Paula Michal-Johnson, co-Founder of The Pennsylvania Reiki Consortium and owner of Classical Reiki Pennsylvania, transitioned from the physical on October 14, 2016. According to her colleague Tara Gallus, Paula will be remembered for many reasons, but most of all for her passion for helping others, a passion displayed in many ways. She, was a teacher, a Jikiden Reiki Shihan, a professor of organizational and health communication, a photographer, organizer, empath, healer, mother, friend, and loving wife for more than 33 years. She enjoyed a full and adventurous life.

As the co-Founder of The Pennsylvania Reiki Consortium, Paula brought her talents in working to bring peace, comfort and healing to those at the Public Reiki Clinic in Bethlehem and at the numerous outreach activities that she led in coordination with her work. Paula’s work on bringing the latest research and progressive work involving Reiki and different groups in our community was highlighted through her leadership in organizing the annual Reiki Today Conference, the first and only conference focused on Reiki in the Lehigh Valley area which brought together speakers and participants from around the world. Paula was recognized as a leader in the Reiki community beyond the Lehigh Valley and was often requested as a speaker for other related conferences.

Paula’s work through her personal professional Reiki practice brought Reiki to many students and clients over the years. Her fascination with the origins of Reiki inspired trips to Japan to deepen her personal practice, progress she then generously shared with those around her. As a teacher, Paula always included humor and personal experiences in her courses, inspiring her students to deepen their practices to realize Reiki’s true benefits. She created a community among her students and beyond, to include the entire holistic community of the Lehigh Valley - most notably through the establishment of the Lehigh Valley Holistic Practitioners group at Kindling Wellness Center.

Paula’s humor, compassion, and enthusiastic energy will be deeply missed in our community. We will forever be thankful that her uniquely beautiful spirit graced us with her presence and knowledge.