Story & Lesson Highlights with Ifetayo White

We recently had the chance to connect with Ifetayo White and have shared our conversation below.

Ifetayo, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Are you walking a path—or wandering?
Yes, I am very much walking a path. My Reiki path including its precepts guides me to not hold onto anger and worry, to be grateful for everything, to be true to my path and myself, to be compassionate to myself and all others.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Ifetayo White. I am 80 years old and I serve through my businesses, the Lowcountry School of Reiki at Neesa’s Home and CHOICES Birthing and Wellness Support on St. Helena Island, SC. Teaching and sharing Reiki, teaching and mentoring birth and postpartum doulas, offering healing retreats and trauma healing experiences are my passions.
From 1967 until 1990 I married, was a Russian translator, became a mother, and worked as a staff member of the US House of Representatives. During the 1980s I was introduced to metaphyics and Transcendental Meditation which changed my life, and began the journey of healing myself of asthma which began when I was 30 years old. By 1989 it was clear to me that my calling was to touch people for healing! So I began studying was certified in reflexology, acupressure, and eventually massage therapy.
My friend who had been attuned Reiki in the 80s gifted me Usui Reiki I and II attunements in 1995 for my 50th birthday! Her student also gifted me a Reiki III master/teacher attunement in 1999. Thus began, until this day 30 years later, the deepest, most cherished journey of my life as a Reiki practitioner and teacher. In 2020 Frans Stiene of the International House of Reiki traveled to St. Helena Island SC and attuned 12 of us as Shinpiden Reiki III teachers. It was this attunement that transformed my relationship with Reiki from a practice of doingness to a practice of beingness and presence ! I love teaching Reiki as a practice of knowing our True Selves and living from the principles/precepts.
As I always adored being a mother and was awed by the experience of birth, it was such a gift to study and become certified as a doula in 2007. For 13 years until I was 75 years old I supported mothers and families in home and hospital births. Recently I have created and teach IYABO (the Mother Returns) Reiki I Certification for Birthworkers. I also write grants to support birth education opportunities in my community as well as opportunities for birth and postpartum doula training and mentoring.
In the next month my book, Reiki Heart and Soul; Many Stories, One Bright Light, will be published and I am looking forward to booksignings in the hometowns of the 19 other collaborators who have shared their Reiki origin stories in the book.
It is such an honor to be a monthly contributor on the Awakening Airways podcast, Wisdom of the Elders, which can be viewed on Youtube, as well as a presenter at national Reiki and childbirth conferences this fall.

Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child I believed that I was powerless in the face of outer conditions, and was unable to speak and live my truth. This is no longer a truth for me. I am very grounded in knowing that my strength lies within me and I have the power of choice in every moment to live and speak my truth.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
The one kind thing that I would say to my younger self is that you are loved, that you matter, that you are not alone, that you are safe and deserve to be supported.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. Where are smart people getting it totally wrong today?
I believe that many smart people are missing the truth that all of life is energy. We are vibfrational beings whose energy can powerfully create love, peace, joy, harmony, oneness or emptiness, darkness, separation, illusiion.

Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
What I have learned and understand deeply that most people don’t is that there are no periods in life…..we are given opportunities over and over again to grow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ifetayowhite.co
• Instagram: @Whiteifetayo
• Linkedin: Ifetayo White
• Facebook: Ifetayo White, Lowcountry School of Reiki at Neesa’s Home, Choices Birthing and Wellness Support
• Youtube: Ifetayo White
• Other: email: [email protected]