Reiki

This web page covers the following subjects:

Description

'rei'=universal 'ki'=life energy

Reiki (pronounced as 'ray-key') is a spiritual healing art – the practice of transmitting healing energy through the hands. Believed to have originated in Tibet thousands of years ago, current Reiki practice can be traced to the spiritual teachings of Mikao Usui in Japan during the early 20th century.

Reiki is a subtle and effective form of energy healing which brings about healing on physical, mental, emotional and spiritual levels. It is based on the philosophy that there is a universal energy that supports the body's inherent self-healing abilities. Reiki Practitioners seek to access this energy, allowing it to flow to the body and facilitate the healing process.

Reiki Principles:

A detailed description of Reiki can be found at: Lifepositive Reiki Description

A detailed history of Reiki can be found at: Lifepositive Reiki History  and  Lifepositive Usui Reiki History

 

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Benefits

The recipient often feels warmth or tingling in the area being treated, even when using a non-touching approach. A state of deep relaxation, combined with a general feeling of well-being is usually the most noticeable immediate effect of the treatment.

Reiki can be used as a wonderful complementary therapy in a personal wellness or healing program. Reiki is intended to be used to improve general wellness - not just illness.

Reiki can be helpful for stress reduction, relaxation and symptom relief to improve overall health and well-being and it is almost always a very relaxing experience.

Reiki is used in many settings including hospitals and hospices, as well as in private practice and in self-care and is a complementary therapy in a personal wellness or healing program.

A person can learn to treat themselves by taking a Reiki level I course. This can sometimes provide the number of treatments that are recommended when costs might otherwise prohibit.

Reiki works effectively alongside orthodox health-care and natural remedies, expanding a person's treatment options.

 

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What to expect in a Reiki session

During a Reiki session the recipient remain fully clothed (loose, comfortable clothing is suggested) while comfortably reclining on a massage table or seated in a chair.

Reiki treatment proceeds with the practitioner placing their hands on the recipient in various positions. Some practitioners use a non-touching technique, where the hands are held a few centimeters away from the recipient's body.

The hands are usually kept still for 3 to 5 minutes before moving to the next position. The hand positions usually give a general coverage of the head, the front and back of the torso, knees and feet. A treatment can last from 45 to 90 minutes.

Questions to ask a Reiki practitioner and what to expect and not expect from a Reiki treatment. Council of Australian Reiki Organisations (CARO)

 

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Reiki Styles and Schools

Many different 'schools' or 'branches' of Reiki have evolved, therefore it is important to understand which approach has been adopted by any particular practitioner.

An excellent detailed description of the various different branches of Reiki and the lineages. Lifepositive.com

It should be noted that the term "Johrei Reiki" is deemed to be an invalid term as the Johrei Foundation explicitly state that Johrei is different to Reiki (details in the above link to Lifepositive). I have included a link to the Johrei Foundation in case it is of interest. Johrei Foundation

Jikiden Reiki is taught by Tadao Yamaguchi and has a lineage starting with Chujiro Hayashi. Jikiden English website  and  Jikiden Japanese website

 

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Licensing and Regulation

In absence of formal recognition in the west, independent governing bodies operated by practitioners have developed their own standards and certifications. This provides the public with a point of reference when seeking advice on Reiki.

Reiki knowledge is passed from Master to student. Authentication of a Reiki practitioner is based upon a lineage that can be traced back to Dr. Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki. A Reiki practitioner should have a certification from a source that recognizes this lineage.

Reiki practitioners can attain up to three or levels of 'attunement'. The term Reiki Master can only be applied to those that have achieved level three. Some styles such as the Unified system of Reiki require their practitioners to achieve a fourth level to teach Reiki in order to differentiate between Reiki Masters that are practitioners and those that teach.

 

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Reiki Organizations and Training etc.

Training, licensing and certification are included in the following link plus information about clinical trials and other references. National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine

The purpose of the Reiki Regulatory Working Group is to establish public and professional standards for the voluntary regulation of people who practise Reiki professionally in the UK. Reiki Regulatory Working Group

An independent federation with the objective of forming a national umbrella organisation for education, training and guidance in the public practice of Reiki. You will find information for the public, for policymakers and researchers, and for members. The UK Reiki Federation

International community of Reiki Masters of the Usui System of Reiki. Reiki Alliance

Information about a career in reiki plus a list of schools in the USA. Naturalhealers.com

Council of Australian Reiki Organisations. CARO

 

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References

Standard detailed Wikipedia overview - primarily based on US views. Wikipedia - Reiki

Indopedia.org - a similar approach to wikipedia but easier reading and covers many aspects of Reiki. Indopedia Reiki

Healing.about.com is a 'must see' resource with a first class structure. It has a huge list of carefully written articles covering everything about Reiki such as setting up as a Reiki practitioner, the three levels of Reiki study, attunements, business tips, tools etc. Of note: Becoming a Reiki practitioner and Various Articles

Suite101.com has a broad range of well written articles covering most aspects of Reiki. Suite101.com Reiki Articles

This is a very comprehensive Reiki web site. The International House of Reiki provides Japanese Reiki Training and Reiki Healing Resources and is based in New South Wales, Australia. reiki.net.au

The following covers all aspects of Reiki and includes contentious and controversial topics. Gold Bamboo Site

Many articles on Reiki can be found here. articlesbase.com

4holistichealth Web Sites

Sandra Sinclair is a registered practitioner and teacher (level 4) trained in the Unified System of Reiki and has been a Reiki Master since 2004. Sandra is also certified in Blue Matrix Energetics, Hand and Foot Reflexology and Champissage Therapy (Indian Head Massage).
Reiki North Vancouver

 

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Worldwide Map of Reiki Meetup Groups

Use the map or the search bar immediately below the map to identify a Reiki meetup group. Click the left button on your mouse and hold down and drag the map so that the area of interest is positioned near the center. Use the + symbol to zoom in and the - symbol to zoom out. Click on a balloon to find details of the meetup group.