What Is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of alternative therapy that originated in Japan and focuses on energy healing through distance, gentle touch or hands-on techniques. The term “Reiki” comes from two Japanese words: Rei, meaning “universal” or “spiritual,” and Ki, meaning “life force energy.” The practice aims to balance the body’s energy levels, promote relaxation, reduce stress, and support overall healing.

History and Founders

Reiki was developed in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk. Usui is said to have discovered the practice after a spiritual experience during a 21-day meditation retreat on Mount Kurama in Kyoto in the early 1920s. Following his spiritual awakening, Usui developed and refined the healing technique, teaching others and founding a clinic in Tokyo where he offered treatments and instruction in Reiki.

Usui’s teaching legacy continued with one of his prominent students, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a retired naval officer. Dr. Hayashi further developed Reiki by establishing a more systematic approach to the healing techniques and spreading it beyond Japan. One of Hayashi’s students, Hawayo Takata, was instrumental in bringing Reiki to the West after learning from Hayashi in the 1930s and establishing clinics and classes in Hawaii and the mainland United States. Through her work, Reiki spread across North America, Europe, and eventually the world.

Purpose and Philosophy

Reiki is grounded in the concept of life force energy, similar to qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The central belief is that a balanced flow of this energy promotes physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. When this energy is blocked or depleted, practitioners believe it can lead to stress, illness, or imbalance. Reiki aims to remove these blockages, promoting relaxation and facilitating the body’s natural ability to heal.

The primary purposes of Reiki are to:

1. Reduce Stress: Practitioners claim that Reiki helps calm the mind and release stress.
2. Support Healing: Reiki is often used as complementary therapy to support recovery from injuries, illness, or surgery.
3. Enhance Well-being: Many practice Reiki for personal growth, spiritual connection, and a deeper sense of inner peace.

Implementation and Techniques

Reiki involves a practitioner gently placing their hands on or slightly above specific areas of the client’s body to channel energy. The process generally follows a sequence of hand positions targeting areas like the head, shoulders, and torso. Practitioners believe that this directed energy flow clears blockages, restores balance, and promotes healing.

Reiki treatments typically last 45 to 60 minutes, with clients often lying down fully clothed in a calm, relaxing environment. Practitioners often incorporate meditative elements to further relaxation, and sessions are tailored to the client’s specific needs. Reiki can also be practiced at a distance, where the practitioner sends healing intentions to the recipient, though this method is more abstract and symbolic.

Modern Perspective and Integration

Today, Reiki is used worldwide, often as a complementary therapy in healthcare settings like hospitals, hospices, and wellness centers. While scientific evidence of its efficacy is limited and its mechanisms remain largely unexplained, Reiki remains popular for its therapeutic benefits in stress relief, emotional support, and pain management. It has gained some recognition as a complementary therapy in fields like integrative and holistic medicine.

Reiki Levels and Training

The practice is traditionally taught in three levels, or degrees:

1. First Degree (Shoden): Focuses on self-healing and learning basic techniques.
2. Second Degree (Okuden): Expands on techniques and introduces symbols for distant healing.
3. Third Degree (Shinpiden): Known as the Master or Teacher level, allowing practitioners to teach Reiki to others.

Reiki is both a healing practice and a form of spiritual development, drawing people from all backgrounds for its focus on personal well-being and balance.

Where and How is Reiki Used?

Reiki is used in a variety of settings worldwide as a complementary therapy to support relaxation, manage pain, and promote overall well-being. It is typically offered alongside conventional medical care and is particularly popular in integrative health settings. Here’s an overview of where and how Reiki is commonly used:

1. Hospitals and Clinics

• Purpose: In hospitals and clinics, Reiki is often used to complement conventional treatments for pain relief, stress reduction, and emotional support. Practitioners work with patients to promote relaxation and help manage symptoms, especially for those undergoing surgery, cancer treatments, or chronic illness management.
• Example: In the U.S., hospitals like the Cleveland Clinic and Johns Hopkins offer Reiki as part of their integrative medicine programs. Patients often receive Reiki sessions before and after surgeries or chemotherapy treatments to reduce anxiety and improve their overall sense of well-being.

2. Hospices and Palliative Care Centers

• Purpose: Reiki is commonly used in hospices and palliative care centers to provide comfort to patients in end-of-life care. It can help ease physical pain, reduce anxiety, and offer emotional support to both patients and their families.
• Example: Hospice facilities sometimes employ Reiki practitioners to work with patients as part of a holistic approach to palliative care, providing gentle, non-invasive support during the final stages of life.

3. Mental Health and Counseling Settings

• Purpose: Reiki is used as a tool for relaxation and stress relief in mental health facilities and by some therapists who integrate it into counseling sessions. It is believed to help clients relax, clear mental blockages, and support emotional balance, though it is always used in conjunction with traditional therapeutic techniques.
• Example: Practitioners may integrate Reiki with other therapeutic practices to help clients experiencing high levels of stress, PTSD, anxiety, or emotional trauma by helping to foster a sense of calm and grounding.

4. Wellness and Spa Centers

• Purpose: Many wellness and spa centers incorporate Reiki into their services, offering sessions as a part of relaxation or spiritual well-being programs. It is often paired with other holistic therapies like massage, acupuncture, and aromatherapy to enhance overall wellness.
• Example: In a spa setting, a Reiki session may be offered after a massage or as part of a day-long wellness retreat, helping clients achieve a deep state of relaxation and mental clarity.

5. Private Practice and At-Home Sessions

• Purpose: Reiki practitioners often work in private practice, providing one-on-one sessions for clients in a calm, quiet environment. Some practitioners offer home visits, particularly for clients who are bedridden or have mobility issues.
• Example: In private sessions, Reiki practitioners tailor their approach to each client, focusing on specific areas of physical discomfort or emotional stress. These sessions allow for a more personalized experience.

6. Corporate Wellness Programs

• Purpose: Reiki is becoming more popular in corporate wellness programs, where it is used to help employees reduce workplace stress, improve focus, and support overall mental health.
• Example: Companies might hire Reiki practitioners to offer short sessions during wellness days or as part of regular stress-management programs, promoting a healthier work environment and helping reduce burnout.

7. Distance Reiki (Remote Healing)

• Purpose: Distance Reiki is practiced when clients are unable to meet in person. Practitioners send healing energy over a distance, following specific meditative techniques and using symbols to channel Reiki to the recipient.
• Example: Distance Reiki is often used for clients who are in different locations, unable to leave home, or in situations where in-person sessions aren’t possible, such as during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Common Techniques in Reiki Sessions

• Hand Placement: Practitioners lightly place their hands on or above the client’s body in specific positions, focusing on areas like the head, heart, and stomach.
• Intention Setting: Many practitioners set intentions or affirmations at the beginning of a session to focus on specific areas, such as pain relief, emotional balance, or relaxation.
• Energy Visualization: Practitioners may visualize or guide the client to visualize energy flowing through the body, reinforcing the energy balancing process.

Reiki continues to gain traction as more people seek integrative approaches to health, appreciating its non-invasive nature and ability to complement traditional treatments.

How Reiki is Used

Reiki is a flexible, energy-based practice that can be applied to support a wide range of living beings and inanimate structures. The idea is that the universal life energy, or ki, can be directed to help balance and cleanse energy fields, promote harmony, and support the well-being of people, animals, plants, objects, and even spaces like homes and businesses. Here’s how Reiki is applied across these different areas:

1. People

• Use: Reiki with people focuses on physical, mental, and emotional healing. Practitioners use gentle hand placements on or above the body, guiding energy to specific areas that may be experiencing pain, stress, or imbalance.
• Purpose: Sessions aim to reduce stress, promote relaxation, ease physical discomfort, and foster emotional clarity.
• Example: A client dealing with anxiety may receive Reiki to help calm the nervous system and support emotional balance, with hand placements focused on areas like the head, heart, and solar plexus.

2. Animals

• Use: Reiki for animals involves similar hand placements as with humans, although it may be adapted based on the animal’s comfort and temperament. Practitioners often work with animals at a slight distance if direct touch would cause discomfort.
• Purpose: Animal Reiki is used to help pets recover from injuries, reduce stress in shelters, and provide comfort for animals nearing the end of life.
• Example: A Reiki practitioner may work with a rescue dog that’s experiencing anxiety, gently channeling calming energy to help the animal relax and feel safe, either through hands-off Reiki or light touches if the animal is comfortable.

3. Plants

• Use: Reiki for plants involves channeling energy with hands hovering over or touching the plant, focusing on its roots, leaves, or soil to promote growth and vitality.
• Purpose: Practitioners believe Reiki can help plants recover from transplant shock, heal from damage, and enhance their growth.
• Example: A gardener may use Reiki on a wilting houseplant, holding their hands over the pot and visualizing energy flowing into the soil and roots to support recovery and nourishment.

4. Objects

• Use: Objects, particularly those with personal or sentimental value, are sometimes treated with Reiki to cleanse residual energy or charge them with positive intentions.
• Purpose: Reiki can be used on items like crystals, jewelry, and even electronics to remove stagnant or negative energy, making the object feel more positive or “neutral.”
• Example: A practitioner might hold a piece of jewelry in their hands, focusing on releasing any negative energy it may have accumulated and infusing it with a calming, protective energy.

5. Buildings and Homes

• Use: Reiki is used on homes and buildings by focusing on each room individually or by setting intentions throughout the space. Practitioners may walk through the area with their hands raised, channeling energy into walls, corners, and entryways.
• Purpose: Reiki is used to cleanse spaces of negative energy, foster a peaceful atmosphere, and set positive intentions. This is popular after moving into a new home, after an argument, or following stressful events in the space.
• Example: A practitioner might conduct a Reiki “cleansing” on a new apartment by moving through each room, visualizing energy clearing out past occupants’ influences and setting an intention for a fresh, positive environment.

6. Businesses

• Use: Reiki for businesses is performed to promote positive energy flow, success, and harmony in the workplace. Practitioners may treat the building itself or direct energy toward the business’s goals, finances, and client relationships.
• Purpose: The goal is to clear any stagnation that may be hindering success, improve relationships among employees, and set intentions for prosperity and growth.
• Example: A Reiki practitioner may work on a small business’s office, visualizing energy moving into areas associated with finances or client interactions, with the intention of fostering a productive, harmonious work environment.

Across all these uses, Reiki relies on intention-setting and energy channeled through hands to achieve desired effects, whether calming a stressed animal, energizing a plant, or purifying a new home. Practitioners often perform Reiki on themselves to maintain their energy levels and balance, allowing them to channel energy more effectively for others.

Who are Reiki Practitioners?

Reiki practitioners and masters come from diverse backgrounds, as Reiki attracts individuals interested in holistic healing, spirituality, and energy work. While there isn’t a single type of person who becomes a Reiki practitioner, many share common qualities, motivations, and philosophies that lead them to pursue this path.

Here’s a look at the types of people who often become Reiki practitioners or masters:

1. Healers and Empaths

• Background: Many Reiki practitioners are naturally compassionate, empathetic individuals drawn to healing professions. They may also be counselors, nurses, massage therapists, or people with a natural gift for empathy and intuition.
• Motivation: These individuals are often motivated by a desire to help others heal and find peace, whether emotionally, physically, or spiritually. They see Reiki as a gentle and effective way to support people in finding balance and relaxation.
• Example: An empathic person who is sensitive to others’ emotions may feel fulfilled by channeling their energy in a structured way, offering support without feeling personally drained.

2. Spiritual Seekers

• Background: Many Reiki practitioners are on their own spiritual journeys, often interested in meditation, energy healing, or practices like yoga, mindfulness, and other holistic therapies. They are usually open to exploring non-traditional methods of healing.
• Motivation: Spiritual seekers often find Reiki as a way to deepen their connection to universal energy, strengthen their intuition, and achieve a greater understanding of themselves and the world.
• Example: A person who practices yoga and meditation may be drawn to Reiki as another form of energy alignment, using it as a personal spiritual practice as well as a way to support others.

3. Healthcare and Wellness Professionals

• Background: Reiki is popular among healthcare providers, such as nurses, therapists, massage therapists, and other wellness practitioners who want to add another dimension to their caregiving skills. Many find Reiki complements their medical or therapeutic training.
• Motivation: These individuals are often motivated to provide comprehensive care to their clients, looking to address not only physical symptoms but also emotional and energetic imbalances.
• Example: A nurse working in a hospital setting might become a Reiki practitioner to help patients relax and reduce anxiety, integrating this gentle, non-invasive technique into their bedside care.

4. Personal Development Enthusiasts

• Background: Some Reiki practitioners are interested in self-development and personal growth. They may view Reiki as a tool to better understand themselves, manage stress, and work on their own healing before helping others.
• Motivation: Personal development enthusiasts are often drawn to the practice as a way to gain emotional clarity, self-compassion, and inner peace, which they can then pass on to clients.
• Example: Someone with a passion for mindfulness or self-care might use Reiki to gain deeper self-awareness and balance their own energy, eventually deciding to help others do the same.

5. People Interested in Alternative Healing

• Background: Many Reiki practitioners are individuals who have either personally benefited from alternative healing methods or have a natural curiosity about complementary and holistic therapies.
• Motivation: These people are usually motivated by a belief that true health requires a holistic approach, addressing body, mind, and spirit. They often seek to explore alternatives that treat the root causes of discomfort rather than just symptoms.
• Example: A person who previously experienced relief from chronic pain through Reiki might be inspired to learn it themselves, believing in the value of sharing this healing method with others.

6. Intuitives and Sensitives

• Background: Some practitioners identify as intuitive or “sensitive” to energy and emotions. They may feel sensations, emotions, or vibrations in their environment, which can make them particularly attuned to Reiki.
• Motivation: People who are highly intuitive may feel a natural connection to Reiki and use it as a structured way to channel their sensitivity to help others without feeling overwhelmed by the energy they encounter.
• Example: An intuitive person might find that learning Reiki helps them understand and refine their natural abilities, allowing them to channel their empathy into a practice that can benefit others.

7. People Experiencing Their Own Healing Journey

• Background: Many Reiki practitioners first encountered Reiki during a personal struggle with illness, emotional challenges, or a major life transition.
• Motivation: Having experienced Reiki’s effects on their own healing journey, these individuals often become practitioners to help others experience the same relief and support they received.
• Example: A cancer survivor who used Reiki to manage pain and stress might choose to study it further to help others going through similar experiences.

Training Paths for Reiki Practitioners and Masters

Reiki practitioners start with training in Reiki Level I, which focuses on self-healing and basic techniques. Many go on to Level II, where they learn techniques for distance healing, before advancing to Master and Master Teacher levels if they choose to teach others.

In summary, Reiki practitioners and masters tend to be compassionate, open-minded, and spiritually curious individuals. Whether they are driven by personal healing, a desire to help others, or a fascination with energy work, they all share a commitment to holistic wellness and emotional balance.