Meet Kendra Hammell

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kendra Hammell.

Hi Kendra, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
In 2017 after combatting severe health issues, I had the desire to change. I wanted to feel better and have more energy. I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. It was suggested to try a Reiki session with my cousin who is a Reiki Master and the seed was planted. My first session had a very peaceful vibe and I didn’t really understand too much about what was taking place I just let myself be and breathe. That was a big step for me. I couldn’t remember the last time I just paused and stayed still, and it was apparent that I never took time for myself. That afternoon I remember acknowledging that I was a burnt-out, frayed, and fizzled mess. I remember crying so much that I was drenched in salty tears and took the best nap of my life. I awoke to have no expectations but what started happening after was the beginning of my new life.

In Reiki, the practitioner will lay hands on you if they are called to, but this energy can be transferred through space and time and touch is not necessary. I finally realized that I was filled with energy and that some days it had been sucked right out of me. I also learned that I could protect my energy field and that I had the power to heal myself.

This was a game changer; I was taking charge of my body and I was going to love her and nurture her. I could no longer curse her for being sick, tired, and not enough. That was all negative talk and that was no longer an option. I needed to put on a new pair of glasses and approach my health in a different manner, maybe there was an easier softer way. Maybe self-care was a vital element in my recovery. Maybe I did need to love myself so that I could love others better. Teachers started showing me ways to raise my vibration and how to stay centered and grounded. I learned how to do things like shadow work, learned about the law of attraction and the sacred flames of healing, sound therapy, EFT, EMDR, yoga, acupuncture and plant medicine, feng shui, crystal healing, burning sage, and juice cleanses. I have tried it all and am still seeking and searching for all there is in this world to help me. All these things in the toolbox helped me become more receptive to energy and how to work with it. My relationship with my past and dark side became a priority so that I could move on and be better.

I currently am embarking on a new journey with my business here in Fairview, TN, and know more than ever that there are no such things as coincidences. In September I was laid off and finally had the time to take my crystals out of storage and start using my toolbox again. I was invited to do a vending event in my new hometown of Fairview at Fairview Nutrition and made a wonderful connection with the community . I am so grateful that my creator has put me on this path to wellness, balance, and peace. I am honored to meet new people who are curious and ready to experience and receive Reiki energy through me. It lights me up to share this with you!

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 1987. I was 10 years old and remember being shown videos on the long-term effects of the disease and I was absolutely terrified. This was the beginning of my journey and learning what I was powerless over. This was also my beginning with trauma. I think we all have it somewhere inside us and some of us don’t acknowledge it, they feed it. I am grateful that I chose to listen. I chose to get quiet and shut my mouth and I was able to hear Good Orderly Direction. I am 15 years sober, without my sobriety I am nothing. I am also a diabetic and if I do not have controlled blood sugars, I am lining myself up with what I saw in those videos as a child. I do not like to label myself as anything since I am still figuring everything out, I do not see myself as any type of expert, but what I do know is that my intention has always been to help people and try to share my experiences so that they don’t have to go through what I did to get well. In 2016 on my 39th birthday, I had a heart attack at my mangers wedding. I died in front of my husband and co-workers, best friends, and strangers. I know that after that evening my entire life changed. I remember feeling in a state of complete panic, I also felt like I was on fire. Like my blood was boiling and like the sands of time were draining out of me.

I also felt completely calm and my hearing changed. It was almost as if I was dialed into a new frequency and was given clear, cut instructions. I was not afraid, I felt like I was safe, I was divinely guided. I immediately asked someone to call 911 and to find my glucometer so that I could check my blood sugar. My body slouched onto cold brick steps as my body melted internally and the room got dark. I faced my husband and friends as the paramedics came behind me and then my dress was cut off me. Sound and light became distorted, I couldn’t react, the lights went out and the room got silent. I was cold, I was bouncing around in an ambulance and I heard my husband’s voice. I then heard a pure, clear voice saying “Kendra, you will never smoke again ” I remember taking the deal like it was a no-brainer. At the time I was commuting 120 miles a day and smoking 2 packs of menthols a day and drinking 90-100 ounces of caffeine a day. I was a ticking time bomb.

The hospital doors opened, and I was greeted by my exhausted, panic-stricken family & a surgeon who told me I had a heart attack and that he was going to help me. I remember being awake, relieved, and full of gratitude. After that experience, I suffered from some trauma and PTSD. Anxiety was my biggest competitor and I fought hard for months with medications and sleep and also became a workaholic again. I had a 6-year-old daughter and a husband, a full-time job, and couldn’t sleep due to all of the physical pain from previous issues with my back, carpel tunnel, trigger finger & fibromyalgia. I was chasing the coattails of Drs. trying to fix me while ignoring my trauma. It was exhausting and the manifestation of pain and disease were off the charts.

I prayed for the willingness and finally took action. I quit every medication except my insulin and for 38 days I was determined, 1 day at a time to not take any medications. I started my holistic journey in 2017 and am forever grateful for every single person who encouraged me and still does to this day! I have come across some beautiful people who taught me how to heal myself and I want to continue to heal and share with my clients. I do not recommend stopping medications to anyone, this is what I was called to do in order to get to the root of pain, dependency, and cause. I currently am under the care of endocrinologists and cardiologists and do take prescribed medications.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
My husband and daughter are my worlds, and I am grateful to be a mother and wife and have a healthy family. The name of my business is Higher Self Healing. I currently am looking for a shared space near Nashville and co creating with other healing artists. I love being close to Nashville, Leipers Fork & Franklin, and love my new town. I am excited to be doing in-person sessions again when I relocated to TN in 2021 my business was put on hold and I did my sessions online, I am still providing that service as well as in person sessions at various locations and peoples homes. I became a Usui & Crystal Reiki Master Teacher in 2018. When the world shut down and our world was dimming its light, I chose to take action and to get myself attuned to Reiki energy. It was one of the best experiences I ever had, and I am excited to share it with anyone who is seeking energy healing.

Reiki supports a sound body and mind. It is a beautiful healing modality that can be effective in person or via a distance session. My crystals are a huge part of my business. I research metaphysical properties and they support my clients in sessions if requested. I have a pop-up crystal boutique that I set up in Fairview at the Farmers Market on Saturday at the rec center and on cold days I set up at special events when invited and would love to attend any events that are coming up in our area!  I also do private events and love to do private party pop-ups at clients’ homes, the host always gets an amazing gift! I love answering questions and learning about the amazing properties and benefits of these fabulous gems. I put intention into all of my crystals during my sessions and also design custom grids for reiki sessions. I use the Bagua map to bring energy into clients’ homes and love taking on special projects. I will soon be offering Usui Reiki Certifications and my events and classes will be scheduled soon and will be posted on my social media. I hope to inspire others who may feel like they are seeking more energy, peace, and balance in their lives to reach out and ask for help to try something different, listen to that voice, and take action. It all starts with willingness.

What would you say has been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
The biggest lesson so far has been that you can only depend on yourself and that you are all you got. You can have 1 million supporters, fans, likes, etc. but at the end of the day, we are alone. Our bodies are sacred, we have an inner light and inner voice and that is the relationship worth working on.

The connection with our higher power is the most important thing we can nurture while we are here. Our faith will get us through any storm, we need to be willing and have to stay calm enough to listen. The 5 principles of Reiki are as follows: Just for today, I will not anger. Just for today, I will not worry. Just for today, I will be grateful for all my blessings. Just for today, I will work with honesty & integrity. Just for today, I will be kind to all living things.

Pricing:

• 1 Hour Reiki Session $88
• Custom Healing Board Session $111
• Home/Studio Healing Board $77-$$$$
• Group Crystal Healing Session $15 per Person
• Private event- inquire at [email protected]

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @higher_self_healingnj
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/higherselfhealingnj