Choosing a Reiki Course
What to ask a teacher, and what a good course should coverStart with why you want to learn
When you decide to take a Reiki course, the most useful first question is why you want to learn. Is it for your own use, or with a view to practising professionally?
Training traditionally begins with Reiki Level 1, which is mainly for personal use, followed by Level 2, the basic level for professional practice. If you would like to practise in a healthcare setting in future, look at an accredited course, which would allow you to apply to register with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC).
There are different styles of Reiki. What matters most is that the teacher has a lineage: a line of teachers leading back to Mikao Usui. A course will include a number of attunements, which are a little like blessings. These should always be given in person.
Questions to ask any teacher
These apply at every level. Make enquiries to a number of teachers before you decide.
- How many class contact (face to face) hours are there?
- Are any additional hours of study required?
- Do they provide a manual?
- Will you need to do case studies (treatments) and, if so, how many?
- Are they insured? Teachers on the UK Reiki Federation listing are insured.
- How long have they been practising Reiki?
- How long have they been teaching Reiki?
- Where are classes held, and is there parking nearby?
- Are they a member of a professional Reiki organisation and, if so, which one?
- Is there anything you need to buy before training?
- What are the requirements, if any, for certification at the end of the course?
- What style of Reiki do they teach?
- What does it cost? A higher price does not necessarily mean a higher quality course.
Courses taught online are not acceptable for professional membership of an organisation.
Talking to a teacher will give you some insight into them. When you think you have found the right one, it may be a good idea to go to them for a Reiki treatment before you train.
Reiki Level 1
What we believe should be taught at the first level
- A description of first level Reiki and its attunements
- The number of attunements (this depends on the style)
- A definition of Reiki
- A Reiki history
- The Reiki principles
- Practical uses of Reiki
- Creating a healing space
- Guidelines for self-treatment, with the opportunity to practise
- An awareness of where Reiki should be used with caution
- Guidelines for giving a seated treatment, with opportunities to practise the hand positions
- Guidelines for giving a full treatment, with opportunities to practise the hand positions
- Recommended reading, and keeping your knowledge up to date
- Codes of ethics
- Written handouts or an instruction manual
- Basic Reiki techniques
- Basic protection and cleansing
- An introduction to meditation (Gassho, Joshin Kokyu Ho)
- Case studies
- A course certificate showing the level, style, name of teacher and date of training
- Arrangements for ongoing mentoring and support
- Lineage
Reiki Level 2
Our guidelines for the second level, taken after Level 1
Reiki 2, taken after Reiki 1, is historically perceived to be sufficient for professional practice.
- A review of prior Reiki learning and development
- A description of second level Reiki and its attunement
- The symbols, their origins, meanings and uses
- Distant healing and its application
- Creating a healing space
- Meditation and creative visualisation, including Hatsu Rei Ho
- Further Reiki techniques
- Protection and cleansing
- Mental and emotional treatments
- Healing and the law
- Recommended reading, and keeping your knowledge up to date
- Awareness of the UK Reiki Federation Codes of Ethics
- Written handouts or an instruction manual
- A course certificate showing the level, style, name of teacher and date of training
- Arrangements for ongoing mentoring and support
- Lineage discussed and provided
- Case studies
Professional practitioner: accredited training
If you wish to practise professionally, and particularly in a healthcare setting, look for an accredited course. Accredited courses follow the Core Curriculum for Reiki (current version November 2023), which sets out the requirements below.
9
months of training
240
hours of study in total
75
documented treatments of other people
10
case studies, each of at least 4 sessions
The 240 hours include 65 guided learning hours with your teacher, at least 40 of them in person, and the course is independently assessed. Each accredited course is different, so ask the listed teacher for the detail of theirs.
If you wish to apply to register with the CNHC after training, the CNHC charges an annual fee.
Ready to find a teacher?
Every teacher on our listing is a qualified, insured member of the UK Reiki Federation. If you need more help, email [email protected] or [email protected].