About Joyce

Joyce Leonard is the founder and Reiki Teacher/Practitioner of Santa Cruz Reiki Works. Joyce began her adult life working in the corporate world, holding positions of customer service representative, call center manager, instructor, product and project manager, and team lead. In her late thirties, Joyce felt a different stirring inside her and, after much soul-searching, changed partners and careers and became a Business, Life, and Relationship Coach. She now helps people discover within themselves how to lead richer, happier, more fulfilling lives (see www.coachjoyce.com for more information on Joyce's Coaching Practice).

In 2005 Joyce became a Reiki practitioner, studying under Kathleen Prasad, of Animal Reiki Source. In 2007 she began her Master’s training with Frans Stiene, of the International House of Reiki. Both Kathleen and Frans continue to be Joyce’s Reiki teachers and mentors today. Joyce practices the traditional Japanese form of Reiki called Usui Reiki Ryoho. This form has its roots in Japan and is not the same form as is often practiced in the West. With Usui Reiki Ryoho, the focus is on personal and spiritual development, in addition to hands-on-healing. Reiki has greatly improved the quality of Joyce's life. She is much more grounded, calm, and compassionate now that she practices Reiki on a daily basis. Teaching adults has always been a passion of Joyce's, and she thoroughly enjoys teaching others the power of the system of Reiki and Reiki meditations. As a practitioner and teacher, Joyce is warm, down-to-earth, and approachable.

Kathleen Prasad, Frans Stiene, & Joyce Leonard

Joyce was a volunteer foster parent for the San Francisco SPCA, fostering no less than 125 orphaned, underaged, and sometimes undersocialized kittens over the course of four years. By offering these little ones Reiki on a daily basis, Joyce witnessed how Reiki helped these kittens become healthier and less afraid much more quickly.

Joyce also volunteered for Guide Dogs for the Blind. Going through training can be a stressful time for these highly-skilled dogs, and Joyce observed first hand how Reiki eases the stress, uncovers issues, and helps the dogs be even more successful.

At Crossroads Hospice in San Francisco, Joyce was a volunteer visitor, relieving full time caregivers for a few hours each week. Here, Joyce was able to do her Reiki meditations alongside the dying. She saw the Reiki energy providing relief in the form of peace, comfort, and sometimes, even joy.

In the summer of 2007, Joyce came down with Rheumatoid Arthritis. She talks about her RA as a blessing – the crack in which light came pouring in, and continues to do so. Thanks, in large part, to her personal Reiki meditation practice, Joyce is listening to her body and her spirit, remaining flexible to life's changes, and greeting all that life brings with equanimity. She is living life ever more openly these days, having discovered how to bring the way of her spirit with joy.

Joyce relocated to the Santa Cruz mountains in the summer of 2008 and started Santa Cruz Reiki Works, where she teaches Reiki and provides treatments for people and animals. Joyce continues with her volunteer work with Santa Cruz County Animal Services and Hospice of Santa Cruz County.

Joyce enjoys life with her husband, three adopted kitties, a dog, a stray kitty, and a rich community of dear friends.