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Hazel Llewellin

From Healing to Teaching: My Journey to Bosnia

Updated: Nov 21

In 2016, I went on a very unexpected  journey to Bosnia with my Reiki Teacher. Our mission was to offer voluntary healing sessions to the incredible women of Srebrenica, who were still deeply affected by their experiences during the war of 1995. It was an unforgettable experience—helping these women reconnect with their inner strength and power through healing.


This journey wasn’t just about giving; it was also about learning. During our time there, some of the women were so inspired by the healing they received that they asked us to teach them Reiki Level 1. It was humbling and heartwarming to see how this simple yet profound practice could plant seeds of empowerment in a community so profoundly impacted by trauma.


But how did this all come about? The path to teaching Reiki in Bosnia was anything but straightforward—it was a journey of trust, surrender, and magical synchronicities.


Discovering My Calling

The realisation that I wanted to teach Reiki didn’t come overnight. It was during a deeply personal retreat in Scotland that I found myself at a crossroads. I had quit my job to take time for healing and self-discovery, living simply and trying to figure out what was next for me.


As part of this healing journey, I met a lady in a nearby village where I was staying. We would do some exchange of our trades, she did Chinese Body Massage and in exchange I did a Reiki treatment.


On our first meeting she asked me "can you teach me Reiki?" my response was "I don't teach Reiki yet." on this reply, which was unexpected to me the word Yet really stuck out, I gave it some contemplation.


One thing became very clear: I wanted to teach Reiki. To do that, I needed to complete my Reiki Master Teacher training. However, I didn’t have the funds to enroll in the course, which felt like an insurmountable hurdle at the time.


A Magical Gift

Determined not to let money hold me back, I began offering my existing skills—reflexology, massage, and Reiki—in exchange for donations. My clients were incredibly supportive, and one day, something extraordinary happened.

One of my clients handed me two cheques.


The first was a generous donation, but the second left me speechless. It was for the exact amount of money I needed to enroll in my Reiki Master course.


This moment felt like pure magic—a sign that I was on the right path. With tears of gratitude, I enrolled in the course and traveled to Holland for a month to train with the very person who had given me my first-ever Reiki session.




A Journey of Healing and Giving

As part of my Reiki Master training, I worked closely with my teacher, practicing Reiki and holding space for others. Every donation we received during that time was put aside for a greater purpose. Originally it was going to be to pay for my course, however as I had the money from the amazing gift. We could not find a purpose for all the donations. 


By the end of my training, the total amount of donations we had collected was, once again, the exact amount we needed to fund our trip to Bosnia. It felt as though the universe was aligning everything perfectly, guiding us toward this mission of healing and teaching.


Empowering Others Through Reiki

In Bosnia, we offered healing sessions to women who had endured unimaginable hardships. The resilience and courage they showed were awe-inspiring. Some of the stories they shared, about what happened to them and their families in 1995,  are ones I could never repeat. They were so dreadfully tragic. Seeing the changes in them,  in our time there, was a testament to the power of Reiki and the human spirit.


When some of the women expressed a desire to learn Reiki themselves, we taught them Reiki Level 1, planting seeds of healing and empowerment that would ripple out into their families and communities.


Lessons From the Journey

Looking back, this journey was more than just a mission of service—it was a profound lesson in trust, surrender, and the magic of giving. It reminded me that when we follow our calling with an open heart, the universe often provides exactly what we need, exactly when we need it.

My time in Bosnia solidified my purpose as a Reiki Teacher and healer, inspiring me to continue sharing this beautiful practice with others.


Closing Thoughts

I hope this story inspires you to trust in your own journey and follow the whispers of your soul. Whether you’re seeking healing, transformation, or a way to give back, Reiki can be a powerful life tool to aid you on your journey whatever challenges come your way. 


If you’d like to learn more about Reiki or explore how it can support your own healing journey, feel free to reach out or explore the resources here on the blog.


With Love and Gratitude

Hazel

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