Types of Reiki
Reiki is a Japanese term, and if you search for “types of reiki” or what it means, you might get a couple of different answers. Wikipedia, states the translation of “Reiki” to English is “mysterious atmosphere, miraculous sign.” The International House of Reiki states the common translations are “universal energy” or “spiritual energy.” Traditionally, people wrote Reiki in Japanese symbols called Kanji. The symbols have evolved and changed since they were first written, which is likely why the translation varies amongst users.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a form of alternative healing and medicine. Scholars believe it to have originated from Japan. This alternative style of healing is a form of massage that focuses on bringing peace to the mind so the body can heal.
Reiki is not just a massage though, there are many different elements in the practice of Reiki that separate it from a traditional massage. The purpose and function of Reiki is to move and transfer energy around the body. People who practice it believe Reiki promotes relaxation and healing through transferring positive energy into the body. Reiki has had so much success in promoting healing that many hospitals in the United States even use it as a complement to other medical treatments and therapies.
What are the Origins of Reiki?
The history of Reiki goes further back than what is documented. (Not to mention what you could easily find on an online search engine.) Most sources state that Mikao Usui created reiki in 1922. However, other sources, such as The International Center for Reiki Training, record a different history. They say that there were already people practicing various forms of reiki in Japan when Mikao Usui developed Usui Reiki.
Today, Usui Reiki is one of the most popular and widely known forms of Reiki. This is probably because Mikao Usui was very intentional about sharing his gift. He wanted to train others to become Reiki masters, and he believed the healing power should be shared to benefit everyone.
What are the Different Forms of Reiki Massage?
According to the International Center for Reiki Training, there are several types of Reiki, but all Reiki must have the same four qualities. Those qualities are:
- Doing Reiki comes from the kinesthetic and emotional sensing of Reiki. It is not taught, but rather felt through attunement.
- The technique of the Reiki has a lineage that has been passed down.
- The understanding that the energy from Reiki is not coming from the person performing Reiki, but rather a higher power.
- Reiki does no harm.
Any technique that posses those four qualities, can then be called Reiki. Because of this, there are many different types of Reiki. The different types of Reiki focus on different types of healing and ailments. Some types of Reiki may focus on healing addiction, while others may focus on mental, physical, or spiritual healing. While the general goal of Reiki is promote the bonding of all these elements through positive energy, there are different methods to obtain that goal that focus on the specific need of the individual.
What is Reiki Good for?
When Reiki was gaining popularity in the early 1900’s, it was promoted as a form of healing for all sorts of ailments. While science and medicine has progressed drastically in the last century, Reiki is still used in medicine today. According to Cleveland clinic Reiki is often prescribed to patients as a therapy to aid in healing. Physicians recognize that reducing stress, promoting relaxation, increasing energy levels, and promoting a positive well-being, are all extremely important in promoting healing. Stress and anxiety are known to slow healing and are even tied to certain diseases. Research has shown time and again, that reducing stress and anxiety greatly increases the odds of someone healing and recovering from illness and injury.
How to use Reiki for Yourself?
Reiki does not have to be done by another person. However, if you’ve never experienced reiki, you might want to visit someone who practices Reiki so you can get an idea what it’s like. Remember, what separates Reiki from other similar methods is a person’s attunement to Reiki. If you are not attuned to Reiki, and you have not been taught by someone who performs Reiki, then you are not performing true Reiki.
Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic gives great tips on how to preform Reiki on yourself. Some of the tips they mention include:
- Get in the Reiki mindset. Reiki is about energy that already exists inside of you, focus on moving that energy into positive energy.
- Perform Reiki daily.
- Start with 20 minutes of self-treatment twice a day, and increase the duration of time if you want to.
- Be consistent in where you perform Reiki. Think of this like Pavlov’s dogs experiment. If you place yourself in the same room each day, and perform a relaxation technique each time you’re in the room, you will find yourself in a relaxed mindset upon entering the room. Your energy will transform.
You will notice when performing Reiki, the motion and placement of your hand has the energy moving downward throughout your body. You will start at your head, and begin moving down, and end at your feet. This will bring relaxation throughout your whole body.
How does Reiki Work?
Reiki focuses on breaking apart the negative energy flowing through your body by stimulating positive energy. Negative thoughts and feelings create negative energy, and affects the life force flowing through your body. By replacing that negative energy, with positive energy, your body’s life force is able to heal the physical body.
This is not an uncommon belief, even in the medical field. Many medical organizations recognize that stress and negative emotions negatively impact the healing process and causes it slow down. When the body experiences stress, it is using energy to cope with the stress. As a result, it takes energy away from the energy it needs to heal. Reiki promotes relaxation and calmness. Thus, allowing the healing energy to flow to the areas it is most needed. Instead of being slowed down by stress and negative emotions, reiki opens up healing.
Conclusions on the Types of Reiki
In summary, there are a lot of different subtypes of Reiki. This is because many people have attuned themselves to Reiki. Thus, they have developed many forms of Reiki that is healing and possesses the four necessary traits. It’s impossible to determine what form of Reiki is best. Moreover, we cannot even truly determine how many forms of Reiki exist.
Finally, around 900 U.S. hospitals use reiki as a complementary therapy service. These hospitals use reiki in conjunction with other therapies and treatments. Reiki helps relax the body and transfer positive energy throughout the body, pushing out negatives energy and promoting healing.
