Courtney G. Smith, aka The Reiki G, is a Chicago-based certified Reiki Master. First introduced to Reiki in 2013 to deal with chronic pain, she fell in love with the practice and soon found herself providing Reiki for her family and friends.
In 2018, Smith began seeing clients regularly and volunteering her services with I Grow Chicago, a not-for-profit whose mission is “to grow Englewood from surviving to thriving through community connection, skill building, and opportunity.”
It was here that Courtney would cultivate homework for her clients to do after their Reiki sessions. Courtney began giving the same homework to her regular clients and discovered that her clients who did their homework consistently began to have major shifts in their lives. One client who was consistent with the homework received a promotion at work, began dating someone new, and started mending relationships she previously thought had been destroyed.
Once she discovered her ability to positively impact the lives of others, Courtney decided her overall goal would be to raise the vibration of the people of her community, one Reiki session at a time.
N’DIGO recently caught up with Smith to learn all about Reiki and its benefits.
N’DIGO: In your own words, who is Courtney Smith, aka The Reiki G?
Courtney Smith: I am a woman that truly goes with the flow and allows God to guide me. I’ve had the wonderful opportunity to be involved in some pretty cool projects. In 2006, I produced an award-winning film about Black women and autoimmune diseases. And here I am 14 years later, providing Reiki to my community as a Reiki Master.
People may have heard of the term but a lot are still unfamiliar. If you had to break it down for a five year old, how would you describe what exactly Reiki is?
Reiki is an ancient Japanese form of energy healing. It’s similar to the laying of the hands in the church in that I lay my hands over specific parts of the body called chakra points. When I lay my hands over these chakra points, I am sending Reiki energy, which consists of specific symbols that hold different types of energy. Reiki is designed to reduce stress and help with relaxation. On a deeper level, it can assist with emotional, physical, and mental healing.
How did you discover Reiki and your love for it?
In 2013, I was introduced to Reiki by a friend who’s a Reiki Master. She thought it might help with chronic pain I was having. After that I met another Reiki Master, who is now a friend, through her, that basically pushed me to take her Reiki I and II courses in 2015 because she saw the healer in me.
I was not interested at all, but she said at the very least I could use Reiki on myself. About three years after that, the friend who first introduced me to Reiki put me in contact with Aya-Nikole Cook at Haji Healing Salon because she was looking for an additional Reiki Practitioner. So I began seeing clients regularly in 2018 and it’s been an amazing journey since then.
For those curious to learn more, what’s the first step you’d recommend to learn more about Reiki?
Honestly, I’d say google Reiki. The guy that I’m dating now had never heard of Reiki when we first met. Unbeknownst to me, he researched Reiki and then went through my Instagram page to learn more. He was really intrigued and decided to book a session with me, not really knowing what to expect. Now he’ll ask for a Reiki session when he wants to balance his energy. So I would say first research it, and then book a session with a Reiki Practitioner you feel drawn to.
Tell us about your involvement with the non-profit, I Grow Chicago.
At the moment it’s on a hiatus, but last year I started volunteering my Reiki services to the people of I Grow Chicago weekly. People thought I was crazy to take the bus to Englewood each week, but I felt like it was needed. My overall goal with Reiki is to raise the vibration of my people.
Once I got rid of my car in 2008 and started taking the bus, I realized how at times Black people vibrate at a low frequency. The first thing I noticed was that my people are angry. And rightfully so. The struggle is real. And when you’re dealing with government agencies that treat you with absolutely no respect while you’re living from paycheck to paycheck, it definitely lowers your frequency. So I started volunteering at I Grow Chicago with the hope that I would help my people vibrate just a little bit higher.
How would your friends describe you?
Haaa!! This question made me chuckle because my friends would describe me as Tasha Mack from the TV show The Game.
Who is Courtney outside of work?
This exceedingly silly person. I love to laugh and I have a wonderful sense of humor.
What’s something people would be surprised to know about you?
That I’ve seen Tom Jones perform before.
Can you name a book that changed or really impacted your life?
The Autobiography of Malcolm X impacted my life because I saw the embodiment of a man in a way in which I had never seen before, and honestly don’t think I ever will again.
Best advice to young people?
Trust yourself and know that it is perfectly fine if you don’t have it all figured out.
Favorite quote or affirmation?
“Happiness all depends on your point of view.” – Author Unknown
What’s next for Courtney G. Smith? Future Project? Dream? Goals?
It’s funny because my clients have really guided me in my development. So next up is teaching Reiki to students so that they can become certified practitioners. And also teaching classes on how to develop your spirituality. I had a client ask that I help her in this area, which is an honor because she’s over 60. I absolutely love to see people continue to grow, and force me to grow in the process. In all honesty, I want to get back to film production. That is my happy, creative place.
For more information on Courtney, please visit www.courtneygsmith.com
