Long ago (in 2003), I wanted to learn more about energy healing, and at that time, the Usui Reiki system felt like the right place to start. I had already received some training in Bio-energy healing and had been practicing meditation and other spiritual techniques for more than 7 years. As I looked to learn Reiki, I went through the process of choosing a Reiki teacher. How did I do that? Well, here is my list of 5 steps that I’ve used when I was looking for a qualified teacher.
- The name of the course – The name of the Reiki course (style) advertised as being Usui Reiki, should be as close as possible to the original name “Usui Reiki” if Usui Reiki system is what you’re looking to learn). This will indicate that you are close to finding a teacher who will teach you the original Usui Reiki. If the Reiki style has a different name, the teacher should provide an explanation for why the name has been changed.
- Teacher’s experience – Usually, the more students a particular teacher has taught, the more likely the teacher can perform the Reiki attunements (initiations) correctly. An experienced teacher will be able to answer most of your questions and provide many examples from his/her practical experience during the curse.
- The type of training offered – I’ve always preferred to attend a smaller class rather than going into a crowded one where there will be limited time available for direct interaction with the teacher. Getting one-on-one Reiki training is challenging to find these days and should be considered a bonus. Another important aspect is the Reiki attunement, which is the process during which the Reiki teacher will transmit to the student the ability to work with the Reiki energy. It takes a minimum of 15 minutes per student to do it correctly. The bigger the class, the longer it will take to attune all the students. This is where the length of the Reiki course will differ.
- The length of the course – The minimum amount of time for Reiki Level 1 and 2 classes should be 6 to 8 hours. Some teachers may offer two days of training for each Reiki level. This usually happens when the classes are larger than 5 students or when they teach just a few hours each day. While this may allow for more practice time, it is not always the case. Many Reiki schools will teach each Reiki level during a one-day of training, then offer a separate class each month for practicing Reiki. The Reiki Teacher/Master level course should allow for more practice time because the student needs to learn how to perform Reiki attunements.
- Use your intuition – After reading the course ad, the fine prints, talking to the teacher on the phone or through email, looking at the teacher’s picture (if any) – USE your gut feeling, your intuition, to decide. If you feel that something might not be right, keep searching. There are many Reiki teachers out there. Choose one that resonates with you!