Traditional Reiki Classes ~ How I Share The Ancient Healing Art of Reiki

2024 marks 30 years since I began my journey as a Reiki Master/Teacher. I feel really fortunate to have received the traditional Usui Reiki training that I did and continue to embrace a traditional approach to teaching. Through the years I've had the honour of sharing those teachings with many students of Reiki.

While I've seen "new" ways of sharing this ancient Japanese healing, especially as the internet bloomed after 1994, I've made a choice not to embrace them. I honour the lineage of Reiki and the way in which it was passed to me.

While some share their full classes online and choose to publish the symbols that are taught at different levels, I have chosen to stay with in person passing of the teachings as well as keeping the symbols sacred. This is how I was taught and I understand the reasons and importance of these ancient traditions. It is a method that has worked for me through the years.

I'm in no way saying that these new ways of sharing are wrong. Each student is drawn to learn in the way that best suits them and each Reiki Master will develop, based on their understanding and intuition, ways that work for them and their students. I've simply chosen to embrace the way that has worked for me, and those that take my classes, through the years.

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Yes, I have certainly adapted my classes as understandings have shifted and changed through the years, about working with healing energy. When I first began teaching, a lot of students had experienced Reiki sessions and were drawn to learning how to share this beautiful healing energy with others. Through recent years people in general are more aware of energy and it's powerful healing capabilities. Lately more students attending a Level 1 class have not actually experienced a Reiki session. They say that they come because they are drawn towards healing energy techniques and would like to learn more to advance their self-healing and growth, and possibly assist their family, friends and pets.

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Reiki Master Tanja

With these changes, while I continue to share traditional Usui Reiki, I may make additions that will help students increase their understandings of Reiki and working with energy. An example would be Chakra Balancing. While it is not a part of traditional Usui Reiki, more people are aware of the benefits, and it works harmoniously with Reiki. I've added this as an additional component to my classes, along with the traditional teachings. Whenever I do make an addition though, I am clear with students about which parts of classes are traditional Usui Reiki and which parts are not. I feel that distinction is important.

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In the past few years I've discovered ways in which other Reiki Masters create their course content and share Reiki. I think an understanding of other viewpoints is important. While different, all teachings come from a similiar place of sharing this Universal Healing Energy in loving ways.

Reiki Master Nancy

I share notes with students at every level of teaching Reiki. The majority of the content is what was passed down to me by my Reiki Master. However, in the notes that I share with students I include writings from other Reiki Masters and may share their meditations in classes. I believe that it's important to share different understandings. Also, if a Reiki Master has shared something in a way that is perhaps more clear in it's content than what I've been sharing, then I will often add that. These are always shared with the clear understanding for students of where it has come from and why I am sharing.

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I've seen the common phrase that "when the student is ready, the teacher appears" which is true, but I would also add that I believe we are all drawn to the teacher that fits for us at the time, for the level of understanding we currently have. Those students meant to learn from me will join my classes. I always learn so much from each and every students, it's such an honour to be a part of their Reiki journey.

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