Who discovered Reiki and brought it to the USA?

Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist, re-discovered Reiki while studying ancient Sanskrit texts in the early 1900’s. For several years, he treated the poor. In 1922, he moved to Tokyo and started the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai, which means “Usui Reiki Healing Society”. Before he died, Dr. Usui taught thousands of students and initiated 16 Reiki Teachers. One of these teachers was Dr. Chujiro Hayashi.

Dr. Hayashi is credited with developing the Usui System of Reiki, including the standard hand positions, various levels and attunement ceremony. Throughout his lifetime, Dr. Hayashi initiated 13 Reiki Teachers. Of the 13 Reiki teachers initiated by Dr. Hayashi, several were women.

Mrs. Hawayo Takata is the Teacher that is credited with bringing Reiki to the United States. She was initiated in 1938 and subsequently opened Reiki clinics in Hawaii. Although Mrs. Takata taught many students, she only initiated 22 Reiki Masters before her death in 1980. Most Reiki practitioners in the US are from Mrs. Takata’s lineage.

Do I have to have specific religious beliefs to give or receive Reiki?

No. Reiki is not a religion, nor does anyone giving or receiving Reiki need to belong to any particular religion. Reiki energy is spiritual in nature and will work whether an individual believes in it or not. Many Reiki practitioners find that working with the Reiki energy deepens their own spiritual and religious affiliations beyond the intellectual level.

How is a Reiki treatment given and what does it feel like?

Please see the Expectations/Preparations page on this site.

What can be treated with Reiki?

Reiki has been used to aid in the healing of all forms of illness and injury, from the minor to serious chronic conditions. Reiki is always beneficial and works in conjunction with other healing modalities. Reiki can also help by reducing the side effects of medications or medical treatments (chemotherapy, post operative pain, etc.), as well as reducing the duration and healing time needed for recovery. In some cases, individuals have experienced complete medically verified healings with Reiki. However, while some have experienced miracles, they cannot be guaranteed. Most people find that Reiki improves their general quality of life (physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually), reduces stress and promotes balance and harmony in their lives.

Should I stop seeing my regular doctor or any other allopathic medical professional before getting a Reiki treatment?

No. Reiki is not a replacement for regular medical or psychological treatment. Reiki blends easily with and enhances all other forms of medical treatment. If you have a medical or psychological condition, it is recommended that you see a licensed health care professional in addition to receiving Reiki treatments. You should always consult your physician or other medical professional if you have or suspect that you have a health issue.

Is Reiki safe for babies, children and pregnant women?

Yes. As Reiki is guided by God-Consciousness, it can never do harm. Reiki training is presently being offered to Labor and Delivery nurses at local hospitals to help them better assist their patients during Labor and Delivery. Babies and children love Reiki, as they seem to have a natural understanding of the energy. Both pets and plants respond very well to Reiki too.

Does a Reiki treatment have any side effects?

Typically, a person will experience deep relaxation and end their Reiki session feeling enlivened. As the Reiki energy detoxifies the body, some individuals may experience side effects as the body attempts to discharge the toxins that have accumulated in it over time. The routes of elimination are the intestinal tract, the liver, the kidneys, the bladder, the skin and the bodily liquids (sweat, tears, etc.) Therefore, the side effects may include headache, stomach ache, feelings of tiredness, and slightly loose stools. As the person continues clearing the body of impurities, it will return to its natural state of equilibrium. It is highly recommended that you drink more water for the first 24-48 hours after a Reiki treatment to assist in the removal of toxins, as well as eat lighter, less refined meals and get more rest.

Is Reiki covered by insurance?

Even though Reiki has been used in hospitals for years, it is just starting to be recognized by insurance companies. Check with you insurance company for details. Based on the positive indications of several studies, the National Institutes of Health is now funding further, rigorous clinical trials at major scientific centers. In addition, charitable organizations are investigating Reiki and have provided grants to people interested in learning Reiki while they care for family members out of their homes.

Can anyone learn Reiki?

Reiki isn’t something you can learn, but must be received through an attunement by a Reiki Master. You can learn about the history, hand positions, and other pertinent information, however, none of these will give you the ability to channel the Reiki energy. Once you are attuned by a Reiki Master, Reiki energy will flow through you. Your attunement is for life.

Can I hurt someone with Reiki or do it wrong?
 
No, you cannot hurt someone with Reiki. Reiki is guided by God-Consciousness and can never do harm. The amount of Reiki is controlled by the person receiving the Reiki energy, so they can never receive more than they need, nor can you do Reiki ‘wrong’. The Reiki energy goes to the highest healing good of the person receiving it. You can place your hand on their feet and Reiki will go to their head, if that is where the healing is most needed. Simply put, Hands on = Reiki on.

Is there any science behind Reiki?
 
At the atomic level, Albert Einstein and quantum physicists have explained that everything in the universe is actually energy that vibrates and oscillates at different rates. This means that both physical matter and energy are simply two different forms of the same thing. This energy is referred to as electromagnetic energy. Every person has their own unique vibration and oscillation of electromagnetic energy.

Presently, there are several different machines currently in use that measures electrical energy and magnetic fields produced by the body: electrocardiograms, electroencephalogram, electromyogram, and the SQUID (Superconducting Quantum Interference Device). Faraday’s law of electromagnetic induction states that a change in an electromagnetic field will induce a similar change in electrical flow in conductors close by and therefore in their electromagnetic fields. Every cell, tissue and organ in the body has its own electromagnetic field. Therefore every aspect of the human body, mind, and emotions are connected to and affected by each other through the process of electromagnetic induction.

Through the use of an electromyogram, it has been shown that the average person has vibrational energies around 250 cps (cycles per second) in areas of the body known to have high energy concentrations. However, when individuals that actively use healing energies (Reiki practitioners and the like) are tested, their frequencies ranged from 400-800 cps. (see Dr. Valerie Hunt’s book Infinite Mind: The Science of Human Vibrations and http://www.reiki.org/reikinews/ScienceMeasures.htm). By placing their hands on or near the body and channeling the Reiki energy, the Reiki practitioner is able to raise the vibrational energies of the organs, tissues and cells of the body.