Meet massage therapist and flute master: Zach the Reiki Guy

By Hope Katz Gibbs, publisher, Inkandescent Health & Wellness magazine and producer, Inkandescent Radio Network • Illustration by Michael Glenwood Gibbs

“Defying all the odds of being an independent musician has been tough,” says musician Eli Lieb about his journey to music stardom. “You’re basically told that you will never make it. To believe in yourself and not listen to anyone else’s opinion can be very challenging. You really have to be resourceful and figure out how to compete on a shoestring budget with people who have millions backing them. But this challenge can also be greatly satisfying if you actually do start to achieve significant success.”

That’s why we featured Eli at the start of his career in Inkandescent magazine. We want all aspiring musicians to know: YOU CAN DO IT!

It’s also why we launched the I Got the Music In Me show on our popular podcast network InkandescentRadio.com. Each month, we’ll be featuring a new musician on their personal path to stardom. If you, or someone you know, should be featured, click here to let us know!

This month’s cover story is a perfect case in point.
It’s a pleasure to introduce you to Zachariah Grace — an amazing musician who is taking TikTok by storm! In the video above, take a look at the songs that are helping people relax, ground, and feel empowered. Please scroll down to read our Q&A about his career as a massage therapist, Reiki Master and teacher, and musician who is taking TikTok by storm. We look forward to more amazing projects from Zach the Reiki Guy.

Also in this issue, we introduce you to powerful people and ideas about the healing effect of music: 

Until next month, here’s to your incredible, indelible, Inkandescent success! — Hope

Introducing: Zach the Reiki Guy

How long have you been a massage therapist? When did you graduate from school? I graduated from the Santa Fe School of Massage in 2013. I wanted to learn about energy healing primarily, and the school I attended offered an amazing dual-certification program. 700 hours of massage therapy training, and 100 hours of a class called Intuitive Presence, with Cathy Black.

What other work have you done in your career? I used to sell my abstract paintings with the Santa Fe Society Of Artists, in Downtown Santa Fe. I’ve also been practicing and offering Reiki since 2013. I learned Reiki after graduating from Massage School. I’ve been teaching Reiki since 2015, have run an Online Coaching Program – Online Reiki Academy, and also am a recording musician with some albums out and available on all major streaming platforms. My artist’s name is Zachariah Grace, and the title of my album is Walking Home. I also have a single out titled Sacred Waters and am continuously creating new music to share with the world. I also share my Reiki-infused flute music on TikTok.

Where are you from? What drew you to Santa Fe? I was born in Towson, Maryland on April 21, 1992. My mother was a Reiki Master Teacher, and Isis Sekhem Master healer/teacher. Our family moved to Santa Fe, New Mexico in the year 2000 so that my mother could pursue her dream of running her own Reiki practice and teaching Reiki workshops in the Southwest. Three months after we moved to Santa Fe, my mother was struck by a truck one night when she was going for an evening walk. She never came home. This experience has had a profound impact on my life, as one would imagine. She is the reason I do what I do today.

What type of massage do you practice professionally, and what is your favorite modality? I practice meridian-based massage. After massage school, I met a lady named Yushuang Li (Li for short). Li taught me all about the Chinese meridians. I can still remember the first day I went into her office to give her a massage. She told me, “Your hands are good, but you have much to learn.” For the next 3 years, Li trained me in her style of massage and passed on to me all of her trade secrets. Since then, I have developed my own style of working, that incorporates all I’ve learned from the various teachers I’ve had throughout my life. Which is many. I feel blessed for the training I’ve received throughout my life. However, I would say my favorite modality to practice and teach is Reiki.

In your own words, opinion, and experience, what do you think is the power of massage? Massage is sacred. Touch is sacred. In the world we live in, we are all so disconnected from each other, and from the world. We spend so much time in front of screens and are disconnected from the earth. Massage gives us the opportunity to slow down, relax, rejuvenate, and recenter. It is healing on all levels: Physical, Mental, Emotional, and Spiritual. The power of touch is something we all need.

What do you think is the future of massage? This is a great question! I don’t really know. I just know that it’s something we all need! There are so many modalities, so many ways to walk the path as a massage therapist, from medical/clinical, to eastern massage modalities, to energy healing, to cranial sacral, polarity, etc. There are so many options for massage therapists, and it’s important for each person to find a path that speaks to them. For me, I tend to lean more towards the eastern modalities and energy healing incorporated with traditional massage therapy.

If you could do anything to change the world through the healing power of massage, what would it be and how would you do it? I believe we all change the world with each session we provide. One session can completely change a person’s life. Regular sessions can allow people to completely transform their lives. The power of massage is truly underrated. Most people still believe that getting a massage is a luxury. But truly, it is a necessity. I believe the world is starting to recognize that more and more. I strive to share with others what I have been so blessed and fortunate to learn. I strive to share with others in the way my teachers shared with me. Massage is truly something that helps to heal the world.

Click here to learn more about Zach the Reiki Guy on YouTube.