Reiki is a form of energy healing that was discovered and taught by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1900s. It has become a popular method of energy work worldwide because it's quick to learn and easy to do, which makes it perfect for people who are just starting their journey. Reiki is usually translated as Universal Life-Force Energy, and after you receive the training, the method of providing a Reiki session is very simple. It involves placing your hands lightly on the person's body or in their energy field without touching them physically. Then the energy flows where it is needed for a number of minutes before moving to the next location.

Put simply, the goal of this energy modality is to allow greater access to this universal life force energy so that the person who is receiving the session can use that energy to facilitate their own self-healing since their body already knows what needs to be healed. As a practitioner you are simply providing access to it in a way that might be more challenging for the client to do on their own if they haven't received the training or if they're going through physical discomfort, or have their energetic batteries running low looking for a recharge. In fact, it might be best utilized in situations like this where someone’s body is run down and could use a little extra gas in their tank.

Reiki has been used in various hospital centers, especially with patients who have pain or cancer diagnoses and are seeking reduction in stress due to their circumstances. In these settings, it is best to remember that Reiki is viewed as a complementary modality that can support someone's self-healing, but is not designed to be a substitute or replacement for standard allopathic medical care. There are a variety of studies that have been done to try to examine the outcomes, and while there is very little research that has been done on energy modalities from a scientific paradigm, it is something I would encourage researchers to continue investigating.

That is one of the reasons why I teach it, so that those who are curious or looking to begin their journey with energy work can have a quick and easy way to begin that exploration.

I received my first Reiki sessions a number of years ago. The energy that was flowing was so gentle and light that for the first few sessions I wasn't able to track it. But I noticed that I felt very at peace and physically relaxed. As I had a few more sessions I began to notice that I was arriving to each session with some anxiety, pain and physical tightness in various areas of my body. Each time, as the session would progress, these would shift. I would become very relaxed, calm and centered.

After the sessions, the level of discomfort or anxiety that I was feeling would be substantially diminished. Sometimes it lasted for a number of hours or a number of days, but the more I received the energy work, the longer it seemed to last. It gave me an opportunity to start to notice when there were actions I was taking in my life that were contributing to creating situations where I would be provoking that anxiety or bringing about that tightness. Before I wasn't even aware of it, because it was such a constant state of being for me, but after each session I started to notice and realize more and more how circumstances in my life were affecting me. It became clear that I could make choices to change my lifestyle to support a way of living that was more harmonious.

After one specific Reiki session I remember coming home and turning on the TV. I was feeling extremely relaxed, but then the news broadcast focusing on doom and gloom started. I noticed that there was an immediate shift to a feeling of physical tension, tightness and fear. I had not noticed that happening so clearly before, but this time I realized that I had a choice. I could either continue to be on autopilot or I can choose to turn off the TV and go on a walk in nature for half an hour to see if that might help me to maintain the calm I had been feeling even longer.

I found that even though it was a small, simple change, it was incredibly empowering. I understood through that realization that I was being impacted by things that I hadn't noticed before. Suddenly I started looking for areas of my life where there were simple changes I could make that actually did change how I was feeling. It might sound simple, but it was really eye-opening for me. Reiki helped me with that realization and motivated me to learn how to do it for myself to see if it might help me notice more opportunities for change.

To me, the energy of Reiki feels very gentle and smooth. I sometimes describe it metaphorically like the texture of a smooth flowing river or mist settling on a surface. It is very unobtrusive but still leaves an impact as your body responds to the energy it is receiving which allows a softening of unneeded tension on all levels. It reminds me a bit of the energy of the earth in the sense that when we are feeling connected with nature or surrounded by trees we realize that we are observing beauty and are a part of that flow along with animals and plants which is deeply relaxing. Reiki energy has helped to deepen my access to that flow and be a reminder that we are part of the earth and this greater ecosystem that goes beyond ourselves.

Reiki can work with spiritual and mental levels, but I have found that emotional and physical issues seem to respond quite well to it. Perhaps, that is one of the reasons that it seems to be one of the more commonly practiced or studied modalities in hospital settings. Many patients have ongoing physical healing needed and sometimes the body's energy stores are just exhausted. So, if Reiki can help fill up the tank, recharge those batteries then that might really help to support somebody who is going through physical healing and help them to work through that in a deeper, potentially smoother way.

There are many different forms of Reiki that are practiced and taught. Usui Reiki is named after the founder, Mikao Usui, and in a sense all forms are Usui Reiki because that was the original method. But as various students learned Reiki energy from generation to generation, each one evolved and changed how they practiced it as each person is different. Some decided to change the name after they made modifications to better communicate how their approach had changed. To me, it all goes back to the source and in essence there's only one form of Reiki at the beginning of it all. That's all connected, so let’s embrace oneness.

What I think is important is to realize that the different methods of Reiki have slightly different characteristics to them and I don't think that getting stuck in a belief that "one method of Reiki is the best method” is very beneficial. What is more important is finding a teacher to learn from that you trust. Someone you feel is going to be able to teach you what they have learned in a way that will potentially speed up the process for you, so you don't have to learn everything from scratch yourself without any structure.

If you study with me, great! If you study with someone else, great! The more people who do energy healing, the more appreciation there can be of the beautiful ways we are connected to each other and the world. I wish you well on your Reiki journey.

Yes! For more information, see the next question for how and why I teach Reiki online.

I have studied Reiki from a variety of teachers, and each one has had their own flavor of how they did the instruction and how they understood the Reiki energy to be, but the core of the method was very similar. I have completed master level instruction in the Usui / Holy Fire III Reiki method, which includes some updates by William Lee Rand into a format where it can be taught in-person or online. I have also studied Usui Reiki Ryoho: Shoden (First Degree), Okuden (Second Degree) and Shinpiden (Third Degree) master level which include a focus on the original Japanese and Buddhist context of the teachings as Usui-sensei originally transmitted them to his students. These levels have helped me to appreciate the journey into oneness that is at the heart of any Reiki practice and authentic transmission. The Reiki energy feels just as strong to me at a distance as in-person so allowing online instruction means that even if you don’t have a Reiki teacher nearby you can still learn this method.

I made the integration process a focus when deciding how to teach my students. Helping to support each one of you with implementing and completing your practice sessions is key. To me, this integration process is one of the most important parts of the learning of working with Reiki. You can receive instruction, you can receive an attunement, placement or reiju empowerment that can make it easier for you to access the energy, but that is just the beginning of the story. If you don't work with the energy or develop that ability, then you've received teaching but you haven't actually gained a useful skill yet. That is where integration comes in, through working with the energy and developing that skill you can improve and get better at it.

In my class, I teach Reiki as a series of online video calls over a number of weeks. I explain about the history of Reiki and some fundamentals of energy work which gives us a common language. Then we move forward each week with the initiation process, including exercises that are completed in class or simple skills you practice before the next class. By doing this you have an opportunity to ask me questions because you've practiced it. If you run into issues and if there's something you're getting stuck on I can try to help provide answers or suggestions for a different way to approach things that might be beneficial.

Your own experience with the energy is invaluable. I can share with you all day long what the experience is like for me, but what's important is actually what the experience is like for you! Each person is different and each person perceives energy differently, works with energy differently, has their own life experience, gifts and awarenesses. I was very fortunate that my teachers understood the importance of supporting me in discovering for myself what my journey needed to be.

There is a method to be taught, but there is also room for exploration and understanding. Allowing your experience directly with the energy to teach you as you work with it through self practice is a key part of developing skill and ability. If you’re focusing on self-healing or working with others, you have your own journey with healing to follow, and I am interested in doing what I can to support you on that journey as it unfolds during our time together.

Due to the many systems some teachers may divide up levels differently, but I use the most generally accepted three level structure.

Level 1 Beginner

When I teach the Level 1 workshop I focus on helping students learn to connect with the Reiki energy, understand its history, and practice allowing the flow to take place. This is a new skill for many people, and as simple as it is there is benefit to deliberate practice. During our weekly online sessions you will learn the Reiki hand positions and perform self-healing treatments. As you practice you will observe how your body is responding to the energy and identify areas that require extra attention based on where you are on your unique healing journey. You are encouraged to continue working with the energy for at least 3 months before moving on to the next level.

Level 2 Intermediate

During level 2 you will learn techniques for working with others in-person or at a distance. You will learn how to use Reiki symbols in different ways during a session. During our weekly online sessions you will learn and practice these skills and perform treatments. As you practice you will observe how your are responding to the energy and identify areas that require extra attention with class time for discussion and questions. You are encouraged to continue working with the energy for at least 6 months before moving on to the next level.

Level 3 Master

Level 3 is focused on a deeper dive into the Reiki energy as well as the process of teaching. You will learn more Reiki symbols and explore the more spiritual aspects of Reiki that may not have been immediately apparent when you first started. You will have time for practice and discussion. This process of mastery is ongoing even after the course finishes, and the length of time it takes to feel that you have become a Reiki Master will depend on the level of mastery that you are seeking.

All three levels of Reiki training can be completed within a year. However, it is important to remember that mastery necessitates practice and comprehension, which may take significantly longer to truly internalize and enable the practitioner to attain skill even after the training has finished. That is why I teach my courses over a number of weeks to allow you to have support and time to integrate and embody what you are learning as you go. The deepening of this practice can be life long and deeply transformative, so it is very much a situation where your dedication plays a large role in how things unfold over time.

Just as anyone and everyone has an energy body and can receive energy healing, anyone can learn Reiki. However, there are some people that it might not be ideal for.

If you have life circumstances that are already overwhelming and adding to that might feel like too much to handle, then it is important to consider what makes sense for you right now. Energy healing could accelerate the transitions that you are going through which could be a good thing if you want to move forward, but waiting until a different time of life when things are a bit more settled and you feel supported might be the easier path. You know your circumstances best.

If you are considering exploring Reiki or energy work in general and have never received energy work in the past, the best way forward would be to have a few sessions where you receive healing from a skilled practitioner. You could start off with a gentle session to see how you respond and adjust according to your needs. That would be a much safer and better way to begin this journey than to start off trying to do an accelerated training course.

If you have a personal history of deep trauma or mental instability (such as schizophrenia), working with energy and the invisible world might be more challenging as it requires trusting your perceptions. If reality testing is difficult, then tuning in with your intuition more deeply could just add more confusion. As you practice and learn to work with your energetic senses they can open up more which can lead to changes in how you experience the world. This can be overwhelming to people at times. It is possible that exploring what energy work has to offer by starting with an intensive method might move too quickly and something more slow and gentle would be a better fit for you.

Reiki energy can be deeply transformative as it assists you with connecting deeply with your authentic self to uncover your alignment and soul purpose. Sometimes when we have deep traumas, addictions or ancestral patterns that we are working through, going deep quickly and working with them can seem like it's too much if we haven’t learned and integrated skills to ground and stabilize first. This training can bring up a lot of things that might not have been serving your highest good, and they really do need to change but trying to change them all at once can feel overwhelming. The last thing that I would want to do as an instructor is to put you in a position where you feel that what is going on in your life is just too much to handle.

If you are considering doing training with me and are concerned about this, my suggestion would be to reach out. We could have a conversation where I can answer specific questions that you might have. I know some people who needed a few sessions first to get their energy system optimized and stabilized before it was appropriate to continue with energetic training. It doesn't have to take a long time, but it is definitely a good way to go. You want to have a strong foundation before you launch into something that can bring about deep transformation.

It is important to go through your own discernment process and decide for yourself whether you feel that you are ready in this stage of life to take that step to move deeper on your journey. Energy work can certainly help delving deeper, but the timing has to be right. Even if something is the perfect thing for you, timing matters. If it's not coming at the right timing for you, then it is not going to be ideal. Only you know best what you can handle and when the right timing is in your life. I can share my expertise and perspective, but at the end of the day you're the one who's making the decision. You know whether your committed to welcoming change, healing and transformation into your life.

I do not provide psychotherapy so I may ask you to find someone who can provide individualized mental health support before the training begins. That way you will already have a working relationship with a professional if something comes up that needs urgent attention or cannot be addressed appropriately in the group format of the training.