Understand the Basics of Reiki

Reiki is a healing energy that comes directly from the highest spiritual source. It is divinely guided and knows where to go and what to do. The Reiki therapist works with the energy, allowing it to flow into areas of the body that are in need. When Reiki is applied, it brings about deep relaxation and a sense of well being. When doing Reiki, the practitioner also receives healing energy, since the energy flows through his or her body. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion.

Reiki, pronounced “ray-key”, means “Universal Life Force Energy” and is an ancient Japanese healing art form using therepeutic touch. This simple, natural and safe method of healing and self improvement is something that anyone can use. It can be safely used in conjunction with all other medical or therapeutic techniques to promote recovery.

Reiki is a healing energy that comes directly from the highest spiritual source. It is divinely guided and knows where to go and what to do. The Reiki therapist works with the energy, allowing it to flow into areas of the body that are in need. When Reiki is applied, it brings about deep relaxation and a sense of well being. When doing Reiki, the practitioner also receives healing energy, since the energy flows through his or her body. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion.

A Reiki session includes placing the hands on positions around the body. Each position is held from 3 to 5 minutes and the sessions last from about 20 minutes to an hour. Reiki is both powerful and gentle and has aided in the healing of many illnesses and injuries. For example, recovery from surgery can he hastened as it aids in the body’s own natural healing abilities. It can also be used on animals, plants and on inanimate objects, and can also be done as “distance” healing where practitioner and recipient need not be physically together.

Reiki is a simple technique to learn. It consists of three levels of training and is not taught the way other healing techniques are taught. It is passed on through “attunement” given by a Reiki Master Teacher during a class. No prior experience in healing work is necessary. The use of Reiki does not depend on a person’s intellectual ability or level of spiritual development. A person can begin using Reiki after the first level class.

Learn More About Reiki and Holistic Care

If you’re interested in exploring Reiki further, continue with our Some of the Benefits of Reiki article, which discusses many of the reasons people choose Reiki as a complementary wellness practice.

Those considering Reiki training can also read our Learning Reiki guide, which explains the different levels of Reiki training and what students can expect during the learning process.

To better understand how Reiki sessions work, visit our Understand the Energy and Method of the Reiki Practice article.

Families caring for someone living with dementia may also find our Treating Alzheimer’s with Reiki article helpful for learning how Reiki has been incorporated into supportive dementia care.

You can also watch our interview on Reiki for Dementia-Related Wandering and Paranoia for additional information about Reiki and dementia care.

For more in-depth reading, download our companion resource: Treating Alzheimer’s Disease with Reiki.