga were no longer carrying over into the day. It felt like her lower back, neck, and shoulders were always tense. Her body was holding that negative emotion. It was draining.
In the midst of all this, somewhere deep down, she was looking for balance. On a whim and have no idea what it was about, she signed up for a Reiki workshop. It was trying something different. She had met the instructor several years prior and really liked her vibe. The first session she received was a reset button. It was like breathing fresh air. The emotional weight lifted, and she felt so good for the first time in who knows how long. It was a way to let go emotion.
After that amazing weekend, she returned to work and accidentally quit her job. Since then, she has been in professional practice and then later began teaching the Reiki technique as well. She has specialized in managing anxiety in young people. Caroline has worked at wellness events at Bard College, Elms College, UMass Amherst, Columbia Greene Community College, and The Girls Club, Inc. in NYC, as well as yoga studios across Massachusetts and New York.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think any business owner knows that every single day is a new challenge. Entrepreneurs are problem solvers. That’s what we do. I had to learn about business and marketing and be comfortable putting my face out there. That’s part of the process. The hardest part of my journey has been accepting of “this is where I am right now.” I wanted my business to be immediately successful. I would focus on the things that needed to be fixed or upgraded. Seven years later, I know that pressure does not drive me, it gives me anxiety. Taking the stress off my shoulders was harder to shake than I expected. External problems can be easier to recognize than internal ones. I had to be really aware of my belief systems, what I thought “success” was, my relationship to money. It took a big mental shift. I’m a lot better at focusing on being grateful and laughing when my stuff comes up.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
I work with people who are looking for balance and relaxation. Meditations might not be carrying over into the day. Things are feeling stagnant or creatively blocked. People experiencing low back pain, neck tension, feeling anxiety all the time, feeling burnt out or worn down. Sometimes high-stress times can be around a certain time of years like midterms or a holiday; sometimes the stress is pretty rooted in, especially around relationships, experiencing panic attacks, or feeling tired all the time.
Clients come in and they’re ready to let it go.
With Reiki, I help people move anxiety and stress out of the body. It feels like an emotional detox. When clients lay on the table, their mind starts to relax, and their body can shift away from “fight or flight” mode into “rest and restore” mode. Sometimes making the shift can be hard to do by ourselves. That stress and anxiety can really dull our creative energy. It can prevent us from being productive. When we are able to relax and calm down, ideas and opportunities can come quickly. It’s really beautiful to see people sit up after a Reiki session and see that sparkle in their eyes.
Is our city a good place to do what you do?
I think Massachusetts is a great place for working in alternative health. When there are so many practitioners, clients know where to start looking. Having a network of other professionals and great word of mouth goes a long way too.
Pricing:
- $75 for 60 minutes
- $100 for 90 minutes
Contact Info:
- Address: 16 Center Street
Suite 514 Northampton, MA - Website: www.ReikiNorthampton.com
- Phone: 508.612.9809
- Email: carolineruderman@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Caroline-Ruderman-Reiki-121321468633522/
Image Credit:
Cat Garcia Ruderman
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