Tending The Community Garden- Introducing Owner Alex DiFilippo

Alex DiFilippo

From Alex-

If you have been to The Reiki School and Clinic before, you already know that it is an oasis in this city. You leave so much more than your shoes at the door — you leave your worries, your judgments, your fears and your defenses. In place of these, walking into the warm and light space, you are greeted with hugs, laughter, peace and deep practice. In short, this is a community that treasures that sacred journey in ourselves and in one another, with tears, peace, joy, and non-judgment. A vital piece in the healing journey is the opportunity to just be yourself. The Reiki School provides precisely that. In my time at The Reiki School, I have witnessed the vast and diverse community Kim Fleisher has spent the past 15 years growing.  I have tremendous respect for what she has created am so excited to see what awaits her in her next steps! I am honored to step into the role of Community Development Director and offer space for the members of our infinitely creative, dynamic, and multifaceted community to grow and connect with one another. I have a strong history in community organization. As a child, I would frankly say that I wanted to save the world, and I learned very quickly that the best way to do that is to start right where you are. My own efforts started small as a young woman, and have expanded into many community efforts over the years — from a Girl Scout Daisy leader, to co-organizer of the Evolver Network's Philadelphia Chapter, to, most recently, being the Farmer's Market Lead for the Manayunk Roxborough Food Cooperative.Something equally as vital as putting energy out into the world is the transformative inner journey that makes it all possible. Since 2009, I have worked as a Holistic Health Counselor as a graduate of The Institute of Integrative Nutrition, serving to optimize the way we nourish ourselves with food, and examining the life circumstances that affect how we do this. Since 2012, I have also provided business coaching and support for students on their own entrepreneurial path. In health, I have focused on digestive health and cleansing, and, with Laurie Elder, was co-creator of the 21-Day Cleanse, which will be running again this Fall.At The Reiki School and Clinic, I have held Intuitive Development Classes as way of waking up and honing one's own intuitive skills. The transformation I have seen in these classes are humbling to witness. I have also offered private intuitive readings to individuals needing guidance which has been illuminating to myself and my clients, in understanding the human body, mind and spirit. I love what I do for a living, and I love creating wonderful things to put into the world. At my very core, I am an artist. The way some people use sports metaphors, I tend to rely on art metaphors, many of my students have to endure them! When I was pregnant with my first daughter, I took a class in traditional Japanese painting. I appreciated the philosophy connected to the work that we were doing, which held nature in high regard and called upon the artist to connect with her own nature within to make her own unique brush work, and that creating art was considered an active meditation. I created beautiful and unexpected work. I experienced an understanding of wholeness as I embraced Wabi-Sabi aesthetic, which reflects a "flawed beauty."Experiencing Reiki for the first time, I felt that same place in my core stir, and has also taught me to revere the flawed beauty in us all, because that is what drives us to forgive, and to be better, to heal. My daily Reiki practice has also been a necessary part of my self care routine. It has made it possible for me to make this thrilling leap!All of these gifts and experiences have lead me to this point, and I could not be more excited! I look forward to hearing from you on what you would love to see in our community as far as workshops, events, meet-ups, and finding ways to highlight the creative talents of our community. If you're interested in hosting an event or workshop, please reach out!I also look forward to supporting you in your personal health transformation or in your own intuitive development. I am grateful for this new endeavor and excited to see our community thrive and grow!Love,Alexalexandra@thereikischool.com