Georgetown resident Jessica Francis wears a lot of hats.
She is the in-school-suspension coordinator at Forbes Middle School. She’s a bartender at both Barons Creek Winery and Six Strings Guitar Lounge. She owns her own Reiki therapy and mindfulness business, Mindful Movements. And she is a professional fire dancer and instructor.
“Fire dancing doesn’t sound like a typical thing to do,” Ms. Francis joked. “I was a typical woman — good mom, good wife, all that stuff — trying to hold it all together. I needed something more. Fire dancing really empowered me and brought me strength.”
Ms. Francis works as a private fire dance instructor, teaching beginners how to use fire hand palms while dancing.
“In two hours, I can teach [a small group of people] a three minute song and then they can then all do a dance together,” she said.
Ms. Francis operates Mindful Movements out of her residence. The business caters only to female clients, and uses Reiki “energy healing” practices to reduce stress and promote relaxation.
She said she opens her Reiki sessions by having the client draw affirmation cards to open up the conversation. After checking in, she has them lay on her table and steadily holds a crystal pendulum above different areas of the body — testing for stagnant energy. If it swings side to side or in circles, it indicates the area needs to be worked on energetically. Ms. Francis uses her hands to move the energy along, utilizing ‘tuning forks,’ an energy frequency tool used by some chiropractors, when needed.
“I am using my energy to help [the client’s] energy, working to bring [their] energy into harmony,” Ms. Francis explained. “We get energy blocks and store our emotions in our body. It’s an energetic science. Some people think it’s religion because it originated as a Buddhist technique. But I am not Buddist […] I grew up Christian. At this stage in my practice, I call it anti-diluvian science. So it’s ancient science, like the pyramids.”
At the end of the session, she tests the client’s energy using the pendulum to ensure that the pendulum stays steady, which means that there is no stuck energy.
“It’s like proof,” she said.
She concludes the session by playing her sound bowls, which are thought to center the mind and body. “I think as women, we are holding this world together and we need each other’s support,” Ms. Francis said, when talking about her decision to only work with female clients.
“[By providing them with support,] I’m helping empower other women. We’ve all had our rough times, a lot of women are strong like me and we don’t tend to ask for help. But we need it. So I like to give back and empower other women.”
Although her various professions may seem to not have much in common, Ms. Francis has found that they all suit her skills.
At her bartending jobs, she serves as a confidant for people who need it. With Mindful Movements, she meets with women in a soothing and stress-free setting. As an in-school-suspension coordinator, she has found herself using some of the same principles to help children.
“[In-school suspension] is not, ‘put your head down and be quiet all day — you’re in trouble,’ ” Ms. Francis said. “It’s more rehabilitation. So I get to use my [mindfulness] practice at my day job.”
In the past, Ms. Francis had gone through psychic training and used tarot cards as a method to guide a person through turbulent times. She has now steered away from this path.
“I’m a caregiver, that’s my true nature,” she said. “[Being a psychic] didn’t feel true to my heart. I’m not trying to tell people what their future is, that’s up for them to decide.”
To contact Ms. Francis about her services, call her at 737-276-8995.