Helene Collard, founder of Yemaya Centre for Reiki and Wellbeing, has been a devoted practitioner of holistic healing since 2006. As a Reiki Teacher, Trauma-Informed Facilitator, and specialist in Indigenous Healing Knowledge Systems, Helene bridges the gap between holistic and Western approaches. She empowers individuals to explore how their personal stories manifest in their bodies, fostering growth, healing, and self-discovery in a safe and nurturing environment. MysticMag offers an exclusive interview.
Yemaya is considered a major water deity revered by the Yoruba peoples in Africa, serving as a guide for all creation and humanity. How does the centre incorporate the principles or symbolism associated with Yemaya into its practices and services?
Yemaya has deep roots in indigenous African culture, which resonates with my heritage. Interestingly, Yemaya was the name I planned to give my daughter—if I had one. I was absolutely convinced I’d have a girl, not once but twice, but ended up having two boys. This name held such significance to me that I decided to incorporate it into my business.
In my business, the philosophy I embody revolves around a unique therapeutic approach that prioritizes comfort and safety. I focus on creating a welcoming environment and fostering trust through the way I consult and treat clients. Central to my approach is the belief that the client is the ultimate authority in the room.
Many of my clients are navigating health crises while also engaging with the medical model. For instance, I work with clients going through cancer journeys, and the stories they often share are disheartening. They describe walking into medical appointments where they’re told what to do, and if they express any concerns or hesitations, they’re dismissed or made to feel like they’re at fault. This contrasts sharply with how I work. When clients come to me, I ask, “What do you need most? Why are you here?” I position them as the authority and work with their permission and consent at every step.
One example is a client I’d been seeing for some time. They’re on a cancer journey, and only after many months did they disclose a substance abuse issue they hadn’t mentioned before. When they shared this, we discussed it to understand how it affected their life. I reassured them that Reiki would help support them in some ways, but I also offered to connect them with a specialist recovery program whenever they felt ready. At the time, they said they were not ready, which was perfectly fine.
From that point, every session included a gentle check-in. I’d ask how they were managing and whether they felt ready to take the next step. They consistently said no, and I respected that. This went on for several months, until one day, before I even brought it up, they told me, “I think I’m ready now.” It took a couple of weeks to arrange the right referral, but they immediately joined a program I recommended. They are now six months sober.
For me, this illustrates the importance of meeting clients where they are. It’s about self-determination—empowering them to make decisions at their own pace. My role is to create a space where they feel safe, supported, and held without judgment. At the same time, we don’t bypass the issues; everything is on the table. This integrated approach is slow and gentle, ensuring that healing happens only with a person’s permission and in a way that feels right for them.
This contrasts with other therapeutic approaches that may be more directive, aiming for the quickest or most efficient results. My method, which is informed by Indigenous healing practice, and Reiki philosophy is different. It’s about deeply listening, respecting each person’s journey and allowing transformation to unfold naturally, when they’re truly ready.
The Yemaya Centre offers both in-person and online services. How do you ensure the quality and effectiveness of Reiki treatments and courses delivered virtually compared to those conducted face-to-face?
I follow the Reiki Australia and global Usui Reiki guidelines, which specify that certified Reiki courses shouldn’t be taught online. For this reason, I don’t offer my certified Reiki courses online. However, I see an opportunity to create other types of online courses to support people who have learned Reiki online or want to deepen their practice.
Recently, I completed a post-graduate qualification in learning design, specifically focused on creating effective online education for adults. This training has equipped me to design robust, high-quality online courses that adhere to strong educational principles. My goal is to make these courses not only rigorous but also accessible and engaging.
Accessibility is a key focus for me. I aim to create online learning environments that accommodate a wide range of needs, including individuals with physical or learning disabilities, as well as those who are more visual or auditory learners. There’s so much potential in making online education both inclusive and effective while also fostering a sense of community among learners.
When it comes to Reiki treatments, I’ve adapted my approach to provide a meaningful and therapeutic online experience. For Distance Reiki treatments, I use video calls to create a session that closely resembles an in-person experience. These sessions begin with a brief consultation, just as they would in person. Afterward, the client can get comfortable—either lying down or sitting—while I guide them through relaxation techniques to help them settle into the session.
During the treatment, clients have the option to turn off their camera if they prefer, allowing them to fully relax. Once the treatment is complete, I guide them out of the session gently and follow up with a debrief to discuss how they’re feeling and any insights from the experience.
This approach allows me to simulate the personal, connected experience of an in-person Reiki session while adapting it for the online space. I’m passionate about ensuring clients feel safe, comfortable and supported to receive the full benefits of Reiki, no matter where they are.
What attracted you to Laughter Yoga and what are the benefits?
I’ve always had a tendency to worry about things and sometimes feel like I take life a bit too seriously. That’s what initially drew me to laughter yoga—I thought it might be a great way to loosen up and lighten my perspective. When I did the course, I had this incredible “aha” moment. I realized that laughter has been a huge part of my life for generations. My family has always had a great sense of humor, and my mum has an unforgettable laugh. We laugh a lot together, and it just hit me that laughter is in my blood—and really, I think it’s in all of our blood.
Sometimes, though, the weight of the world can feel a bit heavy, and that’s why I found laughter yoga so appealing. The benefits are absolutely amazing. It’s more than just a good laugh—it moves lymph around the body, massages the organs, and provides a full aerobic workout. A session lasts at least 30 minutes, and can go up to an hour. It involves laughing, clapping and stretching, and by the end, you’re warm, energized, and your lungs have had a great workout too.
Beyond the physical benefits, it’s incredible for releasing happy hormones like endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine. I always acknowledge to people that it might feel a little weird at first—starting to laugh intentionally can seem unnatural—but I remind them that there’s wisdom in the saying: “A child’s work is play, and an adult’s work is to learn how to play again.” Laughter yoga is essentially playtime for adults.
Once people embrace it, the results are undeniable. You can’t help but feel amazing afterward. It’s a fun, playful way to reconnect with joy and shake off the seriousness of everyday life.
The centre provides a comprehensive Reiki Level 4 teacher training program, which includes a pre-course consultation, two full days of training, and 12 days of observation and assistance at six Reiki courses. What motivated the development of this extensive curriculum, and how does it prepare participants for their roles as Reiki teachers?
Thank you for that question—it’s something I’ve given a lot of thought to. I’m currently studying education and learning design, which has really deepened my understanding of what it takes for people to learn effectively. One thing I’ve realized is that weekend courses with no follow-up or continuity aren’t enough to truly teach something, especially something as deep and transformative as Reiki.
Last year, I attended a virtual session with the Reiki Grand Master Johannes Reindl, who oversees the Reiki community worldwide. I asked him about his Reiki Master training, and he shared that he underwent a five-year apprenticeship. That really struck a chord with me. It made so much sense—Reiki, as an ancient holistic healing modality, is like a martial art. It’s a lifelong practice and philosophy, something to be embodied over time. This perspective inspired me to rethink my own training programs and expand them to provide a more comprehensive and meaningful experience.
One of the key expansions I’ve implemented is an assistance and observation component for teacher trainees. This allows them to observe all the sacred rituals I perform during a Reiki course, not just learn about them in theory. They also get to practice rituals like preparing the space for the course, which is such an integral part of the process. Being in the actual course setting gives them a chance to observe and participate, and as they gain confidence, I invite them to take on sections of the course themselves. This could include delivering content, leading a meditation, or facilitating icebreaker activities with the group. By the time they’ve assisted and observed six courses, they’re well-prepared to lead their own courses.
For me, this comprehensive training approach reflects the responsibility I feel as a Reiki teacher to uphold the integrity of this sacred healing system. I want to ensure I pass it on with care and in a way that honors its tradition.
To your question about progression, I’ve been teaching Reiki for 10 years now and have trained many students. I focus on small groups, offering a personalized training experience. Interestingly, I’ve had students who initially trained with other teachers in larger groups come back to redo their training with me because they felt a smaller, more intimate setting was more beneficial for their learning, growth and progression.
As for how many people progress, it really depends. Many people think Reiki training is just for those who want to treat others, but the foundation of Reiki is actually self-treatment. The primary reason people learn Reiki is often for their own self-healing and personal growth, whether they explicitly realize that or not.
People are often drawn to Reiki training during major life transitions, personal transformations, or periods of spiritual maturation. They feel that the energetic and spiritual components of Reiki training, along with the personal development it supports, are beneficial for their journey. It’s a deeply personal process of evolution and growth, and I feel honored to support people through it.
The centre hosts regular Reiki Circles, offering monthly group gatherings for wellbeing support. What role do these circles play in the broader context of community building and individual healing, and what feedback have participants shared about their experiences?
Reiki circles are a space dedicated to personal and spiritual development. They provide an opportunity to reconnect with your practice after completing a course, allowing you to review techniques and philosophy while also checking in with yourself. At the beginning of each Reiki circle, we might draw a card and share a brief check-in—how we’re doing, how we’re feeling—creating a moment to pause, reflect, and connect in a supportive environment.
The circle also includes giving and receiving Reiki, which is deeply restorative. It’s a chance to revisit the teachings, refresh your understanding of the philosophy, and simply be held in the shared energy of the group.
We often close the circle by collectively sending Reiki to the Earth, which is always a meaningful way to conclude. This practice fosters a sense of connection—reminding us that we’re part of something far greater than ourselves. It’s easy to feel like we’re isolated in our own little corners of the world, but Reiki helps us remember that we’re living on this beautiful planet, among many interconnected life forms.
One of the profound gifts of Reiki is its ability to extend healing beyond ourselves. When we feel overwhelmed or worried about challenges in our lives, our families, or our communities, Reiki gives us a way to channel healing energy outward. Sending healing to the Earth is not just symbolic—it’s an act of collective intention, rooted in the belief that we can contribute to the well-being of the world. This practice instills hope and reminds us of our capacity to care, to connect, and to be a force for good, even in times of uncertainty.
If you would like to find out more about Helene Collard, please visit https://www.yemayacentre.com.au/
