Thinking About Learning Reiki? What Reiki Level I Is Really About.

Not everyone comes to Reiki Level I for the same reason. In every group, I see different starting points.

Some are complementary therapists who want to deepen their understanding of energy work and widen what they offer. Some have received Reiki as a supportive therapy during a healing process and have become curious to understand it more deeply. Others have spent much of their lives looking after everyone else and have finally realised that it is time to include themselves in that care. And then some simply feel drawn to it.

Sometimes a person has never even tried Reiki as a therapy, yet something in them says it is time to explore. That was also my own experience when I intuitively joined a Reiki I Shoden course in 2009.

Many people think Reiki is mainly about learning a technique. That is understandable, because Reiki is often seen only as a hands-on healing therapy. But the Usui Reiki system is broader than that. Hands-on healing is one element of the system, but not the whole of it.

Reiki is also a personal practice. It can support self-awareness, inner balance, and a more conscious relationship with yourself. In that sense, Reiki is not only about helping symptoms in the moment, but about creating a different foundation from which you live your life.

For many people, the word spiritual is the main concern. It can sound vague, too religious, or too esoteric. But in my view, Reiki does not ask a person to adopt a belief system. It offers a path of self-exploration, personal responsibility and growth.

That is why Reiki can exist peacefully alongside religion, and also make sense to those who are drawn to more esoteric approaches. The practice itself remains the same, while the understanding of it may be personal.

From the beginner course, one of the first things you learn is that self-care is the main focus. You begin with self-healing, and this becomes the foundation of your practice.

This sounds simple, but in reality, it can be the most challenging part.

For many students, the difficulty is not learning the method itself. The challenge is remembering, making time, and putting their own well-being high enough on the list. Many people are simply not used to doing that consistently.

Stress, emotional overload and anxiety nowadays easily become a normal state, but Reiki shows us that this should not be our baseline. One of the main outcomes of Reiki practice is relaxation — not only physical relaxation, but also a calmer emotional and mental state. As the body softens and the mind becomes quieter, we often feel more connected to ourselves again.

This is why Reiki can become such a valuable self-care tool. It is simple, practical and always available to you. You do not need to book an appointment every time you need support. Over time, regular Reiki self-practice can establish a more grounded and balanced, permanent inner state.

So how does energy healing work?

In Reiki, we understand that human beings are not only physical. Our well-being is influenced by the state of the body, mind, emotions and energy together. When stress becomes chronic, it affects the whole person. We may feel tired, restless, disconnected, emotionally overloaded, or unable to settle properly.

Reiki practice supports us through relaxation, reconnection and nervous system regulation through regular self-healing.

Reiki Level I Shoden, from Japanese translates as First Teachings, is the introductory level of the Usui Reiki system. It is the beginning of learning Reiki as a personal self-care practice.

On the course, you begin to explore energy through direct experience, learn the foundations of the Reiki system, and understand how the practice can support self-healing, stress management and greater balance in everyday life.

After the course, you will be able to practise Reiki on yourself and share Reiki with friends, family, pets, plants and trees. For many people, this becomes the beginning of a meaningful journey — not only of learning Reiki, but of becoming more connected, more aware and more present in their own life.

If you are interested in Reiki but still have questions, or would like to meet me in person before joining a course, you are very welcome to attend one of my monthly talks in Edinburgh: Reiki Explained Simply – Learn & Experience. 

These talks offer a clear and grounded introduction to Reiki, the opportunity to ask questions, and a chance to experience a short Reiki session before deciding whether Reiki Level I is right for you.

The next talk takes place on 13 June in Edinburgh

Tickets are available here: Eventbrite