What is Reiki?

The word "Reiki" comes from two Japanese characters: "Rei," meaning "universal soul," and "Ki," meaning "energy"—thus "universal life force energy." Reiki is a non-invasive healing technique that calms the nervous system and helps to restore balance to the mind, body and spirit. The healing energy of Reiki brings deep relaxation and revitalization.

How can Reiki help me? Can Reiki relieve pain?

Reiki is both restorative and preventative. It gently encourages a person’s system towards its own unique alignment. Reiki can be of real benefit to almost anyone, whether healthy and wanting to stay that way, or in addressing a specific health concern or life issue/situation. Reiki can be utilized alongside both conventional and alternative medicine and therapies, to promote quicker and more effective healing and help bring relief from pain.

What happens in a Traditional Reiki Session?

During a Reiki session energy is channeled out through the Reiki practitioner's hands. The hands are placed over the major energy centers of the recipients' body and energy flows to the internal organs and throughout the entire system, bringing relaxation to the whole person. Reiki can travel beyond space and time so online sessions are equally effective.

Where does Reiki come from?

Reiki was revealed to Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. Dr. Usui had studied Christianity, Buddhism, and other religious philosophies for many years before receiving the full knowledge of the healing art of Reiki. After 21 days of meditation on Mt. Kurama in Japan, Dr. Usui had a mystical experience. When the experience passed, Dr. Usui returned from the mountain with the ability to heal himself and others.

To draw people to his teaching, Dr. Usui would walk through towns with a lantern. People would laugh and ask him why he was carrying a lantern during the day. He would reply that if they wanted to learn about light they could attend his class. This sparked people's interest and they would flock to his lectures. Dr. Usui practiced and taught Reiki throughout Japan for the remainder of his life.

Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, a physician and a disciple of Dr. Usui, standardized the Reiki system into 3 levels and set the hand positions used today. Dr. Hayashi had a Reiki healing clinic in Tokyo which consisted of eight beds and two practitioners per client. Students would practice at the clinic under Dr. Usui’s guidance.

The first Westerner and possibly the first woman be initiated into Reiki, Hawayo Takata, was cured of ovarian tumors and a lung condition at Dr. Hayashi’s clinic. She went on to study with Dr. Hayashi and then opened her own clinic in Hawaii. Takarta was a lively woman who dedicated her life to healing and initiated 22 Reiki Masters.

What is a Reiki Lineage?

When a Reiki master can track their initiating Reiki masters back to Dr. Usui, they are considered to be in the direct lineage of Reiki. Thea Annya Nathan has been a certified Reiki Master for over a decade and is 12th in the direct lineage of Reiki founder Dr. Mikao Usui.

How can I learn Reiki?

One of the wonderful things about Reiki is that anyone can learn this healing art. With the right instruction and a sacred initiation (attunement), you will be able to access the healing qualities of Reiki. Reiki training is an incredible gift to give to yourself, whether you want to learn Reiki for your own self-healing (relieving headaches, reducing stress, or opening to a deeper level of spirituality), or you want to help a friend or family member. Profound results are often experienced from taking Reiki training and beginning a Reiki practice. The Reiki Training Institute invites you to start your Reiki journey today, call us and we will be happy to answer any questions you may have.