From reiki.org:
“Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. It is administered by “laying on hands” and is based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one’s “life force energy” is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy.”
Who among us wouldn’t benefit by stress reduction and relaxation? Not to mention healing energy?
So what is Reiki? There are three degrees of Reiki practitioners. According to Reiki practitioners and Masters, at First Degree, a Reiki practitioner is able to heal themselves and others, at Second Degree is able to heal others distantly (commonly called distant healing) with the use of specialized symbols, and at Master/Teacher level is able to teach and attune others to Reiki.
When I took my Reiki One workshop at Essence of Self. I really didn’t know what to expect, I had heard about Reiki, but couldn’t really explain what it was to anyone that asked. Nancy Smith, the owner, is a friend of mine, and she taught the Reiki One workshop. As usual, she did a great job, she’s casual and fun, a very smart lady! I had been wanting to take this workshop, mainly because my life seemed to be on a more mindful and spiritual path. Life always seemed to get in the way, so I was happy to finally be able to commit to this training.
From Nancy’s Reiki One handout:
“Through Reiki, the practitioner has the ability to discern a person’s troubled energy spots and rebalance them, providing profound relaxation and enhanced healing.”
Reiki does not replace ANY of your traditional healing methods. It is meant to relax and enhance those traditional methods, by bringing in positive healing energy. Many Reiki Masters are nurses, nuns, priests, and other mindful everyday people. I can only imagine the peace and relaxation that a Reiki session would bring in a hospice situation.
I’ve since gone on to be attuned to second and third degree Reiki, I’m now a Reiki Master. I’ll talk more about those attunements in the next couple of posts. For now, know this. I really believe, with every fiber of my body, that my First Degree Reiki attunement changed my life, and gave me a way to bring more peace to my life every single day. Who on this earth wouldn’t benefit by that?
What is Reiki? For me, Reiki is peace. I will be forever grateful to Nancy and to Master Usui for from bringing Reiki into my world.
Some resources:
Reiki Healing Yourself and Others
So what is Reiki? Find a Reiki Master, take a First Degree Reiki Workshop, and find out for yourself! I’ve compiled a list of Reiki services worldwide, check it out and see if you can find someone near you! If YOU have a Reiki practice, feel free to add yourself to this site.
Want more info before you take the plunge? Check out this program, the last week is all about Reiki.
https://karenyankovich.com/spark-your-spirituality/ (Note: the program is no longer available)
If you’re a Reiki Practitioner or just interested in how Reiki can not only bring peace into your life, but be a source of income, check out my FREE Online Workshop, “How to make money with your Reiki practice”! (Note: the online workshop is no longer available.)
I want to leave you today with the Reiki Precepts.
What has Reiki brought into YOUR life? Have a Reiki question? I would love to chat about it in the comments below!
XOXO Karen
I loved this post! and thank you for sharing the Reiki Precepts– how beautiful!
Can Reiki be done on someone without him/her knowing?
In most cases, to be most effective, you should have the permission of the person that you’re sending Reiki to. BUT, I often send distance Reiki to people and intend that they receive the Reiki if they’re open to it, and if not, to share the Reiki with the people/places/animals around them that might be in need. Great question!
Lovely intro to Reiki post Karen – thank you for sharing this along with how it’s affected YOU personally! I receive Reiki healing a couple of times a month, so am a big believer in the power of it too :).
Sabrina have you ever considered a First Degree Reiki attunement? You would be feeling the Reiki groove every single day. Reach out to me if you want to chat about it!
as with meditation needs to be preictcad every day to gain the full benefits. Certain techniques can be preictcad anytime, anywhere. Pranayama or breathing exercises, mantras or self healing using laying on hands’ techniques can be performed whilst at work, during a break or at home watching televsion.It is difficult to set aside any time but practicing simple techniques during the day can improve one’s life dramatically.
This is so interesting, and it sounds like you’re genuinely more peaceful because of Reiki. Love the idea of distance healing, so powerful.
I am Marinda. And when I’m not, I have a place to go immediately to get there. Have you ever experienced Reiki?
I’m very familiar with Reiki, but as a recipient, not as a practitioner. I’ve had lots of benefit from Reiki as I’ve healed from traumas, as I’ve healed emotions and as I’ve moved forward in my life. It’s beautiful and very powerful.
Leanne I love that you’ve seen benefits from Reiki! Have you ever considered a first degree Reiki training? You would learn how to tune in to that powerful energy every single day.
Love it, Karen!
Although I’ve never had Reiki, I have had acupuncture and definitely believe in energy healing.
This makes me even more excited to dive in to learn even more about it.
Thank you for sharing 🙂
I would love to hear back from you if you’ve had a chance to experience it!
When I received my Reiki I aeenntmtuts and was trying to make the 20 minutes for myself everyday I set my alarm ahead 20 minutes and did this first thing in the morning. It was amazing! I started the day feeling renewed and resfreshed, and often times, I would have at least one of my cats laying on my legs receiving benefits as well!
I agree that daily practice will give the best oumotce, but even a few days a week is helpful as long as it is a regular thing. When I get too busy and lose focus I definitely feel more scattered and less focused. A few days of daily reiki and I am right as rain!
I’ve had some incredibly profound experiences with Reiki in my life. It’s such an amazing tool to support wellness. I just love it!
Also, my 3-year old god-daughter is currently ill and under hospice care. I’m going to see about having a Reiki practitioner come to see her, thank you for mentioning that in your post!
Stephanie where is your god-daughter? I’m in NJ and if she’s close I’m happy to come. Gratis of course. xoxo.
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It’s good to know that Reiki is meant to amplify traditional healing methods. My wife’s back has been in a lot of pain now that she is pregnant, and she would like to find a way to relax her sore muscles. Perhaps Reiki would aid in relieving the stress that she is feeling in her back.
I didn’t know that Reiki can allow you to provide yourself with healing in addition to other people. My wife and I have a weak immune system and need to find a convenient way to heal ourselves once we move to a remote area this spring. Perhaps learning Reiki would allow us to stay healthy.