BEST REIKI NEAR ME | MELBOURNE
- Fiona Phillips | Certified Japanese Reiki Shihan (Teacher)
- Jan 23, 2024
- 12 min read
Updated: Sep 17
ENERGY HEALERS: FIND THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER IN MELBOURNE
So you're looking to have some Reiki and let's say you live in Melbourne and you type in the words 'best reiki near me', 'authentic reiki Melbourne' or 'best reiki Melbourne', what are you to look out for amongst the hundreds of results, how can you know who practices authentic Reiki and which Practitioner is the best fit for you?
This is intended to be a comprehensive guide to help you choose a Reiki Practitioner (and the same considerations apply when choosing a Reiki Teacher too). Keep in mind though, you may not be able to find out everything listed here, and that’s totally ok. I don't want you to feel overwhelmed if there are tips here that you don't fully understand or that feel too hard to ascertain. My advice would be to read through them as an overview guide and try and get a feel for what matters when searching for a Practitioner, and most of all, trust your instinct. At the end of the day, aside from ensuring the Practitioner actually practices Reiki, instinct is the next most important thing!
So let's launch into my tips to helping you find the best Reiki Practitioner for you.
Tip #1 - They actually practice Reiki
I know this sound obvious but unfortunately, there are people out there who use the word 'Reiki' but aren't actually practicing Reiki (sometimes unknowingly even to themselves).
These Practitioners fall into two categories:
Practitioners who learnt Reiki solely online without receiving in person Reiju (an attunement process of energetic opening/transfer that can only occur 'in person' from Teacher to student). Ask the Practitioner if they learnt Reiki in person or online and opt for the former.
Practitioners who learnt from a system of 'so-called' Reiki where the lineage doesn't trace back to Mikao Usui (The founder of Reiki). Ask The Reiki Practitioner to see their Lineage (and make sure it traces back to Mikao Usui). If a Practitioner will not show you their lineage, its probably best to look elsewhere. You can read more about lineage here.
Recommendation: Make sure your Practitioner trained in person (not online) and can show a clear and direct lineage that traces back to Mikao Usui. If they can’t (or won't), it’s best to look elsewhere. Here is an example of what Lineage mean and looks like.
Tip #2 - Their Level of training
Only people who have completed Level II and above are permitted to practice Reiki professionally in most Reiki systems and Australian Reiki Associations.
Some people ask me, is the higher their level of training better, like should I be looking to have Reiki with a Shihan / Master / Teacher?' See the next tip for my answer.
Recommendation: Choose a Practitioner with at least Level II training, as this is the minimum required for professional practice in most Reiki systems and the Australian Reiki Associations.
Tip #3 - Beyond their Level of Training: Length of Practice
Titles can be misleading: Some people go from Level I to Master or Teacher in a weekend (yes some courses, including online courses offer this), others take years, even a decade, of consistent training and practice before reaching that point. Both might use the same title as 'Reiki Master' or 'Shihan', but the depth of their practical and spiritual experiences are likely to be very different. How long they have been practicing for, therefore can be helpful to know.
Recommendation: Avoid Practitioners who have 'fast tracked' their training and find a Practitioner who has been practicing for a solid period of time.
Tip #4 - Daily Spiritual & Healing Habits - Depth of Practice
It pays to be discerning and look beyond the level of qualification (and this includes people in leadership positions within systems or Associations). Titles are meaningless if they aren't supported by a strong personal commitment to daily spiritual and healing practice and 'real' experience and exposure to practicing on others. Take care not to 'assume' someone has the experience and commitment because of their certification level or title.
A Practitioner or Teacher’s depth of commitment to their spiritual and healing path is very important. The foundational principle of Reiki, at the core of the practice, is that a Practitioner must always be working on their own healing and spiritual growth. The depth of that growth directly impacts how effective they are as a Channel which is why daily committed practice, in other words living and breathing Reiki as a way of life, is vital for anyone offering Reiki to others.
In many Western systems of Reiki, this aspect hasn’t always been emphasised in the teachings, and it’s not uncommon to come across Practitioners offering Reiki to others without a regular self-healing or spiritual practice of their own.
Some people dabble in Reiki occasionally, they may use it where sick or emotional (but not necessarily use it as a daily spiritual practice), while others anchor their whole life around it - and that distinction often makes a big difference to the quality of your session.
So after looking at their level of qualifications and while asking how long a Reiki Practitioner has been practising Reiki is another part of the picture, it’s just as important to know whether they practise daily on themselves, whether they have a committed spiritual practice, and how immersed they are in Reiki as a way of life.
Questions you may ask are: do they contemplate the Reiki precepts each day (these are spiritual mindset practices)? Do they have energy-accumulating practices such as Hatsurei Ho, do they do hands-on self-healing regularly, and not just as a quick five-minute token practice? Asking them about their spiritual and healing journey: how Reiki has impacted them as a spiritual path? This can give you a strong sense of the depth of their practice. Sometimes you’ll find these answers on their website, sometimes not, but it’s worth exploring.
Summary: Look for a Practitioner who lives and breathes Reiki. Someone who has a consistent daily self-healing and spiritual practice, who treats Reiki as a lifelong path of personal growth as the mainstay of their relationship with Reiki (rather than offering it to others being their main focus). A Practitioner who understands that they must first work on themselves before offering Reiki to others will usually carry a stronger capacity as a Channel.
Tip #5 - Experience and Daily Exposure to Reiki
The question to ask here is, 'Is Reiki a full-time or part time offering?' For some people Reiki is a side gig and not their main work or not the centre of their daily practice.
Someone who sees 1 or 2 clients a week or a client every few weeks will have a different depth of experience and practice that someone who is doing Reiki on clients every day. Reiki is above immersion and living the practice.
This doesn't necessarily mean they aren't good Reiki channels if they only see client's occasionally or as a side-offering, but when someone has a dedicated self-practice and is practicing Reiki on clients all day every day as their main offering, being immersed in the practice personally and professionally can impact the quality and intensity of them as Channels, and therefore what you receive in your healing session. It may indicate more opportunity to have a deeper and more effective practice when they immersed in it personally and professionally daily.
Recommendation: Ask whether Reiki is their full-time focus or a side offering and how many Reiki and how many clients they see per week (to give you an idea of their level of immersion).
Tip #6 - Intuitive Practice vs Set Positions
In many Western Reiki systems, practitioners use the same set of hand positions for every single client, holding each one for a fixed amount of time no matter what the person’s condition actually is. It's a one-fits all approach. Whilst still effective, it may not be as efficient in addressing the unique needs of each client.
In traditional Japanese Reiki, Practitioners are trained in what’s called the 'Byosen Technique', which is a technique to interpret the body's signals through sensations in the hands. The body emits energy signals which tells the Practitioner where the energy is needed most, and how long to stay there. Some areas draw Reiki strongly and for longer, while others clear quickly. This means the Practitioner can target the specific areas of your energy body that need the Reiki most, which can be a more efficient way to approach your healing.
Recommendation: For the most efficient healing, try and choose a practitioner who works intuitively with Byosen, not one who simply runs through a standard sequence of hand positions that are timed.
Tip #7 – Hands-On vs Hovering
Reiki was always intended to be a hands-on modality of healing, using gentle contact on various positions over the clothed body of the recipient. In the traditional Japanese practice (this technique is not used in Western Reiki), there is also a technique using a symbol that is applied with direct contact.
Also, where the attention goes, the energy flows. In other words, when the recipient is aware (even on an energetic level when asleep) of where the Practitioner’s hands are placed, their energy body partakes in where the energy is directed through that awareness.
Most recipients of Reiki report feeling lovingly held through direct contact, which can support the capacity for the recipient to relax and move into a parasympathetic state of rest, where the healing process is most supported.
The technique of hovering the hands above the body is a new-age adaptation of the traditional practice of Reiki that came about from fears of litigation which occurred in highly restricted States overseas (which doesn't apply to Australia). There’s nothing 'wrong' with hovering, and in the case of injury (where it is too painful to have direct contact) or when a client is particularly sensitive to touch, hovering is fine, but hands-on, where possible, is preferable.
Recommendation: look for a Practitioner who practices hands-on Reiki as their staple practice, and who only hovers where special circumstances call for it.
Tip #8 –Look at the review on their website and google
Practitioners should have, over time, a collection of enough reviews on google and/or their website which can at least give you a 'feel' for the type of Practitioner they are and the depth and effectiveness of their Practice as well as capacity to hold space for you in Reiki sessions. The don't need to have hundreds, it is about having enough to give you a good impression of them through the eyes of their clients or students as well as the impact Reiki had on them.
Recommendation: Have a read through reviews to get a better idea of who they are personally, professionally and about their Practice. Trust the feeling you get when reading them.
Tip #9 – Website & Social Media
Exploring a Practitioner’s website and social media can give you a strong feel for who they are. Look at how they speak about Reiki and notice the tone they use. Read about their story and journey with Reiki and get an overall feel for their depth of practice their approach and values.
It worth reading their “About Me” page as well as their reviews or testimonials can also reveal how clients experience them.
Social media can also help to get a feel for the person behind the practice in the way that they share their work and connect with their community. This isn’t about numbers or followers. It’s about how they present themselves and whether it resonates with you. Also look out for frequency of posting - sometimes a very heavy focus on social media posting might indicate a stronger focus on marketing and image rather than the work itself.
Summary: Read their website and social pages to sense their style, values, and how clients experience them. Trust how it feels to you.
Tip #10 -Personal/Energetic connection & Resonance
Reiki is an intimate practice. You’re allowing someone into your personal world, into a place of vulnerability and you need to have a safe space for healing.
A Practitioner might have all the right credentials, years of experience, and a strong daily spiritual practice and tick all the boxes - but that alone doesn’t guarantee they’ve integrated it into how they work or who they are or more importantly, how connected you feel to them.
At the end of the day, if you don’t feel safe, comfortable, or naturally at ease with them, the session won’t be as effective. Connection matters just as much as training. It is vital!
Recommendation: Read their website, testimonials, and reviews to get a sense of who they are. If you feel unsure, reach out for a chat before booking. And look at their photo - try an get a sense of their energy and more importantly, how you feel in your body when looking at their photo. Do you feel connected and safe when you look at their image? Is there a warm and inviting feeling about them. Trust that feeling!
Tip #11 -Trust Your Instinct
The head can get caught up in labels, marketing hype, promises and qualifications which can distract us from the reality of what is best for us. Look up a few different Practitioners and their websites, I guarantee you are likely to be more drawn to one than others. It sounds simplistic but I genuinely believe it is the best guide.
Recommendation: Quieten the mind and let the gut take the lead. Go with it, trust your instinct, the Practitioner you feel most drawn to is most likely the best fit for you!
Tip #12 -Pricing and Value
The cost of Reiki sessions can vary widely, and whilst pricing is an important factor (on a practical level in terms being within you financial means), beyond that what is vital to consider is the value you receive. Value isn’t just about dollars, it’s about the quality and depth of the healing you will receive.
Things that can influence value include the type of Reiki being offered, the length of the session, and the Practitioner’s level of training and commitment to their own self-practice. Their spiritual depth, daily habits, and how much they immerse themselves in Reiki will often influence the quality of what they are able to channel so what you receive in one hour with them may be much greater than an hour with another. Testimonials and reviews can also give you a sense of how effective their sessions have been for others, and how well they hold space.
But even when you weigh all these things, I still come back to the basic quality of connection. Two Practitioners may charge the same price, yet the quality and impact of your session could feel completely different as a result of your connection with them. The most important thing is whether you feel safe, comfortable, and supported, and that’s something only your instinct can tell you pretty easily. Whilst price plays its part, your own sense of value, trust, and connection with the Practitioner is still the most reliable guide.
Tip #13 - Want more tips on how to find the best Reiki near you?
I hope these tips offer at least a good starting point to help you find not only an authentic Reiki Practitioner who actually channels Reiki, but also the best Reiki Practitioner for you. If you want some more tips or a little more details about these tips as well as how they practice Reiki (in terms of hand positions, the issue of hovering, timing and so forth) you can read more here.
Tip #14 - Enjoy your Reiki
Once you've made your choice, it's simply time to lay down on the Reiki table, surrender and be open to exquisite power and wonder of receiving Reiki. Reiki is an incredibly loving, compassionate and effective tool for healing the mind, body and inner being...wishing you love and the highest healing on your journey with Reiki!
Reiki in Melbourne
If you have any questions, or want to chat to more about Reiki please contact me and we can arrange a time to chat. If you would like to book a Reiki session in Melbourne (or distance Reiki worldwide), you can book an appointment here or if you would like to learn Reiki yourself, sign up for a Reiki course here. I look forward to connecting with you for Reiki!
Warmest,
Fiona x
Fiona Phillips
Certified Reiki Shihan (Teacher) and Practitioner
Jikiden & Komyo ReikiDo Lineage
Within The Space | Melbourne
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