Reiki roughly translates as 'universal life force energy'. The word simply means everything we are and everything we can see, touch and experience and more besides. Everything is made of this energy: animals, people, trees, water, rocks, even our emotions and our thoughts.

After a lifetime studying Buddhism, Shintoism, Shugendo and many other Eastern practices Mikao Usui (1865 - 1926) developed a method of connecting with this energy. He taught his students how to use this energy to achieve personal enlightenment. Since then Reiki has developed into a very effective method of healing - on all levels.

What was Reiki all About
Initially, and most importantly, Usui's system was developed in order to help one find ones spiritual path and achieve enlightenment. Treating others was a side issue.

The system was based on living the Reiki Precepts:

Just for today:
I will be free from anger
I will be free from worry
I will humble
I will be honest
I will be compassionate to myself and others

Usui and his students also found that Reiki could soothe tension, ease stress, bring relaxation, relieve pain, release blocked energy, support self healing, restore vital life force, aid in the cleansing toxins and treat imbalances of body, mind and spirit.

Original Reiki (or Usui Do) is simple and uncluttered. It's all about intuition and intention, and as a result it is very powerful. If we accept that we are Reiki, that the universe is Reiki, that we are all one, and that everything is connected, then we should not need to complicate things.

Original Reiki recognises that we all have our own paths to follow. It doesn't indoctrinate its students into a certain religious viewpoint. It doesn't restrict its students in their personal development. It has no leaders, no rules and no rituals.

Original Reiki is liberating. It is very simple to learn, and it gives everyone a firm base from which to grow in whatever direction they choose.

What is this Reiki Energy
We all have energy running through us. The Chinese call this C'hi and the Japanese, Ki. The energy runs through us through meridians. It is these meridians that acupuncturists use when carrying out a treatment. When we are physically ill, or have an emotional upset the flow of energy can get blocked and diminished. An emotional event can cause a physical reaction. We all know how if we are feeling worried about something it can cause pain in our stomach.

Reiki is the energy that flows all around us (and through us) and we can use this to help unblock our meridians and top-up our internal C'hi. Our body knows instinctively how to use this energy. When Reiki hands are placed on or close to the body it recognises this energy and takes what it needs. It then sends it to the place it feels it is needed. In this way there is no way that Reiki can cause harm, as your own body will not deliberately harm you! Using Reiki can speed up our recovery from a physical illness and can help heal emotional past upsets so they no longer affect us.

As to where this energy comes from, well that's up to the individual Reiki student to decide for himself or herself. A Buddhist may feel it comes from 'the source', a Christian may believe it is Gods love, an atheist may decide it is simply physics - energy and vibration. In this way Reiki is compatible with any religious or non-religious view. Reiki is not a religion or a cult, it is simply a way of understanding who and what we are and what part we play in the universe.

What Reiki Isn't
Reiki isn't a magical force outside and apart from us; it isn't about dealing with spirit guides; it isn't about channelling someone else's energy; it isn't about diagnosing diseases; it isn't about crystals, tarot cards, secret symbols or pendulums; it isn't about speaking to the deceased; and it isn't a cult with strange rituals.

A lot of different thoughts and beliefs have leaked into the practice of Reiki since it came to the West. Some practitioners use crystals, some listen to their spirit guides on where to place their hands, some dowse with pendulums. To get a detailed view on how this all came about please go to the Reiki History page.

I don't believe that there is anything wrong with people using different tools to access this energy - if they are using them purely with the best of intentions of course. We all have our own truths after-all. There is no 'one truth', there are lots of different truths. I have taught many people who believe that they have spirit guides for example, and who am I to say that they are wrong. Just because I've never experienced it doesn't mean it doesn't exist. It's just that this is not what Reiki was and is about.

Learning Reiki for Yourself
There are many people and organisations teaching Reiki in this country. Some teach the modern 'Western' Reiki and some teach what they call 'Traditional' Reiki.

We teach the 'Original' Japanese form of Reiki (Usui Do), which is very different from the way that it has ended up being taught and practised here in the West. Again, to see the how these differences came about please go to the Reiki History page.

We approach our courses from the idea that the practice of Reiki is to help one heal oneself and find ones spiritual path towards enlightenment - the original intention of Reiki. Treating others was a side issue of the practice of Reiki but we do also teach you how to treat others, from both a Western and Eastern point of view.

In this way every aspect of both traditions of Reiki are covered so that you have a strong foundation from which you can then make your own Reiki journey.

Please visit the Reiki Courses page for more information.

Does Reiki Really Work?
The following YouTube video shows the work carried out in a Cancer Specialist Hospital in London. You will see doctors, nurses and patients all talking about how Reiki is an essential part of the healing process. Reiki YouTube Video

Having a Reiki Treatment
Reiki practitioners are not healers. Reiki can't be forced onto someone or directed to a particular outcome. We are all made of Reiki and when this energy is placed near or on our mind/body it is us that decides whether to take what we are being offered, and it is us who decides where to best use it. All of this is done on a subconscious/energy level. We don't need to think about it. Reiki goes where it is needed for our highest good.

A practitioner may feel areas where Reiki is needed more (by more heat moving through their hands for example), or may even have an intuition on where to place their hands. They may also be able to tell which type of energy is needed in different places (emotional, physical, spiritual etc) but it is important to remember that the Reiki practitioner is not 'healing' you. You are doing all the healing. The Reiki practitioner is simply a conduit for the Reiki energy.

This means that Reiki cannot possibly hurt you. Your body is controlling the amount of energy it takes and where it sends it, and your body will not purposefully hurt itself.

Generally, treatments are found to be relaxing and comforting. A usual Reiki session lasts about an hour.

Click Here for a list of Reiki Practitioners trained by Bath Reiki. We are happy to offer this list of Recommended Reiki Practitioners as we know that they have been trained to a suitably high standard.