Has Learning Reiki Changed?
Reiki Then and Now
Yes, learning Reiki has changed. In the past, Reiki training was usually taught in person, often with longer waiting times between levels, and some teachings were kept more secret. Today, Reiki can also be learned online, with distance attunements, lifetime access to course material, and more flexible learning. But the heart of Reiki is still the same: self-healing, practice, lineage, attunements, and working with love and light.
In this deep dive article, I share how I learned Reiki in person many years ago, how Reiki training was taught back then, and how learning Reiki has changed with online courses and distance attunements. I also share why I still believe Reiki lineage, practice, and personal healing are important, whether you learn Reiki in person or online.
Hi, my name is Daniela, and I want to personally welcome you, to my online school, and my world.
Learning Reiki Level 1 was such a great experience!
I learned Reiki in a class with 4 other people. The course went a full day, and I remember being a bit overwhelmed with all the new information about the Aura and Chakras, Reiki energy, self treatment and the treatment of others.
Each of us got 4 attunements. For me the first attunement was an unforgettable experience.
I remember my heart pounding when it was my turn to sit on the chair for the attunement.
I had to close my eyes.
When Betina Maria, my Teacher, started with the attunement, I felt that the air suddenly change around me. Back then I didn't know that this was not the air, it was actually the energy surrounding me.
I couldn't see what Betina Maria did during the attunement, but my senses were heightened. It felt like someone was slightly touching my skin, but I knew it was not my teacher.
And suddenly, something unusual happened. Even with my eyes closed, I could clearly see a sun in my inner eye. The sun I saw looked like it was drawn by kids hands, and the feeling connected to this picture was just overwhelming.
After the attunement I had to lie down, so that the next person could get their attunement.
Listening to the music in the background, I felt very emotional, and tears rolled down my face like a waterfall. I felt embarrassed, because I normally kept my tears inside.
I will never forget my first attunement, and I was glad that other people had a similar experience, and I was not the only one in tears either. Not everyone was emotional like me, but I could see in their eyes, that something changed.
21 Days of Healing
After my Reiki level 1 class and attunements I had to give myself a daily Reiki Treatment for at least 21 days.
After the 21 days I finally could give Reiki to my husband. Giving Reiki to someone else was exciting to me. In the Reiki class I had learned how to do it, but I still needed to take out my Reiki book to follow the instructions. I was scared that I might do it the wrong way.
But I learned fast, that there is no wrong way, just the way of Love and Light
My Husbands First Reiki Experience In His Own Words
"It was unexpected. Or rather, I expected nothing. At the time Daniela was new to energy healing. I knew nothing about it at all. But I'm an open minded person, and I gladly allowed myself to be the subject of experimentation.
My first reiki session was truly life changing, and eye opening. And I think my lack of knowledge and expectation played a huge roll in the experience I'm about to share with you.
Often when someone has too much expectation, they are easily disappointed in the result, or worse still, they end up blocking the result altogether.
My openness allowed the reiki energy to flow through me to the max!
I went from "go ahead and do this," to "oh my god, what is that? What is happening? It's like my whole body is vibrating, its warm, relaxing, it's like, electricity... no, that's too aggressive, it's like a tingling. It's like my whole body is tingling. WOW!"
The session took more than 1 hour. It was deeply relaxing for me. And it was exciting to experience something like this for the first time.
Afterwards, I'm sitting beside Daniela, giggling like a silly school boy.
I felt like something ugly and stifling had been released from inside of me.
Later I learned that this is called a blockage. At first the release came in the form of laughter, pure childlike laughter. Then my legs felt like spaghetti. They had no hold, and I could hardly get up and walk.
I guess this is why they say you should not drive after a session.
But it wasn't over. The release of my blockages started to get nasty.
Soon I got a bad headache that lasted for hours. I felt a bit dizzy, and then nauseous.
The funny thing is that I didn't mind it. I knew the cause was the reiki energy, which is for my highest wellbeing. And Daniela explained that this can be a normal reaction as my energies were realigning.
I went from, "Reiki? What's that? A session? Sure, go ahead," to "This is amazing! I want more, I want to know more!"
It was life changing!
Now I did not go down the spiritual path immediately, and so intensely, as did Daniela back then; but now, I practice reiki every single day.
I love it."
Three months after Reiki Level 1, I learned Reiki Level 2.
Back then you had to wait longer until you could move on with the next Reiki level.
These days you don't need to wait for 3 months to move on with Reiki Level 2. But still, I like to suggest that my students wait at least 21 days, and to practice Reiki every day on themselves, even if it is just in the evening before they go to sleep.
But I am also ok if someone wants to move on faster.
The Reiki Level 2 course was different to the Reiki Level 1 course
Before I went to this class, I had to look for a picture of myself as a child. I didn't know why.
The whole process was way more secretive (and expensive).
(The little animation shows my Reiki Journal)
Of course, the symbols may not be secret anymore, but they are still very sacred.
I was really surprised what I learned in Reiki Level 2.
- Distance Healing
- Room Cleansing
- Healing of the Past
- Sending Reiki to the future
- Reiki Shower
- Reiki Box
- Crystals and Reiki
- and so much more
After the Reiki Level 2 course, I had to wait another 21 days, to focus on my own healing.
I focused especially on the Healing of the Inner Child, because my childhood needed it big time.
This was a very important process on my spiritual journey. I could release so many blockages, and most importantly I learned to understand my parents, and I learned to forgive them.
After Reiki Level 2 I had to wait for some time to do my Master/Teacher.
Waiting is not my strength, but this is how it was back then. But finally I could move on. I remember the exciting, monumental moment when my teacher said to me, "you are ready, now you can move on with the Master and Teacher Level.
I had waited for this moment a long time, and it really felt great.
I loved the 3 Master attunements, because when I was sitting on my chair to receive them, I felt so much Love and Peace.
After the attunement my training continued. Besides volunteering a lot, I had to create my own manuals for each level.
And I had to organize and lead Reiki evenings, where people could come to get to know a short Reiki session, or to practice on each others if they were already practitioners.
I also had to teach some friends as a final exam, before I could receive my certificate.
As you can see, there was so much more to do, to become a Reiki Master / Teacher back then.
The way of passing on Reiki has changed over the years, because of the Internet.
We've moved on. This is ok.
Distance Learning and Distance Attunements have helped to spread Reiki around the world!
Now more people than ever know and practise Reiki. This has a positive impact on the world, and on each other.
Everything is so fast and stressful these days, and that is why Reiki can help to bring more balance into our lives, and into our families.
If you, as a Reiki practitioner, practice Reiki on yourself, you will be more in balance. And if you are more in balance, you will positively affect your family members, friends, and colleagues.
These days there are many different Reiki Styles and Symbols out there, and I have learned a lot of them.
Besides Usui Reiki I have learned Shamballa Reiki, Karuna Reiki®, Violet Flame Reiki, Komyo Reiki Kai, and more.
All these different Reiki Systems offer new or different symbols, methods, ideas, frequency, or energy.
They are all awesome, and I like to use the different Reiki energy, symbols, and methods.
It's great to learn other Reiki systems.
But still, it was important first to learn the traditional Usui Reiki, because most of the other Reiki systems are based on Usui Reiki, that you can learn online here.
So, has learning Reiki changed?
The way of learning Reiki back then was slow, secretive and expensive.
These days, things have sped up.
Now anyone in the world can learn it online, especially if they have no other way of learning.
It's just way more accessible, and reaches way more people.
Reiki is growing!
And the more it grows, the more people practise it, the better our world becomes.
One Tip:
If you learn Reiki, it doesn't matter if you take a direct Reiki course, or an online Reiki course, just make sure your teacher has a Reiki Lineage.
Frequently Asked Questions About Learning Reiki Today
Can Reiki be learned online?
Yes, Reiki can be learned online when the course includes clear teaching, practice, Reiki attunements, lineage, and support. Online Reiki training can be very helpful because students can learn at their own pace, return to the lessons whenever they need to, and practice Reiki in their own home.
Are distance Reiki attunements real?
Many Reiki Master Teachers offer distance Reiki attunements. Reiki is understood as energy that is not limited by physical distance, and distance healing is already part of Reiki Level 2 training. For this reason, many Reiki teachers also work with distance attunements.
Is online Reiki training as good as in-person Reiki training?
It depends on the teacher, the course, and the student’s commitment to practice. A good Reiki course should include proper teaching, Reiki attunements, lineage, practice, and support, whether it is taught online or in person. In-person Reiki classes can feel very personal and powerful, while online Reiki courses offer flexibility and lifetime access to the material.
Has Reiki changed over time?
The heart of Reiki has not changed. Reiki is still about healing, self-treatment, compassion, spiritual growth, and working with Reiki energy. What has changed is how Reiki is taught. Today, many students learn Reiki online, receive distance attunements, and have access to recorded lessons, manuals, and ongoing support.
How long should I wait between Reiki levels?
Some Reiki teachers recommend waiting at least 21 days between Reiki levels. This gives the student time to practice self-treatment, integrate the energy, and become more comfortable with Reiki before moving to the next level. Every teacher and lineage may approach this a little differently.
Why is Reiki lineage important?
Reiki lineage shows the line of Reiki teachers through which the Reiki teachings and attunements were passed down. It helps students understand where their Reiki training comes from and connects them to the Reiki tradition.
Do I need to feel something during a Reiki attunement?
No. Some students feel warmth, tingling, peace, emotion, or see colours and inner images during an attunement. Others feel very little at the time. This does not mean the attunement did not work. Reiki can unfold gently through practice and over time.
Can I still practice Reiki if I learned it years ago?
Yes. Once you have been attuned to Reiki, you do not lose Reiki. Even if you have not practiced for a long time, you can begin again. Regular self-treatment and practice can help you reconnect with Reiki and feel more confident again.
Is Reiki only for people who want to become healers?
No. Many people learn Reiki first for themselves. Reiki Level 1 is especially focused on self-healing, relaxation, and learning how to work with Reiki energy in daily life. Some students later choose to offer Reiki to others, but Reiki can also be a beautiful personal spiritual practice.
What is the most important part of learning Reiki?
The most important part of learning Reiki is practice. Attunements are important, teachings are important, and lineage is important, but Reiki becomes real through experience. The more you practice Reiki on yourself and, when appropriate, with others, the more you build trust in the energy.
Two Ways to Learn Reiki
Two Ways to Learn Reiki Even though online Reiki training and distance attunements have made Reiki more accessible, in-person Reiki classes are still available and can be a beautiful way to learn Reiki.
Some students love the personal feeling of sitting in a room with a Reiki teacher and other students, practicing together, and receiving attunements in person.
Other students prefer online Reiki training because they can learn from home, go at their own pace, and return to the lessons whenever they need to. Both ways can be meaningful.
What matters most is that the Reiki course includes clear teachings, Reiki attunements, lineage, practice, and support. Reiki can be learned in different ways, but the heart of Reiki remains the same.
Personally, I always value direct, in-person training, but I also know that this is not always possible. Sometimes there is no Reiki teacher close by. Sometimes people do not have enough time, or they may have health or mobility challenges that make it difficult to attend an in-person class.
This is why I believe online Reiki training can also be a beautiful way to learn Reiki, as long as the student continues to practice afterward. But this is also true for in-person Reiki classes. Reiki becomes real through practice.
You can also learn Reiki online first and later attend an in-person class, or you can learn Reiki in person and later take an online course to refresh or deepen your understanding. I personally learned Reiki in person first, and later I also explored online Reiki training to see how other teachers teach and what they include in their courses.
Ready to Learn Reiki?
If you feel called to Reiki, you are warmly invited to explore our Reiki classes at GateLightELearning.com. Our Reiki courses are created for beginners who want to start their Reiki journey, and also for Reiki practitioners who would like to refresh their knowledge or simply learn what we teach. Our courses include clear teachings, Reiki attunements, lineage, practice, and support, so you can begin or continue your Reiki journey in a grounded and meaningful way.
Explore our Reiki classes here: All Reiki courses
You may remember my story, when I told you about how I found Reiki, or Reiki found me. If not, you can read about it here.
