Spiritual origins

Reiki's dates back to the late 19th or early 20th centuries and the teachings of Mikao Usui. Dr. Usui based his healing techniques on methods and philosophies drawn from several traditional Asian healing practices, according to New York University's Langone Medical Center. At the root of Reiki is the concept that disease is caused by imbalances of vital energy in the body and that correcting these imbalances promotes healing.

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Usui is said to have "rediscovered" this ancient concept of an inexhaustible energy source that can be harnessed for healing. Through a process called attunements, a Reiki master (Usui was the first) can teach others to master this healing power, as well. In 1937, a Japanese-American named Hawayo Takata brought the practice of Reiki to the West when she returned to her native Hawaii after an extended period of Reiki training in Japan, according to the International Center for Reiki Training.

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Reiki sessions can take various forms, but most commonly resemble typical bodywork appointments, where the receiver lies clothed on his or her back on a flat surface or massage table. A session generally lasts from an hour to an hour and a half. Reiki is a simple procedure, consisting of calm and concentrated energy  and giving energy to specific areas on the receiver's body. Practitioners place their hands over positions on the body where the organs and endocrine glands reside, and the areas that correspond to the chakra centers.  Advanced practitioners rely on intuition and experience to determine which areas of a body need the most energy healing. At the end of the session, the receiver will experience a huge mental and emotional clarity, with an energy shift of deeper mindful awareness, lovingness, positivity and balance both inwardly and externally that they did not feel before the session.