What to expect from your Reiki I (First Degree) Course
This website is one of several that include information about Reiki
Masters who teach Courses / Workshops.
It is a good idea to contact anyone from whom you may be interested
in learning Reiki and talk with him/her before deciding whether
to proceed with training. Also read any available literature about
the course or workshop you are considering.
This is especially valuable if the person has not been recommended
to you by one of more of his/her students.
Reiki courses are also available at many Schools and Colleges that
offer a range of courses in different therapies. In these cases
it may or may not be possible to speak with the Reiki Master in
advance, though it is usually possible to speak with others such
as his/her previous students.
This page includes general information about the material that
is usually included in Reiki I courses.
It is intended as a starting point for anyone considering such a
course (from any Reiki Master), and may help prospective students
to understand the material offered and so discuss course content
more easily with the Reiki Masters they approach.
Why some people are not sure what to expect prior to
their Reiki I Course / Training
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Many people find it difficult to describe and explain Reiki.
One reason for this is that Reiki is an energy that is more
naturally conveyed by experience than in the form of words,
or even pictures.
This does not mean that words, pictures, symbols, sounds,
and other representations are not useful. All of these have
valuable roles to play, although they may not be the best
or easiest way in which to begin to appreciate Reiki.
People choose to learn Reiki and so receive Reiki I attunements
for a variety of reasons, and with different amounts of information
about what to expect. For example, some may simply have experienced
Reiki at a "Health and Well-being" Show/Event and
then chosen to learn this themselves - possibly without the
contact information of the person/group their treatment was
received from.
In addition, there is still much confusion about Reiki, and,
unfortunately, mis-information is in circulation.
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Typical course content for a Reiki I Workshop
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The following elements are usually included in Reiki I courses.
Topic / Component of Course
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Explanations
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Introductory Session
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Reiki Master's own Terms and Conditions of Teaching
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Some Reiki Masters will teach anyone (without conditions),
while others ask their students to make promises concerning
how they will use Reiki energy and/or how much money
they will charge for treatments and/or attunements (in
the case of Reiki 3 Courses).
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Introductions of group members to each other
(if the course is being taught to a group rather than
an individual)
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The individual attention gained from learning alone,
or in a very small group may be beneficial. Conversely,
learning with others has the benefit of sharing experiences.
The choice is one of personal preference.
In the case of group courses it is both polite and helpful
to meet the other participants early in the day, and
establish rapport.
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Summary/discussion of what Reiki is, what participants
may expect, and the timetable and format for the course/workshop
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This is essential because misunderstandings are possible
and it is easier for all if common understanding is
established as soon as possible. (Even if everyone is
well-informed, the Reiki Master is likely to wish to
confirm this so that he/she is sure that everyone feels
as confident and at ease as possible.)
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Basic Theory of Reiki
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Description of the traditional version of the Story
of the History of Reiki, that is the story of the re-discovery
of Reiki by Dr Mikao Usui in the late nineteenth century.
Click here
to read this traditional story.
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It is necessary to be familiar with this story in order
to fully appreciate what Reiki is, as it is known today.
Knowledge of this is also a reasonable expectation of
anyone who has received training in Reiki.
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The Five Principles of Reiki feature in the Traditional
Version of the Reiki Story.
Some Reiki Masters may re-visit these seperately to
emphasize their importance, discuss modern interpretations
and answer any questions about these.
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The Five Principles of Reiki feature in all of the
literature about this method of healing so trained practitioners
can reasonably be expected to be familiar with them.
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Explanation of the method / structure by which Reiki
is taught.
This may include a summary of the Levels:
I, II, III (Practitioner) and III (Teacher),
what is taught at each stage, and the experience the
Master advises as appropriate between each of the Levels
/ sets of Attunements.
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This may be well-known to some students, but assuming
knowledge may cause the members of the group who do
not already have the information to feel lost, confused,
or irritated (especially if it appears to themthat that
prior study was expected and they were not advised of
this).
This is why some Masters prefer to at least summarise
all the key points to ensure that no-one feels left-out
as the day progresses.
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General questions and discussion about Reiki before
proceeding to the attunements.
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The Reiki Master may wish to confirm that everyone
now understands what Reiki is and is actively choosing
to receive Reiki I attunements.
This is also a useful stage at which to include an
opportunity for general discussion and questions.
Popular topics include the participation of Reiki Guides
and how to sense and communicate with them. Other discussion
topics include channelling Reiki without the receipients
request or knowledge, which may lead on to discussion
of Reiki for animals, plants, spaces, circumstances
and so on ... The views and explanations given by Reiki
Masters may of course vary according to the individual
and his/her own guidance and experiences.
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Reiki I Attunements
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Reiki I attunements (may be performed in two parts),
according to the form of Reiki being taught, and the
preference of the Reiki Master.
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The Reiki Master will say something about the attunement
process and explain exactly what he/she would like participants
to do and when.
Attunements may be carried out individually or in small
groups of up to four people.
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Discussion and sharing of experiences of the attunements
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This may be included in the case of courses for groups
as it may be a helpful way of demonstrating the variety
of experiences among different members of the group.
Conversely, some Reiki Masters do not encourage too
much focus on this in case:
(i) anyone who experienced very little is then disappointed
when hearing others' more elabourate accounts, and/or
(ii) some people prefer not to describe their experiences
initially, but rather to reflect on and assimilate them
personally in the first instance.
Experiences do vary and there is no "right"
or "wrong".
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Reiki Treatments - either self-treatments or treating
other members of the group
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There is usually much enthusiasm to begin as soon as
the attunments are completed and this is to be encouraged.
Channeling Reiki is an essential stage in completing
the attunement process and so generally takes place
as soon afterwards as possible.
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Discussion and sharing of experiences following initial
Reiki Healing exercise
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This is usually spontaneous !
It is useful to describe ones experience of channeling
Reiki energy and to hear others' initial reactions.
This helps students to articulate their sensations,
and the discussion process of expressing these to others
and hearing their accounts is a valuable way for all
members of the group to validate their experiences and
so feel more confident.
This is important for many reasons, one of which is
that as Reiki Practitioners students will be asked about
their experiences of channeling this energy. Most people
find it easier to answer such questions when they also
have awareness of how others describe their experiences.
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Reiki Treatments
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Learning the Reiki Hand positions/sequences for treatments.
The actual positions and sequences may vary between
Reiki Masters. Some courses include two sequences of
hand positions - one for self-treatments (usually seated),
and another for treating others (usually with the client
in a reclined position, perhaps also turning-over part-way
through).
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The actual hand-positions and the order in which they
are used does not matter. However, there are many reasons
why it is useful to learn and use such a sequence, at
least initially.
These reasons include:
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The discipline of following a set sequence of
positions means that new Reiki Practitioners need
not think about choosing where they are placing
their hands or why. This helps to release all
concentration to focus on the sensations of channeling
this energy, which is most appropriate and will
eventually guide the Reiki Practitioner to concentrate
the energy as needed, perhaps then spending more
time on some positions than others, and later
just using hand positions as energetically directed.
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Managing the timing of treatments may be a challenge
for new practitioners.
This is simplified when there are a fixed number
of positions, each to receive the same period
of time. It is then easier to gauge the timing
on each position (with practice during the course)
so that a whole treatment can then be given, with
reasonably good time keeping, without the practitioner
having to give much concious attention to this
aspect of the treatment.
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It is important to do regular self-treatments
to build-up and maintain ones own energy. Channelling
energy to different positions on the body may
give rise to subtly different sensations. By regularly
following the routine taught during a Reiki I
course new practitioners can ensure that they
experience the widest range of sensations that
are assosiated with their own energy-balancing
needs. This is helpful for later discussing others'
sensations when clients ask, describe, or wish
to discuss these.
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It is helpful for students to learn two routines
(perhaps the first on Day 1 and the other on Day
2 if the course takes place over two days).
This is because it is then easier for the students
to adapt treatments themselves later to accomodate
whatever circumstances they encounter.
For example, some clients may be physically unable
to use a treatment couch and so may prefer to
receive seated treatments.
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Practice and Discussion of the Hand Position Sequences.
Discussion and sharing of individuals' experiences of
this part of the course.
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Practice, familarisation and discussion with others
are all vital aspects of the learning process. It is
most helpful for students to do this as a group and
with the benefit of supervision and advice from the
Reiki Master as soon as possible.
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Discussion and possibly practice of channeling Hands-On
Reiki for Animals, Plants, Trees and Crystals.
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Reiki Practitioners are occasionally asked about Reiki
treatments for non-human receipients and so it is useful
to include at least some discussion about this as part
of Reiki I courses.
Including practice of such Reiki Treatments (where
possible) is also useful because it enables group members
to discuss their experiences. Such discussions often
help people to better appreciate and articulate their
own experiences, to establish further rapport with other
members of the group (with whom they may wish to stay
in touch), and may also make their initial experiences
more memorable.
However, it may not be possible to include a practical
element to this part of the course - for example if
there are no small domestic animals (such as willing
dogs or cats) available, or if any member of the group
objects to or is allergic to such animals.
Alternatively or in addition, the group may work with
plants (if available) or trees (if available and weather
permitting).
It is usually possible to include some simple work with
crystals.
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Other General Topics
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Other Useful Information
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Reiki Groups, Associations, Insurers, and other
ways to network with other Reiki Practitioners
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Local Events / Reiki Shares / Healing Groups
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Related interest groups, courses, meetings, and
similar.
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Recommended books, websites, and other resources.
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There are many practical topics to mention about using
and continuing an interest in Reiki.
These include how to meet and stay in touch with others
who share this interest. There are also the subjects
of further training and insurance (for those interested
in treating other than themselves and their immediate
family and friends).
While information about these is not essential for
a Reiki I course, such topics are often included towards
the end of the session - either as a planned element
of the course, or in response to questions from students.
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And at the End ...
Most Reiki Masters present their students with Certificates
stating that they have received Reiki I Attunements
and associated training.
Most Reiki Masters also provide their students with
handouts and/or a manual to keep and use to revise any
aspects of the course that they may wish to
re-read later.
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In many cases, members of Reiki I Course Groups keep
in touch with each other.
The end of the course is an important last chance to
swap contact details with new friends.
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It is emphasised that the above is just a summary of typical
components of basic Reiki I courses.
Individual Reiki Masters may include other elements and/or
omit some of the above.
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Other Elements that may be included:
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Other topics included in Reiki I courses may include some
or all of the following - which are closely associated with
Reiki:
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Space-Clearing Techniques
These may be used in preparation for giving attunements
and/or treatments.
Techniques may include the use of incense, smudge sticks,
tibetan bowls, cymbals, clapping into the corners of
rooms, essential oils, flower and/or other essences,
meditation or other approaches.
Not all Masters/Practitioners use any of these, those
that do tend to have a preference for one or two such
techniques and may explain them to to group.
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Basic "Energy Medicine"
may include discussion/demonstrations of Auras and Chakras.
(Auras have many layers and can have various colours.
There are a series of chakras located in a vertical
line approximately along the spine, there are colours
and other associations with each of these.)
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Meditation, Visualisations and Mental Imaging Techniques
are likely to be incorporated into most Reiki I Courses
in some way.
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Sensing and Working with Spirit Guides
Some Reiki Masters also practise as Mediums and may
include some information about the spirit guides working
with their students. However, this may or may not be
appropriate in the context of training groups of people
as opposed to individuals.
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Reiki is a wonderful energy to connect with and channel.
Everyone who learns Reiki is drawn to it at a time that is
right for him/herself, and to the teacher he/she is meant
to develop with at that particular point in time. We learn
in many ways - formally, informally, and by experience.
Reiki is a wonderful combination of all of these methods of
gaining experience.
Whatever your Reiki I course includes, and however it is
organised, it is right for you at that time.
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... End of Article ...
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