Japanese style of stress relief found in Centennial Hills

A Centennial Hills business offers customers a Japanese technique of stress relief and relaxation through healing energy.

Amy Barilla is the founder of The Reiki Gal Las Vegas and a full-time practitioner of reiki. Her business is primarily tailored toward children and women, although she said she has a handful of male clients.

“Basically, I try to reset the nervous system, which is often exposed to harmful elements,” Barilla said. “I start at the top of a (client’s) head and hover over different areas of their body. It’s a healing touch that’s very therapeutic.”

She offers healing services to prenatal and pediatric patients and women struggling with reproductive issues.

Kathy Wilson came to Barilla due to discomfort and pain surrounding her female cycle. After being treated by Barilla for more than a year, Wilson said she noticed a significant change in her energy.

“She’s taught me how to deal with people who are more negative, center myself and become more aware of my body and when things aren’t right,” Wilson said.

Most of her clients are nearby residents, but people also come from Henderson, Barilla said.

Barilla recommends reiki to pregnant women and newborns. She guides women through each trimester to help them ease morning sickness and prepare them for labor and delivery.

Barilla also caters to children. She sits children on a massage bed and has them pick a toy or rock from a nearby table to play.

“Children are so receptive to healing,” Barilla said. “I just have to get at their level. I want to give people who come in a chance to feel better about themselves.”

Krystal Nordstrom said she started bringing her 11-year-old daughter and 7-year-old son to see Barilla last June.

“My daughter has so many different phobias,” Nordstrom said. “Since she started seeing Amy, she’s been able to cope better with stress, and she adapts to changes more easily.”

Nordstrom’s son deals with breathing problems and ear infections, but since visiting with Barilla, Nordstrom claims he does not get them as frequently.

She takes her children to Barilla every two to three weeks. Barilla said the number of visits vary, depending on what obstacles a client faces.

Teens have also benefited from the technique, according to Barilla.

“Teens dealing with body image issues, eating disorders and social pressure can benefit from the healing touch, and dialogue is very therapeutic,” Barilla said. “I’m not here to judge any client. I let them open up to me.”

Barilla found her passion for reiki after learning that her father had cancer in 2007. To cope with the stress, Barilla started taking classes in reiki.

Her father’s cancer went into remission, and Barilla took her passion to the next level.

She started as a practitioner of reiki doing end-of-life care until she switched to helping children and prenatal patients.

Barilla, a native of New York, began her business in 2008 at Chiropractic for Life in Las Vegas.

“That amazing opportunity allowed me to build the vision of serious practice,” Barilla said.

In 2012, Barilla moved her business to 7495 W. Azure Drive, Suite 259. She expanded her space and has since produced a line of aromatherapy products, tea and T-shirts.

Parts of the proceeds go to help animal charities, according to Barilla.

Children’s sessions are $55 and last 30 minutes, while adult sessions are $85 and last one hour.

“She’s helped my family so much,” Nordstrom said. “She kept us from having to medicate my daughter. She’s an undercover angel.”

Barilla plans to host a Tarots & Tea workshop from 7 to 9 p.m. March 7. Tickets are $35.

The Reiki Gal is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Appointments are required. For more information, visit thereikigallv.info or call 702-875-2967.

Contact North Las Vegas and Centennial View reporter Sandy Lopez at slopez@viewnews.com or 702-383-4686.