What is Reiki

Mikao Usui established Reiki in the early 1900s in Japan.  Many stories and books have been published and the background and history of Reiki is fascinating, to say the least. The original name for Usui Reiki Ryoho is Shin Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho. The translation of this is “For the improvement of body and soul/spirit soul energy healing system”. It is based on the understanding that the body is such an amazing and has its own healing abilities…if we work with it and not against it.  Usui sensei (teacher) taught this technique to several key people. Among the most prominent was a Naval Doctor, Churjiro Hayashi. He taught several the same techniques. Among them are two key people who would make it possible that this continues: Chiyoko Yamaguchi and Hawayo Takata. These two people would be the key to current Reiki practices.

We hear a lot about healing and energy these days. This tends to make people think of some new-age jargon. Well, it actually isn’t. Natural health and Naturopathy is based on the wellness of the body utilizing natural methods. The body is made up of energy. Fluid and blood flows through the body, thus the energy analysis. Free flowing is movement and movement is energy. Yes? Take a broken leg for example. When the leg is put into a cast, the bone heals and later on x-rays, the fracture may not even be seen. This actually was the case with our grandbaby. The correct environment, well, the doctor puts on the cast and the injured area is rested. When we get a cut, the bleeding stops and the cut heals. Of course, I am not talking of extreme cases. But I am sure that you have your own examples of how the body can take over and heal some conditions. We give the body correct environment and the results are amazing. So, you see the concept of energy isn’t new but old. Utilizing natural substances isn’t new-but old. My grandmother used a poultice when I got a bug bite or a bee sting. She also put hands on my body where I had an injury or pain.

So, let’s talk about Reiki. Reiki uses a gentle hands-on technique that is used to promote a very deep relaxed state of the body. This deeply relaxed state of the body, gives the body the rest it so frequently needs.

Western Reiki was presented by Takata. She was a student of Hayashi sensei in Japan, then returned to her home in Hawaii after experiencing a complete recovery while in Japan. She studied with Hayashi sensei at his Reiki Clinic in Japan. This was the birth of Western Reiki. When Mrs. Takata returned to the United States, she hosted Reiki seminars hosting Hayashi sensei. We know this from the archived records from the Hawaiian Hochi (newspapers). This was the birth of Western Reiki. Western Reiki  spread rapidly in the states. However, more and more things were added and more and more were eliminated from the original teachings.

Our mission was and continues to be-bring the purest teachings of Mikao Usui and Traditional Reiki: Jikiden Reiki®. By the most beautiful means, Jikiden Reiki® was brought into our lives.

In my opinion, Jikiden Reiki® is the most traditional since its roots are from Usui Sensei (teacher) to Hayashi Sensei to Chiyoko Sensei. Chiyoko Sensei began Jikiden Reiki® with her son, Tadao Yamaguchi. This organization continues to train practitioners and teachers (Shihan). What was once thought of only a practice from the US, it was found to be practiced in Japan in its original content by Chiyoko sensei for 65 years. This organization chose to “register” to keep this beautiful and traditional practice in tact without Western influence. We are, out of respect, teaching this beautiful and beneficial technique. Students will be schooled in tradition and culture so we can better understand its benefits.

Reiki can provide a sense of deep relaxation, reduce stress, facilitate the relief of pain, work with original cause, and assist the body in releasing toxins. Reiki complements traditional medicine or treatments and can enhance the effectiveness of these methods – without interference. Reiki has no contraindications and is a safe practice for all.

By the early 2000s, over 800 hospitals and thousands of clinical environments offer Usui Reiki Ryoho within the Integrative Care System. More and more are beginning to offer Reiki within the environments as Reiki studies presents its benefits within the Integrative Care System.

Research regarding the effects of Reiki is in the early stages. However, studies have shown that Reiki CAN decrease fatigue and improve quality of life for cancer patients. Reiki has also been shown to bring about both physical and psychological relaxation in healthy adults experiencing stress. Studies on therapeutic touch, a similar form of relaxing touch therapy, have shown decreased levels of anxiety in hospital patients, improved circulation measures, decreased length of stay, and fewer complications. Reiki is safe, with no side effects. The Reiki Center has conducted its own small scale survey as to the benefits of Jikiden Reiki®. The results are fascinating.