Reiki has grown from a relatively obscure Japanese healing practice to one of the most widely used complementary therapies worldwide. Hospitals, hospices, and wellness centres increasingly offer Reiki alongside conventional treatments, recognizing its potential to reduce stress, ease pain, and support healing.
Quick Answer: Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice where practitioners channel universal life force energy ("ki") through their hands to promote healing. During sessions, practitioners place hands lightly on or above the body, and recipients typically experience deep relaxation, warmth, and stress relief. Reiki can be received from practitioners or learned through attunement training.
Origins and History of Reiki
Reiki was developed in Japan in the early 1920s by Mikao Usui, a Buddhist practitioner who reportedly experienced a profound spiritual awakening during a 21-day meditation retreat on Mount Kurama. Following this experience, Usui found he could channel healing energy through his hands.
Usui opened a clinic in Tokyo and began teaching his healing method. Before his death in 1926, he initiated around 2,000 students and trained 16 Reiki masters to continue his work.
One of Usui's students, Chujiro Hayashi, further developed Reiki and trained Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who brought Reiki to the Western world in the 1930s. Takata trained 22 Reiki masters before her death in 1980, and these masters spread Reiki throughout North America and Europe.
Understanding Reiki Energy
The word "Reiki" combines two Japanese characters:
- Rei: Universal, spiritual, or sacred
- Ki: Life force energy (similar to Chinese "chi" or Indian "prana")
Reiki practitioners believe in a universal life force energy that flows through all living things. When this energy flows freely, we experience health and vitality. When it becomes blocked or depleted, we may experience physical or emotional imbalance.
Wisdom Integration
The concept of life force energy appears across cultures - from the Greek "pneuma" to the Hawaiian "mana." Reiki draws on this universal understanding that vital energy animates all living things and that this energy can be channeled for healing. The practitioner doesn't generate the energy but allows it to flow through them, acting as a conduit between universal source and individual recipient.
What Happens During a Reiki Session
A typical Reiki session follows a general pattern, though practitioners may vary in their specific approach:
Before the Session
The practitioner typically conducts a brief consultation, asking about your health concerns, intentions for the session, and any questions you might have. You remain fully clothed throughout the session. Comfortable, loose clothing is recommended.
The Treatment
You lie on a massage table (or sit in a chair if preferred) while the practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above your body. Hand positions typically follow a sequence covering the head, eyes, throat, heart, solar plexus, lower abdomen, knees, feet, and back.
Common Experiences
- Deep relaxation: Similar to meditation or falling asleep
- Warmth or heat: Often in areas where hands are placed
- Tingling sensations: Gentle energy movement
- Emotional release: Sometimes tears or deep feelings emerge
- Colours or images: Visualizations during the relaxed state
Sessions typically last 60-90 minutes, including consultation time.
Potential Benefits of Reiki
While scientific research on Reiki is still developing, practitioners and recipients report various benefits:
Stress Reduction and Relaxation
This is perhaps Reiki's most consistently reported benefit. The deep relaxation experienced during sessions can help reduce cortisol levels and activate the body's parasympathetic nervous system.
Pain Management
Some studies suggest Reiki may help reduce pain perception. Many hospitals now offer Reiki to patients before and after surgery, during cancer treatment, and for chronic pain management.
Emotional Balance
Recipients often report feeling more emotionally balanced after sessions. Reiki may help release stored emotional tension and promote a sense of peace and well-being.
Sleep Improvement
Many people report improved sleep quality after Reiki sessions, likely related to the deep relaxation and stress reduction the practice promotes.
The Reiki Levels and Training
Reiki training is typically divided into three levels, each involving an "attunement" where a Reiki master opens the student's energy channels.
Reiki Level 1 (Shoden)
- The history and principles of Reiki
- Basic hand positions
- Self-treatment techniques
- Treating family and friends
Reiki Level 2 (Okuden)
- Three sacred symbols and their uses
- Distance healing (sending Reiki across space and time)
- Mental and emotional healing techniques
- Increased energy capacity
Reiki Level 3 / Master Level (Shinpiden)
- The Master symbol
- Ability to attune others to Reiki
- Deepened spiritual practice
- Teaching methodology
Practice: Preparing for Your First Reiki Session
Before: Wear comfortable clothing, avoid heavy meals, and set an intention for what you'd like from the session.
During: Allow yourself to relax, breathe naturally, and remain open to whatever you experience without expectations.
After: Drink plenty of water, rest if needed, and give yourself time to integrate the experience. Journal any insights or sensations.
Reiki Principles
Usui established five principles that form the ethical and spiritual foundation of Reiki practice:
- Just for today, I will not worry
- Just for today, I will not anger
- Just for today, I will be grateful
- Just for today, I will work diligently
- Just for today, I will be kind to all living beings
These principles are meant to be practiced daily, helping cultivate the mental and emotional state conducive to both giving and receiving healing energy.
Finding a Reiki Practitioner
When seeking a Reiki practitioner, consider:
Training and Certification: Ask about their training, lineage, and how long they've been practicing. While Reiki isn't regulated, reputable practitioners are happy to discuss their background.
Reviews and Referrals: Personal recommendations and online reviews can help identify skilled practitioners.
Initial Consultation: Many practitioners offer free consultations. This helps you assess whether you feel comfortable with them.
Pricing: Sessions typically range from $60-150 depending on location and practitioner experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Reiki healing?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique where practitioners channel universal life force energy through their hands to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.
How does Reiki work?
Reiki practitioners channel universal energy through their hands to the recipient. This energy flows where needed, promoting relaxation, reducing stress, and supporting natural healing processes.
What can I expect during a Reiki session?
You lie fully clothed on a massage table while the practitioner places their hands lightly on or above your body. Sessions last 60-90 minutes. Common experiences include warmth, tingling, and deep relaxation.
Is Reiki safe?
Reiki is considered very safe as it's non-invasive and gentle. It complements conventional care but is not a replacement for medical treatment.
Support Your Energy Healing Practice
Explore tools for chakra balancing, energy work, and spiritual healing.
Explore Chakra CollectionSources:
- International Association of Reiki Professionals (IARP)
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH)
- Rand, W. "Reiki: The Healing Touch"