Introduction
When you hear the words energy healing, what comes to mind? For some, it may sound mystical, even a little “woo-woo.” For others, it’s a powerful reminder that the body, mind, and spirit are deeply connected—and that true healing often comes from within.
On an episode of Living Ageless and Bold, host Christina Daves sits down with energy healer Fran Bailey, founder of the SHIVA Method (Seeking Harmony in Voice, Energy, and Action). What unfolded was a deeply moving, eye-opening conversation about self-discovery, the science and spirituality of energy, and the importance of tuning into our own bodies to live fully and authentically.
Fran’s story is one of transformation. From a childhood steeped in music and metaphysics, to a successful career in dance, to a near-death experience at just 12 years old, she has walked a path that continually pulled her closer to her calling as a healer. Today, she integrates Eastern practices, meditation, bodywork, and the Enneagram to help people restore balance and reclaim their inner strength.
This blog post unpacks her journey and highlights lessons that can inspire all of us to listen more deeply, trust our intuition, and step into our own power.
Growing Up in a Home of Music and Metaphysics
Fran’s story begins in a home filled with music and movement. Her father sang, her mother danced, and Fran naturally gravitated toward expression through her body. She studied dance and choreography, eventually teaching and performing—a career that allowed her to embody energy through movement, long before she had words to describe it.
But music wasn’t the only force shaping her childhood. Fran also grew up in what she describes as a metaphysical home. Her family believed in the power of the mind over matter. They didn’t rely heavily on doctors; instead, they leaned into the idea that the body has the ability to heal itself. For young Fran, this wasn’t unusual—it was simply the backdrop of her life.
That foundation would later resurface in unexpected ways, guiding her toward her true calling.
A Near-Death Experience That Changed Everything
At the age of 12, while attending a Christian Science camp, Fran had a near-death experience. She recalls traveling through a tunnel of light and being told, “You’re not ready yet.”
Though terrifying for most children, Fran describes the experience as transformative. She wasn’t afraid of death afterward. Instead, she felt as though she had come closer to something profoundly spiritual. That brush with the other side awakened her sense of intuition and deepened her understanding of the unseen world.
Later in life, as she pieced together her journey, that moment at age 12 became a pivotal puzzle piece—one that explained her natural ability to sense, see, and work with energy.
From Dance to Discovery
As Fran pursued her career in dance and teaching, she began to notice something remarkable. Parents who came to watch her students perform would point out her unique gift. One alternative doctor in Cincinnati put it plainly: “Franny, you see energy.”
He encouraged her to train with a medical intuitive in California, someone who could teach her how to channel energy for healing. For Fran, the experience was electrifying. “I’ve been a healer before,” she thought. “I know what this is.”
From there, her journey into energy healing unfolded quickly. Deep meditations, moments of déjà vu, and the undeniable sense of having walked this path before confirmed for her that this work was her purpose.
Demystifying Energy Healing
So, what exactly does an energy healer do? Fran breaks it down simply: everything is energy. Illness, pain, or emotional disruption are interruptions in that flow. An energy healer helps restore balance so that life—and the body—can flow again.
One of the primary ways she does this is by balancing the chakras—the seven energy centers that run along the spine.
- First chakra (root): survival, fear, safety.
- Second chakra (sacral): creativity, emotions, sexuality.
- Third chakra (solar plexus): ego, self-talk, authenticity.
- Fourth chakra (heart): self-love, compassion, community.
- Fifth chakra (throat): communication and truth.
- Sixth chakra (third eye): intuition and clairvoyance.
- Seventh chakra (crown): connection to higher self and source.
When these centers are aligned, energy flows freely through the body. When they’re blocked or disrupted, illness and imbalance can appear. Fran’s work involves sensing where energy is stuck, rebalancing those centers, and helping clients let go of what no longer serves them.
Healing Stories That Inspire
Fran shares stories from her practice that illustrate just how powerful energy healing can be.
For instance, she describes working with a man who came to her reluctantly. Each time, though, he left feeling lighter, healthier, and renewed—even if he couldn’t quite explain why. When he later developed thyroid cancer, Fran sensed his permission from afar and began working on his energy remotely. She encouraged him to wait for the right surgeon, and when he did, the results were miraculous—his surgery revealed no cancer.
Another example came during Christina’s own personal story. Her husband had recently undergone surgery for kidney cancer. Fran explained how she would approach his healing: by balancing the energy of the missing organ, clearing residual medical trauma, and supporting the body’s natural ability to heal. She also reminded Christina—like many caregivers—that they too need healing energy, because supporting someone else can be exhausting and depleting.
Eastern Medicine, Western Skepticism
Christina noted how in places like Bali, people turn to energy and holistic practices rather than relying solely on medication. Fran agreed, explaining that true healing begins with reconnecting to the body. One of her exercises is simple yet profound: lying on the floor, pressing a pressure point on the sternum, and asking, “What do I need to do for me today?”
This isn’t about to-do lists or workouts—it’s about listening to the body, heart, mind, and soul. It’s about self-inquiry, giving yourself permission to notice and respond to what your body truly needs.
Creating the SHIVA Method
Through years of practice, Fran developed her own approach, called the SHIVA Method:
- Bodywork to release stuck energy.
- Meditation to cultivate presence and awareness.
- Enneagram study to understand personality patterns and how we navigate life.
Her integration of these elements creates a holistic practice that not only heals but also helps clients understand themselves more deeply.
The Enneagram, in particular, helped Fran transform her own struggles. When her twins left for college, she fell apart emotionally. Studying the Enneagram gave her a framework to understand her patterns, recognize her triggers, and approach healing from a more grounded place.
Today, as a facilitator of the Enneagram, she helps clients explore whether they navigate the world primarily through the head, heart, or body—and how that shapes their experiences. For example:
- Head types can get stuck in repeated thoughts, fueling anxiety.
- Heart types may overextend themselves in search of love and validation.
- Body types may react impulsively or try to control situations.
By recognizing these tendencies, Fran guides clients to release attachments, ground themselves, and reconnect with authenticity.
Advice to Her Younger Self
When asked what she would tell her 30-year-old self, Fran offered wisdom that resonates with so many women:
“Hang on to yourself as much as you can, because they [your children] will leave you. Don’t lose yourself. Be creative. Do something that is yours.”
It’s a reminder that while motherhood and caregiving are beautiful, they can easily consume us. Creativity and self-expression aren’t luxuries—they’re lifelines that keep us whole.
Living Boldly and Choosing Self-Love
As the conversation wrapped up, Christina and Fran reflected on the theme that threads through it all: self-love. Too often, women give endlessly to their families, careers, and communities, leaving little space for themselves. But true healing and wholeness come when we allow ourselves to pause, feel, and reconnect.
Fran emphasizes that even the smallest acts of self-inquiry—three tears, one quiet breath, a single moment of truth—can open the door to profound transformation
Where to Begin
Fran makes her method accessible to anyone ready to start this journey. On her website, FranBaileyHealer.com, she offers a free download of the SHIVA Method. It’s a simple way to begin self-inquiry and to reconnect with your energy.
For Christina, the takeaway was clear: healing is not just physical, but deeply emotional and spiritual. And for anyone curious about energy healing, Fran’s journey offers both validation and inspiration.
Final Thoughts
Fran Bailey’s story is one of courage, transformation, and deep service to others. From her roots in music and dance, to her near-death experience at 12, to creating a healing method that integrates body, mind, and spirit—she shows us that healing is as much about rediscovering ourselves as it is about overcoming illness.
Whether you’re navigating health challenges, seeking greater self-awareness, or simply trying to reclaim a sense of balance, Fran’s wisdom offers a powerful reminder: the body knows, the heart remembers, and the spirit guides.
It all begins with one question: What do I need to do for me today?
Watch her full episode here: