Life was good for Lisa Labozzo.
The Darien native and University of Connecticut graduate was working in corporate wholesale for Nine West. She was about to begin a new job, as a vice president.
An accident on I-95 changed her life.
Lisa’s car flipped. Her seat belt wrapped around her neck; she could not breathe. An EMT saved her life, and kept her alive until an ambulance — stuck in backed-up traffic — finally arrived.
It took months to recover from her traumatic head injury. Meanwhile, her job offer was rescinded.
Lisa Labozzo
Part of Lisa’s therapy was Reiki massage. A Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing, it includes laying on hands, based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through everyone.
Treatment involves the body, emotions, mind and spirit. It has been said to help ease insomnia, pain, stress and grief — even mitigate migraines.
Lisa calls Reiki one of the most important parts of her recovery. It helped her become more aware of “the precious time we have,” and of “love and compassion” too.
Guided by a mentor, Lisa realized that she could become a Reiki practitioner.
When she lays her hands on a Reiki client, Lisa says, they feel her warmth. The heaviness they carry around — for whatever reason — is lifted.
Lisa opened a practice in Stamford. When she saw an ad for space at Dream Spa — the Westport salon next to Crate & Barrel — she realized that adding Reiki to its other massage-type offerings could be beneficial to her, to owner Lori Dodd, and of course to Dream Spa’s clients.
Lisa’s hour-long sessions now complement the spa’s offerings. She hopes area residents will try Reiki — or gift it as holiday gifts.
“It’s very hard to put into words, or explain what I do,” she says.
“My intuitiveness leads me. I lift energy. I give people the tools to ground themselves, and eliminate the physical and mental causes of distress.
“People feel it. They feel the heat, and they feel the heaviness disappear. The pain is removed.”
(“06880” often highlights local businesses. If you appreciate our coverage, please support our work. Click here to contribute. Thank you!)
Dream Spa, dressed up for a previous holiday season.
First of all, I am thankful that you made it through what seemed to be a terrible accident on the highway. Reiki probably isn’t for me personally. I’m a bit skeptical and if Insurance doesn’t cover it, I’m even more skeptical. But it’s been around for well over 100 years so that’s proof it has staying power. I wonder what RFK Jr. has to say about it? Like I said, it’s not for me, but all the best to you!
Welcome, Lisa, to the Westport community of holistic health and healing practitioners! I am glad you discovered Reiki, and that it was helpful in your recovery. Best wishes!