The Reiki School and Clinic: FAQ

FAQ

What will I feel during a session? Everone's experience is unique. You may or may not feel something specific or identifylable. Most people report feeling relaxed and calm. You might feel energy moving through your body. It can be experienced as tingles, waves, muscle release/twitches, heat, cold, and more. Some people see colors or have visions. Some people experience clarity, a sense of focus, or a release of emotions. Others fall asleep, or experience being in a very nice state that is somewhere between waking and dreaming. Many people notice the results of the sessions later, once the session has ended and they go home.

Are the results immediate? Will they last? With some people, the results are immediate. With others, there seems to be a period where their body integrates the experience, and then results follow within a week of the session. For long-standing or deep issues, multiple sessions are recommended.

The results of sessions can last, and sometimes they feel like they go away. It depends upon the person. For example, if you come to Reiki for a hurt shoulder, the session may help relieve the pain. If your shoulder hurts because you always carry heavy things on it, and after the Reiki you go right back to carrying heavy things, then it's likely that the results of the session will not last and the pain will come back.

Are there any negative side effects? There are none. Sometimes, but not in all cases, Reiki brings up physical symptoms, feelings or emotions that may seem negative, but are a normal part of the release process. REIKI HAS NO KNOWN CONTRAINDICATIONS. It is an excellent option for people who are sensitive to massage or unable to receive physically manipulative treatments because of existing medical conditions. Reiki is amongst the gentlest and safest forms of natural healing.

What kind of Reiki do you practice? We practice a form of Reiki called Traditional Usui Reiki, or Usui Shiki Ryoho. This is the western style of Reiki passed down thru the lineage of Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, and Hawayo Takata. Ms. Takata was the first person to bring Reiki out of Japan to America.

Do Reiki practitioners diagnose? Reiki practitioners practice without attachment to specific results and without the need to know how a client is affected by the session. A Reiki practitioner does not assess a client's energy or tell them what their problem is. The Reiki practitioner does not need specific medical training or detailed knowledge of the client's problem for the session to be effective.

Does Reiki compete with a person's religion? Reiki is a subtle healing practice that helps with healing. It is not a religion, a philosophy or a belief system. It is a practice, facilitated primarily through gentle touch, that helps people connect to their own healing potential, sense of well-being and best-self. Because of this, it often enhances one's feeling of connectedness to one's own spirituality and faith.

What qualifications do your teachers and practitioners have? Is there licensing for Reiki? All of our teachers and practitioners are fully certified and insured to practice Reiki. There is no state or nationwide licensing for Reiki, and in Pennsylvania, it is not legislated under the category of massage or other forms of bodywork because it is non-manipulative and non-invasive. It also escapes the category of faith or religious healing because it is not a religious practice. Reiki certification is conferred privately by teachers to students. Some teachers and schools, like ours, have a detailed list of qualities and skills that a student must possess in order to receive certification. We also have a lineage that is traced directly back to the founder of Reiki, Mikao Usui.

What are the differences amongst different styles of Reiki? Today there are many different forms and styles of Reiki, so many that we cannot list all the differences amongst them. We can say, however, that any form of Reiki that is not Traditional or Japanese probably includes some addition to the practice, such as the use of tools, guided imagery, angelic contact, symbols or attunements that are not included in the traditional practice. It is up to the student to research and decide if these kinds of Reiki feel right to them.

Does my Reiki practitioner need to be a Reiki Master for the session to work well? No, any practitioner who has received attunements and training can give a quality session. We like to use the analogy of a pipe. If a pipe is rusty, a little clogged, old, or it hasn t been used in a while, water can still come through. As practitioners practice more and more, they become clearer conduits, regardless of their level of training.

Do you offer a discount for seniors? Yes, we offer a 10% discount on Sessions for anyone who has reached their 65th birthday. Please mention your senior status when you schedule your session.

Do you need to have a special ability to practice Reiki? Definitely not! Anyone, everyone is born with the ability to heal. It is our natural gift. When we take classes or learn Reiki, we open to the gift that we have inside ourselves that we were never taught to use. It's as natural and normal as walking or talking. We just have to learn to use it.

Why are your classes longer than most Reiki classes I've seen? The Reiki School and Clinic was founded by educators. Kim, our school's director, has a master's in education and is a former elementary and preschool teacher. George, our school's other founder, taught, directed and created curriculum for preschool for nearly 20 years before he passed away. We took a fresh look at Reiki education and reworked the training with teaching tools that were more in line with how people learn. Take a look at the following educational principles that drive our practice:

Practice: In order to learn we need to do, and do again. In fact, the best questions and answers come from hands-on experience with the subject matter.
Patience/Process: Learning takes time, Rome wasn't built in a day. It's easy to integrate any new tool if the information isn't thrown at us all at once, without time to digest it, process it, ask questions and practice.
People: We learn from each other. Our peers ask the questions that are on our minds, show us examples, listen to us, and provide mirrors for our growth. Our teachers give us ongoing support, direction, and guidance. With our teachers and peers we create an understanding community of learners -- especially when we may be learning something that others in our lives may not accept or understand.

After I take a course at your school, will I be certified to practice Reiki professionally? Reiki was created as a lay practice, to do with friends and family. After Reiki Level I you will have a certificate that allows you to practice, or integrate Reiki into an existing practice (like massage or nursing. It does not mean you will feel ready or prepared call yourself a Reiki professional. The beginning levels of training provide a foundation in the practice. If you wish to practice professionally, you will want to develop other professional skills needed to open a business and work with the general public and/or specialized populations. Many of these skills are focused on in Reiki 3.

Also, be mindful that certification does not give you a business license or insurance. You may be required to have these things to practice professionally and legally in your city or state.

What kind of people take your classes? All kinds of people. Nurses, artists, massage therapists, educators, corporate employees, business owners and more. People of all ages and stages take our classes. Some people have personal, familial or professional reasons for taking the classes. You do not need to have a professional interest in Reiki in order to learn it or to be trained. Reiki can be a wonderful gift to give yourself and those you love.

Do I need to read or prepare before I take a class? No. You just need to have an open mind. Sometimes it's better not to read, and therefore let go of expectations before you begin.

I've taken Reiki before, somewhere else, and I'm not comfortable practicing Reiki. What can I do? There are many options, and they differ depending on each person. We recommend coming in for a consultation, so we can hear your personal Reiki story. It may be best for you to simply recommit to self practice. It may be wise to come to Reiki Shares to gain confidence and practice, or it may be better to re-take a Reiki class at our school. Again, it depends on the individual.

What is a Reiki Share?
Continuing practice, support and sessions for practitioners. It is great to give and receive! At a Reiki Share you can trade sessions with other practitioners, and discuss questions about your practice with other practitioners as well as with a Certified Reiki Master. You can gain experience, knowledge and support for all stages of your Reiki journey!

Where are the classes held? Classes are held either at our main location in , just off of South Street, or at our satellite home in NJ at Yogawood, 688 Haddon Avenue.

What forms of payment do you accept for classes and sessions? We accept payment in the form of cash, check, money order or credit card. If you want to use a credit card, however, you must do so through our website.