Angelika Vossebein

Hello, I first met Beate about four years ago through a flyer from the Mülheim Breast Center
:

At that time, I had breast cancer, which turned the life I had led up to that point upside down in every way. The long period of medical treatment was by no means marked solely by suffering, but it was exhausting; I was correspondingly drained afterward, I often had restless nights, felt physically drained, was completely tense, suffered from pain throughout my body, felt overwhelmed very quickly, was constantly tired, and had lost ten kilograms.

I was often unhappy with myself; many of life’s questions were weighing on my mind back then. Our third child had moved out, and my illness had changed not only my body but also my perspective on my life up to that point.

I had many questions and no answers; I set out on a long journey, becoming a wanderer on the path my life had taken so far—a path I neither wanted nor was able to continue down.

During that time, I met Beate; we got together once a week in a small group of women.

The course was organized by the Breast Center for women who want to do something good for themselves during or after cancer treatment: Reiki and relaxation.

My curiosity was piqued.

The atmosphere was cozy, the group was small, and I immediately took a liking to Beate as a person, with her cheerful, life-affirming aura and warmth….
ALREADY after the first session, something began to stir within me…. We breathed, each at our own pace; for the first time since the onset of my illness, I began to perceive myself again, to feel my chest rising and falling… I was still alive; I was alive.

We breathed into each part of our bodies, starting from our feet and working our way up to our heads, and for the first time in a long while, I felt whole—it was an indescribable feeling. Once we did an exercise with our feet; we rolled every part of the foot over a small ball… God, I had feet—I could feel them clearly… and a footprint remained on the mat—I left traces…

At some point, we were invited to stretch our backs using a so-called fascia bone…
ALL areas of the back are treated during this process, accompanied by breathing techniques.

I will never forget the so-called "heart opening":
It was as if I had a large, hard knot there; I felt immense pain when I breathed—not just physically, but it touched me in the truest sense of the word. Something loosened with every breath; at first it hurt, and tears just came to my eyes. Many experiences from my life came to mind; it was as if something deeply buried within me was awakening with each breath…an indescribable feeling of aliveness, of love, and of connection with myself; little by little, the knot inside me loosened more and more…

I never would have thought that this type of bodywork would change my life so much…
This transformation didn’t just happen once a week in that room…
We were given guidance on how to connect with ourselves at any time, to relax physically and mentally, and to be mindful. And we didn’t need any equipment, expensive courses, doctors, or anything else to do so. We just had to learn to listen to ourselves again, to trust ourselves, our bodies, and their signals; many of the exercises could be integrated into our daily lives on our own.

You always had the tools you needed right there: yourself.

When we felt like it, we also treated each other to something nice and danced together—which, in addition to stimulating our brains, minds, and bodies, simply did us good and brought a sense of connection and joy…

Over the years, Reiki has become an integral part of my life…
I wouldn’t want to have missed a single session with Beate. She was in the right place at the right time, and I am very grateful for that encounter.

After completing my cancer treatment, a new chapter began, guided by Beate and her classes.

Today, five years after my cancer diagnosis, I am still alive. My life has changed; it has never been the same as it was before my illness. In fact, I have two birthdays today.
Life has been given to me once again, and that is how I see it today.
Reiki and Beate’s courses, her unique approach, the breathing and relaxation exercises, the community of women, the beautiful atmosphere, and the encounters have certainly contributed to this. Through Reiki, I have learned to perceive and feel myself and my body; I have learned to accept and love myself with everything that is, which has also had an impact on my relationships and my faith
.

I only live once, and that’s a gift; yesterday is behind me, and no one really knows what the future holds. Since my illness, I often find joy in the little things these days; I don’t care so much anymore about what others think of me.

My body has changed, but I have never loved myself more than I do now.
I no longer focus so much on the suffering around me; I see that even supposedly major problems—illnesses, broken relationships, and so on—can ultimately lead to something good and healing.
Love and peace always begin, first and foremost, with ourselves… I sold my house and started a new life with my husband; our love is deeper today than it has ever been, and my friendships are deeper today than ever before.

Can Reiki serve as a stimulus and an invitation to connect with oneself?
Absolutely.
Can breathing alone make a difference?
Yes, more than you might think.
Can sensing and becoming aware of oneself be the first step toward a new life?
I believe that is possible

And that sincere faith in all of this can move mountains, ease pain, and bring healing?
I experienced this firsthand.
Do you need to bring anything with you for this life-changing Reiki experience?
Yes:

Curiosity about oneself, life, and the possibilities for change.
A desire to connect with other women in a trusting atmosphere.
And the hope that things can change for the better when we take action together.

With that in mind:
Live life to the fullest—you only have this one.

Social Media