Reiki is an energy healing technique that uses the Universal Life Force Energy, or Chi, to balance and restore physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. It involves the transfer of energy from the practitioner's hands to the client either through physical touch or remotely through time and space.

Reiki is an ancient energy healing therapy that is gaining popularity in the world of western medicine. The Japanese word Reiki (pronounced ray ‘key) comes from the words “rei” (universal) and “ki” (life energy) and it describes the process of harnessing and directing the Universal Life Force Energy for healing purposes. This energy is sometimes also called Chi or Qi and is the energy that creates and sustains all life. The practitioner becomes a conduit and channels it to the client where their own healing ability uses this energy to heal and create balance. Every living thing is created from this energy and at the time of death, it leaves and returns to the Universe.

When this Universal Life Force Energy is in perfect balance, we experience physical well being, emotional stability, and spiritual connection. Reiki Healing sessions can last between 15 and 90 minutes. The number of sessions will vary, depending on what the client wishes to accomplish. Some clients will prefer to have one session while others choose to have a series of sessions to work on a particular issue.

Reiki can be used as a compliment to traditional medicine to treat illness and restore balance and harmony to the body as a whole. The Reiki practitioner conducts the energy from the Universal Energy Field and brings it into the field of human energy where it is transmuted into a form that is usable at the cellular level. The body then uses this energy to heal the cells and balance the body’s own energy field. Much like taking a pain reliever for a headache, the body accepts the energy and sends it exactly where it is needed most for the body’s highest good.

When a Reiki practitioner has reached Reiki Level II, they are capable of sending the Universal Life Force Energy through time and space. This allows the practitioner to send Reiki healing energy to clients, groups, or populations anywhere in the world in any time - past, present, or future. The practitioner connects to the receiver energetically and sends the healing energy to them. Their cells then receive the energy and send it to where it can serve the greatest healing good. The receiver can choose to relax, meditate, or continue with their daily routine while receiving distance healing with Reiki. The body receives the energy the same way and distributes it where it is needed most. Libby Barnett, the longest-practicing Reiki Master Teacher on the East Coast, says distance healing with Reiki works as well as hands-on Reiki because “everything is energy and that’s all there is to it.” Libby also says “You could be driving to work and receive absent Reiki, the cells of the body are intelligent. They can pull in the energy and use it appropriately to activate the wellness within.”

While energy healing has been around for thousands of years, this system of Reiki was re-discovered in the 1850’s in Kyoto, Japan, by Mikao Usui. With his colleague, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, this Usui System of Reiki was developed and was brought to the United States by Hawayo Takata in 1973. Mrs. Takata then taught and attuned 22 teachers who are the original Reiki Masters in this system of Reiki. My Reiki Master, Shima Chayvet, was attuned to Reiki in 2005 by Libby Barnett who was attuned by John Harvey Gray, one of the original 22.

Reiki is the only healing practice with an attunement process. This ancient ritual is based on the formula rediscovered by Dr. Usui in ancient Sanskrit writings. The Reiki Attunement ceremony is the foundation of Reiki and is what makes Reiki unique. This ancient ritual opens and fine tunes the student's energy to bring the necessary balance, empowering them to be a conduit to channel the Universal Life Force Energy. Once the attunement process is complete, as Mrs. Takata explained, you are tuned into the Universal Life Force Energy like a radio tuned into a radio frequency. The attunement lasts for life and the Universal Life Force Energy can always be accessed.

Reiki is a non-invasive and has no side effects. Reiki is safe to use in any situation and is often effective where other methods have not been. When receiving a Reiki treatment, the receiver is always in charge and the effects are always directed by their body for the highest healing good. Reiki never depletes the practitioner as they are using the Universal Life Force Energy and never their own. Reiki is always a win-win practice as both the giver and receiver benefit from the flow of energy.