The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a lot of uncertainty, leaving many of us to feeling a sense of unhappiness and negativity.
But at the same time, staying at home gives us the chance to work on self-care and maintaining good energy.
Anne-Marie Caicco from The Healing Loft will be teaching a virtual First Degree Reiki course, a beginner-friendly certification course that will provide the basics of energy healing with a focus on self-care.
Caicco is a trained Master Practitioner and teacher of the Usui and Karuna methods of Japanese Reiki, and has been studying Reiki along with many different healing modalities for over 23 years.
“Reiki is an energy modality where practitioners are taught to balance their own energy as well the energy of others. You learn about energy anatomy and how energy is organized in and around the body,” she said. “One thing that I find helps people to understand is that we are as organized energetically as we are physically. We can have an energetic imbalance just like we can have a physical imbalance. Imbalances show up first in the energy field before they show up in the physical, mental or emotional fields.”
According to, holistic healing program Healing Touch for Animals, energy healing initiates relaxation to the body, which then releases endorphins to the brain, and the endorphins relax the muscles. Relaxed muscles create more space between cells providing increased circulation, and an increased blood flow elevates oxygen levels throughout the body. Eventually, this cycle leads to healthy cells being regenerated, which promotes healing.
Caicco says that energy healing can help deal with the effects of COVID-19, whether it be the virus itself or the effects of being in isolation.
“It can absolutely help to boost the immune system, and it can help to bring in feelings of wellness and peacefulness. Most people report things such as a feeling of well-being, and if they’ve had pain it often diminishes or decreases,” she said.
“Most people that take this course feel more self-empowerment afterwards. People think that because it’s not something you can see, it doesn’t work. But there have been so many studies that show that it does work,” Caicco said.
The First Degree Reiki course will be held over three nights, over Zoom, starting this Thursday Feb. 11 at 6-9:30 p.m., and continuing for the next two Thursdays. If you are interested in taking the course, the fee will be $375.00 including HST for the three nights, and that will include the manual and certification.
Anne-Marie Caicco can be reached at amcaicco@hotmail.com or 705-992-3139. In addition, Caicco offers in-person First Degree Reiki courses at The Healing Loft, with her next course starting on Mar. 8.
With stay-at-home orders still in effect and Saultites urged to continue following COVID-19 guidelines, many of us are staying inside and online now more than ever.
So each week, SooToday will share some of the virtual events taking place to help you make the most of these unprecedented times, and have fun safely at home.
If you or someone you know is planning a local virtual event (concert, class, celebration, etc.), send the details to news@sootoday.com.
Other events taking place this week include:
Bon Soo - Kiwanis Virtual Trivia Night
Feb. 11
Test your knowledge with this online trivia night on Thursday, Feb. 11 from 8 p.m.-10 p.m. run by the Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore and Bon Soo. The trivia night will be hosted on Zoom and the “Kahoot!” trivia platform. There will be 10 rounds of trivia, with a total of 60 questions. The event will be $10.00 to join, and the top 3 contestants will win cash prizes. All proceeds go towards Kiwanis Club of Lakeshore local initiatives for children.
Exploring the Birds of Ontario II with David T. Chapman
Feb. 11
In this Youtube presentation by the Bruce County Public Library, you can discover and learn about beautiful backyard birds along with birds of prey. Different photos and videos of these birds will be featured, along with additions like warblers, winter finches and herons.
The presentation will also be looking at the nesting process of owls and a particular, popular songbird that almost everyone has had the pleasure to enjoy in their own yard. The show will have humour, bloopers and facts along with stunning imagery that will be enjoyable for any age. The online presentation will be live via Youtube on Thursday, Feb. 11 at 2 p.m. EST.
The Lounge NOMFA Winter Showcase
Feb. 11-12
From Feb. 11-12, Cultural Industries Ontario North (CION) will be hosting a number of virtual performances as part of The Lounge series. You can stream performances from Sault native - and Juno nominated - Kalle Mattson, along with other Northern Ontario Music and Film Awards (NOMFA) winners and nominees like Will Powers, Céleste Lévis, and G.R Gritt. The series will also feature an online panel discussion with music industry professionals.
Viewers can pre-order their free ticket for the show or sign up on Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. EST.
Virtual Valentine Cards "Crafternoon"
Feb. 13
This Saturday from 1-3:30 p.m., celebrate love with a virtual Valentine’s Day cards “Crafternoon”, presented by Watercolor Cafe in Mackinac Island. This event is open to the public and will be $10 per household. Learn how to make a variety of Valentine’s Day cards using watercolor paints.
This event has something for every age, so tune in for the design you want to learn, or stay for the full session. The only supplies needed are Zoom, markers, crayons, watercolors and whatever colorful materials you have. This family event will be led by Mackinac Island artist Kate Dupre.
The “Crafternoon” schedule can be found on the event’s Facebook page and Zoom information will be available once you register.
Have an event coming up? Add it to our Community Calendar here.
Did we miss something? E-mail us at news@sootoday.com.
