Reiki is not regulated in the same way in every country, and teaching styles vary a lot. These questions can help you choose a teacher you feel comfortable with.
Understand the main styles
Broadly, people talk about Japanese styles (which often keep closer to the practices taught in Japan) and Western styles (which spread outside Japan through Hawayo Takata from the 1930s onward). Within each there are many lineages. One is not “better”; they emphasise different things.
Questions to ask a teacher
- What is your lineage, and who taught you?
- How long is the class, how many people attend, and how much practice time is included?
- What does each level cover, and what support do you offer afterwards?
- What is the total cost, including any later levels, and what is the refund policy?
- Is the class in person or online?
Red flags
- Promises that Reiki will cure illness, or advice to stop medical treatment or medication.
- Pressure to pay for several levels at once or to sign up immediately.
- Claims that only their lineage is “real”.
On Reiki.cn, training levels and lineages shown on member profiles are self-declared and are not checked by us. You can ask other members about their experiences in the Learning & Lineages forum.
Reiki.cn guides are general information for relaxation and wellbeing. They are not medical advice. See our wellbeing disclaimer.