Today we’d like to introduce you to Madi Creese.
Hi Madi, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
From a young age, I remember finding so much passion in expressing myself through different avenues of body movements. It all started with ballet, gymnastics, and every sport I could play throughout school, and then quickly evolved into participating in my mom’s Jane Fonda Workout DVDs as well as practicing tai-chi for fun. Growing up, I never stopped moving until about 10 years ago when I tore ligaments in both ankles, ultimately ending my indoor volleyball career and putting a physical limitation on the way I once moved my body. It was at that point I began my spiritual journey & experienced the ways that yoga and reiki have the properties to fully restore, heal, & balance my emotional, physical, and spiritual livelihood. Now, a master reiki healer and 200hr yoga teacher, I have an innate passion to strive towards achieving all of my students’ goals by offering various classes in-person and virtual, such as; yoga, reiki, meditation, and holistic education. This journey has pushed me to inspire, strengthen, and help heal the lives of yogis and non-yogis alike.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has been quite an interesting road to travel. There’s been ups, downs, and plateaus just like most things in life. When I was in high school, I had my whole volleyball career planned out and thought that I was invincible like every kid at that age does. But unfortunately, I was not and tore ligaments in both ankles. Afterwards, I had to go through a year of physical therapy, which really taught me how to slow down and that it’s okay to not have everything go as planned. Thus, my mental health and body awareness journey started. It was and still is a bumpy road; I don’t think it ever stops being one. As you grow, you learn how to roll with the bumps instead of fighting against them. I couldn’t do the same things I did before with my body, but I wasn’t about to stop moving because of that. So, I adjusted, trying new movements like dance, weightlifting, and yoga. When college came around I fell in love with yoga & reiki. One day, I was going to the gym for my daily workout and spontaneously joined in on a yoga class. From that moment I was inspired and soon linked up with Loom Yoga (a local yoga studio). At Loom, I became a Karmic Yogi (essentially checking in students & cleaning the studio for a free membership and to learn the ropes of running a studio). In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, I was finally able to pay for my training! Becoming certified is expensive, and as a college grad in the middle of the pandemic, it hardly felt feasible. But during that time, I never gave up and defeated one of the hardest parts, finally becoming certified. Now, I’ve been practicing yoga for over a decade. I only see myself continuing to evolve and loving yoga more as time passes because this practice has helped me through many of life’s ordeals and has given me the tools to help others.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Growing up, my family used to call me Mad Max. Being the kid that I was, I carried that nickname with me into my adulthood. Once I moved to New York, while I began learning reiki, I also discovered the phrase “It’s mad brick outside,” and things started to click for me. From there came the concepts of my business name, MadReiki, something that shows my light but also packs a punch. One of my greatest beliefs is that yoga is for everyBODY. Regardless of size, shape, or color, yoga is you. My teaching style reflects this, and my own personal practice as well. I consistently show up filled with compassion, patience, body awareness, and a sense of playfulness. My classes incorporate Vinyasa and Reiki with a focus of getting students to be present by connecting with their breath in order to become aware of their bodies. My students are able to flow in a way that helps them uncover their own strength, grace, healing abilities, and infinite potential. Moving out of your comfort zone to accomplish these things is not easy, so I’m proud of all of my experienced yogis and those who are just starting out on their spiritual journeys.
Yoga and reiki, in the western society, most recently seems to be a spiritual bypass, washed out by people who want to create the best Instagram reels and make a bunch of money in doing so, which goes against the actual practice of spirituality, yoga, and reiki. That’s how MadReiki is different. It’s a safe space where you can just show up as you are fully accepted and fully allowed to just be.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts, or blogs that help you do your best?
Books: “A Happy Pocket Full of Money” by David Cameron Gikandi
“Essential Reiki” by Diane Stern
“The Crystal Bible” by Judy Hall
“Milk and Honey” by Rupi Kaur
Podcast:
Ted Talks
Mindful in Minutes
Coffee Break Spanish
Coffee Break French
Witch by BBC
Full Prefrontal
Rise with Dina and Becca
Apps:
Finch – the self-care app
I am – the affirmation app
Pricing:
- 1hr Reiki Session: $125
- 1hr Yoga Session: $75
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madreiki/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLsAqPfb1kdPrywTGhY0CFg
Image Credits
Zeke Avilez
