Welcome to Soulstice

Okay, so you’ve probably heard someone mention Reiki during a sound bath, a yoga class, or maybe that one super chill friend swears by it. But what is it, really? And where did it come from? Spoiler alert: it involves a mountain, a spiritual awakening, and a whole lot of good vibes.

Meet Mikao Usui: The Guy Who Started It All

Reiki started in Japan about a century ago with Mikao Usui—a spiritual seeker on the lookout for a deeper kind of healing. So what did he do? He packed up, hiked Mount Kurama, and spent 21 days meditating and fasting. Somewhere in that quiet (and probably very hungry) space, he had a powerful experience that led to the practice we now call Reiki.

At its core, Reiki is about channeling universal energy through the hands to support healing. “Rei” means spiritual or universal, and “Ki” is life energy—pretty poetic, right?

Reiki Gets a System: Enter Dr. Hayashi

One of Usui’s students, Dr. Chujiro Hayashi, helped organize Reiki into a more teachable method. He ran a clinic in Tokyo where patients would lie down while practitioners placed hands over them to promote healing. Think of it as early energy therapy with some serious structure.

From Japan to Hawaii: Reiki Goes Global

Then came Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who visited Hayashi’s clinic in the 1930s looking for healing. She was so impressed by the results that she became a Reiki master herself and brought the practice to Hawaii—and eventually the mainland U.S.

Takata simplified some elements of the practice to make it more accessible for Western students. Thanks to her, Reiki started popping up in more places than just Japan.

Reiki Evolves: More Styles, More Vibes

Over time, Reiki grew and shifted into several unique styles. Some of the most popular include:

• Usui Reiki (the OG version)
  
• Karuna Reiki (focuses on compassion and deep emotional healing)
  
• Holy Fire Reiki (a newer version said to be powerful and gentle)
  
• Jikiden Reiki (a return to the original Japanese teachings)
  
• Tera Mai Reiki, Rainbow Reiki, and others that blend spiritual practices with energy work
  

Each style has its own flavor, but they all stem from the same roots: connecting with healing energy and helping people feel better—physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

So, Why Does Reiki Still Matter?

Reiki has gone from a spiritual awakening on a mountain to a global wellness practice you can find in hospitals, yoga studios, and your neighbor’s cozy living room. Whether you’re all in on the energy stuff or just there to relax and reset, Reiki offers something simple but powerful: time, presence, and intention.

Curious to Try Reiki?

You don’t have to fast on a mountaintop to experience it. Soulstice offers both 30 minute or 60 minute sessions in-person or as a distance option. Book a session, take a class, or just keep reading and exploring. Who knows? You might just feel those good vibes for yourself.

~ Nikki