October 13, 2026
Reiki
Reiju: What We Know and What We Don’t Know
What Reiju means, how its transmission has evolved, and what we can —and cannot— say about its history, its effects and lineage in Reiki.
When someone becomes interested in learning Reiki, questions naturally arise: How long does a course last? How many people attend? How many levels are there?
These are common and necessary questions.
Of course, another essential question is “What is Reiki?”—but that one is already answered in countless websites, articles, and books dedicated to the subject. The other questions, however, are far less often discussed.
Before beginning, it is important to remember how Reiki training is structured.
Because there are different schools, there are also slight variations in the structure. Reiki is generally divided into three or four courses, depending on the school.
In most Western systems—especially in Europe and the Americas—these courses are referred to as levels. Thus we have Level 1 Reiki, Level 2 Reiki, and Level 3 or Reiki Mastery. In schools that divide the teaching into four stages, Level 3 Reiki and the Master Level are taught as separate courses.
A few alternative schools have subdivided the teaching into even more levels, though this is quite uncommon.
In Japanese schools, and in Western schools that follow a Japanese approach, the levels are usually called:
Shoden – Level 1 Reiki
Okuden – Level 2 Reiki
Shinpiden – Level 3 or Reiki Mastery
Some schools have added a fourth level, called Gokukaiden, while others use Chuden for the second level and shift Okuden to become Level 3.
In summary, Reiki training is divided into three or four levels, depending on the school. However, the contents are quite similar, and the schools that teach in three levels often offer a more extensive and in-depth Master course.
At Kisetsu, Reiki & Meditation School, we divide Reiki training into three levels, which we call Shoden, Okuden, and Shinpiden.
If we take Level 1 Reiki (Shoden) as our reference, the course can be organized in different ways, but the total number of hours is generally similar.
Most Reiki teachers offer Level 1 as a weekend course, lasting between eight and twelve hours.
Although the current trend is to complete it in a single day—usually on a Saturday—the most common format remains a day and a half: all day Saturday and Sunday until midday.
Some Reiki courses are taught in regular weekly classes, usually on weekdays. In this case, Level 1 is spread over six sessions of 1 and a half to 2 hours each. This format allows students to integrate the practice more deeply, although attendance can drop along the way, which makes the learning process less fluid.
In recent years, two additional formats have become more widespread: individual courses and online courses.
An individual Level 1 Reiki course is usually offered through several private classes on weekdays. Because it is one-to-one, the schedule is highly flexible, but the total number of hours remains similar to group courses—between eight and twelve.
For online Reiki courses, there are two main variations:
Live-streamed classes (via Zoom, Google Meet, etc.)
Hybrid online courses combining pre-recorded lessons with live sessions.
Live-streamed courses generally last around eight hours, taught weekly or over a weekend. Hybrid courses are typically a little longer, since they include comprehensive recorded lessons and guided practices, plus one live—or sometimes in-person—session for the Reiju, the Reiki initiation.
These courses usually total twelve to fourteen hours, and their materials (videos and documents) may be accessible temporarily or for lifetime use.
At Kisetsu, Reiki & Meditation School, we offer all three formats:
Weekend group courses lasting a day and a half,
Private sessions, both in-person and online, and
Hybrid online courses lasting about fourteen hours, with materials available for life.
The Level 2 Reiki (Okuden) course generally follows a format and duration similar to Level 1 (Shoden): about eight to twelve hours, taught in groups or individually, in person or online.
The most significant difference between schools lies in the interval between Level 1 and Level 2. Most teachers recommend a period of two to four months of practice between them, while some modern schools even combine both levels in a single weekend.
At Kisetsu, we do not recommend such condensed training. Reiki learning is not only about information—it is about experience and practice.
Reiki unfolds through patience, time, and dedication; that is where its depth and strength are truly revealed.
As for Reiki Mastery, there are greater differences among schools. Some maintain the eight-to-twelve-hour format for every course, while others extend the Master level into longer, more comprehensive programs.
It is important to look at the actual training hours: some schools offer a “year-long” Master course with many supposed hours, yet students find there are only a few weekends of class—while self-practice hours are counted as part of the curriculum.
At Kisetsu, Reiki & Meditation School, the Shinpiden / Reiki Master training is currently offered in two ways:
Weekly classes of two hours over four months, plus participation as an assistant in at least one Level 1 and one Level 2 course. These classes may be in-person or live online, and students receive full digital materials and recorded sessions.
A ten-night (twelve-day) journey to Japan, between the Japanese countryside and the birthplace of Reiki—Mount Kurama, in Kyoto.
A hybrid online format with recorded and live classes is in development; filming has already begun.
Although a few teachers do not provide them, nearly all Reiki courses conclude with a diploma corresponding to the level completed.
It is important to note that Reiki is not recognized as an official regulated education and therefore lacks the legal status of other professional certifications. The diploma has value for one’s knowledge, practice, and therapeutic path, but not legal validity. No country yet recognizes Reiki as a regulated profession.
Legally, the requirements for offering Reiki professionally vary by country. In Spain, for example, practitioners must register under non-formal education categories for teaching, and under parasanitary or similar activities for therapy. However, the law does not require any specific diploma.
In some U.S. states, a massage therapist license is needed to practice Reiki professionally. Each country has its own regulations.
So-called Reiki federations—and there are many—are not legal federations in the strict sense, but rather associations created by certain schools to bring some order to Reiki education. Because there are so many, and because they are often closed to outsiders—requiring that all training be taken within their own system—they rarely succeed in unifying standards.
Diplomas therefore hold significance within each school and lineage, and on the student’s personal and spiritual path, but not legally.
Some schools allow students who completed, for example, a Level 1 course elsewhere to continue with Level 2 in their own school; others require students to start again from Level 1.
At Kisetsu, we support mobility between schools.
Diplomas from teachers or schools that truly teach Reiki (and not unrelated disciplines) are fully accepted.
As for lineage certificates, these carry great significance within Reiki teaching, though no legal weight.
All Reiki teachers must trace their lineage back to Usui Sensei, the founder of the Shin Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryōhō Gakkai, to be considered authentic Reiki teachers. Otherwise, the practice—though perhaps similar—is not Reiki itself.
Lineage certificates may appear as printed diplomas or within the manuals teachers provide to their students.
At Kisetsu, Reiki & Meditation School, Jordi, the Reiki teacher, comes from several schools and therefore holds multiple lineages; however, he remains faithful to his first complete training. His lineage is as follows:
Mikao Usui → Toshikata Machizuki → Shingo Sakuma → Karun Naido → Antonio Moraga → Julia Costa → Jordi Ibern.
Although the content of Reiki courses tends to be quite similar, the actual experience can vary greatly from one school to another.
Some schools place more emphasis on therapy—such as Jikiden Reiki—while others highlight esoteric aspects, like Tibetan Reiki. Certain schools blend teachings from different sources—such as Egyptian Reiki—and others focus primarily on the student’s spiritual development, as in Reiki Ryōhō.
Even so, most Level 1 Reiki courses include:
The history of Reiki and of Usui Sensei,
The spiritual principles of Reiki (Gokai),
The self-treatment practice, and
The Reiki therapy practice.
Level 2 Reiki courses generally include the introduction, learning, and use of the Reiki symbols, and their corresponding applications: distant Reiki, Reiki for cleansing spaces, and Reiki for habits and patterns, among others.
Beyond content, what you can expect when attending a Reiki course is to find yourself among a group of four to twenty people—most commonly around six or seven.
Teachers may use chairs arranged in a semicircle or mats on the floor with meditation cushions and blankets. Some use whiteboards to illustrate their teachings, while others rely more on spoken explanation and experience.
Reiki courses usually combine theory and practice. Even though shorter courses may condense the theoretical part, most maintain a balance of about 50% theory and 50% practice.
Because Reiki practice is not physical, there is no need for special clothing like in yoga or fitness; comfortable clothing is sufficient, as sessions can be long and include meditation.
A Reiki course often begins with the teacher introducing what Reiki is and its history, followed by the Initiations (Reiju) or by a guided meditation.
For some teachers—especially those following a more spiritual lineage—meditation is essential, while others may consider it optional.
At Kisetsu, we consider meditation indispensable, and it is included in the training and practice at every level.
As for the hands-on practice, it is common for students to perform guided self-treatments and Reiki sessions on others during the course.
It is not advisable to attend a Reiki course without practical sessions, as it becomes difficult to truly experience the sensations and beauty of the energy.
Although Reiki courses are not physically demanding or lengthy, they are often intense, so it is recommended to eat and drink lightly before, during, and after the course; to rest well; and to allow time afterward for reflection and integration of the teachings.
Courses are conducted within specific hours, but their effects can last for weeks.
During those weeks, the teacher remains available to answer questions and encourage practice.
Many schools also offer practice gatherings, in person or online.
At Kisetsu, we also offer access to two WhatsApp groups—one in Spanish and one in English—where students can ask questions, share experiences, and participate in ongoing community practice.
We also maintain two YouTube channels—Jordi Ibern and Kisetsu—where we share Reiki practices, meditations, and Reiki lessons to help consolidate learning and practice.
Definitely, yes.
Reiki is for everyone, regardless of age, religion, background, status, or education.
It is a practice and a philosophy that anyone can integrate, and it helps improve many aspects of health and life.
Reiki promotes rest, reduces anxiety, and improves stress management. But beyond that, the practice of Reiki can also help overcome trauma, enhance creativity, and increase happiness.
Reiki is indeed a therapy—it supports health and healing. Yet it is also a spiritual and transformative path that leads its practitioners toward a fuller, more conscious, and harmonious life.
What Reiju means, how its transmission has evolved, and what we can —and cannot— say about its history, its effects and lineage in Reiki.
Learning Reiki in Japan can bring the practice into a wider cultural context. Here is what to consider when choosing a course, and how we approach our Reiki Mastery journey at Kisetsu.
A clear guide to starting meditation from scratch: posture, breathing, duration, guided meditation, and how to build a consistent practice.