What is Reiki?
Reiki is a holistic, alternative, healing method that uses the simple and natural touch of the hands on the body to transmit vital energy. In Japanese, the word Reiki means universal vital energy· the energy that is abundant in the whole universe, in nature and gives life in every living being. Healing, or comforting pain through touch, is actually an instinctive human ability, which has been forgotten by most of us.

Reiki was brought to the modern world in Kyoto, Japan, by Mikao Usui. After a period of 21 days of fasting, praying and meditating, he found the way to connect to the vital energy, to use it for self-healing, and to transmit it to others. 
He and his successors, Tsuziro Hagiasi and Hawayo Takata attuned thousands to the Reiki energy. Today, Reiki is practiced by millions all around the world. The main factors that make it so popular are the element of self-healing and the fact that it is so easy to learn and practice. It is gradually finding its way into hospitals since studies show that it offers a great support to mainstream medical practices, reducing possible side-effects and speeding up recovery.

What is an in-person Reiki session?
Reiki is pure love! Reiki Energy, the vital universal energy, flows through the hands of the Reiki practitioner* and onto the energy centers (chakras) and channels-meridians of the recipient, in order to unblock, cleanse, relax and finally bring a general state of peace, balance and overall well-being on all levels (physical, auric, emotional, mental and spiritual).
An in-person Reiki session lasts for about an hour, during which, wearing comfortable clothes and after taking off your shoes and any metal objects, you lie on the Reiki bed, while the Reiki practitioner* gently places his/her hands (or keeps them in a short distance, on the aura), on the energy centers or chakras, to channel healing vital energy.

What is a distance Reiki session?
A Reiki session can also be done from a distance, with equally amazing results, with the recipient and the Reiki practitioner*, each in their own place. Energy knows no limits of time and space! The session lasts for about 30′. The time can be set for both to do the session simultaneously, or not.
In your own sacred space, you can relax deeply during the session, while lying down, or meditating, or simply staying open and receptive. For a more relaxing experience that is closer to the session in-person, you can light candles, burn incense, play relaxing music or sounds of nature.

A Reiki session, either in-person, or from a distance, is a purely experiential process and each person experiences it in his/her own, unique way, depending on what he/she needs at that particular time. That’s why a Reiki session is never the same, even if the practitioner and the recipient are the same! The energy has its own wisdom and is actually not driven by the practitioner, but attracted by the body of the recipient. 
A Reiki session offers deep relaxation, peace, invigoration, stress release, rejuvenation, detoxification, renewal as if you have just waken up from deep, nice sleep (some people actually do sleep during the session), well-being, serenity, balance, relief, clarity, optimism, it removes blocks from your energy field and ultimately promotes the balance and health on all levels.

Multiple sessions in a short period of time
Those who receive Reiki regularly, as well as Reiki practitioners* know very well that when you complete a number of sessions within a short period of time, i.e. one or two weeks, the results are even more impressive!
A series of 3-4 consecutive sessions within 7 to 10 days, if not daily, is ideal. For a specific or more serious issue, a complete program of 21 sessions is suggested, 2-3 sessions every week.

I want to learn Reiki, too!
Reiki cannot be learned through books or the internet. You need a teacher who will open your channels and attune you to the flow of the universal vital energy, so your body can remember this forgotten ability.

Reiki is taught in three levels, or degrees.
In the 1st Reiki Level, (which is open to all) the teacher will attune the student to the Reiki energy, awakening his/her ability for self-healing through the simple touch of the hands. The student is now called a *Reiki practitioner.
In the 2nd Reiki Level, this ability is heightened.  The first three Reiki symbols are introduced and their use is thoroughly explained.
The 3rd Reiki Level is often given in two separate sub-levels : 3A and 3B. 3A completes the attunement cycle with the fourth Reiki symbol. The practitioner becomes a ReikiMaster. During the 3B one learns how to teach Reiki to others and is now a Reiki Master Teacher.

Characteristics
❥ During a Reiki session the practitioner becomes a channel of the universal vital energy. This is why when we give Reiki to others, we benefit ourselves, as well. A practitioner does not transmit his/her own energy nor does he/she receive the energy of the recipient. 
❥ You can practice self-healing right after your 1st Reiki Level attunement. It is simple and easy and there are no other requirements. Everybody can do it!
❥ Reiki does not address a specific symptom but rather uses a holistic approach, promoting balance and well-being on all levels: physical, auric, emotional, mental and spiritual. As these are interrelated, an imbalance on one level will sooner or later influence the balance of the others, if neglected.
❥ Reiki often comforts or even eliminates pain.
❥ Reiki does not require concentration, faith, or other abilities, although these can heighten its results, even more.
❥ Reiki is not related to religion. It is a relaxation technique of touch-healing which respects all philosophical and religious paths and can be combined with all beliefs. People from all paths, religions and of all beliefs successfully learn and give reiki to themselves and to those around them and this brings them closer to a better expression of their self.
❥ Reiki is pure love and offering. Many practitioners choose to give Reiki sessions for free. However, it is also good that some energy is given in return, in order for the balance to be kept. Money is one form of energy. One pays for the time and effort of the practitioner and not for the Reiki energy itself. You give in order to receive, you give when you receive, to keep the balance.
❥ Reiki has no side-effects. 
❥ Reiki Practitioners and Reiki Teachers do not diagnose conditions and never guarantee any form of healing in any case. They do not prescribe drugs and do not interfere with medical/psychological or pharmaceutical issues. The words “healing”, “healer”, “treatment”, etc. are used with their broader and general meaning and not literally, as used in conventional medicine and psychology. 
❥ The traditional Japanese Usui Reiki is complete and effective. However, many new modalities have emerged, for example Angelic Reiki, Crystal Reiki, Karuna Reiki®, Shamballa Reiki, Archangelic Reiki, etc. from charismatic teachers, as a broader spectrum of the same Light. Some feel that Usui Reiki is enough for them, some want to explore as many “rays” of the light as they can. It is generally advisable for one to complete at least the first two levels in traditional Usui Reiki before attending other seminars.