Behind the Business: Gina Tatsumi

Gina Tatsumi didn’t start out her career seeking to become a Reiki master.

Ten years ago, she suffered a herniated disk in her back and a friend suggested that she try Reiki.

It worked.

“The universe took it from there and kept me on the path,” she said.

Now, Tatsumi is hoping to bring the ancient healing art to the mainstream.

On Friday, the 48-year-old is opening , offering Reiki treatments and classes, massage, infant massage and acupuncture at her Cranford Avenue storefront.

She said it’s one of the only healing arts centers in Northeast Ohio dedicated entirely to Reiki.

Built in 1836, the building that houses The Reiki Room — at 1394 Cranford Avenue — is one of the oldest standing structures in the city.

Tatsumi spent the past eight months renovating the space.

It shows.

Utilizing the existing stone foundation of the structure, she laid cobblestone floors, painted warm colors and went shopping for antique furnishings.

The warmth, she said, is perfect for her business.

Reiki, a spiritual healing practice with roots in Japan, has continued to gain popularity in Western culture. Hospitals, including the , have incorporated the practice into modern medicine.

“Reiki energy brings balance to the chakras so the body can heal itself,” Tatsumi said.

Loosely translated to “universal life force,” Reiki doesn’t have any religious component, but Tatsumi said it helps bring balance physically, mentally and spiritually.

“Reiki energy brings balance to the chakras so the body can heal itself,” she said. “I think I’ve always been a healer and I just didn’t realize it.”

Tatsumi said she prefer clients make an appointment, but the Reiki Room is open for walk-in visits from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. And soon, there will be walk-ins available on Fridays.

Lakewood Patch took a few minutes to get to know Tatsumi a little better. Our take on the Proust Questionnaire, crafted by French writer Marcel Proust, seems like a perfect fit.

What’s your favorite place to eat in Lakewood: There are so many, but is probably one of my favorites.

Favorite qualities in a man: Compassion.

Favorite qualities in a woman: Kindness.

Your chief characteristic: Trying to help people. Generosity.

Favorite characteristic in friends: Loyalty.

Your main fault: Being too hard on myself.

Your idea of happiness: Unconditional love.

Your idea of misery: Pain and suffering.

If not yourself, who would you be: Mother Teresa.

Heroine in history: Joan of Arc.

Favorite food, favorite drink: Any pasta, and right now, my favorite drink is apricot pale ale.

Your favorite name: I’ve always liked the name Gina.

What I hate the most: Negativity.

The natural talent I’d like to be gifted with: Being more athletic.

What is your present state of mind: Very content.

For what fault have you the most toleration: People not having a clear understanding of spirituality.

Your favorite motto: We are the ones we are waiting for.