Start Reiki

by Rachel Discipio

Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is an alternative type of therapy in which energy deriving from one’s hands transmitting Ki, a life sustaining energy believed by Japanese to illicit health benefits. In recent years, Reiki has become a hugely popular form of alternative medicine, much like acupuncture has in the United States.

There are some people who do not believe that Ki (life energy) actually exists and points to the fact that there are no scientific reports proving Ki objectively. Despite this fact, Reiki is believed by millions to offer substantial healing benefits. Some scientists who do believe in Ki theorize that “biofields” of energy which cannot be detected by instruments may be responsible for the health benefits received by many.

In order for Reiki to be performed, a practitioner must be properly attuned. Being attuned means that a practitioner has completed necessary training by a licensed Reiki master who enhances the practitioners ki levels. The training can occur in person or performed via distance training. A practitioner will place their hands on the client or slightly above the individuals body. Using many different hand positions, the practitioner will transfer their ki to the client recipient. The hand positions generally last a few minutes before the practitioner will focus the energy to different areas of the body.

Basically, the goal of the reiki practitioner is to release blocked channels of energy, reduce negative ki energy, and bestow positive life force into the client. Some individuals will feel a warming of the skin surrounding the areas of the body where the reiki practitioner is concentrating their flow of energy. It is not impossible to perform reiki on yourself, others, or even dogs and cats. The principals remain the same for each.

Reiki can be used to treat many common ailments, most often stress, anxiety, and mental well being. Because ki is thought to be effected by negative thoughts, the reiki practitioner will attempt to bestow positive ki energy in the recipient in order to combat these feelings. Beside just mental ailments, reiki is also believed to heal physical ailments such as immunity problems, side effects of cancer medication, and chronic pain syndromes. It is not uncommon for reiki to be used during the final stages before death to comfort and console the dying.

Reiki is an excellent way to calm and relax the body, therefore some believe that this relaxation is the key to all of the above health improvements, not specifically ki energy. There are generally no known side effects to the use of reiki. Many Japanese practitioners refuse to perform reiki on individuals with known psychiatric problems, as it is believed that the energy may enhance feelings of depression.

Learning Reiki is accomplished in a number of ways. Students can learn the practice from an experienced Reiki teacher or Master, or through self instruction. Much like other Japanese forms of training, there are different levels or degrees of Reiki skill which can be attained. Each level is brought upon by receiving a powerful attunement in order to unleash the ability to feel and bestow energy into yourself or others. Without proper attunement it is not believed that advancement can be accomplished.

The laws regulating the practice of performing Reiki differ by state in America. Some states require a message therapy license in order to perform any type of Reiki professionally. Other state do not have any strict regulations at this point. The Reiki community in this country is pushing for more mandatory requirements and regulations in order to maintain the integrity of the practice and create uniformity among various Reiki professionals.