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REIKI TIPS

HOW TO FIND THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER NEAR YOU

Finding the best Reiki Therapist for your needs can be overwhelming with broad search terms like "Find Reiki Near Me" and "Best Reiki Melbourne". The sheer number of potential Reiki Therapists who advertise their practice as "Traditional Reiki", "Japanese Reiki", or "Authentic Reiki," can leave you wondering how to discern one from the next.

DIFFERENT SYSTEMS OF REIKI

There are many different systems of Reiki and understanding the differences can be vital in helping you determine which Practitioner is the best fit for you.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS OF A REIKI PRACTITIONER

Did you know that anyone can called themselves a Reiki Therapist without any training? Understanding what is required to qualify as a legitimate Reiki Practitioner will help you avoid Practitioners who claim to be practising Reiki but have not been adequately trained or attuned to the Energy.

ESSENTIAL FACTORS TO FINDING THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER FOR YOU

To find the best Reiki Therapist, it’s important to understand the essential factors that impact a healing session: from the basics like qualifications, lineage, and the system of Reiki they practise, to more subtle aspects that influence the depth and effectiveness of healing. These include the Practitioner’s spiritual and self-healing practices, their style of Reiki, the healing techniques they use, and their overall approach to sessions. Together, these factors can help you find an authentic and effective Reiki Healer.

As you read through the check-list, you may find some of the factors listed too difficult to ascertain. Please don't get too caught up in trying to tick every box off the list - my aim is not overwhelm you or make it feel too difficult, but to give you an overall idea of what makes a great Practitioner. Get a feel for what that includes as you read through the list and trust your instinct most of all when searching for a Practitioner. It really is your best guide.

As you embark on this journey of self-love and healing through Reiki, I am dedicated to ensuring you experience the optimum benefits it offers.

Whether you choose me or another Practitioner, these tips will guide you in selecting the ideal Reiki Practitioner to facilitate your healing journey.

FINDING THE BEST REIKI PRACTITIONER
OVERVIEW & CHECKLIST

1. AUTHENTIC LINEAGE

Not all Reiki Therapists that claim they practice Reiki are trained Reiki Practitioners.

'Usui Reiki Ryoho', often shortened to 'Reiki' specifically refers to a method of spiritual & healing practices created by founder, Mikao Usui in Japan. He passed Reiki down to his students through 'Reiju' (a sacred process conducted in-person from teachers to student that opens the student's capacity to channel Reiki).

That line of passing on from teacher to student through successive teachers to students is called 'Lineage'.

A person who practices authentic Reiki, can trace their Lineage straight back, down the line, to Mikao Usui.

For example:

*MIKAO USUI*

Chukiro Hayashi

Chiyoko Yamaguchi (Japanese Reiki)

[Your Reiki Practitioner's or Teacher's Teacher]

[Your Reiki Practitioner ]

*MIKAO USUI*

Chukiro Hayashi

Hawayo Takata (Western Reiki)

[Your Reiki Practitioner's or Teacher's Teacher]

[Your Reiki Practitioner]

Recommendation: Always ensure your Practitioner has studied Reiki in person with a Reiki Shihan/Master (See Tip #2) and can trace their lineage directly back to Reiki’s founder, Mikao Usui. If it is not on their website, you can ask them to show or send it to you.

2. IN-PERSON TRAINING

Reiki Practitioners receive their capacity to channel Reiki through an essential process of Reiju (see Tip #1). This is an essential aspect of Reiki training and is traditionally done in person. This opens a student’s capacity to channel Reiki, and works much like tuning a radio to the right station.

With the rise of online courses, some do not provide proper (or any) attunements. Most Reiki Associations do not recognise Reiki Healers who have trained online.

Recommendation: Ensure that the Practitioner trained in-person (rather than online).

3. THE SYSTEM OF REIKI PRACTICED BY THE REIKI THERAPIST

There are over 100 different Reiki systems the exist today and a vast majority of them have undergone major changes from the original system and practice.

In Western Reiki, for example, which is any system whose lineage branched off from Hawayo Takata (See Tip #1 for lineage), a large portion of the original practices and advanced techniques were removed or changed, whilst fundamental elements like Reiju (See Tips #1 & #2) and symbols were modified. Many Western systems have added symbols, techniques, new-age elements and concepts and even practices and concepts from other cultures, that have nothing to do with the original spiritual and healing system, making it hard to know what is truly Reiki and what is not.

In some Japanese Reiki systems like Komyo ReikiDo and Gendai Reiki (the latter being more of a hybrid Japanese/Western system), fundamental aspects of the practice have been removed, replaced, stripped back or changed, diverging from the traditional practices.

In others, like Jikiden Reiki and the Arjava Petter Institute, they have retained the traditional practices, unmodified, including the traditional Reiju, Symbols, emphasis on Byosen (sensing of troubled areas in the body through hands sensations) and the full set of traditional advanced healing techniques.

It is important to know what system of Reiki your Practitioner practices so that you can know what to expect and to get the most from your energy healing session.

Recommendation: Take time to understand the difference between Western Reiki and the lesser-known Japanese systems. Find a Practitioner who practices a system that resonates most with you and offers the depth you’re seeking.

4. CERTIFICATION LEVEL OF THE PRACTITIONER

There are usually 3 levels of Reiki training (this can vary between systems).

Level 1 (Shoden / Beginner) focuses on self-healing and self-cultivation. Students are encouraged to practice mainly on themselves, close friends and family. This foundation period is important for deepening personal healing and spiritual growth before moving into professional practice.

Level 2 (Okuden/ Practitioner Certification) Distance Healing is taught at this level. In Japanese Reiki, but not Western, advanced healing techniques for more targeted and effective self-healing and healing of others are also taught, both for physical and mental healing. Students are also prepared for working with others (either personally or professionally).

It is recommended that students wait 6 months before commencing Professional Practice, students become Certified Reiki Practitioners and can offer Reiki to others.

Level 3 (Shinpiden / Teaching)

This level prepares practitioners to teach and pass on Reiki through Reiju (attunements).

In the West, the highest level is most commonly called Reiki Master. In traditional Japanese Reiki, the title is Reiki Shihan (meaning 'Teacher').

Recommendation: Find a Practitioner who has acquired a minimum of Level II Training or higher.

5. DAILY SPIRITUAL AND ENERGY HABITS AS THEIR FOUNDATION

Try and get a sense, through the Reiki Healer's website, social media or from speaking to them, about their daily spiritual habits/practices. It is not only about integrity, walking the walk, but it may impact the quality of Reiki they Channel.

The deeper their spiritual, healing and energetic self-practice, the more effective they are at channelling Reiki. Therefore, having a daily, committed spiritual and self-healing practice is very important.

If the Practitioner tends to only practice on others, rather than having a committed, daily self-healing and spiritual practice, they may not be the best Practitioner for you.

And beyond their daily practice, try and get a sense of how deeply their practice is integrated into their life and has shaped them. Reiki is ultimately a practice for spiritual growth and healing - this is a life-long pursuits, and must be the primary focus of the Practitioner - as opposed to something they simply offer others.

Recommendation:
Find a Reiki Practitioner who has a substantial, committed, and integrated daily spiritual and self-healing practice. If you can't find this information online, don't be afraid to ask them.

6. EXPERIENCE OF THE PRACTITIONER

IS REIKI THEIR MAIN FOCUS?

Is Reiki that practitioner’s main focus or more of a side offering.

While part-time Practitioners can still be effective, those who are deeply immersed in the work often have more consistent experience and a stronger energetic presence. Reiki practitioners continue to deepen their spiritual cultivation the more they practice, both on themselves and with others. The more time spent in the healing and spiritual space, the more opportunity they have to embody and truly integrate the practice into who they are and how they serve.

HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN PRACTICING?

While time alone doesn’t guarantee a Practitioner is an effective channel, those who have worked as Reiki Healers over a longer period are more likely to have developed greater sensitivity, depth, and experience working with a wide range of people, issues, and ailments, especially if Reiki has been their main professional focus over that time. When combined with the other factors listed here, this can be an important consideration.

Recommendation:

Choose a Reiki Practitioner for whom Reiki is their main profession, not a side offering.

Consider how long they’ve been practising Reiki and the variety of clients they’ve worked with.

7. INTUITIVE PRACTICE vs SET POSITIONS AND TIMING

Try and find a Practitioner who works intuitively rather than uses set hand positions that are timed. This ensures your Practitioner targets the areas where you uniquely need Reiki the most, and stay there for as long as it is needed, which is determined by your energy body.

In Traditional Japanese Reiki, Practitioners are trained in an advanced technique known as the 'Byosen Technique', where different levels of energetic feedback, guides the Reiki Practitioner to sense the 'troubled ' areas on each client and work intuitively. It is the most efficient and effective approach to a treatment rather than using a standard set of hand positions (this standardised practice was introduced in Western Reiki).

Intuitive hand positions are not timed - it is the Reiki practitioner’s role to tune in and follow the need, rather than interfere or restrict the energy prematurely.

Recommendation: Find a Practitioner who works intuitively rather than set and timed hand positions.

8. HANDS ON vs HOVERING REIKI

Find a Practitioner who practices with 'direct contact' hand positions rather than hovering. Hover is, however, recommended if an injury is too painful to the touch or for sensitive areas.

Traditional Reiki practice understood that the combination of touch and Reiki energy creates a profound sense of connection, often helping clients feel more held, nurtured and deeply relaxed. It also allows your energy body to know where the Reiki is being directed - and where the attention goes the energy flows - in other words on an sub-conscious level, you participate in your own healing through this subtle awareness. In traditional Reiki there is also an advanced healing technique used to break up toxins and hasten healing, which is best done with direct touch.

Hovering-style Reiki is a modern adaptation that arose in a few US states with restrictive touch laws. Over time this method spread worldwide to places without such laws and became a trend in teaching. Most practitioners today are unaware of its legal origins.

Recommendation: Find a Practitioner who offers hands-on Reiki as their primary approach, rather than hovering.

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9. CLIENT TESTIMONIALS AND REPUTATION

Get a feel for the Reiki healer through their reviews and testimonials. Look for a Practitioner who has at least 20–30 reviews or more in order to get a clear and consistent sense of who they are and how they work. It isn't about 'the more the better', it's about having enough quality reviews to give you a sense about them and their sessions.

Pay extra attention to the energy and feel of the Practitioner through the eyes of their clients: their character, ability to hold space, and the depth of their Reiki experience, as reflected in client outcomes.

Recommendation: Read reviews on Google and the Practitioner's website and get a feel for the Reiki Practitioner. Trust your gut feeling as you read them.

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10. WEBSITE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

Take time to explore the Practitioner’s website and social media pages, as these often offer valuable insight into their style, values, and approach to Reiki.

When looking through their website, take time to get a feel for their practice approach and overall style. Be sure to check their 'About Me' page as this often gives a sense of who they are beyond their qualifications.

If they have a photo of themselves, tune into how you feel energetically and in your body when you look at it - do you feel drawn to them, is there a feeling of comfort and warmth?

For social media, it isn't about who has the most followers, it's about the energy and tone they communicate with, and the way they speak about Reiki which can reveal a lot about their depth of understanding and the kind of experience you might have with them. It's a great way to get a more personal insight into their engagement and connection with their practice.

All of this helps build a clearer picture of whether they’re the right fit for you.

Recommendation:

Read through their website to get a feel for who they are, their journey, their style of Reiki, values, and how clients experience working with them.

Check their social media to get a better feel for them personally and professionally.

11. PERSONAL CONNECTION & ENERGETIC FIT

Reiki is personal. You’re entrusting someone with your energy body, your vulnerability, and your healing process.

A Reiki Practitioner may appear to have impressive credentials, have years of experience, lots of qualifications and have a substantial daily committed spiritual and healing self-practice, but none of that ensures that they have integrated that into the way they work or within themselves.

Moreover, even after crossing all those things off the list, If you don’t feel safe, connected or intuitively at ease with them, you won't get the most out of your session. Trust your feeling.

Recommendation: The best way to approach finding the right Practitioner for you, is to get a feel for them via their website and testimonials. Even better, reach out to connect with them directly before booking in a session if you feel that will help you determine your connection. And always trust your instinct - it truly is your greatest guide!

12. BE GUIDED BY YOUR INSTINCT

After considering all the practical factors, from their training and experience to the style of Reiki they offer, it’s just as important to tune into your own instinct.

Notice how you feel when exploring their website, reading their reviews and when speaking to them (if you decide to reach out to them before making an appointment).

Do you feel safe, at ease, or drawn to them? Do you get a sense of their warmth and integrity?

Our bodies often register truth before our minds do. While credentials matter, the energetic connection between you and the Practitioner plays a significant role in the effectiveness of your healing experience.

Recommendation: Tune in to your body and inner voice - trust your instinct - it’s often the most reliable guide.

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13. PRICING, VALUE & UNIQUENESS OF OFFERING

Session prices can vary substantially. When assessing your investment for a session, look at the value more than cost. Consider the above factors when assessing value as well whether the price is for the hour or more.