The practice of Reiki (energy healing) dates back to the late 1800s. The Usui System of Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui, was a lay Christian minister, (elected by the church) and had an interest in spiritual development. Usui went on a spiritual quest to deepen his understanding of healing and spirituality. While on his retreat on Mount Kurama, he received a spiritual revelation which led him to develop the Usui System of Reiki.

 

Mikao started teaching the technique to others and his system of healing quickly gained popularity in Japan and later globally. He taught that Reiki is a form of energy healing that can be used for emotional and physical well-being. Usui’s teachings emphasized the importance of self-care and self-healing, and he taught his students how to use the universal life force energy to heal themselves and others.

 

Usui passed away in 1926, but his system of Reiki is continued to be taught and practiced. Today, Reiki is widely used in many countries and has helped countless people on the path to good health.

 

 

Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman, played an important role in bringing the practice of Reiki to the Western world. She was one of Mikao Usui’s students and was the first person to bring the Usui system of Reiki to the United States.

 

Takata studied Reiki in Japan in the 1920s and moved to Hawaii after completing her masters where she continued practicing and began teaching Reiki. Hawayo Takata was instrumental in popularizing Reiki in the United States.  

 

Her teachings followed traditional Usui methods which placed a strong importance on self-healing and self-care. She taught her students how to use the universal energy to heal themselves and others. Takata also developed a system of hand positions for treating specific parts of the body, which is still used in Reiki today. 

 

During her time, Hawayo Takata trained 22 Reiki Masters, who then started spreading the Usui Method of Reiki throughout the country.

 

Takata passed away in 1980, but her memory lives on through the many students who continue to practice and teach Reiki. Takata’s role in bringing Reiki to the Western world, and her contributions to the development of the modern Reiki practice, make her an important person in the history of Reiki.

 

To learn more about the powerful and ancient healing art read What is Reiki.

Through the years, many different kinds of Reiki and with different subtitles have been developed. It is believe hundreds of styles are being taught across the globe. Heather continues use the traditional Usui method she learned in 2019, in her practise today.

 

Visit the Wellness Training page to learn more about Heather’s holistic education.