5 Tips For Finding The Best Reiki Practitioner For You
Have you met the right Reiki practitioner?
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock When you're seeking healing energy in the form of a Reiki session, the session should match your needs and preferences. After all, it's your healing session.
Since not all sessions are alike, you need to take the time to speak with a variety of providers to find a Reiki practitioner who's best for you.
Ask questions about their background and what your session will be like, and whether they're a Reiki master or an instructor.
That way, you'll have better chances of finding a practitioner and session that works.
Here are 5 tips on how to find a Reiki practitioner for your Reiki session.
1. Look at the practitioner's qualifications.
Not all practitioners have the same Reiki training. They could have Level I, Level II, or Level III/Master training.
Level I: These practitioners typically integrate Reiki into another primary healing modality such as massage therapy, acupressure, etc. They likely incorporate Reiki to enhance the energetic and healing aspects of these modalities.
Level II: These practitioners will often offer Reiki as a stand-alone modality. I tell my Reiki students that Level II is when a person is ready to be a professional Reiki practitioner.
These practitioners learn additional techniques to facilitate Reiki healing. At this stage, the practitioner moves from being essentially a passive channel to one who calls in different vibrations and qualities of life force energy.
Level III: There are two types of level III practitioners: Master/Practitioner or a Master/Instructor (Master/Teacher). All instructors are practitioners, but not all practitioners are instructors.
Instructors learn how to give attunements. They tend to use more techniques and have a somewhat deeper or broader understanding of Reiki because they have to be able to teach and communicate the concepts and techniques to others.
In addition to their Reiki level, you also need to know the quality of the practitioner's training.
There's enormous variation in the quality of training being offered. The best training includes demonstrations and a lot of practice.
However, some Master/Instructors fly through all the levels in just one or two days. Some opt for online training or just get attunements. Thus, the quality of training makes a big difference in the quality of service.
2. Ask about the practitioner's experience.
Experience definitely counts but "more experience is better" is true only to a point. A practitioner may have been working with energy long before they took a structured class in any form of energy healing.
They may have come to Reiki after studying and practicing other energy healing modalities. Therefore, it's a good idea to ask about their experience and other training.
3. Examine the practitioner's capacity and demeanor.
People who are sensitive and open tend to be good energy channelers. A healer might also be empathetic and/or intuitive. All of these attributes contribute to the quality of the healing.
Testimonials can often give you clues. They can also indicate whether the practitioner is a natural healer: innately ethical, compassionate, supportive, and preceptive.
Choose a practitioner who you like, and with whom you feel comfortable. Ask yourself if this person seems truly interested in supporting you, or are they more focused on what they claim they can do and their ego.
4. Find out the type of Reiki classes offered.
Many people are surprised to learn that there are many forms of Reiki. The most common include Western Usui, Eastern Usui or Traditional Usui, and Usui/Tibetan, just to mention some of the more well-known forms.
The most common form of Reiki, especially in the United States, is Western Usui.
Some Reiki practitioners are trained in any one or more of these forms of Reiki. And, the term "Usui Reiki" is used to describe any one of these forms of Usui: Western, Eastern, Tibetan, etc.
While all forms of Reiki are healing, the energy may feel somewhat different, particularly for someone who is quite sensitive, open, and more familiar with energy healing.
If you're curious about a particular form of Reiki or know what you prefer, find a practitioner who offers that.
5. What is the Reiki session process like?
Practitioners typically request that clients fill out intake forms, sign disclaimers, and discuss their current health status and intentions for the session. An intake may include questions related to your healing intentions.
While it's common for Reiki to be practiced off or above the client’s body and in the client's aura, a light touch or "laying of the hands" is not uncommon.
If you have a preference when it comes to Reiki hand positions, make sure to communicate that, even if the practitioner neglects to ask.
Most practitioners set a calm, quiet space for the session. The light is usually kept low. Candles and salt (selenite) lamps are common. Many offer music like New Age, relaxation, nature, spacey, dreamy, spa, or spiritual.
More significant is the communication between the practitioner and client. Some healers believe that Reiki should be offered in complete silence. In this case, no music and no talking.
Even at the end of the session, a client might not receive any insights. This is not my preference and practice.
As Reiki is self-healing, I prefer to engage my clients and share my experience with them so that they reflect and integrate.
Many practitioners will combine Reiki with other modalities.
Some incorporate healing crystals and essential oils. They may bring in other energy or healing practices like Lightarian, chakra therapy, shamanism, etc. They may add drums or singing bowls.
Don't be afraid to ask questions and voice your preferences.
Reiki is a self-healing modality. Therefore, the more comfortable and engaged you are, the more healing you'll receive.
If you're feeling uncomfortable, you'll be less open and less receptive to the healing. This doesn't mean you won't receive healing energy. You will.
It's just that the more open you are, the more you receive, and the more able you are to integrate the healing.
All of these things make it very important to find a Reiki practitioner that's right for you in the first place, so that you can be as comfortable as possible and receive the greatest possible benefit.
Patricia Bonnard, Ph.D., ACC is a certified International Coaching Federation (ICF) leadership coach and a certified Martha Beck life coach. For more information, contact her or visit her website.