Reiki is a Japanese healing practice based on the idea that an unseen “life force energy” flows through all living things. When this energy is low, people are more susceptible to stress or illness; when it is high, they are more capable of health and happiness. Reiki Level 1, known in Japanese as Shoden (“first teachings”), serves as the foundational step in this practice. The training introduces students to the concept of universal energy, emphasizing personal healing and self-discovery. This initial certification focuses on self-care, teaching foundational techniques necessary to channel this energy for one’s own benefit and spiritual growth.
The Level 1 Attunement Process
The attunement, often called Reiju, is the distinguishing component of Level 1 training. This energetic initiation ritual is performed by the Reiki Master to open and align the student’s energy channels to the flow of Reiki. The ceremony is not simply instructional, but a spiritual experience that transfers the ability to access the healing energy to the student.
During the attunement, the student typically sits quietly while the Master performs a ritual involving specific hand positions, symbols, and intention. The Master works to clear blockages in the student’s energy pathways, particularly around the crown and heart energy centers. While the experience can be subtle for some, others may enter a deep meditative state or feel physical sensations such as warmth, tingling, or an emotional release.
Traditional Usui systems often involve the student receiving four separate attunements throughout the Level 1 class, though this number can vary depending on the lineage. The ultimate goal of this ritual is to activate the student’s innate ability to channel the energy, creating a perpetual connection that remains open for the rest of their life. Once the initiation is complete, the student can call upon the energy simply through intention, such as by placing their hands on themselves or others.
Core Teachings and Foundational Techniques
Beyond the attunement, the Level 1 curriculum provides the knowledge and practical skills required to begin practice. Students receive a brief overview of the history of Reiki, which traces its origins back to the early 20th century with its founder, Mikao Usui, in Japan. Understanding this historical context helps ground the practice and connect the student to the lineage.
A significant component of the training is the instruction on the Five Reiki Principles, known as the Gokai. These principles are ethical guidelines for living, which emphasize mindfulness and personal accountability, such as “Just for today, do not worry” and “Just for today, be grateful”. These precepts are intended to be integrated into daily life to support the student’s energetic and spiritual growth.
The class also focuses on learning the foundational hand positions for a full-body self-treatment. Practitioners are taught a systematic sequence of positions, starting typically at the head and moving down the body, covering major organs and energy centers. While a formal sequence is taught for structure, the practitioner is encouraged to trust their intuition and allow their hands to rest where the energy feels most needed.
Practical Application: Self-Treatment and Close Contact Healing
A newly certified Level 1 practitioner’s scope of practice is centered on self-healing, which is considered the most important aspect of the training. Consistent self-treatment, often recommended daily for an initial period, helps the student integrate the attunement and develop sensitivity to the energy flow. This focus allows the new practitioner to begin clearing their own energetic blockages and regulating their nervous system before working with others.
The certification also permits the practitioner to share this energy with others through close contact healing. This means they are authorized to practice hands-on treatments with family members, friends, and pets. Practicing on those in their immediate circle allows the student to gain experiential confidence in giving and receiving the energy.
It is important to note the specific limitations of the Level 1 certification, as it is a foundation, not a license for professional practice. Level 1 training does not qualify an individual to charge a fee for sessions or offer services to the general public. The curriculum at this stage also excludes the use of sacred symbols or the techniques required for distance healing, which are reserved for the subsequent Level 2 training.