What is Reiki? A Simple Explanation

Reiki is a holistic, energetic healing practice that uses gentle touch to invite deep relaxation, calm and renewed energy. At its core is your energy system: Reiki aims to get your energy flowing, bring your chakras into balance, and support your body's own natural self-healing processes. Reiki originated in Japan and is practised all over the world today.

Where does the idea of life energy come from?

The idea of a life force or subtle energy can be found in many traditions around the world. In Japan, this concept is known as Ki, in Chinese traditions as Qi, and in Indian traditions as Prana. Practices such as Qigong have worked with the concept of life energy for centuries, with the aim of supporting its natural flow.

According to Reiki teachings, Ki is a subtle life energy believed to flow through every living being and to be connected to our wellbeing. Within this understanding, this energy is not limited to the human body, but is seen as part of nature and life itself.

The word Reiki comes from two Japanese syllables, "Rei" and "Ki": "Rei" stands for universal, spiritual energy, and "Ki" for life force. Together, Reiki translates roughly to "universal life energy." Within Reiki tradition, an attunement is understood as the process through which a practitioner becomes connected to Reiki and learns to act as a channel for this universal life energy. Different people name this source in different ways, some call it God, others the Universe, Source, or Goddess. Reiki isn't a religion and isn't tied to one either, the idea of a universal life energy is far older than any single belief system.

Why the attunement is what makes Reiki possible

According to Reiki teachings, it's the attunement, a set ritual within the tradition, that turns simple hands-on touch into the specific practice we know as Reiki. The attunement itself isn't a treatment, rather, it turns the person receiving it into a practitioner. From that point on, it's enough for them to place their hands with the intention of allowing Reiki to flow, or activate the Reiki symbols, for the energy to flow through them into the person being treated.

You could compare a Reiki treatment to a lamp in a house where the electricity is already switched on: when the practitioner places their hands with the intention of allowing Reiki to flow, it's as if the switch is flipped, and the light comes on.

Many people describe deep relaxation, a sense of lightness or renewed energy during or after a Reiki treatment. What someone experiences is very individual, and some people notice subtle sensations while others simply experience a sense of calm. According to the teaching, Reiki works directly with your energy system: it can get your energy flowing, bring your chakras back into balance, and support your body's own self-healing system. Some people also experience Reiki as a form of spiritual healing, a sense of inner connection that goes beyond physical relaxation alone.

According to the teaching, Reiki works holistically: the energy is said to flow wherever it's needed, whether or not the practitioner is consciously aware of it. This includes not just the physical body, but the emotional and energetic level too, since alongside the visible, physical body, many energetic traditions describe further, unseen layers of energy closely connected to our wellbeing.

Who is Reiki for?

You don't need any prior experience or a particular belief in Reiki. Reiki is open to anyone, and what you experience during a treatment is entirely individual. It can feel especially good if you...

• feel stressed, exhausted or restless
• are going through a period of change or transition
• want to feel more connected to yourself again
• want to become more aware of your body and its signals
• are curious what your body and energy system might reveal when you truly tune in
• feel energetically out of balance
• are drawn to spirituality and holistic practices