This is the starting point. You learn the basics—how to sense energy, perform self-healing, and maybe work on others (like friends or family). The big moment is the attunement, a ritual where the teacher aligns your energy to connect with Reiki. You’ll practice hand positions for healing and get a rundown of its history (it was developed by Mikao Usui in the 1920s). It’s often a one- or two-day thing, focusing on physical-level healing. This is focused around unconditional love.

This steps it up. You’re introduced to symbols—specific shapes or words like the “power symbol” mental/emotional symbol” (Sei He Ki)—that amplify the energy or target specific issues, like emotional blocks. You also learn distance healing, meaning you can send energy to someone miles away. Another attunement happens to deepen your connection. It’s usually another day or two, and it’s more about refining your skills.

This is the advanced tier. It’s split sometimes into two parts—practitioner and teacher. You master a final symbol (like Dai Ko Myo), boost your healing abilities, and, if you go the teacher route, learn to perform attunements for others. It’s intense, often spread over multiple days or even months, and it’s as much about personal growth as it is technique. Some schools call this Level 3, others “Master/Teacher,” depending on the lineage.