Reiki: Complete Guide for Beginners - What Is Reiki Healing?
By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst
Imagine healing energy flowing through your hands—energy that can reduce pain, ease anxiety, promote healing, and restore balance. That's Reiki. It's not magic (though it can feel magical). It's a Japanese energy healing technique that channels universal life force energy for healing.
Reiki is one of the most accessible forms of energy healing. You don't need to be "gifted" or have special abilities. Anyone can learn Reiki. And whether you want to heal yourself, help others, or simply understand this powerful practice, this guide will show you everything you need to know.
This is your complete beginner's guide to Reiki—what it is, how it works, and how to get started.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced "ray-key") is a Japanese energy healing technique developed by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s.
The word Reiki means:
- Rei: Universal, spiritual wisdom
- Ki: Life force energy (same as Chi or Prana)
Together: Universal life force energy
How Reiki Works
Reiki practitioners channel universal life force energy through their hands to:
- Balance energy in the body
- Remove energy blockages
- Promote natural healing
- Restore physical and emotional well-being
- Support the body's natural healing abilities
Key principle: The practitioner doesn't heal—they're a channel for universal healing energy. The energy goes where it's needed most.
What Reiki Can Help With
Physical Benefits
- Pain relief
- Faster healing from injury or surgery
- Reduced inflammation
- Better sleep
- Increased energy and vitality
- Immune system support
- Relaxation of muscles and tension
Emotional Benefits
- Stress and anxiety reduction
- Emotional balance
- Release of emotional blockages
- Relief from depression
- Trauma healing support
- Increased sense of peace
Mental Benefits
- Mental clarity
- Improved focus
- Reduced mental chatter
- Better decision-making
- Enhanced creativity
Spiritual Benefits
- Spiritual growth and awakening
- Connection to higher self
- Enhanced intuition
- Sense of purpose
- Inner peace
The Five Reiki Principles
Mikao Usui taught five principles to live by:
Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will do my work honestly.
Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing.
These principles are the spiritual foundation of Reiki practice.
How a Reiki Session Works
What to Expect
- Setting: Quiet, peaceful room with soft lighting and music
- Position: You lie fully clothed on massage table (or sit in chair)
- Duration: 60-90 minutes typically
- Process: Practitioner places hands on or above your body in specific positions
- Experience: Deep relaxation, warmth, tingling, or energy sensations
Hand Positions
Practitioners use specific hand positions covering:
- Head and face
- Throat and chest
- Abdomen
- Back
- Legs and feet
Each position held for 3-5 minutes.
What You Might Feel
- Warmth or heat from practitioner's hands
- Tingling or vibration
- Deep relaxation (many fall asleep)
- Emotional release (crying, laughing)
- Energy moving through body
- Colors or visions
- Sometimes nothing—and that's okay too!
The Three Levels of Reiki
Reiki Level 1 (Shoden) - Physical Healing
What you learn:
- History and principles of Reiki
- How to channel Reiki energy
- Hand positions for self-healing and healing others
- First attunement (energy activation)
What you can do:
- Practice Reiki on yourself
- Give Reiki to others in person
- Heal animals and plants
Reiki Level 2 (Okuden) - Mental/Emotional Healing
What you learn:
- Three Reiki symbols and their uses
- Distance healing techniques
- Mental and emotional healing
- Second attunement
What you can do:
- Send Reiki across distance
- Work with mental and emotional issues
- Use symbols to amplify healing
- Heal past and future situations
Reiki Level 3/Master (Shinpiden) - Spiritual Healing
What you learn:
- Master symbol
- Advanced techniques
- How to teach and attune others (if Master Teacher level)
- Third attunement
What you can do:
- Practice at master level
- Teach Reiki (if Master Teacher)
- Perform attunements
Self-Reiki: How to Practice on Yourself
Basic Self-Reiki Technique
- Prepare: Sit or lie comfortably in quiet space
- Set intention: "I channel Reiki for my highest good"
-
Hand positions: Place hands on these areas for 3-5 minutes each:
- Eyes and forehead
- Back of head
- Throat
- Heart
- Solar plexus
- Lower abdomen
- Any area needing healing
- Feel the energy: Notice warmth, tingling, or flow
- Close: Thank the energy, ground yourself
Daily Self-Reiki Practice
- Morning: 10-15 minutes to energize for the day
- Evening: 10-15 minutes to release stress and prepare for sleep
- As needed: Anytime you feel pain, stress, or imbalance
Reiki and Crystals
Crystals amplify and enhance Reiki energy!
Best Crystals for Reiki
- Clear Quartz: Amplifies Reiki energy, universal healer
- Amethyst: Spiritual healing, crown chakra
- Rose Quartz: Heart healing, emotional work
- Selenite: High vibration, cleansing, angelic connection
- Black Tourmaline: Grounding, protection during healing
How to Use Crystals with Reiki
- Place on chakras during session
- Hold in non-dominant hand while giving Reiki
- Create crystal grid around healing space
- Charge crystals with Reiki energy
- Use crystal wands to direct Reiki
How to Learn Reiki
Finding a Reiki Teacher
Look for:
- Certified Reiki Master Teacher
- Clear lineage back to Usui
- Good reputation and reviews
- Teaching style that resonates with you
- In-person classes (preferred for attunements)
What to Expect in Training
- Class size: Small groups or one-on-one
- Duration: 1-2 days per level typically
- Cost: Varies widely ($100-$500+ per level)
- Includes: Manual, certificate, attunement, practice time
Online vs. In-Person
In-person (traditional):
- Direct energy transmission
- Hands-on practice
- Personal connection with teacher
- Preferred by many practitioners
Online (modern):
- More accessible
- Often less expensive
- Distance attunements possible
- Flexible scheduling
Both are valid—choose what works for you.
Common Reiki Questions
"Do I need to be spiritual or religious?"
No. Reiki works regardless of beliefs. It's compatible with all religions or no religion.
"Can Reiki harm anyone?"
No. Reiki is gentle and safe. It goes where needed and does no harm. Worst case: nothing happens.
"How long does it take to learn?"
Level 1 can be learned in a weekend. Mastery takes years of practice.
"Can I practice without certification?"
For yourself and family/friends, yes. For professional practice, certification is recommended and often required by insurance.
"Does Reiki replace medical treatment?"
No. Reiki is complementary—it supports but doesn't replace medical care.
"Can anyone learn Reiki?"
Yes! No special gifts needed. If you can hold intention and place your hands, you can learn Reiki.
Reiki for Different Situations
For Pain Relief
- Place hands directly on or above painful area
- Hold for 10-15 minutes
- Visualize healing energy dissolving pain
- Repeat as needed
For Anxiety
- Hands on heart and solar plexus
- Breathe deeply
- Feel calming energy flowing
- 5-10 minutes or until calm
For Sleep
- Self-Reiki before bed
- Focus on head, heart, and solar plexus
- Set intention for restful sleep
- Many fall asleep during practice
For Emotional Healing
- Hands on heart chakra
- Allow emotions to surface
- Let Reiki energy process and release
- Be gentle with yourself
Building a Reiki Practice
For Personal Use
- Daily self-Reiki (even 10 minutes)
- Practice on family and friends
- Use for pets and plants
- Integrate into meditation practice
For Professional Practice
- Get certified through all levels
- Practice extensively
- Get liability insurance
- Create healing space
- Set appropriate fees
- Continue education
The Truth About Reiki
Reiki isn't a cure-all or magic bullet. It's a gentle, supportive healing modality that:
- Works with your body's natural healing
- Requires no belief to work (but openness helps)
- Is safe and non-invasive
- Complements other treatments
- Can be learned by anyone
- Grows stronger with practice
Your Reiki Journey
Start today:
- Try receiving a Reiki session
- Notice how you feel
- If it resonates, find a teacher
- Take Level 1 training
- Practice daily on yourself
- Share with others
- Continue learning and growing
Final Thoughts
Reiki is a gift—a simple yet profound way to channel healing energy for yourself and others. It doesn't require years of training to begin, special abilities, or complex techniques. Just open hands, open heart, and willingness to be a channel for healing.
Whether you want to heal yourself, help loved ones, or build a healing practice, Reiki offers a gentle, powerful path.
Welcome to Reiki. Your healing journey begins now.
Have you experienced Reiki? Are you a practitioner? I'd love to hear about your Reiki experiences.
