(continued from page 36) energies through our performance. “Illumination” is an experience where I, the space-holder, create a playlist that creates an emotional exploration of your body. Each song gives you an opportunity to discover where there are stored or blocked emotions in the body, and for the dancer (I say dancer, but one does not need to identify themselves as a dancer, just as willing to heal) to dance, stomp, leap, cry, yell, or crawl their demons or repressed joys out. During the “Illumination” I play my Medicine Drum to facilitate a trance-like state. I invite participants to play drums or shake rattles as they feel necessary to help in shaking out their blocked emotions. Afterwards we slowly unwind the intensity of the music and ground again. We all emerge from the dance lighter, sweaty and freer. We talk a little afterwards, have some dark chocolate for grounding and then head home feeling grateful and newborn. I recently learned Maori Joint work when the Maori Healers visited NYC, which involves releasing the joints of the hands and feet. It feels wonderful and brings peace, healing and pleasure to the giver and the receiver. It calms even the most anxious being. A few finger and a few toes in, people are amazed by how much they can let go. I offer this new service as well. What physical/mental/emotional issues can be addressed with these types of treatments? We store emotions in various parts of our bodies. Examples: When we lie too much, talk to much, or don’t express ourselves with our voice, or hold back our words for fear, there is imbalance in the throat chakra. Restoration work, shamanic work, or movement work can assist that person’s healing to those areas. Calming the mind (Reiki, Mayan Rebalancing, Mesa Work) can help someone with an overactive mind as well. “Illumination” can help the body let go of tight areas of stored emotion or tension. I’ve seen people heal in shamanic workshops in one weekend what years of therapy did not. Not to say that therapy is not good, but we can lie, deny, blame and rationalize, for lots of years in therapy, which keeps us from getting to our own responsibility for our participation in our unhappiness for fear of moving forward. What can your clients expect when being treated? All energy work is collaborative. If you do not want to be healed, you will not be healed. If you are invested in the victim story, or in depression, or anxiety, you will block light from coming in. Where the story is trapped may not receive the healing, but the rest of you will. The mind, body and spirit came to the healing together. The other guys say “Come on! This stuff is so good. You’re stopping us from being free!”. In time, we give in and let more light it, because the story is too burdensome to carry. A little light can go a long way. Has your work changed throughout your own life’s journey? Yes! I learned that to care, or be empathetic, you don’t have to take on others feelings as your own. You just to hold space for them. I had to learn to protect myself from illness and to keep my mind from picking up the sensitivities of others. I took many workshops, but the most beneficial practice I learned was from Dave Markowitz, a medical intuitive. He taught to leave your heart open, because you cannot hold space for someone if you are wearing armor. You must leave a little keyhole in your heart, where someone’s pain, or emotions pass through you to be recycled by the earth. A few people who did the “protective bubble” technique had issue with that, but I know when something is true for me. I heard that message, and knew I was there to receive it, exactly when I needed it most. I also learned to not be so concerned with the outcome. What is to be, shall be. I am not the healer, just the vessel. Do you find that the Astoria community is receptive and eager to enhance their wellness regimens with these types of healing therapies? We are awakening. Consciousness is being raised about our food, the media, politicians linked to corporate greed and about our personal responsibility for the place our world is in today. More people are meditating, taking yoga, seeking acupuncture, massage, alternative therapies and looking for more meaning in their lives. I could probably have more healing clients in the city, but they already have far more resources than those in Queens. My place is here. My community is here. Truthfully, success is measured in the lives you touch. I am blessed to have so many people who trust to allow me to be part of their spirit path. So, Yes. I do feel Astoria is ready and eager for this work. Where do you practice your work? I do Reiki, Maori Joint, and shamanic work at Matrix Fitness Center. I also host “Illumination” journey dance workshops in Matrix’s beautiful studio. I can go to someone’s home as well, but only after we have established a relationship. I can do healing outdoors, host healing circles for communities, team building for workplaces and assist in family (marriage, parents and children, siblings), interventions, on a spiritual level, in the home. Luz can be reached by e-mail at: ontheluz@aol.com and on Facebook: Luz Milagros Arpino, where I soon will be attaching a link to my upcoming website. BODY & SOUL 38 | BOROMAG.COM | OCTOBER 2013
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