Understanding Reiki

Reiki for relaxation, balance and self-care.

Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes a sense of healing and wellbeing. It is traditionally administered through hands-on or hands-near practice and is based on the concept of an unseen “life force energy” flowing through us.

The word Reiki is commonly explained through two Japanese words — Rei, meaning “universal” or “spiritual”, and Ki, meaning “life force energy”.

A practice for learning and self-care

Reiki is also taught as a self-development practice. The traditional Reiki teaching system describes an “attunement” given by a Reiki master as part of learning, allowing students to develop their own practice and use Reiki for self-care.

The practice is presented as accessible regardless of intellectual capacity or spiritual background. While Reiki is spiritual in nature, it is not a religion and does not require adherence to a particular dogma or belief system.

Because Reiki can be personally meaningful, people may incorporate it into their existing spiritual or reflective practices. The tradition associated with Mikao Usui also emphasizes simple ethical ideals that encourage peace, harmony and compassionate living.