Teaching Reiki For 30 Years ~ The Changes & Shifts

​2024 marks 30 years since I began teaching Reiki. I had been in the practice for a few years prior to completing my Reiki Master/Teacher training in late 1993. It has been an amazing journey from two perspectives.

Firstly, as a teacher, the shift and change that I have seen in those learning Reiki through the years. In the mid-90s it seemed that more were interested in learning Reiki so that they could share sessions with others, possibly create their own practice. Whether working with people or animals, it is always inspiring to hear from past students about the shifts and changes they have supported others through. Watching each student’s path as they grow and shift has taught this teacher so much.

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Over the years the majority of those taking Reiki classes have been those who had experienced Reiki sessions themselves and wished to learn how to share the energy with others. Until recently. In the past 5 or 6 years I have noticed more and more students starting their Reiki journey, not having experienced it at all. They have all said there has been "something" that has been drawing them to Reiki.

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​In recent years, more and more students are beginning the Reiki journey for themselves and their own growth. They haven’t experienced Reiki specifically, but feel a draw to this loving and healing energy for treating themselves, as they move along the path of growth and change. It has created quite a shift in my teaching style for classes.

While there are basic requirements with teaching each level of traditional Usui Reiki, I find myself spending more time sharing techniques and ideas for self-treatment. Putting more time aside in each class to focus on why and how to share the energy of Reiki with different aspects of self, and possible outcomes.

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Yes, there are students who still wish to go on to share Reiki with others, be it their family, friends, pets, or potential clients. But more and more are acknowledging the need to first come from a space of healing and standing in their own power first.

Outside of the shift in why students are taking Reiki classes I haven’t really changed that much in what and how I share it. Yes, I have seen shifts and changes with new types of Reiki (Karuna, Shamanic, etc.) being offered. I’ve always found the traditional Usui system of Reiki to work well with, for and through me so have not been overly curious to check out the other forms. ​

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And, despite changes in technology, I do continue to teach classes in person. Connecting with each student energetically and supporting their journey as they learn is, I believe, much better in person than online. People learn in different ways and often there are people within a group that need help in exploring that. My goal as a teacher is to give each and every student the best learning experience that I can and I believe the best way for me to do that is in person and teaching smaller groups. (I keep Reiki classes to a maximum of 4, Workshops & Reiki shares may be larger))

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The 2nd perspective would be how Reiki has impacted my own life through the past 30+years of practice and teaching. How I bring Reiki into my own life on a daily basis, is something that has become so natural to me that I do it without thought and often without planning. It just is there and a part of me. It helps me to grow and shift with the changes life has brought through those 30 years.

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Yes, I do consciously use it wherever I go out,  to sense and shift energies. An example would be my travelling monthly and staying in different hotel rooms for 7 to 10 days at a time. That room has seen a lot of people and energy before I got there. I want this room to support my down time during what is always a really busy work week. Before I unpack, as I stand at the entrance to the room, I clear the energy of all those that have been there before me. I then move on to set up the Reiki energy in the space for myself, for the week. I know, after all of these years, that I will have more to give to clients and self if I take the time to do this.

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I have a passion for teaching. Mostly it comes from sharing the information and then watching how each individual student takes it in and creates change for themselves. To watch the different paths taken and how they work with Reiki energy to create positive change within and around them has been inspiring. It really doesn’t matter how far they go, whether they take 1 or 2 levels or all 4, they take what they have learned and grow from it. What a gift that is to be a part of.

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