What is Reiki?
Reiki pronounced Ray Key is a Japanese word, which when translated means (Rei) Universal Life Force and (Ki) Energy. This energy is said to be within everyone and that we all have this “life form energy” flowing through us.
Reiki Therapists undergo a training process known as an “attunement” carried out by a Reiki Master, this enables them to access their “life form energy” and strengthen the Ki of others thus producing the necessary healing effect.
If the patient has a low level of "life force energy" they are more prone to illness and stress, conversely if it is high, they are more likely to be happy and healthy. Reiki is a powerful, long established and effective form of natural healing, it is now acknowledged as one of the most widely known forms of energy healing, benefiting from being a very gentle non-intrusive form of healing which makes use of both hands-on technique or distrance-healing .

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What does a Reiki session involve?
A course of Reiki therapy will involve a first session in which the therapist spends
some time asking questions about the client’s health, symptoms, what they
want to achieve and sometimes they will ask for details of their medical history. This does not produce a conventional “diagnosis” as the therapist will not offer a prognosis or advice.
In Reiki treatment sessions therapists usually asks the recipient to lie down and relax (or sit if this is preferred). There is not necessarily a need to remove any clothes but the client may want to remove their shoes, outdoor-coats or jackets in order to feel more comfortable and relaxed during the treatment.
The therapist places their hands gently on or near the clients body in a pre-determined sequence of hand positions, these are non-intrusive and may involve both the front and back of the body. Energy is transferred from the hands of the therapist, with the aim of restoring a state of balance to the body's energy. The energy can pass through clothing or any covering, such as blankets etc. The therapists touch should be gentle and comfortable and it does not involve massage or manipulation.
Recipients of treatment will often report feelings of peace, security and wellbeing sometimes people can experience heat from the therapists hands. The therapist will expect to be informed if any of the hand positions prove to be uncomfortable.
Sessions usually last an hour and four is usually the average requirement.

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How does Reiki work?
Reiki teachings believe that we are alive because of the life force energy flowing through us. It flows within our body though pathways called chakras and nadis (conduits similar to the Chinese meridians) and it also flows around us in a field of energy called the aura. This life force nourishes the organs and cells of our body, helping them fulfill their vital functions.
If this flow of life force is disrupted then our physical health will be affected by causing the functions in one or more of the organs and tissues of the body to be diminished.
Our thoughts and feelings also affect our physical health depending on whether our thoughts are positive or negative. Negative thoughts and feelings will restrict the smooth flow of life force energy (Ki). It is an accepted fact that the mind plays an important part in creating illness either directly or indirectly.
Reiki works by channeling an energy source through the therapist into the person receiving the treatment.
This energy flows through sick or unhealthy areas, breaks them up and clears negativity allowing a normal healthy flow of Ki to resume which results in the unhealthy physical organs and tissues being flooded with nourishing Ki helping them function in a balanced healthy way, enabling the client to heal.

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What are the benefits of Reiki Therapy?
Reiki is accepted as having beneficial and positive effects on many emotional, physical and spiritual complaints. Many therapists claim that Reiki can have a beneficial effect on most known conditions.
Reiki can help with a wide range of issues be they mental, emotional, physical or even spiritual.

Some conditions Reiki can help with:-
-Pain Relief (back pain, headaches)
-Migraines
-Arthritis
-Skin Problems
-Stress and Anxiety reduction and relaxation
-Strengthening the immune system
-Aids and accelerates self-healing of the body.
-Assists in cleaning toxins from the body.
-Helps release blocked or suppressed emotions
-Helps clear energy blocks in the chakras
-Insomnia
-Reducing blood pressure
-Helps Recovery after Surgery and Injury

Although Reiki is a totally safe and non invasive, it is currently used as a Complementary Therapy and therapists will recommend that any proposed treatment be discussed with your own GP.

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Are there any side effects from Reiki Therapy?
There are no known harmful side effects attributable to Reiki therapy.
Reiki is a complementary therapy and works effectively alongside “orthodox” healthcare, so expanding treatment options.
It is a non-invasive therapy that treats patients holistically with the purpose of bringing the body back to a natural balance. No medicines or drugs are involved

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Choosing a Reiki Therapist
It is important that you choose a therapist that you feel comfortable with, so you may feel that an initial meeting may be important before arranging therapy sessions or you may feel that a telephone conversation will sort this out.
It would be advisable to have some background knowledge about Reiki as a therapy and what it can offer you.
The Reiki Association can give you some of this information but you must bear in mind being a member of this association is not a qualification.
There is no formal training for becoming a Reiki therapist but any therapist should ideally have at least “First Degree Reiki” and have been using Reiki on a regular basis.
Remember to ask the Reiki therapist about their training and experience, also it is advisable to determine costs at an early stage for these can vary.

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History of Reiki
Reiki is an ancient Buddhist practice dating back approximately 2500 years. Its origins can be found in Tibetan sutras, ancient records of cosmology, and philosophy. The sutras were rediscovered in the mid 1800s by Dr Mikao Usui, a Japanese Tendai Buddhist monk, who found that many ancient civilisations believed that there was a life force energy that flowed through the body, supporting ideal development and accomplishment. These sutras described disease as a state of imbalance of energy that caused disruption in optimum functioning of the body, mind, and emotions.
In April 1922, Dr. Usui moved to Tokyo and here he founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Society).
Dr Usui who was an admirer of Emperor Meiji and his writings. In the process of developing his Reiki system, Dr. Usui summarised some of the emperor's works into a set of principles, later becoming known as the Reiki Principles. Many Reiki teachers and practitioners now aim to abide by these five principles, they are often translated as:-
• Do not be angry
• Do not be worried
• Be grateful
• Work hard (on improving yourself)
• Be kind to others.

The early 20Th century saw the spread of Reiki therapy to the western world.
It is commonly accepted that Dr.Usui, passed on his ideas to Dr. Chujiro Hayashi a naval officer. Dr. Hayashi was attuned as a Reiki Master by Usui in 1925. One of Hayashi's students was an American woman, Mrs. Hawayo Takata. She was the thirteenth reiki master initiated by Dr. Hayashi, on February 21, 1938 she achieved the status of a Reiki Master which authorised her to teach the reiki system. Subsequently Mrs. Takata initiated 22 reiki masters. Most of these 22 reiki masters are alive and still practicing and teaching Reiki today

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Degrees of Reiki
The teaching of Reiki outside of Japan usually consists of instruction divided into three levels, or degrees.
First degree Reiki
The first degree Reiki instruction initiates the student therapist into the Reiki system; this aims to teach the basic theories and procedures of how to work with Reiki energy.
The channel through which Reiki energy passes to the therapist is said to be opened or widened through four "attunements" given to the student by the teacher. Students are taught and encouraged to practise the hand placement positions, used in Reiki, that are conducive to the healing process in whole body treatment. They are introduced to the five precepts taught by Usui and the meditative aspects of Reiki. Students are usually given manuals and ideas about how they might use these new skills.
After completing this first level the student is able to lay their hands on themselves (this is encouraged enabling detoxification and open further the channels for Reiki treatment) on other people, animals and plants.
Typically this First Degree Reiki training will take two days.

Second degree Reiki
It is required that first degree Reiki has been studied before proceeding to the second stage.
In the second degree Reiki course, the students are introduced to, and learn the use of three symbols which are said to enhance the healing effect and allow for distance healing. These symbols are the power symbol, the mental/emotional/harmony symbol and the distance symbol.
A further attunement is given which further increases the capacity for Reiki to flow through the student, as well as empowering the use of the symbols. Having completed this level, the student can treat people using Reiki without necessarily being physically present with the patient.
Typically this Second Degree Reiki training is taught over two days.
Third degree Reiki or master training
Through the third degree, or "master training", the student becomes a Reiki Master. One or more attunements are carried out and the student learns a further master-level symbol. Students are taught that becoming a Reiki Master enables them to attune other people to Reiki and teach the three degrees of Reiki. The student is encouraged to study not only Reiki but other spiritual traditions and are also encouraged to spend time in Reiki service (which may initially be offered free)
Students must have studied both first and second degree levels before the master training can be undertaken. The time spent in master training can be variable anything from a day to a year or more, and is often broken into two or three smaller stages of attunements and teaching
After each level the student should receive course notes and certificates.

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Types of Reiki
There are increasing number of Reiki treatments available but most use the same energy for treatments. The symbols, hand positions and some techniques may change but they all tend to have their origins in Usui Reiki.
Some of the more popular versions are:-

Usui Reiki:
Dr. Mikao Usui is acknowleged as the founder of reiki as we know it in the West, and is now practiced all over the world.

Tibetan Reiki:
This form of reiki is a powerful Tibetan method of attunement and combines certain techniques from the original Usui reiki.

Seichem Reiki
Alex Baisley in Canada founded this system. This helps us to consciously use the five elements of the universal life force or prana to promote healing.

Karuna Reiki:
Karuna Reiki is a system of energetic healing, which was developed by William Rand. This system of healing itself originated from Kathleen Milner's system.
Karuna means a profound feeling to alleviate suffering, with abiding compassion towards all beings. Karuna Reiki employs sounds, endowed with the power to heal..

Gendai Reiki:
Gendai means modern. Mr. Hiroshi Doi is the founder of this version of reiki and he has brought a strong Buddhist perspective to the original reiki teachings.

Rainbow Reiki:
Walter Lubeck, a reiki master is accredited with introducing this form of reiki. This system, works with the seven main chakras in the body to bring about healing. These chakras organize a body of light. This spiritual energy is used to heal and understand our true nature.

Shamballa Reiki:
This system helps to cleanse, repair and balance the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual levels of a person. It uses reiki energy along with many vibratory symbols and healing rays to achieve the purpose.

Kundalini Reiki:
In this system, reiki energy is channeled through the lower base chakra rather than crown chakra. This kindles spirituality and even helps the practitioner get over shyness, or recover from trauma and other negative emotions.

Imara Reiki:
The reiki energy is used to work on past life, repressed issues and helps in long distance healing. The practitioner is connected to ascended masters and angels.

Some other forms of these “new reiki” schools include:-
Angelic Reiki
Archangelic Reiki
Brahma Satya Reiki
Celtic Reiki
Christian Reiki
Crystal Reiki
Divine Light Reiki
Dragon Reiki
Fire Serpent Reiki
Gayatri Reiki
Heart Reiki
Huna Reiki
Inga Reiki
Imara Reiki
Inner Light Reiki
Karuna Reiki
Komyo Reiki
Kundalini Reiki
Laxmi Reiki
Lightarian Reiki
Lotus Petal Reiki
Maori Reiki
Purple Reiki
Pyramid Reiki
Reiki Brenham
Reiki Crystal Healing
Sacred Moon Reiki
Shamanic Reiki
SKHM Reiki
Tera Mai Reiki
Tummo Reiki
Usui Reiki Ryoho
Vajra Tummo Reiki
Violet Flame Reiki
White Dove Reiki
White Light Reiki

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Reiki as a Complementary Therapy
Reiki is known as an energy medicine which is a therapy based on the belief that disturbances in energy cause illness
Reiki is practiced in several ways: as a therapy on its own, along with other CAM therapies, or in conjunction with “conventional” medical treatments..
Therefore used solely on its own it can be said to be an Alternative Therapy, when it is used alongside other CAM or conventional treatments it is described as a Complementary Therapy.
If you are considering or using Reiki or in fact any other CAM therapy, it is recommended you talk to your health care provider about it. This is for your safety and will ensure a coordinated treatment plan.

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Reiki treatment for animals.
Reiki is particularly suitable form of therapy for animals it can be administered in a “hands-on” fashion or using “distance-healing” where no physical contact is required.
Distance healing is especially appropriate for animals that might be nervous, aggressive or simply not fond of being touched.
Many animals find treatment a soothing and enjoyable experience.
Therapists find it particularly successful in treating muscular aches, pains, back problems, strains and post-operative recovery. It can reduce stress, anxiety, nervousness and skin or coat problems and it is often used to help dogs with behaviour problems.
To find suitable therapists offering this form of therapy on our Animal Therapists page.

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We have hundreds of therapists listed on our pages so if you want to find a Reki Therapist near you, use our Find a Therapist page

Our Reiki Therapists guide covers the whole of the UK including-:

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