Mikao Usui
Founder of Usui Reiki · 1865–1926
ABOUT REIKI
What is Reiki?
A gentle, hands-on healing art that works with the body's own energy to restore calm and balance.
WHAT IS REIKI
A gentle, hands-on energy practice
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese energy-healing practice developed by Mikao Usui in the early twentieth century. The word joins 'rei' (universal) and 'ki' (life-force energy). In a treatment, the practitioner rests their hands lightly on or just above the body, helping to clear and rebalance the flow of energy so you can relax deeply and your body can support its own healing.
- Encourages deep relaxation
- Eases stress and tension
- Supports natural balance and wellbeing
- Gentle, safe, and non-invasive
WHAT TO EXPECT
A calm, simple experience
There is nothing you need to do or believe. You stay fully clothed and simply rest while the treatment does its gentle work.
Fully clothed
Deeply relaxing
Non-invasive
HISTORY OF USUI REIKI
The Usui system
The system of Reiki practised today traces back to Mikao Usui, a Japanese teacher who, in 1922, developed Usui Reiki Ryoho after a period of meditation and fasting on Mount Kurama. Usui went on to treat and teach widely in Japan, founding a society to carry the practice forward.
One of his students, Chujiro Hayashi, refined the hands-on treatment positions, and it was through Hawayo Takata that Reiki travelled from Japan to the West in the mid-twentieth century. From her teaching, the lineage spread around the world.
The Reiki taught at Reiki Haven follows this traditional Usui path, passed from teacher to student through attunement — the same gentle, lineage-based practice Usui shared a century ago.
THE LINEAGE
The Usui lineage
The Reiki taught here is passed down, teacher to student, from the founders of the tradition.
Chūjirō Hayashi
Usui's student · refined the hand positions
Hawayo Takata
Brought Reiki to the West
GOOD TO KNOW
Common questions
Is Reiki safe?
Yes. Reiki is gentle, non-invasive, and suitable for most people. It works alongside conventional medical care rather than replacing it, so you can continue any treatment your doctor has advised.
Do I need to believe in it for it to work?
No. You don't need any particular belief or experience. All that's asked is that you allow yourself to relax and rest — many people simply enjoy the deep calm a session brings.
What happens in a session?
You stay fully clothed and lie comfortably while Gail places her hands gently on or just above the body in a series of positions. Most people feel warmth, tingling, or a deep sense of relaxation, and many drift towards sleep.
READY WHEN YOU ARE
Experience it for yourself.
The gentlest way to understand Reiki is to receive it.