FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced Ray-Key) is the practice of transmitting healing energy. Simply by using specific hand techniques, the practitioner channels energy to the client in order to rebalance the body, mind, and spirit.

What does Reiki actually mean?
Reiki is a conjunction of two Japanese words. The word “Rei” means “God or a Universal Higher Power” and the word “Ki” means “life force energy”. So Reiki is “spiritually guided life force energy” or “universal life force energy”.

Is Reiki a religion?
While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion. It has no dogma, and there is nothing you must believe in order to learn, use, or receive Reiki. The amazing thing about Reiki is that it is not dependent on belief at all. Reiki will work whether you believe in it or not.

What is “ki” or “life force energy”?
The “Ki” or unseen “life force energy” exists throughout the universe. It is believed that this life force energy flows through our bodies and is what keeps us alive. If the energy is low, not flowing properly, or blocked completely then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress as a result. If the energy is high, flowing properly, and unblocked we are more capable of being happy and healthy. Reiki promotes a healthy flow of life force energy.

Where did Reiki come from? Is it something new?
Reiki is a healing art that can be traced back to ancient Tibet, thousands of years ago. This technique was rediscovered in the late 1800s to the early 1900s by Mikao Usui of Japan. View the complete Reiki Lineage here.

What style of Reiki do you teach?
The style of Reiki that I teach is called Usui Shiki Ryoho which is Kanji for Usui System of Natural Healing. With Reiki Level III and the Master Level, Tibetan styles of Reiki are also incorporated.

Who can perform Reiki?
Reiki is an art that is not taught in the usual way we are accustomed to learning. The ability to transmit Reiki is passed from Master to student through what is known as an “attunement”. The attunement allows the student to tap into an unlimited supply of “life force energy” to improve health and enhance the quality of life for oneself and others.

What is an attunement?
A Reiki attunement is the process of how you become a Reiki Practitioner. A Reiki attunement is a ceremony of Spirit and can be given only by a Reiki Master. During the ceremony the Reiki Master uses sacred Reiki symbols and other gestures in a prescribed way to create an energy pattern around the recipient of the attunement. This space forms a vessel, a channel, or a passageway for Reiki to flow freely and effortlessly. Becoming a vessel means the practitioner is never using his/her own energy. Instead the student is able to tap into an unlimited supply of “universal life force energy” for the purpose of improving health and enhancing the quality of life for oneself and others. The attunement is permanent, thus making the recipient a Reiki practitioner. For most students a Reiki attunement can be an even deeper and more enlightening experience than is usually experienced in treatments.

How is a Reiki treatment performed?
Reiki is administered by a very gentle “hands on” or above the body approach. The treatment follows a traditional pattern of specific hand positions. The practitioner’s hands are positioned on or just above the body at a location corresponding to each chakra.

What is an aura?
The aura is the energy field or the life force that surrounds you and flows through you. It nurtures and sustains the body, mind, and spirit.

What is a chakra?
Chakra is a Sanskrit word meaning “vortex” or “wheel”. There are seven major chakras paralleling the spine. Each chakra has certain qualities or associations and corresponds to major organs or large energy centers located within the body.

What happens during a Reiki treatment?
During a Reiki treatment the practitioner becomes a channel or vessel through which the universal energy may pass into the client. The client’s body then draws off the amount of pure energy that is required. The client subconsciously controls the amount of Reiki that is channeled or absorbed. The practitioner is merely the facilitator of the Reiki energy. Therefore the client is not affected by the practitioner’s energy or vice versa.

What are the benefits of having a Reiki treatment?
Reiki is a technique for stress reduction, relaxation, and for realizing a general sense of well-being. Experiencing a Reiki treatment is an excellent way to restore one’s energy and spirit. Reiki is helpful for any sort of ailment be it physical, mental, emotional, or spiritual. Because Reiki treats the whole person and is able to integrate healing on many levels, it is an exceptional opportunity to reconnect with oneself while clearing the body of unwanted stresses before aliments occur.

What can I expect from receiving a Reiki treatment? What results will I have?
Because everyone is different and has different needs each and every client may experience a treatment differently. However, clients can expect to enter a very relaxed state which allows one’s own healing mechanisms to work more efficiently.

What can I do to assist the Reiki treatment?
Simply having an open mind and a desire or willingness to be healed is all that is required. Drinking lots of water will aid the cleansing of the body after the treatment is performed.

Do I have to undress for a Reiki treatment?
You remain fully-clothed throughout the entire treatment. Reiki is non-intrusive and if you prefer, it is not necessary to be touched by the practitioner.

Is Reiki safe? Will Reiki interfere with other treatments I am receiving?
Reiki is completely one hundred percent safe for anyone and for any situation. This includes but is not limited to pregnant women, children, babies, and even pets. Reiki will not cause any adverse or detrimental side effects. Reiki is a gentle yet powerful way to restore health and vitality and can be used alone or with other forms of therapy. Reiki will enhance their effects. Reiki has been proven to compliment the health care you receive in hospitals or from other health care providers.

Can Reiki be used on animals and plants?
Animals actually respond faster to Reiki than humans because they are more open to receiving any form of loving energy. Plants also respond well, because they are living energy fields that also require balance.

REIKI LEVELS

FIRST DEGREE REIKI: Level I is primarily used for treating yourself but can also be used to treat family, friends, animals, and plants etc. The First Degree Reiki level is considered an apprentice level and it is suggested that no fees are to be charged by the practitioner.

SECOND DEGREE REIKI: With Level II specific ways to use Reiki are learned including power, mental and emotional healing, and long-distance healing (past, present, future). Three powerful and sacred symbols are given to the student. A Second Degree Reiki Practitioner may charge fees for performing Reiki treatment services.

THIRD DEGREE REIKI: With Level III advanced Reiki techniques are learned and usually this level is taken in preparation for receiving the Reiki Master level. Two powerful and sacred Tibetan symbols are given to the student.

MASTER DEGREE REIKI: With the Master Level, a very powerful attunement is given and all the skills and ethics necessary to teach Reiki are passed from Master. The final sacred Usui Reiki symbol is given to the student.

** A Reiki Master becomes a Reiki Teacher after his or her first student becomes attuned and initiated into the practice of Reiki. **