Reiki (Ray-key) or the symbol 
can be loosely translated as holy energy. Ki, chi, Prana, holy spirit is found in most civilizations through the world and hands on healing has been recognized for centuries. The most common form of Reiki is the Usui from Japan. Reiki was rediscovered in the mid 1800’s by a Japanese born Buddhist monk, Dr. Mikao Usui. For Usui, reiki was a spiritual practice – an opportunity for each person to awaken their true nature. He adjusted the teachings to each students. Some students would have received symbols to study and chant, others may have be given the task of contemplating a reiki principles etc. Reiki moved into the west through Mrs Hawayo Takata who was a Hawaiian woman of Japanese descent born in 1900. Mrs Takata continued giving treatments and began teaching level 1 and level 2 Reiki students. In the 1970’s, she began training other Reiki masters. For over 40 years she used storytelling to teach people about the system she called Reiki and its history.
By the time of her transition on December 11th 1980, Mrs Takata had trained 22 Reiki masters. It is from these teachers that Reiki has become the system of training we know it as today. As Reiki has spread through the states some new forms of Reiki have appeared. Some forms use a more free flow style while others cling to the traditional hand positions and symbols. For me Reiki is all about the intent. Is the intent of the person sharing with you pure and true to the divine and can they keep their wants, will and desires from tainting the energy or the note of Reiki? The undefinable (God / the Divine) is the piano and Reiki is one note on the divine piano of healing. That is why I bring many notes of healing into the energy of the person I am working with because through intent all things are possible.