Today we’d like to introduce you to Jill Thiel
Hi Jill, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My journey into Reiki and sound healing has been deeply personal and life-changing. Back in the early 2000s, I was working as an artist and designer—a world that was creative and inspiring, but also left me dealing with a lot of anxiety. A friend suggested I try Reiki to help calm my nerves, and that one session completely shifted something in me.
It must have been around 2001 or 2002 when I had my first experience with Reiki. I didn’t know much about it at the time, but I left feeling more centered and at ease than I had in years. It wasn’t long before I realized I wanted to learn Reiki myself. So in 2004, I took my first Reiki Level 1 and 2 class, and those first steps sparked something that felt truly aligned with who I was becoming.
Fast forward a few years to 2006, and I found myself in Mexico, spending three months unplugged and living simply on a beach. It was a time of deep reflection, and when I came back, I knew I couldn’t go back to the typical nine-to-five. I felt this pull to pursue Reiki full-time, but I also sensed that I needed more hands-on experience. I then took a Reiki master class, and also enrolled at the Aveda Institute and study and get certified in massage therapy.
My background as an artist actually ended up helping me in unexpected ways. It gave me the tools to design my own website and marketing materials, which helped me to launching my business. Over the years, I worked in all kinds of settings—hospitals, chiropractic offices, spas as well.
For six years, I also taught the massage and bodywork program part-time at the Aveda Institute, while continuing to grow my private Reiki and massage business. By 2017, I felt it was time for a fresh start, so I rebranded my business as the Minnesota Reiki Center for Healing and Training, and became a Licensed Reiki Teacher for The International Center for Reiki Training.
In 2019, I made another big shift—I retired from massage therapy and leaned fully into sound healing. Music has always been a big part of my life. I’m a classically trained singer and have played the flute and piano for years. My husband, David, who plays several instruments, joined me, and together we began incorporating sound healing into our work. Using instruments like singing bowls, drums, and chimes, we’ve been able to create powerful and transformative healing experiences.
Today, my work revolves around Reiki, sound healing, and teaching. I teach all levels of Reiki, including animal Reiki, which holds a special place in my heart. Recently, David and I launched a new sound healing business, Minnesota Sound Healing, blending our passion for music and holistic healing, we teach classes, sell professional grade Crystal Tones® singing bowls, we offer sessions, play events, and more.
It’s amazing to think that what started as a way to manage my own anxiety has turned into a life’s work of helping others find balance and healing. I feel so grateful every day to do this work, to teach, to connect, and to share the practices that have brought so much peace and joy into my own life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
When I transitioned into Reiki and healing work, it felt like the path of least resistance opened up for me. I knew I was on the right track. When I started, there weren’t many people offering the kind of work I was doing. That made it easier to carve out my own space, though there were still challenges—like educating people about Reiki and why they might want those services. Back then, there wasn’t the same level of awareness we see now, thanks to social media and other platforms spreading knowledge about healing modalities.
These days, there are so many more people working in this space, and I think that’s amazing. The more people practicing and sharing these gifts, the more awareness grows, and I believe that benefits everyone.
That said, the road hasn’t been without its bumps. COVID, for instance, was a huge challenge. Like so many others, I had to adapt quickly to find ways to keep things going. And teaching, doing energy work, and running a business can be physically, emotionally, and spiritually draining at times. Luckily, I’ve learned how to manage that well. Self-care has been essential—not just to maintain my energy but also for the longevity of my career. I’ve also learned to embrace change, trying new things and continually working on myself to grow and improve.
At the end of the day, this is a job—it’s work—but it’s work that I truly love. I’ve found happiness in helping others heal, teaching and training new practitioners, and inspiring people who feel called to this kind of work. It’s a gift to be able to do something that flows so naturally and feels so aligned with who I am.
When I look back, the challenges I faced in my previous career were different—they were about trying to fit into a world that wasn’t really for me. In this work, I don’t feel those same struggles. This is where I’m supposed to be, and even when it’s hard, it feels right. Helping people and empowering others to follow this path is why I do what I do, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Minnesota Reiki Center for Healing and Training and Minnesota Sound Healing?
Two Businesses, One Mission: Healing and Transformation
I’m fortunate to have built two businesses that allow me to do what I love while helping others transform their lives. The first is the Minnesota Reiki Center for Healing and Training, and the second is Minnesota Sound Healing. Both are rooted in the power of energy and sound to heal, teach, and inspire.
Minnesota Reiki Center for Healing and Training
The Minnesota Reiki Center focuses on everything Reiki: sessions, classes, and coaching for practitioners who need guidance as they navigate their own Reiki journey. We teach all levels of Reiki including Reiki 1&2, Master, Karuna Reiki Master, and Animal Reiki. Our animal Reiki classes are held at Wild Acres Wellness in a traditional tipi, and we practice on live animals. I’m a Licensed Reiki Master Teacher with the International Center for Reiki Training (ICRT)—a designation held by only 45 people in the world. This license isn’t something you can just earn overnight; it involves an advanced teacher training program, over 1,000 hours of specialized training, and a commitment of three to four years.
Because of this unique training, I have students who travel from all over the world to study with me, some with the goal of becoming licensed Reiki teachers themselves one day. In addition to teaching, I also serve as a Director for the ICRT, overseeing social media and the licensed teacher training program. This role gives me the opportunity to mentor others while helping shape the future of Reiki education worldwide.
What makes my work so fulfilling is not just teaching others how to practice Reiki but helping them truly see results in their own lives and with their clients. My thousands of hours of hands-on experience with clients in various settings have taught me that healing isn’t just about the techniques—it’s about doing the inner work to help others unlock the healing they need.
Minnesota Sound Healing
The Minnesota Sound Healing business was born out of a growing demand. Over the years, as I incorporated sound healing into my Reiki sessions and trainings, I had several students asking to learn more. After years of planning and perfecting the details, we finally launched this business to provide comprehensive sound healing courses.
The beauty of sound healing is that anyone can participate—you don’t have to be a Reiki practitioner to take our courses. Whether someone is curious about sound healing or wants to integrate it into their own practice, the door is open.
One thing that sets us apart is our work with Crystal Tones® Singing Bowls, professional-grade instruments that are difficult to find locally. We typically keep around 100 bowls in stock. These aren’t just decorative instruments—they’re precision tools for healing, designed to create profound shifts in energy and wellness. Unlike mass-produced products marketed as sound healing tools, Crystal Tones® bowls deliver a truly professional quality that can make a real difference in the outcomes of healing sessions.
We also host private and corporate events, along with offering sound healing sessions, making this practice more accessible to individuals and groups across the region.
A Unique Approach to Healing
What makes these businesses different is the level of experience, intention, and professionalism we bring. Both Reiki and sound healing are growing fields, but many tools and resources available today don’t meet the professional standard needed for effective healing. By offering high-quality training, sessions, and instruments, we’re filling a gap and helping raise the bar for what’s possible in this work.
At the heart of everything I do, my mission is simple: to help people heal, grow, and discover their own paths to wellness. Whether it’s through Reiki or sound healing, I’m grateful to be able to share these gifts with others and see how they ripple out into the world.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters to me most is helping people transform their lives and find healing, whether it’s through Reiki, sound healing, or teaching. I believe that true healing goes beyond techniques—it’s about empowering people to connect with themselves on a deeper level and guiding them to uncover their own potential. Seeing my clients and students achieve the results they’re looking for, whether it’s physical relief, emotional balance, or spiritual growth, is what fuels my passion. I also care deeply about maintaining high standards in this work, which is why education, professionalism, and integrity are so important to me. By offering comprehensive training, mentoring practitioners, and using professional-grade tools, I aim to create a space where people feel supported, inspired, and equipped to carry this work forward. Ultimately, it’s about making a difference in people’s lives and helping them realize the incredible possibilities of healing and transformation.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mnreikicenter.com & https://mnsoundhealing.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mnreikisoundhealing/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mnreikicenter
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@minnesotasoundhealing
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@jill.thiel
