FAQs about Usui Reiki Ryōhō Training
With so many Reiki courses and teachers available today, it can sometimes feel confusing to know where to begin. You may be wondering about the differences between traditional Japanese Reiki and Western Reiki, what each approach and level offers, and how to choose a teacher who feels right for you. This page aims to answer common FAQs and provide clarity so you can make an informed and aligned decision about your Reiki training journey.
How do I know whether a course is offering traditional Usui Reiki or Western Reiki?
If a course teaches Usui Reiki Ryōhō, it is usually referring to the more traditional Japanese approach to Reiki—closer to Mikao Usui’s original system, with a focus on meditation practices and techniques, holistic healing, self-cultivation, and spiritual development.
If a course teaches Usui Shiki Ryōhō, it is part of Hawayo Takata’s lineage, which shaped the Western style of Reiki after Reiki was brought from Japan to the West. This system is still authentic Reiki, and includes Western adaptations such as structured hand positions, distinct levels of attunement, and a stronger focus on hands-on healing for relaxation and stress reduction.
Both approaches are equally valid, and the one that resonates most with you will depend on your personal interests, intentions, and what you hope to receive from your training.
What is lineage in Reiki?
A Reiki lineage is like a family tree that shows your energetic connection back to Mikao Usui, the founder of Usui Reiki Ryōhō, and it serves—as in many spiritual traditions—to validate that the teachings you receive come from a method that can be clearly traced back to the original source.
Do I need to study Reiki with just one teacher or can I change teachers?
It’s perfectly normal to study with different levels with teachers (and also to re-sit Levels with different teachers). Each teacher offers unique insight, and your journey may naturally lead you to new perspectives. What matters most is that you resonate with the teacher’s values, approach, and energy.
What’s the difference between Level 1, Level 2, and Reiki Master?
Level 1 (Shoden – Beginning Teachings)
At this level, you explore the foundations of the system of Reiki, including the Reiki Precepts, and traditional meditation practices and techniques. You also learn how to offer hands-on healing for yourself and for friends and family, and receive your first attunements (reiju).
Level 2 (Okuden – The Inner Teachings)
Reiki Level 2 deepens your practice and teaches you to work more intentionally with energy. You learn the Level 2 symbols, byōsen scanning, intuitive techniques, and distance healing. This level supports you in offering Reiki professionally if you choose to do so.
Reiki Master (Shinpiden – Mystery Teachings)
Reiki Master is the level of personal mastery and, if you choose, the pathway to teaching. At this level, you learn the Master symbol, how to perform reiju (attunements), and how to teach Reiki to others. Shinpiden invites you to connect with your Great Bright Light and to embody Reiki as a way of life rather than simply a technique, while also exploring the Japanese esoteric roots of Reiki and their influence on the system and its practices.
How much time should I leave between levels?
From a traditional Usui Reiki Ryōhō perspective, moving through the levels isn’t about completing a weekend course or collecting certificates—it’s much more like learning karate. You don’t walk into a dojo, spend two days studying, and walk out as a black belt. Instead, you train regularly, embody the practices, and allow the art to become part of who you are. Only then do you progress naturally through the ranks. Reiki is the same.
Level 1 → Level 2
You move to Level 2 when:
-
You have a consistent daily practice (meditation, techniques, precepts).
-
You feel grounded, stable, and have integrated the teachings.
-
You have a natural curiosity to go deeper—not because you “should,” but because your practice is calling you forward.
For many students, this may take a few months, while for others, it can take longer - there is no pressure.
Level 2 → Shinpiden (Master Level)
Traditionally, Shinpiden is not about “mastering healing others” but about a deeper commitment to personal spiritual development. You are ready when:
-
You have integrated the Level 2 practices into your life.
-
The precepts are becoming part of your daily awareness.
-
You have extensive and varied experience giving and receiving Reiki.
-
Your interest shifts from technique to inner transformation.
For many practitioners, this often takes 1 year or more of steady practice—but again, it’s based on readiness, not time.