Reiki Healing: Complete Guide to Universal Life Force Energy

By Nicole, Founder of Mystic Ryst

Reiki is a powerful, gentle healing practice that channels universal life force energy to promote physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual healing. Developed in Japan in the early 1900s by Mikao Usui, Reiki has become one of the most popular forms of energy healing worldwide, practiced in hospitals, wellness centers, and homes around the globe.

The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words: "Rei" (universal) and "Ki" (life force energy). Reiki practitioners act as channels for this healing energy, allowing it to flow through their hands to wherever it's needed most. This intelligent energy goes exactly where healing is required, balancing the body's energy centers, releasing blockages, and promoting the body's natural ability to heal itself.

This is your complete guide to Reiki healing—what it is, how it works, the benefits, what to expect in a session, how to learn Reiki, and how to practice self-healing with Reiki energy.

What Is Reiki?

Definition

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique where practitioners channel universal life force energy through their hands to promote healing and balance in the recipient's body, mind, and spirit.

The Five Reiki Principles

Created by Mikao Usui, these principles guide Reiki practice:

1. Just for today, I will not worry
2. Just for today, I will not be angry
3. Just for today, I will be grateful
4. Just for today, I will do my work honestly
5. Just for today, I will be kind to every living thing

How Reiki Works

• Universal energy: Reiki taps into infinite healing energy available to all
• Channeling: Practitioner acts as channel, not source
• Intelligent energy: Reiki goes where it's needed most
• Balancing: Restores balance to energy system
• Clearing blockages: Removes stagnant or negative energy
• Activating healing: Supports body's natural healing ability

What Reiki Is Not

• Not a religion (compatible with all beliefs)
• Not massage or physical manipulation
• Not dependent on belief (works regardless)
• Not a replacement for medical care (complementary)
• Not draining to practitioner (energy comes from universe, not practitioner)

Benefits of Reiki

Physical Benefits

• Reduces pain and inflammation
• Accelerates healing from injury or surgery
• Boosts immune system
• Improves sleep quality
• Increases energy and vitality
• Reduces side effects of medications
• Supports chronic illness management
• Promotes relaxation and reduces muscle tension

Emotional Benefits

• Reduces stress and anxiety
• Releases emotional blockages
• Processes grief and trauma
• Balances mood
• Increases emotional resilience
• Promotes inner peace
• Enhances self-love and acceptance

Mental Benefits

• Clears mental fog
• Improves focus and concentration
• Reduces mental chatter
• Enhances clarity and decision-making
• Supports mental health
• Promotes positive thinking

Spiritual Benefits

• Deepens spiritual connection
• Enhances intuition
• Supports spiritual growth
• Balances chakras
• Connects to higher self
• Promotes sense of purpose
• Facilitates spiritual awakening

The Three Levels of Reiki

Reiki Level 1 (Shoden)

What you learn:

• History and principles of Reiki
• How to channel Reiki energy
• Hand positions for self-healing and others
• Receive first attunement (energy activation)

What you can do:

• Practice Reiki on yourself
• Give Reiki to others (in person, hands-on)
• Heal animals and plants
• Charge crystals and objects

Reiki Level 2 (Okuden)

What you learn:

• Three Reiki symbols and their uses
• Distance healing techniques
• Mental/emotional healing
• Receive second attunement

What you can do:

• Send Reiki across distance
• Send Reiki through time (past/future)
• Deeper emotional and mental healing
• More powerful healing sessions

Reiki Level 3/Master (Shinpiden)

What you learn:

• Master symbol
• Advanced techniques
• How to teach and attune others (if Master/Teacher level)
• Receive master attunement

What you can do:

• Practice at master level
• Teach Reiki (if Master/Teacher)
• Perform attunements
• Advanced healing work

What to Expect in a Reiki Session

Before the Session

• Practitioner discusses your needs and concerns
• You remain fully clothed
• Lie on massage table or sit in chair
• Soft music and dim lighting create peaceful atmosphere

During the Session

• Practitioner places hands on or above your body
• Hands held in various positions (head, torso, limbs)
• Each position held for 3-5 minutes
• You may feel warmth, tingling, or deep relaxation
• Some people see colors or have visions
• Many fall into deep meditative state or sleep
• Session typically lasts 60-90 minutes

What You Might Feel

• Warmth or heat from practitioner's hands
• Tingling or pulsing sensations
• Deep relaxation and peace
• Emotional release (tears, laughter)
• Energy moving through body
• Nothing at all (still working!)

After the Session

• Feeling deeply relaxed or energized
• Emotional release may continue
• Increased awareness or clarity
• Improved sleep
• Continued healing for days after
• Drink plenty of water
• Rest and integrate

Self-Reiki Practice

Basic Self-Reiki Hand Positions

1. Crown: Hands on top of head
2. Eyes: Hands over eyes and forehead
3. Temples: Hands on sides of head
4. Back of head: Hands cradling back of head
5. Throat: Hands on throat/neck area
6. Heart: Hands on chest/heart
7. Solar plexus: Hands on upper abdomen
8. Sacral: Hands on lower abdomen
9. Root: Hands on pelvic area

Hold each position for 3-5 minutes or until you feel complete.

Quick Self-Reiki Techniques

5-Minute Energy Boost:

• Place hands on heart
• Set intention for healing
• Breathe and allow energy to flow
• Feel yourself filling with light

Stress Relief:

• Hands on solar plexus (stomach area)
• Breathe deeply
• Visualize stress melting away
• Feel calm and peace

Headache Relief:

• Hands on temples or forehead
• Allow Reiki to flow
• Visualize pain dissolving

Daily Self-Reiki Practice

• Morning: 5-10 minutes to energize
• Throughout day: Quick sessions as needed
• Evening: Full session before bed
• Consistency is key

Reiki for Specific Purposes

Reiki for Pain Relief

• Place hands on or near painful area
• Allow energy to flow for 10-15 minutes
• Visualize pain dissolving
• Repeat as needed

Reiki for Emotional Healing

• Hands on heart chakra
• Set intention to heal emotions
• Allow feelings to surface and release
• Send love and compassion to yourself

Reiki for Sleep

• Self-Reiki in bed before sleep
• Focus on crown, third eye, and heart
• Set intention for peaceful sleep
• Often fall asleep during session

Reiki for Anxiety

• Hands on solar plexus and heart
• Breathe deeply
• Visualize anxiety leaving body
• Feel calm and grounded

Distance Reiki

What Is Distance Reiki?

Sending Reiki healing across space and time using the distance symbol (learned in Level 2).

How It Works

• Energy transcends space and time
• Intention directs the energy
• Just as effective as in-person
• Can send to anyone, anywhere

How to Send Distance Reiki

1. Get permission from recipient (or their higher self)
2. Set clear intention
3. Use distance symbol (if attuned)
4. Visualize recipient or use photo
5. Send Reiki for 15-30 minutes
6. Trust energy reaches them

Uses for Distance Reiki

• Healing loved ones far away
• Sending to past situations (healing trauma)
• Sending to future events (job interview, surgery)
• Healing relationships
• Global healing

Reiki and Chakras

Using Reiki to Balance Chakras

1. Scan body to feel which chakras need attention
2. Place hands on or above each chakra
3. Allow Reiki to flow until balanced
4. You may feel heat, tingling, or energy shift
5. Move to next chakra when complete

Chakra-Specific Reiki

• Root: Grounding, security, survival
• Sacral: Creativity, sexuality, emotions
• Solar Plexus: Power, confidence, will
• Heart: Love, compassion, healing
• Throat: Communication, truth, expression
• Third Eye: Intuition, insight, vision
• Crown: Spiritual connection, enlightenment

Combining Reiki with Other Practices

Reiki + Crystals

• Place crystals on chakras during session
• Charge crystals with Reiki
• Use crystal grids with Reiki
• Amplifies healing energy

Reiki + Meditation

• Give yourself Reiki while meditating
• Deepens meditation
• Enhances spiritual connection

Reiki + Massage

• Combine energy work with bodywork
• Holistic healing approach
• Physical and energetic release

Reiki + Sound Healing

• Use singing bowls or tuning forks with Reiki
• Sound and energy work together
• Powerful clearing and healing

Learning Reiki

Finding a Reiki Teacher

• Look for certified Reiki Master/Teacher
• Check lineage (connection to Usui)
• Read reviews and testimonials
• Trust your intuition
• Interview potential teachers

What to Expect in Training

• In-person or online classes available
• Attunement ceremony (energy activation)
• Practice sessions
• Manual and certificate
• Ongoing support

Cost of Training

• Varies widely by teacher and location
• Level 1: $100-$300
• Level 2: $200-$500
• Master: $500-$3000+
• Some offer payment plans

Self-Study and Practice

• Practice daily on yourself
• Practice on willing friends/family
• Join Reiki shares or circles
• Continue learning and growing

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 anyone learn Reiki?

Yes! Anyone can learn and practice Reiki. No special abilities needed.

Is Reiki safe?

Yes. Reiki is gentle, non-invasive, and cannot cause harm. It only flows where needed.

How many sessions do I need?

Varies by individual and issue. Some feel better after one session, others benefit from regular sessions.

Can Reiki replace medical treatment?

No. Reiki is complementary, not a replacement for medical care. Always consult healthcare providers.

Will I feel anything during Reiki?

Many people feel warmth, tingling, or deep relaxation. Some feel nothing but still receive benefits.

Reiki Ethics and Best Practices

Always Get Permission

• Ask before giving Reiki to others
• Respect boundaries
• For distance Reiki, ask their higher self

Maintain Confidentiality

• Keep client information private
• Create safe, trusting space

Practice Self-Care

• Give yourself Reiki regularly
• Maintain your own energy
• Set boundaries

Continue Learning

• Take advanced classes
• Practice regularly
• Stay humble and open

Final Thoughts

Reiki is a beautiful gift—a simple yet profound practice that connects you to universal healing energy and your own innate ability to heal. Whether you receive Reiki from a practitioner or learn to practice it yourself, you're tapping into an ancient wisdom that recognizes we are all energy, and energy can be balanced, cleared, and healed.

The beauty of Reiki is its simplicity and accessibility. You don't need special abilities, expensive equipment, or years of training. You just need open hands, an open heart, and willingness to channel healing energy.

Reiki reminds us that healing is our natural state, that we're all connected to infinite source energy, and that love and light are the most powerful healing forces in the universe.

Have you experienced Reiki? Are you a Reiki practitioner? Share your experiences below!