A healing touch can go far beyond physical relief. Sister Ellen Donovan, from Glace Bay, NS, became a Cape Breton pioneer in Reiki and massage therapy, and went on to become a Reiki Master Teacher.

Sister Ellen also generously shares her gift of music, in small gatherings or large. One of the highlights of her musical career was the production of Celtic Mass of the Sea, when she performed at Carnegie Hall, New York; Ireland and Scotland.

"I studied Swedish massage therapy at Sutherland-Chan clinic in Toronto from 1986-1988, and became a Reiki Master in 1993. Since then I’ve become certified in hot stone massage, ear candling, transpersonal hypnotherapy, and BEAM therapy ™. BEAM therapy™ is a bioenergetic emotional access method. If a person has had a trauma, severe injury or severe illness, there are always emotions connected with this and unless we get at the root of the emotion – whether it be fear, anxiety or anger – there will be no complete healing.

     

 

My experience has been in home clinics, homes for the aged and hospital settings, particularly the intensive care unit of our hospital. The people I’ve worked with include stroke, cancer and AIDS patients; veterans; individuals in palliative care; accident victims; and arthritic patients. My main mission is to do healing touch with women who’ve suffered from domestic violence.

I try to use compassion, creativity and spirituality in my art, and music plays a wonderful healing component in my treatment – especially chant, light classical and sounds of nature.

After a car accident left her unable to return to work as an elementary school principal, Jane MacLellan sought treatment from Sister Ellen and has also received Reiki instruction from her. In her words:

I couldn’t even drive to her place in Glace Bay at that time so my sister took me. I was in desperate pain, very handicapped – had difficulty standing, walking, sitting – and very emotional.

Sister Ellen helped me a great deal. Her treatments gave me relief from the great physical pain I was enduring, as well as emotional and spiritual healing due to the tragic circumstances of my accident.

She has also expanded my social consciousness through her invitations to events on environmental issues, violence against women and trafficking of women.

She’s always been there for me with support, encouragement and caring. She was one of the people who gave me hope for the future when I thought there was none for me.

Catherine Schella, medical social worker and Reiki student, says:

When you’re in Sister Ellen’s presence, you immediately feel you have her attention and she’s with you. You can carry into a session all the stresses of your personal life and/or work life and leave feeling you’ve been rejuvenated. It’s a caring relationship you develop with her over time, and it’s not only physical therapy. She’s aware of your spiritual, mental and physical health. There’s no separation.

Sister Ellen never stops learning and she never stops striving to make things better for others. She works against human trafficking and she’s helping educate people about the world’s pending water shortage crisis. She’s inspired me to follow many of those interests as well.