Reiki Explained

Reiki is a Japanese energy-based practice developed in the early twentieth century by Mikao Usui. The word Reiki is often translated as "universal life energy" — rei meaning universal or spiritual, and ki meaning life force energy (equivalent to chi in Chinese or prana in Sanskrit traditions).

In practice, Reiki involves a practitioner placing their hands lightly on or just above the body, with the intention of supporting relaxation, stress reduction and the body's natural capacity for wellbeing. Sessions are typically experienced as deeply calming and grounding.

Reiki is not a medical treatment and does not claim to diagnose or cure illness. It is most accurately understood as a complementary practice — one that can be used alongside conventional healthcare rather than instead of it.

Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1920s, following a period of meditation and spiritual practice on Mount Kurama. Usui went on to teach Reiki to others, and the practice was brought to the West primarily through Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who trained with Chujiro Hayashi — one of Usui's most senior students.

Takata trained a number of Reiki Masters in the United States and Canada before her death in 1980, and it is largely through her lineage that Western Reiki developed. Since then, Reiki has spread throughout the world and is now practised in many countries, including Australia.

A typical Reiki session involves the recipient lying fully clothed on a treatment table while the practitioner places their hands in a series of positions on or near the body. Sessions usually last between 45 and 90 minutes.

Most people find Reiki deeply relaxing. Common experiences include warmth, tingling, a sense of calm, drowsiness, or emotional release. Some people experience very little physically but feel calmer afterwards. Experiences vary significantly from person to person and even from session to session.

A professional Reiki session should always begin with a conversation about the client's needs, expectations and any relevant health information. Informed consent should be obtained before the session begins.

Reiki is widely considered a gentle and non-invasive practice. It does not involve manipulation of the body and there are no known contraindications for most people.

That said, responsible practitioners always take a health history, obtain informed consent and are clear about the boundaries of their role. Reiki should not be positioned as a substitute for medical care, and responsible practitioners encourage clients to maintain their relationships with appropriate healthcare providers.

Reiki is practised by and with people of many backgrounds, ages, beliefs and health circumstances. It is used for stress reduction, relaxation, personal development, emotional support, and as a complementary approach during illness, recovery or periods of life transition.

You do not need to hold any particular belief system, have prior experience of energy work or consider yourself "spiritual" to benefit from or practise Reiki. Curiosity and openness are generally sufficient.

Research into Reiki is ongoing and the evidence base is still developing. A number of studies suggest Reiki may support relaxation, stress reduction and general wellbeing. Some research has explored its use in palliative care, anxiety management and hospital settings.

The current evidence does not support claims that Reiki can treat or cure specific medical conditions. Responsible practitioners are transparent about this — Reiki's value lies in supporting overall wellbeing, not in making therapeutic claims that go beyond what the evidence supports.

An attunement is a ceremonial process performed by a Reiki Master Teacher in which they connect a student to the Reiki energy and open their capacity to channel it. It is considered one of the most distinctive features of Reiki — the idea that the ability to practise Reiki is transmitted from teacher to student rather than simply learned from a book or through technique alone.

The attunement process typically involves the student sitting quietly with eyes closed while the Reiki Master moves around them, using specific symbols and hand positions. Most students find the experience peaceful, meaningful and sometimes quite profound. Others notice very little at the time but feel different in the days that follow.

The specifics vary between lineages and teachers, but generally the student sits quietly in a meditative posture while the Reiki Master performs a series of movements involving sacred symbols, breathwork and intention. The student may notice warmth, tingling, visual imagery, emotional responses or simply a sense of calm and stillness.

The attunement is typically treated as a sacred and private part of Reiki training. Most teachers will prepare students for what to expect beforehand and create a supportive environment for the process.

The number of attunements varies by level and lineage. In the Usui system as traditionally taught in the West:

• Reiki Level 1 typically involves one or more attunements (the number varies by lineage)
• Reiki Level 2 involves one or more attunements and the introduction of additional symbols
• Reiki Master Teacher level involves a further attunement and the transmission of the Master symbol

Each level builds upon the last. You do not need to repeat previous attunements unless you are specifically seeking a re-attunement after a long break or a significant change in practice.

The traditional teaching is that once you have been attuned to Reiki, that connection remains with you. Attunements are not considered to expire or wear off.

However, many practitioners find that if they do not practise regularly, their confidence and sensitivity diminish — not because the Reiki connection has been lost, but because, like any skill, it benefits from regular use. Returning to practice after a long break often involves a period of reconnection and rebuilding confidence, even though the attunement itself remains intact.

Yes. Some practitioners choose to receive a re-attunement after a significant break from practice, a major life event or a desire to deepen their connection to Reiki. This is a personal choice rather than a necessity.

If you trained with a teacher whose lineage or methods you are uncertain about, a re-attunement with a different teacher may be something worth considering and discussing openly.

This is a genuinely contested question within the Reiki community and there are strongly held views on both sides.

Some teachers and lineages hold that attunements can only be transmitted in person, and that distance attunements — while sometimes offered sincerely — cannot replicate the depth of the in-person experience. Others argue that energy is not limited by physical proximity and that distance attunements are equally valid.

Traditional Usui Reiki is taught across three main levels:

• Reiki Level 1 (Reiki Healer) — the foundational level, focused on self-practice, Reiki for family and friends, and establishing a personal connection to Reiki energy
• Reiki Level 2 (Reiki Practitioner) — the practitioner level, introducing additional symbols, deeper techniques and the professional foundations needed to work responsibly with others
• Reiki Master Teacher — the advanced level, involving the Master symbol, attunement processes and preparation for teaching and mentoring others

Some systems include an intermediate level (sometimes called Reiki 3a or Advanced Reiki Training) between Level 2 and full Master Teacher. The structure varies by lineage and teacher.

Reiki Level 1 introduces the history and principles of Reiki, foundational hand positions, self-treatment techniques and the basics of sharing Reiki with family and friends. You will receive your first attunement and begin developing a personal relationship with Reiki energy.

After Level 1, most practitioners focus on establishing a regular self-practice and sharing Reiki informally with those close to them. Level 1 is generally not considered a professional qualification for working with paying clients — that development happens at Level 2 and beyond.

Reiki Level 2 introduces additional Reiki symbols, deeper practice techniques and — importantly — the professional foundations required to work responsibly with others. This includes professional boundaries, scope of practice, client communication and ethical practice.

Many practitioners do begin working with paying clients after Level 2. However, it is important to understand that completing Level 2 is the beginning of professional practice, not the endpoint. Ongoing development, reflective practice and professional standards continue to matter throughout a practitioner's career.

The Reiki Master Teacher level involves receiving the Master symbol and attunement, developing a deeper understanding of Reiki as a practice and discipline, and preparing to teach and attune others. It is a significant commitment and one that carries real responsibility.

It is worth noting that the title "Reiki Master" does not imply mastery in the sense of completion. The most capable and respected Reiki teachers tend to view themselves as continuing students — committed to lifelong learning and ongoing development.

This varies significantly depending on the teacher and programme. Some providers offer all three levels within a single weekend. Others, like My Wellness Academy, build in integration periods between levels — which means the journey from Level 1 to Master Teacher may take two or more years.

The longer approach is intentional and reflects a belief that development cannot be rushed. Practitioners who progress more slowly and integrate their learning along the way tend to arrive at each level with a stronger foundation and greater confidence.

Because meaningful development takes time. The Integration Principle™ is a core philosophy at My Wellness Academy — the recognition that confidence is not created by collecting certificates, but by applying learning, reflecting on experience and allowing knowledge to become embodied understanding.

Practitioners who rush through levels often find themselves qualified but uncertain. Those who integrate along the way tend to arrive at each new stage more grounded, more capable and more professionally confident.

Choosing a Reiki teacher is a significant decision and worth approaching thoughtfully. Key things to consider include:

• Clear lineage — a teacher should be able to tell you their lineage and, at the appropriate level, provide lineage documentation
• Professional standards — do they talk about scope of practice, ethics and professional responsibility, or only about techniques and certificates?
• Accreditation — membership of a recognised professional body (such as IICT in Australia) provides some assurance of minimum standards
• Transparency — a good teacher will answer your questions honestly, including the difficult ones
• Integration — do they encourage you to take time between levels, or do they offer all levels in a single weekend?
• Ongoing support — what happens after the workshop? Is there a community, mentorship or continuing development available?

Some questions worth asking before committing to Reiki training:

• What is your Reiki lineage and can you provide documentation?
• How long have you been practising and teaching Reiki?
• Are you a member of any professional association?
• What does your training cover beyond the practical techniques?
• Do you require an integration period between levels?
• What support is available after the workshop?
• What do you teach about scope of practice and professional boundaries?

A confident and ethical teacher will welcome these questions. Evasiveness or pressure to commit quickly without answering them thoroughly is worth noting.

Reiki is not a regulated profession in Australia, which means there is no government body that licenses or registers Reiki practitioners. However, a number of professional associations provide voluntary accreditation and membership — the most widely recognised being the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT).

Membership of a professional body typically requires practitioners to meet minimum training standards, maintain professional indemnity insurance and commit to a code of ethics and continuing professional development. This provides some assurance of professionalism even in the absence of formal regulation.

Yes. Some things worth being cautious about:

• A teacher who cannot or will not share their lineage
• Programmes that offer all three levels over a single weekend
• Claims that Reiki can cure specific medical conditions
• Pressure to commit or pay quickly before your questions are answered
• No discussion of professional standards, ethics or scope of practice
• A lack of transparency about what the training actually involves
• Very low pricing that may reflect very low investment in the quality of training

None of these alone is necessarily disqualifying, but they are worth noting and asking about directly.

Many practitioners do begin offering paid sessions after completing Reiki Level 2. There is no formal requirement preventing this, as Reiki is not a regulated profession in Australia.

However, working professionally with paying clients carries real responsibility. Before doing so, practitioners should ensure they have adequate training, professional indemnity insurance, a clear understanding of scope of practice and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Yes. Professional indemnity and public liability insurance is strongly recommended — and required by most professional associations — for anyone offering Reiki sessions to clients. Insurance protects both you and your clients and is a basic marker of professional responsibility.

IICT membership includes access to insurance options for members, and a number of other insurance providers in Australia offer policies for complementary therapists.

Scope of practice refers to the activities, responsibilities and services that fall within a practitioner's training and professional role. For Reiki practitioners, this means understanding what you are — and are not — trained and qualified to do.

Reiki practitioners in Australia are subject to the National Code of Conduct for Health Care Workers in states and territories where it applies, including Western Australia. This Code sets minimum standards for anyone providing health services — including complementary therapists — and includes requirements around scope of practice, referral and professional conduct.

Reiki practice takes many forms. Some practitioners offer private sessions from a home treatment room or hired space. Others work within wellness centres, spas or allied health clinics. Some integrate Reiki into existing healthcare or counselling roles. Others teach Reiki alongside their practice.

Building a sustainable Reiki practice takes time, professional development and business foundations alongside the technical and energetic skills. This is why the Business Foundations Gap — one of the three gaps identified in the MWA Three Gaps Framework™ — is such a common experience for practitioners after qualification.

Yes — and not only because professional associations require it. Ongoing learning keeps practitioners engaged, informed and developing. It also signals to clients that a practitioner takes their professional responsibilities seriously.

CPD for Reiki practitioners might include further training, attendance at Reiki shares or community events, mentoring, reflective practice, study of relevant professional standards or complementary areas of learning.