Reiki therapy is an alternative approach to therapeutic healing that revolves around the transfer of universal energy from therapist to client. Most commonly, a Reiki massage or treatment is associated with projecting healing energy through the palms of a practitioner. But each practitioner tailors a specific healing plan in alignment with their client’s needs.
Reiki is often associated with alternative medicine types of healing and currently does not have definitive support from medical research and data in terms of effectiveness. Regardless, many seek out this type of therapy consistently and report positive changes post-treatment.
What is Reiki?
The word ‘reiki’ combines the Japanese words ‘rei’ (soul) and ‘ki’ (vital energy). It is said to be around 2,500 years old but was rediscovered by a Japanese Buddhist named Dr. Mikao Usui in the 20th century.
Reiki is an alternative form of therapy that promotes healing through the balancing of the vital life force energy that flows through all living things—integrating the mind, body, and spirit.
Reiki therapy is most commonly associated with palm-energy healing. Therefore, understanding how the body and mind consume and retain energy is essential for both practitioners and clients. Equally important is the study of how energy can be fluid and the overall transfer of energy from the practitioner to the client.
How does Reiki work?
Reiki practitioners identify energy blockages or voids within their clients and focus on the transfer and balance of energy to mediate a client’s personal problems or medical ailments, such as stress and anxiety.
While massage is more vigorous and manipulates the muscles, Reiki uses only touch and sometimes merely the proximity of the healer’s hands to particular parts of the body, using 12 to 20 prescribed hand positions, depending on the training tradition.
Reiki is an alternative form of therapy that promotes healing through the balancing of the vital life force energy that flows through all living things—integrating the mind, body, and spirit.
Some massage therapists use Reiki techniques during their massage sessions, which is referred to as a “Reiki massage”, to promote physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
The focus of Reiki involves the study of energy balance, similar to that of other alternative therapies such as acupuncture. Reiki healing believes that you will produce various potential physical and mental benefits with an improvement in your energy flow and balance.
How to become a Reiki practitioner
The process of becoming an established Reiki master varies for many reasons. This process depends on the state in which you intend to practice and how much education you wish to pursue before practicing.
Most candidates can find a variety of courses or teaching networks online. These classes and communities have different standards, but most focus on the balance and transfer of energy, the history of the field, and the most popular current Reiki applications and techniques.
You’ll learn how to be sensitive to your intuition and the energy currents of the eight “subtle bodies,” or energy zones, that correspond to different parts of the body.
Students may also choose to study anatomy, psychology, kinesiology, and other energy-related subjects. Many choose to become a licensed massage therapist first and then incorporate Reiki massage into their practice.
“My experience with Reiki was fairly ‘old school,’ in that we met for about four weeks with in-person instruction. We learned the history, ethics, and associated technical skills. The classes finished with an in-person attunement,” said Texas-based and long-time experienced Reiki practitioner Brian Richardson.
Research and earn Reiki credentials
Since the profession is only loosely regulated at the state and local levels, the process of becoming a certified Reiki practitioner can differ greatly from one person to another. Many private Reiki education companies teach this healing art and offer a Reiki certification or license of their own. In most states, however, no license or certification is required to practice.
The Reiki Licensing Commission for Reiki Masters and Healers (RLCRMH) has called for stricter standards of Reiki teaching, and awards the following license designations:
• Licensed Reiki Apprentice Healer
• Licensed Reiki Healer
• Licensed Reiki Healer Coach
• Licensed Reiki Master
• Licensed Reiki Master Coach
• Licensed Reiki Coach Instructor
• Licensed Reiki Master Instructor
You can also join a larger professional organization, such as the International Association of Reiki Practitioners (IARP) to establish yourself in the certified Reiki healing community.
In many areas, there are informal yet widely recognized levels of…
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