6 Reiki concepts: your Reiki 101

As A Reiki Master Teacher, Here's What I Want You To Know

I sprung off the couch to hit the pause button during two recent movies because my ears were in disbelief that characters were discussing Reiki on the proverbial big screen.

In both The Lost City and Jonah Hill’s latest release, You People, a character mentions the practice of Reiki. And while their mention was for comedic effect — Brad Pitt’s as part of his “guru” character and Jonah Hill’s date with a disparaging eye roll over the lack of anyone having a “real” job in Los Angeles — the jaw drop I experienced was because I had the personal revelation: “It’s here. Reiki has hit the mainstream.”

Being in the yoga and wellness world for decades, I’ve had this realization before — I remember when “Ayurveda” no longer needed a definition in daily conversation or the first wave of “everything is energy” swept our little static social media squares.

In the landscape of Reiki, I’m considered a Reiki Master Teacher. Sounds fancy, but it’s a moniker to contextualize that I’ve 1) studied Reiki to the “master” — or 3rd level — of modern Reiki training and 2) I’ve chosen to teach this practice to others.

As a Reiki Master Teacher who is seeing the practice of Reiki on the precipice of being fully mainstream, I want to clarify key points about the practice to help us remain educated and open-minded.

1.) Yes, it seems “woo” — and yes, it works

Reiki helps induce a relaxation response in your body. From a more relaxed state, your body can begin to rest and repair as it moves from its previous “fight or flight” towards “rest and repair.” This is part of the reason we consider Reiki a healing practice — a body at rest and ease is more capable of vibrant health.

2.) The concepts are ancient, but the practice is fairly new

Energy balancing for mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing dates back as far as 3000 BCE in India and in ancient Chinese history. If you’ve ever experienced acupuncture, meditation, guided breath, visualization, or taken a yoga class, you’ve already explored a practice for your energetic well-being. Reiki fits in to the aforementioned, though the formalization of the practice began just over 100 years ago via a man named Mikao Usui.

3.) Traditional Reiki prioritized symbols and meditations

However, many people today associate the practice with hands-on work. Most Reiki imagery centers around the placing or laying of hands on or around a client. And while that’s an integral part of the practice called tenohira, more traditional Reiki prioritizes the health and wellbeing of the practitioner first before they take clients. It’s the “can’t pour from an empty cup” analogy, and the practitioner is encouraged to honor their own connection to the practices first through precepts or codes of conduct (Gokai); meditations (including focusing on a space call the Hara); working with symbols (Shirushi) and mantras (Jumon); receiving a Reiki attunement (Reiju) to connect to Reiki energy. From a centered and open place, a practitioner can channel Reiki for others.

4.) It's a complimentary modality

While Reiki alone could resolve an issue (think insomnia, temporary stress, pain), it is also complimentary to any other modality and works to heighten its effectiveness. Say you’re having surgery. Reiki may not replace the need for surgery, but Reiki could help you find peace and ease going into your procedure, plus help with overall healing time and to lower stress levels.

5.) Anyone can learn Reiki

It is totally accessible, and anyone can learn this practice. The energy of Reiki is the energy flowing inside all of us — a universally experienced connection to the larger whole. I like to call the practice “sacred, not secret.” Learning about Reiki through a certification is less about acquiring a new skill but coming home to the gifts already inside you and helping them shine brighter. This is often called “True Self.”

6.) But ethics can't always be taught

Because anyone can learn about Reiki and become a Reiki Master, practitioner or teacher, we should exercise loving caution when finding a new Reiki teacher or practitioner to work with. Someone may flaunt the title of Reiki Master after a one-day course, while another practitioner may have refined their gifts for decades but not yet chosen to become a Reiki master. Someone may have a large following on social but a sparse personal commitment to the original tenets of Reiki. Aim for someone who's seasoned, devoted, friendly, and educated.

It’s a gift and an honor to share these teachings with you.