Most people have heard of the practice of Reiki and a great number of people and animals have experienced a session. There's an abundance of Reiki practitioners and it's even offered in some hospitals and clinics. 

It's a very popular practice, but you may not know exactly what's involved. 

So, what is Reiki, exactly? And does Reiki work?

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What is Reiki and does it work?

Reiki is not affiliated with any religion, but is deeply connected to your inner world and can greatly impact your spiritual awareness.

My journey with Reiki began about 10 years ago. I was trained in Usui Reiki in Sedona, AZ. I enjoyed the class, but it didn’t impress me enough to commit to the practice and offer it as a service to my clients.

Then I learned of a teacher named William Rand, creator of Holy Fire Reiki, who used Reiki for world peace and introduced a new energy to the Reiki world.

The energy was palpable, so much, that I was excited to offer it to my clients.

There are many different types of Reiki: Angel Reiki, Usui Reiki, Holy Fire Reiki, and Sekhem Reiki, just to name a few.

Most of them have some mystery, or even secrets, hidden in the practice, but they all have things in common.

Reiki is a form of sacred healing, the art of sharing energy through the hands of the practitioner, either distant or in person.

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Attunements are shared by the teacher to the student, which are sometimes called initiations. They help the student connect with a deeper part of themselves and the Reiki energy.

All types of Reiki have unique symbols that represent different types of energy or healing, which are taught in the classes. This is somewhat secretive, though now you can find some on the internet.

Activations of the energy connected to the symbols are a very important part of learning and practicing Reiki. The energy becomes available to the student after the attunements and activations.

All Reiki recognizes a connection or awareness of a greater power or source of energy.

Most forms of Reiki recognize the lineage of where the practitioner was trained. It's thought to be very important to know the origin of your training.

There are also those who practice Reiki without any formal training or understanding of where their form of Reiki originated.

Here are 5 ways Reiki can enhance your life:

1. A Reiki session can help you connect to calm, soothing energy and promote wellness.

2. Reiki can increase your spiritual awareness and accelerate your personal development.

3. Reiki can help balance your energy and chakras and remove blocks in your physical and energetic bodies.

4. Reiki is a form of self-care and self-love that will increase your vibrational energy.

5. Reiki can help clear your mind. This can be very helpful if you're trying to step away from distractions and find your truth.

Reiki can be a valuable part of your spiritual and physical wellness plan. Ultimately, the effectiveness depends on the mindset of the receiver and the talent and intention of the practitioner.

Have fun exploring the different types of Reiki that call to you.

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Polly Wirum is an intuitive life coach, and writer. She helps clients discover their deepest selves through astrological readings, psychic readings, or spiritual life coaching. 

This article was originally published at pollywirum.com. Reprinted with permission from the author.