Darina Norwood is an inspiring Reiki teacher who has guided my learning through each of the levels of Reiki attunement and healing practices. I am grateful beyond words for the transformation Reiki energy has bought to my life. I now feel confident to practice Reiki in service of others. Furthermore, Darina continues to be my trusted Reiki Master who I know I can call on should I need advice and support in my practice.

Starting Reiki with Darina many years ago was the pivotal changing point in my life. Through the reiki and Darina's amazing guidance & support I was able to rise above a very confusing and uneasy part of my life. I was able to connect with my true self and begin my journey to where I am today. I am totally confident in myself and my journey in life!

Reiki taught me to step back and look at life from an observer’s or witness perspective. This ultimately assisted me in being able to stop myself from being buffeted from life’s daily dramas. I learned how to respond as opposed to react to any challenging situations. Darina is a perceptive practitioner and a warm, compassionate teacher. She has a calming effect on all situations and people.

The first time Darina gave me a reiki treatment was in 1997. I noticed a pulsating energy coming from her hands into my body and it gently settled where her hands were placed. The warmth flowing through my body was soothing and gave me the impression I was truly loved. I recall I became quite still and felt the healing energy working on many levels of my being. The experience was profound. I experienced a subtle shift in my perception of myself and the world around me. This experience and many more treatments from Darina over the years led me to do the training to become attuned to Reiki. I was fortunate to receive the teachings and attunements by Darina and her Reiki Master. (Darina was training to be a Master at that time). The sessions always appeared to be tailored to my current needs and I became totally immersed in the energy and the healing it afforded me. I went on to complete Reiki one, two and three degree courses. I learnt about relationships on a deeper level and what type of energy I bring with me when in treatment sessions. My life appeared to be more balanced and I no longer felt attached to a lot of negative emotional discord I am happy to say I became a Reiki Master myself in 2009 and will always be truly grateful to Darina for the immensely important role she played in this for me.

It took me several years to find the right reiki master and when I met Darina I knew she would be the perfect teacher for me. She tailored the initiations for 1^st and 2^nddegree exactly to my needs and it was a wonderful experience. Initially my interest in Reiki was from sheer curiosity, but I soon discovered I really needed it: I was much more relaxed, calm and patient. Not long after, I went through very difficult times when my father’s cancer returned and our whole family had to face many challenges. During that time I drew on the support of the reiki energy. I was very calm and could support the rest of the family. Moreover, reiki made it easier for me to accept the most unacceptable and to support my dad’s transition. Also my dad recognized the benefits of receiving reiki, despite being skeptical with such things, he felt that it helped him mentally, emotionally and physically.

Darina’s method of teaching Reiki is second to none - she is a true professional. During my Reiki 1 training I had a vision of a third eye, which is a powerful symbol and reminder of what Reiki means to me. It transformed my outlook on life: I learnt to get in touch and draw on my inner wisdom and this changed how I see things and how I respond.

Initially I went to Darina to refresh my reiki levels one and two in Melbourne as I didn’t feel my previous trainings (with another teacher) had given me sufficient in-depth understanding of reiki and its practice. Darina offered knowledge and wisdom that was relevant to what was going on in my life. She always comes from a non-judgemental and calm place, which gave me the space and quietness to explore my energetic inner landscape and address any doubts and fears.  I enjoyed learning about how I could "peel back the layers”: to observe daily dramas from a detached point of view and see things for what they were. This enabled me to work through the different situations going on in my life and take responsibility for my overall experience. I would be energised and buzzing with enthusiasm after every session. The level 3 Reiki advanced course was most profound. I enjoyed the synchronicity of the monthly teachings and how they were playing out in my life. I learned that Reiki is not a concept: it is an experience that has transformed my perceptions and aided my personal growth.