What is Reiki?

Reiki is a healing art originating in Japan.  Reiki acts as an instrument of healing for body, mind, and spirit by increasing relaxation and decreasing the stress response. 

 The word Reiki comes from the Japanese word “Rei”, meaning “Universal Life” and “Ki”, meaning “Energy”.  Reiki is often described as “Universal Life Force Energy”.

Reiki is:

  • A subtle, yet compelling form of energy work

  • Practiced all over the world

  • Used in many settings including hospitals, hospice, private practice, and self-care

  • The life energy that flows through all living things

  • Enjoyable and relaxing

  • A system for healing body, mind, and spirit

  • A way of living

Reiki is not:

  • Affiliated with any particular religion or religious practice

  • New

  • Massage

  • A cure all

  • A substitute for medical care, therapy or prescribed medications

  • A substitute for doing your own inner work

  • A “quick fix”

A very brief history of Reiki

Energy healing has existed around the world since time immemorial. Many cultures developed their own systems and methods for connecting to and moving energy for the purpose of healing both body and mind. Certainly, Reiki is no exception.

The specific system of Reiki as we know it today, was developed by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. Usui was born in 1865 near present-day Nagoya, Japan. Growing up and as an adult, his desire to learn lead him to study Buddhism, medicine, psychology, religion, martial arts, and more. During a period of deep reflection and retreat, Usui experienced a spiritual awakening. Through this awakening, he was inspired to develop the system we know today as Usui Reiki Ryoho (Usuai Reiki Healing Method). His tradition and methods were passed down to several grandmasters of Reiki, including Dr. Churiro Hayashi.

Dr. Hayashi was a medical doctor and naval officer who learned Reiki from Usui Sensei. He later opened his own clinic and taught Reiki to several students, among them, a Japanese American woman from Hawaii named Mrs. Hawayo Takata. Mrs. Takata is responsible for the growth and expansion of Reiki throughout the West.

Today, Reiki takes many forms and often incorporates other types of energy work or healing modalities. However, the Usui Reiki Healing Method is still the form most widely practiced. Many practitioners can trace their lineage through Mrs. Takata to Usui Sensei.