A gentle introduction
The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Reiki
What universal life force energy actually is, the story of the man who founded modern Reiki, and a realistic walkthrough of what happens in your very first session.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese healing technique based on the idea that a practitioner can channel energy into a client through gentle touch, activating the body’s natural healing processes and restoring physical and emotional wellbeing.
Together, Reiki roughly translates to “universal life force energy.” It’s the same concept behind many Eastern health traditions — qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine, prana in Ayurveda.
The belief across all of these systems is the same: a vital energy flows through every living thing, and when it becomes low, blocked or unbalanced, we experience it as stress, illness or fatigue. A Reiki practitioner is trained to act as a channel for this energy, using light touch — or hands held just above the body — to help clear blockages and support the body back towards balance.
It’s worth being clear about what Reiki isn’t. It’s not a religion, it needs no particular belief system to receive, and it isn’t a substitute for medical treatment. Most practitioners treat it as a complementary therapy — something used alongside conventional healthcare to support relaxation and wellbeing, not replace medical advice.
The History of Reiki: Mikao Usui’s Story
Modern Reiki has a surprisingly recent and well-documented origin, tracing back to one man in early 20th-century Japan.
Mikao Usui is born
A spiritual seeker throughout his life, Usui studied elements of Buddhism, martial arts and traditional medicine long before Reiki took shape.
A retreat on Mount Kurama
Reiki tradition holds that Usui undertook a period of intense meditation and fasting on this sacred mountain near Kyoto, and experienced a profound spiritual awakening that gave him both the understanding and ability to channel healing energy through touch.
The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai
Usui founded this society in Tokyo, formally teaching his method — the Usui Reiki Ryoho — to a growing circle of students.
Chujiro Hayashi refines the system
A former naval officer and one of Usui’s most significant students, Hayashi shaped the teachings into a more structured, clinical system and opened his own Reiki clinic.
Hawayo Takata carries it West
Takata, a Japanese-American woman, was treated at Hayashi’s clinic while seeking help for a health condition, trained as a Reiki Master, and later taught for decades across Hawaii and the American mainland. Nearly every Western Reiki lineage today traces back through her teaching line.
Reiki has since evolved into several branches — Usui Reiki, Karuna Reiki, and various hybrid systems — but nearly all of them honour Mikao Usui as its founder.
What to Expect During Your First Session
Walking into your first Reiki appointment can feel unfamiliar if you don’t know what’s coming. Here’s a realistic walkthrough.
Most practitioners open with a brief, informal chat — why you’re seeking Reiki, any physical conditions or sensitivities, and whether you’ve had it before. It’s a good moment to ask questions or mention if you’d prefer hands held above the body rather than direct touch.
You’ll lie down fully clothed on a massage-style table while the practitioner places their hands gently on or just above different areas of your body — typically starting at the head and moving towards the feet, pausing several minutes at each position. A full session usually runs 30–60 minutes. Sensations vary widely:
- Gentle warmth or tingling where hands are placed
- Deep relaxation, sometimes drifting into light sleep
- Emotional release, such as sudden tearfulness — a normal part of processing stored tension
- Visualising colours, or heightened awareness of your own breath
- Feeling very little at all, which is equally normal
You’ll usually be given a moment before sitting up. It’s common to feel deeply relaxed, mentally clearer, or thirsty — many practitioners recommend water afterwards. Some effects continue unfolding over the following day or two rather than all at once.
Is Reiki Right for You?
Reiki is generally considered a gentle, non-invasive practice suitable for most people, and it’s typically used alongside — never in place of — conventional medical or mental health care. If you’re currently being treated for a health condition, it’s worth mentioning Reiki to your practitioner or GP simply so they have the full picture.
Many first-time clients describe their initial session as simply a deeply relaxing experience: a chance to switch off, breathe, and give the nervous system a break. Going in with curiosity and an open mind is really all that’s needed.