In this form of natural healing, practitioners act as a channel through which 'Reiki energy' is drawn to areas of need or imbalance

The word 'Reiki' is derived from the Japanese rei ('universal') and ki ('life energy'). Reiki (pronounced 'ray-key') was founded in the early 20th century by Sensei Mikao Usui, a Japanese theologian who studied ancient healing practices throughout his entire life. Reiki passed to the West via Usui's pupil, Sensei Chujiro Hayashi, and his student Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman living in Hawaii in the 1970s. There are now said to be millions of initiates across Europe, Australasia and the Americas.

How does it work?

Reiki dissolves energy blockages that can lead to pathology in the body. Channelling cosmic reiki energy is also said to benefit the practitioner who is helped to achieve well-being and higher consciousness.

Students are 'attuned' to Reiki through the use of ancient and secret symbols in a series of stages that may take many months or even years. Those who reach the final level, and integrate daily spiritual practices into their own lives, are qualified to teach Reiki and are known as Reiki Masters.

In 2003, Jaime Tanna felt drawn to learn about Reiki after a series of testing life situations. The media company he worked for relocated far away, his back was injured in a road traffic accident and his father fell critically ill.

Reiki helped him regain his sense of balance physically, emotionally and mentally and now Jaime is an established Reiki Master with his own practice at www.energytherapy.biz. He has healed his own body, no longer experiencing any physical pain or problems from before, and his father has regained his health and been given a new perspective on life.

Jaime reminds us: 'Today, many of us have been socialised to rely purely on Western Medicine which sees the body as a complex machine, whose parts need fixing from time to time.

We have allowed ourselves to become separated from our own truth and because we give our power away so often, we struggle to regain our health and self-esteem when faced with a major illness. Anxiety and worry are the norm.'

'When we are in a state of wellbeing or sound health, we can say that the body is emitting an overall harmonic of health. However, when there is a frequency in our body that is counter to our health, it creates disharmony which often results in dis-ease.'

'I now use my energy skills to keep myself in balance and assist others in their own healing journeys. I love the work I do and feel passionate about sharing this applied knowledge with others.'

What to expect

At the beginning of your first Reiki healing session, a responsible practitioner will run through a brief health consultation with you.

To receive Reiki, you will usually be asked lie fully clothed on a treatment table, but you may prefer to sit on a chair if that is more comfortable for you. The Reiki practitioner balances your chakras, or 'energy centres', by working intuitively to sense any imbalances in the physical and etheric fields, thereby helping the physical body to heal itself.

Reiki has been proven to bring rapid results. However, the channelled energy is said to 'work for the highest good'. This means, for example, that while you may not receive the immediate physical cure you hoped for, you could find that emotionally and spiritually you come to terms with the situation.

Healing signs

Generally, people report feeling very relaxed and peaceful after a Reiki treatment. While Reiki is generally very beneficial on all levels, it is useful to let your doctor know if you are receiving any sort of complementary therapy.

Jo Wadeson, from London, was treated by Reiki Master Jaime Tanna. She says: 'The experiences I've had have been truly amazing and life transforming. I was searching for something, I wasn't even sure what it was.

'Something to help the anxiety, ease the tiredness and the general pain of living, something to re-vitalise me. With Reiki I have found what I was looking for. I feel much more in touch with myself and the world.'

How much does it cost?

A full Reiki treatment usually lasts 60–90 minutes. Prices vary according to location, but average £30–£60.

How can I find it?

Practitioners may practise after passing the second stage of training, called Reiki Second Degree. The following provide information about finding a practitioner or becoming a healer.

The UK Reiki Federation
UK Reiki Federation, PO Box 71, Andover, SP11 9WQ

Established in 1999, the UK Reiki Federation is one of the largest independent Reiki organisations, renowned for its standards of excellence in the practice of Reiki.
www.reikifed.co.uk/

Discover more about Reiki through Jaime Tanna, Reiki Master and Founder of Energy Therapy, www.energytherapy.biz, registered with the UK Reiki Federation and on the Master Teacher List of Registered Practitioners.

You can also visit the Complementary Therapists Association
PO Box 6955, Towcester, NN12 6WZ www.complementary.assoc.org.uk