Reiki

Reiki (pronounced "ray-kee") is a therapeutic technique in which healing energy is channelled, or conducted, through a practitioner's hands into the person receiving the treatment. It is believed that Reiki brings the body into emotional and spiritual balance, supporting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Reiki has been found to be beneficial for helping to treat a wide variety of diseases including chronic conditions such as:

  • Arthritis
  • Multiple sclerosis
  • Pain
  • Burns
  • Surgical recovery
  • Stress
  • Cancer
  • AIDS

The name Reiki comes from the Japanese rei, meaning "universal," and ki, meaning "energy." Those who practice Reiki assume the existence of this invisible energy, which is believed to radiate through all life forms. Reiki is founded on the belief that when one's ki is blocked, sickness can develop. By gently laying hands on a person, a Reiki practitioner helps to break up blockages, allowing healing energy to again flow freely through the person's body.

While evidence of Reiki's health benefits is mainly anecdotal, some researchers feel that the deep state of relaxation a Reiki session induces may trigger the release of endorphins, the body's natural painkillers. Those who have undergone Reiki treatments report that it clears the mind and creates a heightened sense of awareness. By helping some people to release pent-up emotions, the therapy may also serve to relieve stress, often an underlying cause of illness.

Free Reiki Tutorials

If you are interested in some of the steps it takes to become a Reiki instructor, Margaret Jang was kind enough to post her Reiki intructor training manuals for free. We have tutorials for Reiki Level 1, Reiki Level 2 and for Master/Teacher Training. These are fairly incomplete without personal instruction, but are invaluable as a reference guide.

Popularity Trends

Let's have a look the popularity of Reiki in the recent years. According to Google Trends since 2004 till today the popularity of Reiki has been steadily decreasing as you can see from the following chart:

reiki-trends-1

From the following chart we can see that Reiki is popular mostly in Portugal, Argentina and Chile.

reiki-trends-2

If you'd like to explore more you can do so at Google Trends.

Conditions that Reiki has been known to help:

Recent Reiki Articles

By Jas Dhillon
Did Reiki find me or Did I find Reiki? In 1995 while taking a Pharmacy Technician course I was introduced to Reiki as an alternate healing therapy. I was fascinated by the idea but I thought it was ...

By Frans Stiene
... how can you heal others?" is the answer to a question by Mikao Usui in the Q&A section of the Reiki Ryoho Hikkei as handed out by the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. What kind of healing is Mikao Usui  ...

By Joanne Lapierre
Reiki is an ancient Japanese hands on Healing Energy technique that is very gentle yet powerful. The practice of Reiki is based on the unseen “life force energy” that flows through all of  ...

By Frans Stiene
Enjoy the energetic experience of watching Frans Stiene of the International House of Reiki perform a brief demonstration Reiki treatment as we discuss the evolution of hands on healing for Reiki ...

By Frans Stiene
Brainwaves and the System of Reiki Judith Pennington and Frans Stiene Who the best healers are and how healing works has been the subject of scientific research since the 1970s, when investigators ...

Upcoming Reiki Events

May 18, 2013 - Atlanta, Georgia, United States
We will present a Reiki 1 and a Reiki 2 class on May 18, 2013 near the Perimeter Center in Atlanta. Directions are sent with confirmation. The classes are all inclusive and at the end of the day you ...

May 18, 2013 - Atlanta, Georgia, United States
We will present a Reiki 1 and a Reiki 2 class on May 18, 2013 near the Perimeter Center in Atlanta. Directions are sent with confirmation. The classes are all inclusive and at the end of the day you ...

May 18, 2013 - Atlanta, Georgia, United States
The level 3 class in Traditional Usui Reiki is the Reiki Master/Teacher level. At this class the student is taught how to pass attunements to others and the basics for teaching Reiki to others. The ...

May 18, 2013 - Los Angeles, California, United States
... Sun., May 18-19, 2013 1 -5 both days in Los Angeles, CA Facilitator: Rhonda Kuykendall-Jabari Reiki Master Teacher Enrollment Deadline: May 11, 2013 Limited space available Call Rhonda: (323) ...

May 21, 2013 - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
The ability to use Reiki is transferred to the student by the Reiki Master/Teacher through an initiation process thereby making it possible for anyone to learn Reiki. The initiation opens energy ...

Frequently Asked Questions About Reiki

What is a session usually like?

A session will usually begin with a brief conversation with the practitioner and client to establish what the client is hoping to get out of the session, as well as building a rapport between them.  The client will then lie on a massage table (fully clothed) and the practitioner will generally start at the head moving down to the knees or ankles.  There are general hand positions that are used to cover the seven main chakras and major organs.  Each position is held anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes during which time the practitioner simply allows energy to flow from the practitioner to the client.  There is no physical manipulation.  Sessions are an individualized experience and are considered to be relaxing, gentle and safe.

How long does a session usually last?

A session generally lasts around 45 minutes to an hour.  Some practitioners will spend a full 90 minutes, so be sure to ask before you go what to expect.

What are price ranges for a treatment (US / Canada)?

Prices can range from $25 to $100 dollars depending on geography.  There are some practitioners who offer sessions free of charge or by donation.

How to Select a Reiki Master

How are practitioners trained?

Training outside of Japan is usually divided into 3 levels or degrees.  The first degree teaches the basic theories and procedures.  Duration of the course depends on the Reiki Master Teacher; some teach four sessions over a period of days, others teach two sessions in two days.   Once the first degree is completed the practitioner can treat themselves and others.   In the second degree students are taught  the use of several symbols that are said to enhance the strength and distance over which Reiki can be exerted and can take as long as 20 years to learn.  The third degree or “master training” once completed allows the new Reiki Master to attune others to Reiki and to teach the three levels to others.

There is a lot of variation in training methods, speed of completion (i.e., attunement), and costs and as such no licensing programs at this time.

How would you select a practitioner?

One good way of finding a Reiki practitioner is word of mouth especially from local practitioners of complimentary therapies (acupuncture, shiatsu, massage, etc).  Local practitioners usually know one another by reputation and sometimes share offices or cross refer.

To select a practitioner it is best to ask questions like:  how long have you been working with Reiki? What training have you had?  Do you teach? How do you personally use Reiki?

Some people believe that when choosing Reiki instructor look for one with a shorter lineage – as close to the original source of the practice as possible.  Others say that the length of the lineage is not as important as the practitioner himself or herself.

You may also want to look for practitioners associated with professional bodies with high ethical standards, but the most important thing of all is your comfort level with person that you will be seeing for Reiki.

Questions and Comments about Reiki

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