FAQs About Reikiwith Margaret Ann Case, BA, Reiki Master, RPP, Director of Reiki Arts Continuum and the Reiki professional training programs at the NY Open Center
If you have additional Reiki questions for Margaret Ann, use the contact tab on the home page of www.ReikiArtsContinuum.com. ------------------------------------
WHAT IS REIKI?
Reiki is a word that describes two things: (1) spiritual energy, and (2) a system of natural healing. The word “reiki” comes from two Japanese characters: “rei” meaning spiritual and “ki” meaning energy. Reiki originated in Japan during the early part of the 20th century. Its founder, Mikao Usui, was a Buddhist monk and originally taught Reiki as a system of spiritual development that eventually led to the practice of hands-on healing. Gradually it became codified into the system of practices and hands-on techniques that we are familiar with today. Reiki is not so much about “doing” as it is about “receiving” and being in natural, optimum alignment. Reiki daily self-care and spiritual centering practices are an important and integral part of a Reiki System Practitioner’s personal and spiritual growth. In Reiki training, (1) your natural ability to receive and transmit spiritual energy is amplified and enhanced, (2) you learn spiritual centering practices for personal growth and spiritual development, and (3) you are taught hands-on techniques for applying reiki (“spiritual energy”) for yourself and for others.
WHEN DID REIKI COME TO THE WEST?
Reiki came to the West in 1936, and from there it has traveled around the world. It remains one of the most popular healing modalities available, and is increasingly used in hospitals, hospices, spas, wellness centers, and in private practice.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF REIKI?
The Reiki System of Natural Healing helps reduce stress, relieve pain, balance emotions, enhance mental clarity, and facilitate personal and spiritual growth. Reiki balances the physical body system and the biofield in and around the body. It is intelligent, self-organizing and accumulative in its benefits. The Reiki System also accelerates and supports the body’s natural healing processes, whether in trauma situations or for general prevention and wellness.
HOW IS REIKI APPLIED?
The Reiki System is non-invasive, and practitioners use a soft, light touch on the body – or place their hands above the body – to transmit and focus rei-ki. Reiki System practitioners are conduits for the rei-ki energy (spiritual, transcendent energy) to come through them to the recipient, whether that be the practitioner themselves, another person, animal, plant, or any other thing. Reiki is always administered with recipients fully clothed.
CAN REIKI BE USED ON OTHER THINGS BESIDES PEOPLE?
Yes. The Reiki System also can be used with plants and animals, on food and water, as well as to clear rooms. Once you have learned Reiki 1, you can transmit rei-ki energy to anything you can put your hands on. In Reiki 2 you can also transmit rei-ki energy through space and time with what is referred to as ”distance” or “absentee transmission” method. This allows you to transmit rei-ki energy to mental and emotional challenges, as well as goals, projects, the past and the future.
WHAT ARE THE ORIGINS OF REIKI?
The Reiki System traces its origins to ancient Eastern philosophies and mystic knowledge of energetic fields. In the early 20th-century Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk, unified this knowledge into the practical and easily-applied technique that he called the Reiki System of Natural Healing. The Reiki System came from Japan to the West where it has been practiced since 1936.
WHO CAN LEARN REIKI?
Anyone can learn the Reiki System of Natural Healing. It is equally valuable for health professionals and laypeople alike, children and adults. Reiki 1 and 2 training emphasizes personal practice, and is for anyone who wishes to access their innate healing ability and want support themselves, family and friends with the Reiki System. Advanced Reiki Practitioner and Reiki Master Professional Practitioner training emphasizes: (1) the professional practice of the Reiki System, (2) offering the Reiki System in professional settings, such as spas, wellness centers, hospitals, hospices, etc., and (3) continuing education if you want to administer professional-quality sessions and simply learn more to add to your ability to support others with the Reiki System. Spiritual centering practices are part of Reiki training at all levels.
CAN REIKI BE USED WITH OTHER PRACTICES?
The Reiki System can be used in combination with psychotherapy, massage therapy, many bodywork and movement modalities, chiropractic, acupuncture and other traditional and non-traditional health care. Many practitioners use the Reiki System in conjunction with meditation, yoga and other spiritual practices, as well as on themselves, family and friends.
WILL I RECEIVE CERTIFICATION FOR MY TRAINING?
Certification is available and is given after a certain number of hours of outside practicum. Certification is optional, so you can take classes and additional training without completion of the certification process. However, many students find it is an excellent way to structure their learning process outside of class.
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF REIKI SYSTEM TRAINING?
Not all Reiki training is the same as there is no single nationally or internationally accepted standard of training. It is advisable to ask a teacher or a practitioner about their Reiki training (how long, how many hours, what level of certification, etc.), as well as their years of experience. Standards vary from school to school, teacher to teacher, so even though the titles are the same, the standard of training can be quite different. Please note: The following high standard of training applies only to graduates of Reiki Arts Continuum and the Reiki training at the New York Open Center.
Reiki Arts Continuum REIKI 1 and REIKI 2 certified students have completed 62 hours of training and outside practicum toward certification. They have learned a basic balancing protocol for self, chair, and table, and three symbol thought-forms. Their training is geared toward self-care, personal and spiritual growth, and giving rei-ki to family and friends.
Reiki Arts Continuum ADVANCED REIKI PRACTITIONERS have completed 160 hours of training and outside practicum to receive certification. This level is for those who want to begin practicing as a professional practitioner. Protocols for specific ailments and areas of the body, intuitive development, techniques for application on psychological levels, as well as a greater variety of modes of touch, in addition to the foundational Reiki 1 and 2 techniques.
Reiki Arts Continuum REIKI MASTER PRACTITIONERS have completed 522 hours of training and outside practicum to receive certification. They incorporate all of the above techniques, plus have received training in spiritual healing that includes chakra balancing, aura layer repair and reorganization, additional symbol thought-forms, as well as esoteric healing with color, light and holograms. Counseling, deepening of intuitive skills, self-awareness and healing consciousness processes are emphasized. They are individuals who have dedicated themselves to their own healing and transformation, as well as their clients.
Reiki Arts Continuum REIKI MASTER TEACHERS begin with the 50-hour basic Teacher Training program. There is also 120-hour Teaching Practicum after the basic Teacher Training program for those who want to enhance their teaching skills. In the Teaching Practicum they gain practical experience by helping teach actual Reiki 1 and Reiki 2 classes, and they receive personal, one-on-one mentoring with their Reiki Master Teacher. They have accepted the commitment and responsibility to initiate and train others in the Reiki System of Natural Healing.
WHAT ARE THE LEGALITIES OF PRACTICING REIKI? I
n the State of New York, the Reiki System of Natural Healing is classified as spiritual healing and does not require a license to practice. If you are practicing or wish to practice in another state, you will need to research that state’s requirements.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Reiki System of Natural Healing enhances the natural healing processes of the body-mind continuum. It is not a replacement for any treatment prescribed by a doctor, licensed health care practitioner, or mental health professional. However, it supports and can accelerate such prescribed treatment.
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Margaret Ann Case, BA, Reiki Master, RPP for more than 15 years has been a recognized leader and innovator in the teaching of Reiki and spiritual healing, as well as an esteemed healing practitioner. She is a former business executive, opera singer, and a life-long student of holistic and wisdom traditions. Ms. Case is the founder and director of Reiki Arts Continuum, director of the Reiki professional training programs at the NY Open Center, on the Continuing Education faculty of the Swedish Institute College of Health Sciences, as well as the Advisory Board for TheHolisticOption.com. She maintains a private practice in New York City. Her website is www.ReikiArtsContinuum.com.
Reiki Training: If you are interested in learning Reiki, contact the New York Open Center for more information or to register for a class at 212.219.2527, ext. 2, or online at www.OpenCenter.org. |
