If you have booked onto Reiki training, or are considering it, it is natural to wonder whether there is anything you should be doing beforehand.

In Usui Reiki Ryoho, there is nothing you need to prepare in advance. This is not a practice that is developed through reading, or improved by trying to understand it intellectually before you begin. It is something you come into through direct experience, and that experience unfolds over time through your own awareness and practice.

For that reason, there is no expectation that you arrive with prior knowledge. Many people come to Reiki having already formed ideas about what it is, or how it should feel. These ideas often come from modern interpretations, which can vary widely in their accuracy and depth. It is not necessary to hold onto these.

In training, we return to something much simpler. Rather than adding more concepts, we begin by noticing what is already present within the body, and how the mind relates to that. It is also common to expect that Reiki will produce a particular kind of experience. That there will be a clear sensation, or a noticeable change. Sometimes this happens and often it does not, especially in the beginning. Neither is an indication of whether the practice is “working”. I

n Usui Reiki Ryoho, we are not trying to create an experience. We are learning how to remain with what is already present, without interfering. This is a very different approach to what most people are used to, and it can take time to settle into.

If you feel drawn to read before your training, you may do so, but it is advisable to keep this minimal.

There is a large amount of information available, much of which reflects modern adaptations rather than the original practice. This can introduce unnecessary complexity or expectation.

Your understanding will develop more clearly through your own direct experience during training.

In the days leading up to your course, there is nothing you need to change. You may find it helpful to ensure you are rested, hydrated, and able to give your attention to the training, but there is no specific preparation required.

When you arrive, your role is straightforward… to be open, to listen, observe and practice. There is no requirement to perform, or to achieve a particular outcome. Reiki is not something you need to “get right”. It is something you return to, again and again, through practice.

At its core, Usui Reiki Ryoho is simple. However, it asks for a level of attention and honesty that many people are not used to. It asks you to bring your awareness back into the body, to notice clearly, and to begin to recognise how often we attempt to control or change our experience. This is where the practice begins.

Everything you need will be provided during your training. Nothing further is required from you beforehand. If you have any questions, you are welcome to get in touch. Otherwise, simply arrive as you are and we will begin from there.