Reiki FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions about Reiki Training…

What is your biggest question about learning Reiki?

Check out the top questions asked about learning Reiki here. Or, if it’s easier, feel free to contact me (call or email) with your question about learning Reiki.

What is Reiki?

“Rei” means “universal” or spiritually guided, and “Ki” is “life force energy.” Reiki promotes deep relaxation and thus supports the body’s innate healing abilities.

Reiki is utilized by massage therapists, nurses, acupuncturists, counselors, estheticians, and yoga teachers. Others learn Reiki to give treatments to their family, friends, and pets and to practice self-Reiki.

Reiki is a Japanese stress reduction, relaxation, and energy balancing technique. In the practice of Reiki, this spiritual energy is utilized for energy balancing via in-person or long-distance treatments.

Are there any prerequisites to taking your Reiki I/II classes?

There isn’t anything you need to read or learn before taking my Reiki I/II classes. All that is truly required is simply having an interest in or being drawn to Reiki. Some students have experienced Reiki treatment before attending a workshop, while others have experienced Reiki for the first time in class.

Are there any prerequisites to taking your Reiki Master class?

I welcome students who have taken Reiki I/II from other Reiki Masters as long as the workshop you took was in person (or LIVE on Zoom) and you practiced hands-on Reiki.

These days, there are purely online Reiki programs (that aren’t on Zoom but video-based). These do not satisfy the prerequisite.

Many students love repeating Reiki I/II with me (not because they had to, as the courses they took were in person, but because they wanted to!).

What about a prerequisite for the Teacher’s class? If you took Reiki I, II, and Master’s with someone else and want to take the Teacher level with me, I require that you sign up for the Master + Teacher level package and join for both levels.

Is Reiki hard to learn?

The beauty of Reiki is that it is a simple yet profound system of healing that anyone can learn to practice. We all have an innate ability to tap into spiritual healing.

Reiki works even if you have doubts about your abilities, and you feel like nothing or not much is happening. (When I first started practicing Reiki, I had doubts about whether much of anything was happening, but my Reiki clients kept coming back because they loved it).

What are Reiki attunements, and can I receive an attunement remotely?

Attunements are a special process that awakens students to Reiki energy. For each level of Reiki, you’ll be guided into a deeply relaxing meditation and receive an attunement.

For a Reiki attunement, I guide you into a 15-20 minute meditation, and then I go around the room to give the attunements one-by-one-one (if you learn online, I say your name before attuning you). I also offer private Reiki Re-Attunements.

Here, my students share their attunement experiences in my class live from my hotel room in Hawaii.

Do I get hands-on experience in your in-person training?

Surprisingly, some teachers don’t have you practice Reiki in class.

My Reiki workshops are hands-on.

• In my Reiki I class, you are guided in giving a hands-on Reiki treatment to and receiving a Reiki treatment from one or more classmates.
• In Reiki II, we practice remote Reiki in small groups.
• In the Master class, there is hands-on treatment of the Energetic Release Technique.
• In the Teacher class, you are guided in giving your first attunement.

What will I learn in your Reiki classes?

• You’ll experience a healing environment and be supported in building your confidence in your practice of Reiki.
• Reiki I gives you the foundation for all of Reiki and teaches you how to put Reiki into practice. You learn the hand positions for self-treatment and for working on others. You’ll receive your Reiki I attunement, learn the Power symbol, and practice hands-on Reiki.
• Reiki II empowers you to practice long-distance Reiki. You get attuned to Reiki II and learn about the Harmony and Connection symbols. We will also practice remote Reiki in class. You’ll love the exercise you’ll experience to tap into your intuition!
• Reiki Master is the highest level for practicing Reiki. The experiential components include the Master attunement, receiving the Master symbol, and learning and practicing Energetic Release Technique.
• The Reiki Teacher training is not just for people who want to teach Reiki. In this class, you go behind the scenes of giving an attunement and get to practice the attunements with a classmate. Get a 360-degree viewpoint on just how transformative Reiki is. Learn how to teach Reiki one-on-one or in small groups, online or in person. Take this class to enhance your Reiki practice, or start teaching Reiki.
• Learn more about the curriculum of the Reiki levels here

What levels of Reiki is it best for me to sign up for?

It’s a personal preference.

Most students take Reiki I, II, and the Reiki Master training at my weekend workshops or take all levels (and love it)!  However, some students prefer to take Reiki I/II and return for the Reiki Master and Reiki Teacher training.

You can start with just Reiki I and II, and then later sign up for Reiki Master and Teacher. There is a unique synergy in learning the entire curriculum on the same weekend, and there is something nice about taking time between levels. The choice is yours.

If you are unsure, sign up for Reiki I/II and decide in class whether you want to add Sunday’s Master training and Monday’s Teacher training.

Some students share with me that they like to go “All In,” and others choose all levels because they know life gets busy and something could get in the way later. When you package levels together and take them on the same weekend, you get special package pricing.

How long have you been teaching Reiki?

Hi! I’m Lisa Guyman. I’ve been teaching Reiki for 28 years. I moved from Michigan to Colorado in 1997 (without knowing anyone in Denver) to start a massage therapy practice. I soon took a Reiki class and fell in love with it. I began teaching Reiki and guiding meditation in 1998. Since then, I’ve taught Reiki and meditation workshops across the country. In addition to my in-person workshops, I offer online Reiki training and have a Reiki mentorship program called Energi.

Here’s some additional background: full bio, lineage, & resume.

I hope you join me at one of my Reiki workshops or in my Reiki mentorship program. I promise you’ll love learning and practicing Reiki.

I also offer private Reiki and Reiki Re-Attunement sessions.

In addition to Reiki, I am a certified Primordial Sound Meditation teacher.

Who learns Reiki?

People from all walks of life learn Reiki. Some take Reiki just because they are drawn to it. Others learn Reiki because of their interest in energy work. Others take Reiki for personal growth and/or to work on family and friends. Also, many healing professionals take Reiki to incorporate it into their work. I’ve had people from across the gamut take Reiki: doctors, nurses, psychologists, nuns, attorneys, massage therapists, teachers, artisans, engineers, students of life, and so on.

Is there an opportunity for continued learning? A Reiki mentorship of sorts?

YES! I have an immersive Reiki mentorship program that you’re eligible for after completing Reiki I and II. In this fast-track program, practice giving and receiving Reiki and grow or expand your Reiki classes or practice

Learn More and Get on the Energi waitlist here

Does Reiki require certain spiritual beliefs?

It doesn’t. That is one of the beautiful things about Reiki! Anyone from any background and any belief system can practice Reiki. Students attending a Reiki class may consider themselves Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Spiritual (non-religious) or agnostic.  Reiki, while spiritual, doesn’t have any religious doctrine or any other beliefs one must adapt to learn or to practice.

The classes were amazing, and I have found myself using Reiki in ALL areas of my life already.

“Reiki I and II classes: “I have been wanting to learn Reiki for the past 5 years or so to add to my massage practice. I am so grateful to have found your website on Google, Lisa! The classes were amazing, and I have found myself using Reiki in ALL areas of my life already. I have already used Reiki with willing massage clients just a day after the classes were completed!

Reiki Master & Reiki Teacher classes: “I felt the Reiki even stronger than I did in the Reiki I and II class! I am so excited to be adding this very special modality to my massage practice! Lisa is an amazing teacher AND a beautiful soul.  So grateful to have found her!” Jill

Can Reiki be used in everyday life, or is it just used in treatments?

Reiki is energy, so Reiki can positively affect anyone and anything. We are a wellspring of energy, so we affect everyone and everything around us just by our presence. Reiki is such a powerful and healing system!

• Reiki can be used for peace and relaxation anytime.
• It can be used before meditation, yoga, prayer, sleep, etc.
• It can be used to support healing. The body’s natural healing abilities are heightened when the parasympathetic nervous system is activated i.e. when we experience deep relaxation. Relaxation can help with headaches, injuries, cramps and before and after surgery, etc. Reiki is offered in some hospice centers and as a complementary modality in cancer care.
• Reiki can be used to protect personal space, home, auto, etc.
• It can be used before, during, and after medical or dental visits.
• Reiki can be done on pets and wildlife.
• Reiki can be done on plants.
• Reiki can also be applied to goals and situations
• Reiki can be used in conjunction with affirmations.
• We can also Reiki our food and drink.

What are some of the Reiki experiences you and your students have had?

Click here for Reiki stories and here for student testimonials.

How is Reiki transmitted?

Research summarized in the book Vibrational Medicine by Richard Gerber, M.D., found that during hands-on healing, a brain wave synchronization effect often occurs between the practitioner and the recipient. The practitioner and the recipient appear to align with the earth’s magnetic field, and that light is emitted through the palms. Reiki is said to come through the crown chakra, fill the practitioner, and be transmitted through the hands.

What does it feel like to receive Reiki?

Reiki is transmitted through very light contact, above the body, or long-distance and is deeply relaxing. Many of my clients report that Reiki is more relaxing and centering than massage and almost dreamlike. Countless clients have said, “That’s the most relaxed I’ve ever felt.” When we go into deep relaxation, we experience a sense of greater emotional and physical well-being.

How does Reiki help with world healing?

One of the most impactful ways to change the world is through elevating individual consciousness (as well as taking meaningful action in the world). Every time we meditate or practice Reiki, we help generate a field of greater peace and coherence for ourselves.

Meditation and long-distance Reiki generate healing fields for the planet and the world.

I offered a guided meditation called Lightworkers Ignite. It was meant as a one-time gathering, but it continued for 22 LIVE sessions. And it’ll be back by popular demand in the Summer of 2026!

                Lightworkers Ignite Guided Meditation

What are the Reiki principles, and how important are they?

Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki, referred to the Reiki Principles as: “The mystic art to invite happiness, and the miraculous medicine for healing. He’s speaking about the impact of the five Reiki principles on the inner world of the inspired Reiki practitioner and what it’s like to fully embody these five principles in daily life.

These principles are about focusing on living mindfully and growing spiritually. They also help anchor the Reiki practitioner in present-moment awareness to be a clearer conduit for the Reiki.

Learn more about the Reiki principles here.

What are the benefits of Reiki?

In general, Reiki is deeply restorative and empowering. It reduces stress and facilitates healing and personal growth. It has a positive effect – physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. It is centering and increases intuition.

There is a study published in 2019 by Harvard University on Reiki treatments:

This is from the Center for Reiki Research on the Harvard study:

“It’s been a long time coming, but the Reiki study conducted at Harvard by members of the Center for Reiki Research (Dr. Natalie Trent, Dr. Ann Baldwin, and William Rand) in 2015 and 2016 has now been accepted for publication in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine! This is the largest prospective Reiki study to date and hopefully will lead to more research.

A total of 1411 Reiki sessions were conducted and included in the analysis. Statistically significant improvements were observed for all outcomes of psychological and physical health, including pain, drowsiness, tiredness, nausea, appetite, shortness of breath, anxiety, depression, mood, and overall wellbeing, with moderate to large effect.

The results from this large-scale multi-site effectiveness trial suggest that a single session of Reiki improves physical and psychological health.”

  Center of Reiki Research

Should I use Reiki instead of consulting my medical Doctor?

No, Reiki is not a substitute for medical help. You should always seek medical advice from a Doctor. Reiki can be used in conjunction with Western/allopathic medicine and is considered complementary care.

Should I use Reiki instead of counseling?

Reiki is not a substitute for professional counseling through a counselor, psychologist, or psychiatrist. You should always seek psychological well-being/treatment advice from a mental health care professional. Reiki can be used in conjunction with therapy. If you have any concerns about receiving Reiki, talk to your counselor.

Can Reiki help to facilitate emotional healing?

The Harvard study showed that Reiki can help with depression, mood, and overall well-being. 

Are there Reiki professional organizations that I might want to consider joining?

I’ve been a member of the International Association of Reiki Professionals for countless years. You do not need to join the IARP, but if you choose to practice professionally, this adds extra credibility (https://iarp.org).  Upon receiving your certificate of completion, you can join the IARP. Also, the IARP provides various forms you can use in your practice.

Do I need to have insurance to practice Reiki?

If you wish to practice Reiki professionally, you may opt for liability insurance coverage. You can find links to insurance companies through the IARP.  If you practice out of your home, you must get an additional rider to your homeowner’s insurance policy.

How do I become a certified Reiki practitioner?

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Have questions about taking my Reiki classes?

Please feel free to reach out to me (call or email) with your questions about learning Reiki.