Since the inception of reiki in 1922, many different types of treatments have been based on this Japanese system of holistic healing. Some forms are designed to guide the practitioner in self healing, while others encourage a reiki master to perform the exercises for others. The most well known versions of reiki treatments include saku, shamanic, and kundalini reiki systems. All forms of reiki are intended to provide emotional and physical healing to the participant, using the client's and the practitioner's energy to establish clear mental and physical pathways through the body. The various types of reiki may utilize music or sound, crystals, and the thoughts and feelings of the participants to encourage greater balance and relaxation for the client during the reiki session.
Traditional reiki is the practice of energy healing by a trained practitioner. The practitioner has the client lie either on a table, much like massage table, or comfortably on the floor. He or she then moves their hands over the client's body, without touching, and focuses on the energy patterns of the body. Visualization is a crucial part of the reiki practice. The purpose of the session is to assist the client with any type of healing necessary and to promote a more balanced state of being.
In the saku tradition, the reiki treatments are similar to the traditional path, with a few exceptions. These treatments also focus on other therapies as a way to encourage better health and a stress free approach to life. It is not uncommon for crystals, long thought by holistic experts to have healing powers of their own, to be used during the reiki sessions. This form of reiki addresses exercise and the nutritional needs of the client as well.
For those who choose the shamanic path of reiki, treatments often pay special attention to the healing practices of the old shamanic methods, whether of the Native American, African, or local cultural tradition, in addition to the traditional reiki philosophy. Rituals, ceremonies, and symbols are used as a part of the reiki treatments. Practitioners of this discipline believe in treating the body as a whole, and use the various shamanic methods to bring about reiki attunement for their clients.
Another type of reiki commonly practiced is kundalini reiki, and many of its treatments and philosophies are based in Indian tradition and culture. Reiki treatments most often associated with this type are meditation and visualization for the client and the practitioner. The goal of this type of reiki is for the client to purposely release excess negative energy and focus on self healing through the guidance of the reiki master.
