Learn About Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a hands-on healing art. A reiki session usually takes an hour and is performed by a Reiki Practitioner using specific hand positions. During the Reiki session, the client is fully clothed while comfortably reclining on a massage table or seated in a chair. It is stress reducing and a very relaxing experience.

Reiki is:

• A subtle and effective form of energy healing that increases the body’s energy level.
• A healing practice being used in many settings including hospitals, hospice, private practice and self-care.
• A dynamic addition to personal wellness or healing programs.
  

Qualities of Reiki:

• A practice of transmitting healing energy through the hands.
• A practice that can be learned and applied for personal healings.
• An energy that is not guided by the practitioner, Reiki has an innate wisdom to guide itself.
• Reiki treatment works regardless of belief, faith or suggestion.
  

A Reiki session can ease tension and stress, and can help support the body to facilitate healing on all levels; physical, mental, emotional and spiritual. A session is pleasant and relaxing and is often used for personal wellness, not just illness.

Choosing a Reiki Practitioner or Teacher
The Vermont Reiki Association requires all members to agree to our Code of Ethics before joining. By clicking on your County, you will find a list of practitioners in your area. You may also email us at info@vermontreikiassociation.org as some of our members chose not to be listed on our website.

A Reiki practitioner or teacher should have clarity, integrity, compassion, and a good knowledge of their subject. It is important that you locate the practitioner or teacher that is the best fit for you. Make sure to ask plenty of questions about how the practitioner or teacher works with Reiki. The main thing is to trust your intuition. Below you will find some criteria to follow when deciding where to go for Reiki.

• If the practitioner or Reiki teacher belongs to a Reiki association, such as the VRA, they are usually required to follow a minimum code of ethics. Different associations follow different codes of practice.
• Speak to the Reiki practitioner first by telephone to be sure that you feel comfortable with the practitioner. Make sure that they are empathetic, candid and can readily answer any of your questions, or are willing to investigate with you if they do not know the answer. Ask for references and call them. If they are unable to work with you for any reason a good practitioner will direct you to a trusted colleague without hesitation.
• Ask the practitioner lots of questions about how they work with Reiki to make sure it suits you. Ask how long the practitioner has been working with Reiki energy and in what types of situations, i.e., private practice, community volunteer work, and teaching. Some practitioners are not willing to work on specific conditions, which is fine if all you want is a treatment purely for relaxation. If you have any health issue that needs treating make sure you go to a practitioner who works actively with Reiki and will work directly on your condition(s).
• If you are undertaking a Reiki course, make sure that you will receive appropriate level materials and post course support. Some Reiki teachers do not provide you with materials and it will be hard for you to remember everything you have learned to practice Reiki effectively after you have completed your course.
• With traditional Usui Reiki, you should receive attunements at each level. The attunement process connects you to the source of the energy and raises your frequency as well as placing the Reiki symbols into your body. The symbols enable you to be an effective channel for the energy. They are a vital part of Reiki training and it is imperative that you are attuned properly if you want to be an effective Reiki practitioner yourself.
• Be sure to check that the Reiki teacher or practitioner has a lineage, which extends all the way back to the founder of Reiki, Dr. Mikao Usui.
• Ask the Reiki practitioner if they have ongoing treatments or would only treat a client for a certain period. Some Reiki healers will treat someone for years but a good healer should help empower you to take responsibility for yourself and get you back to good health in as few treatments as possible.
• Some of our members hold free Reiki clinics in their communities. This is a great way to meet the practitioner and try Reiki. Check our website for a clinic in your area, see Reiki Community Outreach.
• Some area hospitals have alternative programs that include Reiki. They often have a list of practitioners they work can call.

These guidelines are by no means exhaustive but they should give you an idea of what to look for in a Reiki practitioner or teacher. If you have any questions about choosing a practitioner or teacher feel free to contact us and we will be happy to help you!
 

Questions You May Wish to Ask a Potential Reiki Practitioner or Teacher

When you are looking for a Reiki Practitioner or Teacher, it is a good idea to have a list of questions to ask them. This comprehensive list may help guide you in your search for the right Reiki practitioner and teacher for you.

• How long have you been working with Reiki?
• What training have you had?
• Were you attuned in person by your Reiki teacher?
• How often do you teach?
• How many hours in-person study does the course entail?
• How much does the course cost?
• Am I required to do any case studies/number of hours of practice in order to qualify?
• How do you personally use Reiki?
• What is your lineage? (Should be able to trace lineage back to Mikao Usui.)
• Will this training initiate me into or progress me within the Usui lineage? If not, then what lineage?
• What qualifications are required to take Reiki Training?
• Will I get a certificate and a comprehensive manual?
• Can I take notes and tape record the class?
• Is there a Reiki support group in my area or can you help me establish one?
• Will you openly support me in being a successful Reiki practitioner or master?
• Do you have a positive, respectful attitude toward other Reiki practitioners and masters regardless of lineage or affiliation?

The most important thing is to be aware of how you feel about their answers. Are they responding in a loving manner that is supportive and empowering? Listen to your heart and you will be guided to the right teacher for you. To find a Reiki practitioner or teacher click here Locate a Reiki Practitioner.