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Global REIKI Survey

The Reiki Centre recently undertook a global survey of reiki users. The results make interesting reading for all Holistic Therapists. elaine Hamilton Grundy shares some insights…

DURING lockdown, The Reiki Centre surveyed 1288 Reiki users in 68 countries, with three quarters of the respondents being from the USA, UK, India, Singapore and Canada. 83% of respondents were female and 78% were between 41 and 70 years old. Reiki teachers made up a quarter of those surveyed, with 36% professional Reiki healers. While not wholly representative of the global population of Reiki users, it is believed to be the biggest survey of its kind, providing quantitative and qualitative data about the benefits users report.

One of the most striking survey results showed that the respondents were very experienced and had a high level of Reiki education. 72% of those surveyed had either a Level 3 qualification or were Reiki Masters. Almost half had seven or more years’ experience, suggesting that the path takes considerable dedication. This is borne out by the majority of practitioners applying self-Reiki at least once a week, with over three quarters practicing for over an hour each week.

Trends in Reiki education

There has been a proliferation of styles of Reiki over the past decade as well as the growing online availability of Reiki classes. 53% of respondents reported Usui Shiki Ryoho, 10% reported the newer Japanese lineage styles, and 29% reported Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai. 15% were unsure and 20% reported other styles. This seems to be down to some confusion over names and the differences between different schools.

Those with more experience and higher levels of qualification were more likely to have trained under several teachers, in order to broaden their knowledge, to move to a teacher or Reiki style that they felt more connected with, or because of circumstances/location/availability.

Overall 11% of respondents trained online, but this appears to be trending over time. 34% of respondents with less than a year of Reiki experience chose online learning, perhaps because of COVID-19 and the lack of availability of face to face alternatives. Those who trained online were more likely to combine Reiki 1 and 2 in the same training (30% as opposed to 10% of face to face trained respondents).

Online courses were longer than face to face training at levels 1-3, but shorter at Reiki Master level. Reiki Masters who taught professionally were much more likely to have trained face to face.

The most common length for training courses was one or two days for Reiki Level 1 and 2, with a much wider range of hours for Reiki 3 and Master. This appears to be trending towards shorter hours; respondents with less than three years’ experience are more likely to take up shorter courses. This may have wider implications for those offering courses in other modalities

Online versus face to face delivery methods do not significantly differ in the results reported in terms of the benefits received by practitioners.

client support

The vast majority of Reiki teachers provided support for their students after class with only 14% having no further interaction. The most common forms of support were social media (71%), email or phone support when required (56%) and gatherings (both face to face (52%) and online (34%)). This support is also seen to have a positive impact on results, respondents with ongoing interactions with their teacher reported more significant benefits than those with no further teacher interactions.

Benefits of Reiki

91% of respondents reported an improvement in overall wellness since beginning their Reiki practice, 92% reported increased feelings of peace, 87% reported more contentment, and 85% less stress. All these measures are several percentage points higher than a similar survey conducted in 2010. Considering these questionnaires were filled out during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic is extraordinary, and a testament to the resilience and benefits of a Reiki self-practice.

The most significant benefits are seen around measures of mental/emotional well-being, 87% reported less anger, 86% less anxiety and worry, and 84% more happiness. The thousands of personal stories shared in this survey support this with anecdotal evidence of personal empowerment, life balance and transformation. Reiki has been lifechanging for so many of the respondents.

One of the most striking survey results showed that the respondents were very experienced and had a high level of Reiki education. 72% of those surveyed had either a Level 3 qualification or were Reiki Masters.

The breadth of improvements reported with Reiki is what is impressive. Reiki affects all areas of wellness including physical illness and pain. 80% of respondents found they suffered from less colds/flu, 72% saw improvements in headaches/ migraines and 69% in muscle cramp/pain. 66% reported improved sleep. As a simple method for self-help, the results indicate a huge variety of applications.

Key success criteria for utilising Reiki

The number of hours per week a respondent does their self-practice provides a strong direct correlation with the level of significant results they see. However, 82% of all Respondents who do less than an hour of Reiki per week still report improvement, so the difference is in the level of significant improvement. Reiki practice at any level will give results, but for those looking for significant improvements, the more the better.

Those who do four or more hours a week achieved significant results immediately and then continue to improve over time. Those doing less hours achieve less significant results even after ten years of practice as compared with a “Heavy” user after one year. This points to the importance of encouraging a regular and ongoing weekly self-practice. Even half an hour per day would yield significant and fast results.

Continuing support after class plays a part in respondents reported success with Reiki. As a Reiki teacher this would suggest building in a support system is advantageous to students, and as a student it would suggest that seeking an ongoing Reiki community helps to increase results. It could be hypothesised that a feeling of community helps to encourage a regular Reiki self-practice and feeling of well-being. This slight advantage is seen across all the wellbeing measures of physical, mental and emotional improvements.

finding your own path in Reiki

There is no ‘right’ way of learning Reiki apart from the one that will encourage you the most and set you up for a life-long self-practice. Think about what will best suit your own learning style and how you would want to be supported afterwards. A smaller more intimate face to face group in your hometown may be perfect for you if you are not comfortable online. But if you are ready to launch into the online world then an international teacher with a wider experience and breadth of knowledge may attract you more. Coming into your own truth and your own preference is what the practice of Reiki invites in everyone, and it is wonderful to have it confirmed empirically through the feedback of 1,288 people. n

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ELAINE HAMILTON

GRUNDY has been a Reiki teacher for 25 years. She has a background in corporate market research. Elaine founded the Reiki Centre in 2007 and has since trained thousands of people in the gentle and effective art of Reiki. She has also written two books on Reiki. Find out more about Elaine and her work, or read the entire survey at

www.reiki-

centre.com