What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle yet powerful Japanese relaxation and stress reduction technique that can also promote healing. It is a form of laying-on-of-hands healing that is safe and unintrusive without using tissue manipulation or pressure to achieve results. Reiki is very versatile and serves as a perfect compliment to any traditional medical treatment plan. It is safe for persons of all ages and health conditions, including infants, the elderly and women who are pregnant, can be learned by anyone, regardless of age, religious beliefs or experience and can be performed virtually anywhere at any time with the recipient lying on a massage table, sitting in a chair or standing.
Reiki is also a tool that remains with you for life. Once you are attuned, there is no need to become re-attuned to your particular level or re-take classes in the future, unless you want to.

In addition to being a wonderful physical modality, Reiki encourages greater spiritual growth and awareness. Most practitioners report feeling more at peace and more connected with their spiritual side as they explore and become familiar with the Reiki energy. As one of my students recently said, "The more I do Reiki, the more connected I feel to God."

Reiki was discovered in the 1800s by Mikao Usui after 21 days of prayer, fasting and meditation on Mt. Kurama. While standing beneath a meditation waterfall, he felt a great energy enter his head. This energy, known as Reiki, enabled Usui to heal with marvelous results. He became known widely in Japan for his healing skills after the great earthquake of 1923 when he treated as many of the victims with Reiki as he could. By 1925, the demand for Reiki had grown so large that he had to build a new clinic. Soon after, he began traveling around Japan teaching and treating people. The Japanese government issued him a Kun San To award for doing honorable work in the community. Mikao Usui's grave is located at Saihoji Temple in Tokyo.

 

Miako Usui-founder of Reiki