Reiki: Ancient healing for modern living

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a gentle yet powerful healing technique that channels universal life force energy through the practitioner to the client. The word itself comes from Japanese:

Rei – “Universal” or “Divine Source”
Ki – “Life Force Energy”

This energy flows naturally through all living beings. When our energy is balanced and free-flowing, we feel vibrant, clear, and aligned. When energy is blocked or depleted, it can manifest as physical discomfort, stress, or emotional imbalance. Reiki helps restore harmony by clearing energetic blockages and replenishing the body, mind, and spirit.

A Brief History

Reiki was rediscovered in the early 20th century by Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar and spiritual seeker. After years of study and meditation on Mount Kurama in Japan, Dr. Usui received the ability to channel Reiki healing energy. He dedicated his life to teaching this practice, which has since been passed down through generations and across the globe.

Today, Reiki is practiced worldwide as both a spiritual and therapeutic healing modality. It is often integrated into wellness centers, hospitals, and personal spiritual practices.

How Reiki Works

During a session, the practitioner channels energy by gently placing their hands on or just above the body. Reiki flows naturally where it’s needed most—no force, no pressure. Many clients describe sensations of warmth, tingling, peace, or emotional release.

Each session is unique, but the goal is the same: to activate your body’s innate ability to heal and restore balance.

Benefits of Reiki

Stress Relief & Relaxation: Deeply calms the nervous system, reduces tension, and promotes restful sleep.

Emotional Healing: Helps release grief, trauma, anxiety, or emotional blockages, restoring inner peace.

Physical Support: Soothes headaches, muscle tension, and chronic pain, and can assist recovery from surgery or medical treatments.

Spiritual Alignment: Deepens meditation, strengthens intuition, and creates a greater sense of connection to Source/God/Universe.

Daily Life Balance: Enhances focus and clarity, balances moods and energy levels, and supports mindfulness and presence.

Reiki and Health Conditions

While Reiki is not a substitute for medical care, it complements it beautifully. Many find relief and improved quality of life when Reiki is used alongside treatment for anxiety, stress, or depression, sleep disorders, chronic pain (arthritis, fibromyalgia, migraines), digestive and autoimmune issues, and side effects of chemotherapy or recovery from surgery.