FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Here are some of the most popular questions I am asked from Students thinking about starting Reiki..

DO I NEED SPECIAL POWERS?

This always makes me chuckle!  Absolutely not, Reiki is so not about "Power" special or otherwise.  To me healing is within all of us, sometimes you just need someone to help you find it.  To make a successful journey you've got to want to help yourself, Reiki is just a method of realising your potential and a path to self-healing.

WHAT IF I CAN'T DO IT?

You will.  I've taught 700 people Reiki and have passed thousands of attunements, the training is really thorough and I make 100% sure you are channelling Reiki properly before I let you loose on anybody :-)

WHY DO I NEED AN ATTUNEMENT?

There are 3 types of healer, Natural Healers - which are few and far between, infact I have only seen one in nearly 8 years of teaching.  Then there are people who think they are natural healers - which unfortunatley there are plently of...lol.  They will have had some result from laying on of hands but will soon feel exhausted and may even duplicate the symptoms of the client (ie, their headache has gone but your head is killing you).  Then there are people like me, with no apparent healing ability at all!  I just needed to be plugged in.

I'M WORRIED ABOUT THE ATTUNEMENT RITUAL, WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO ME?

The attunement process is a ritual/ceremony which enables the student to connect with their own healing ability.  You are not "given" anything during an attunement, the attuning Reiki Teacher acts only as a channel to create a link between you and Reiki.  You are totally safe in this process as only what is already inside you will be activated.  Students report a variety of reactions, usually a feeling of peace, maybe heat or colours.

WHO CAN LEARN REIKI?

Anybody who has an interest in helping themselves and others.  My youngest students are 5 years old, the oldest 81, From every walk of life - Air Hostesses, to Doctors, Physio's, Vicars and midwives.

WHAT IF I HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION?  WILL IT INTERFERE WITH MY MEDICATION?

Reiki is a life promoting energy, you won't come to any harm with Reiki but you may find that your medication lessens after using Reiki. You'll need to discuss this with your Doctor.  If you have any medical conditions, you just need to let me know in advance.  Rarely I will ask for a note from your Doctor before you start the class.  It is important to continue your medication throughout the class and afterwards.  Never stop taking prescribed drugs because you have taken a Reiki class.

IS REIKI A HIPPIE DEVIL WORSHIPPING CULT?

Well, I've been practising Reiki for 12 years and haven't found one yet!  Rumours like this have been made up by people who are ignorant and fearful and have had no experience of Reiki. Reiki has no religious affiliation and there is no commitment to attend support groups, you take as much or as little of it as you like.  However I would have to confess that a lot of hippies do Reiki..lol

I AM A CHRISTIAN, CAN I DO REIKI?

Yes of course and it amazes me that there is any conflict here at all!  Jesus was a healer and because of that, many Reiki pracitioners feel a great affinity to him.  I have taught Reiki to many Christian students and they have always been positive and enlightening classes. They have used the Bible's verses and have prayed about starting on a Reiki Journey beforehand. I'm not a christian myself, but these quotes may well help you to find your way on this one. 

In I Corinthians 12:4-12, Paul speaks of the gifts to including speaking wisdom and knowledge and the power to heal. Also Paul describes people within the church having roles as apostles, prophets, teachers, those who perform miracles, those who heal, those who direct others and those who speak in strange tongues (I Corinthians 12:28-31).

There are lots of examples of the laying on of hands in the Bible and many Reiki Practitioners regardless of faith have Jesus as a Spiritual Teacher or Guide.

Generally Reiki Teachers are good and kind people who have developed the will and the way to help empower others.  Ultimately, if your belief is that you live under God's protection, it follows that no Reiki teacher is going to be able to do you harm.

IF REIKI IS NOT RELIGIOUS WHY ARE THERE REFERENCES TO BUDDHISM IN THE TECHNIQUES?

Dr Usui grew up in a Tendai Buddhist family in Japan, so it follows that original Reiki would be based on his own spiritual upbringing.  Reiki if anything is eclectic in spiritual diversity.  As Reiki has travelled around the globe, it echoes different aspects of spirituality.  For example, many Reiki teachers include a Native American Indian smudging ceremony at the beginning of a class.  Often a blessing is made at the beginning and end of classes,  when you use symbols, the mantra is repeated 3 times, this is to honour the father, the son and the holy ghost. At the beginning of a class I always say that during the course,some things will resonate with you, somethings won't and if they don't, just let them float on by.  Ultimately the Reiki journey is a personal one and you will embrace your own level of spirituality with Reiki practice.  It's also good to mention that a good many atheists practice Reiki and attribute it's success to the meer manipulation of energy.

CAN REIKI EVER DO HARM?

Only if your couch collapses half way through a treatment..lol!  The party line answer is No but I doubt few people going through a major detox would agree!   Most people come to Reiki because they are having a difficult time,  and as they begin to make sense of it all and the healing process gets underway, life can get a bit bumpy.  You can feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster or just feel plain poorly.  This is normal, it's clearing and ultimately it's the best thing for you!   Be really clear that healing is not an easy journey, it can be rough.  What Reiki will do, is help you deal and cope with life's slings and arrows.  Reiki isn't a plaster and it won't fix you overnight.  It will give you guidance, techniques and support to bring you to the ultimate truth which is "healing can only come from within"

HOW DO I KNOW IF I HAVE FOUND THE RIGHT REIKI TEACHER FOR ME?

My advice would just be whether you like them, whether you have a connection with them, whether you are happy to trust them with helping you along your Reiki journey.  Are they going to be readily available if and when you need support?

To me, the great Reiki teachers that I've had have been the ones I could ring up and pop round to for a cup of tea and a chat and not have a £50 bill at the end of it..lol!

WHY ARE THE CLASSES ONLY RUN OVER A WEEKEND, HOW COULD YOU POSSIBLY BE QUALIFIED IN JUST A COUPLE OF DAYS?

It's a fair question and of course the answer is you can't possibly be proficient enough to go out and start charging.   Remember that people come to Reiki for different things, for one person a couple of days personal development and a bit of challenge is all they need.   If you are thinking of a career in Reiki we offer loads of support to develop you, including a 10 week practitioner course preparing you for just that.  Most students are not treating commercially for the first 18 months of their journey.

DO YOU DO INSTALMENTS?

Yes I do,  I also give discounts if you are on an income based benefit, see fees for details

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