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Energy healing

Reiki

เรกิ

A Japanese practice in which a practitioner rests their hands lightly on, or just above, the body in a calm, quiet setting.

IntensityGentle

Origin

Japan

History

Early 1920s – Mikao Usui founded his Reiki society in Tokyo in April 1922

A session

About 60 minutes

Licence in Thailand

Not required

01

Where it comes from

Reiki comes from Japan. It is traced to Mikao Usui (1865–1926), who, according to the lineage's own accounts, developed the practice after a period of fasting and meditation on Mount Kurama, north of Kyoto, around 1922. In April 1922 he founded a society in Tokyo (Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai) and opened a training hall in Harajuku. His memorial inscription says he taught more than 2,000 people before he died in 1926.

One of his students, Chūjirō Hayashi, a retired naval officer, opened his own centre in Tokyo, the Hayashi Reiki Kenkyūkai, around 1925. It was there that Reiki would later be passed on to the West.

Reiki reached the West through Hawayo Takata (1900–1980), a Japanese-American from Hawaii who studied with Hayashi from December 1935, brought the practice back to Hawaii and later taught on the US mainland from the 1950s. Most of the Reiki taught internationally today descends from this line, alongside Japanese schools that continued separately.

02

The principle

Practitioners believe that a universal 'life energy' can flow through their hands to support the person's own natural ability to heal and relax. The practitioner does not massage or manipulate the body; they simply place their hands in a series of positions.

It is important to know that there is no scientific evidence that this energy field exists, and research has not clearly shown Reiki to be effective for any health condition. What people commonly describe is a feeling of deep rest, warmth or calm, which may come from quiet time, gentle touch and attention rather than from a specific energy.

What people come for

  • To take an hour of quiet rest
  • To relax and let go of everyday tension
  • To feel cared for during a stressful period
  • To explore a meditative, spiritual practice
  • To learn a simple self-practice (Reiki courses are offered in levels)
03

How it works on the body

You stay fully clothed and lie still while the practitioner's hands rest lightly on you or hover just above you.

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04

A session, step by step

  1. 01

    Welcome

    The practitioner asks how you feel and explains what will happen. Mention any health conditions or if you prefer no touch at all.

  2. 02

    Settling in

    You lie on a treatment table, fully clothed, often with a blanket and soft music.

  3. 03

    Hand positions

    The practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above a series of areas, from the head down, holding each for a few minutes.

  4. 04

    Rest

    You are simply invited to rest. Talking is not necessary.

  5. 05

    Closing

    You are given time to come back slowly, then usually a glass of water and a short conversation.

Precautions

  • Reiki does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Never stop or delay a prescribed treatment because of Reiki.
  • If you are dealing with depression, anxiety or trauma, Reiki is not a substitute for care from a qualified mental health professional.
  • Reiki has not been shown to cause harm, but you can always ask for hands-off (hovering) work or stop the session at any time.
  • There is no central authority for the titles 'Reiki practitioner' or 'Reiki master'; ask about the person's training and be wary of anyone promising cures.

Complementary practice: does not replace medical advice.

05

In Thailand

In Thailand, Reiki sessions and courses are offered by independent practitioners, yoga and wellness studios and some retreats, often in English. Thailand licenses practitioners of recognised healing professions under the Practice of the Art of Healing Act B.E. 2542 (1999), and its Department of Thai Traditional and Alternative Medicine (created in 2002) oversees traditional and alternative medicine; we did not find a specific Thai licence or official standard for Reiki, so check each practitioner's training and experience yourself.

Read the full guide →

Frequently asked questions

Is there scientific evidence that Reiki works?

Not clearly. The US National Institutes of Health (NCCIH) states that Reiki has not been clearly shown to be effective for any health purpose, that most studies are of low quality, and that there is no scientific evidence for the energy field it describes. A Cochrane review found insufficient evidence to say whether it helps with anxiety or depression. Many people still find sessions relaxing.

Do I need to undress?

No. You stay fully clothed. Touch is light and non-manipulative, and you can ask for the hands to stay just above the body.

What will I feel?

Experiences vary: warmth, tingling, sleepiness, emotion or simply rest. Feeling nothing special is also common.

Can I learn Reiki myself?

Yes, courses are taught in levels (often called first degree, second degree and master). Training lengths vary widely between teachers, and there is no official standard.

Also in Energy healing

On pranathai

Find a Reiki practitioner

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Sources

  1. NCCIH (US National Institutes of Health) – Reiki
  2. World Religions and Spirituality Project – Usui Reiki Ryōhō timeline
  3. Wikipedia – Reiki
  4. Joyce J, Herbison GP. Reiki for depression and anxiety. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2015 (CD006833)
  5. So PS et al. Touch therapies for pain relief in adults. Cochrane review, 2008 (later withdrawn)
  6. Cleveland Clinic – Energy Healing
  7. The regulation of Chinese medicine in Thailand (Longhua Chinese Medicine journal)