about Elke
Elke Stappert is a Reiki Master and founder of yoyoReiki, as well as an Ayurvedic Wellness Coach and Marma Therapy practitioner. Born in Germany and now a longtime New Yorker, she brings warmth, curiosity, humor, and a practical approach to her work. She believes wellness practices should meet us in real life, when we’re calm, when we’re overwhelmed, and when the world is doing what the world does.
Elke holds an M.A. from NYU and has worked as a language and literacy educator for many years. She speaks English, German, and bastante Spanish—just enough to offer Reiki sessions and workshops bilingually.
What is "yoyo"?
Life can have a certain yoyo quality. We’re up. Down. Up again. Regular Reiki and meditation have helped Elke stay grounded through it all. Her path wasn’t a straight climb from Reiki I to Reiki Master. After Reiki II, life got busy and her practice took a back seat. When she returned, she took Reiki II again before eventually continuing through Master Training. This lesson stayed with her: Reiki deepens through practice, not simply by moving from one level to the next. Practice your Reiki.
yoyoReiki began with Elke’s desire to offer and teach Reiki. A lifelong learner, she later expanded her work to include Marma Therapy, Ayurveda Wellness Coaching, and Sound Healing. Ayurveda in particular opened the door to other areas of everyday well-being, including nutrition, movement, sleep, and daily routines.
Each practice has its own tradition and place. Some can complement one another in individual sessions, but Reiki is taught as Reiki, firmly rooted in the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition.
ELKE'S LINEAGE & TRAINING
REIKI
Reiki Master in the Usui Shiki Ryoho tradition, trained and certified at the New York City Reiki Institute by Nana Deleplanque.
Mikao Usui → Chujiro Hayashi → Hawayo Takata
→ John Harvey Gray & Elaine Abrams → Nana Deleplanque
→ Elke Stappert → maybe YOU
AYURVEDA
Certified in Ayurvedic Marma Therapy through the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center and The Ayurvedic Institute, with continued study and training
with Dr. Vasant Lad. Ayurvedic Wellness Certification with the Ayurvedic Institute in progress.
Professional Memberships
The Reiki Alliance (TRA)
International Association of Reiki Professionals (IARP)
National Ayurvedic Medical Association (NAMA)
Meet Siggi: Feline Reiki Master in Training
Siggi or his brother Pixel may be nearby during a session. If you would like them to keep their distance, just let Elke know. For clients with cat allergies, Elke will be happy to discuss a home visit or refer you to a colleague.