Take your time with Reiki 1st Degree
We can never rush the nervous system to feel safe and nurtured, ready to release what they've been holding onto. This applies to both treatments and courses. So for Reiki 1st Degree, which is everything about self healing, the minimum should be one day (and that's an intensive course), more commonly over two days back to back, and what comes after is just as important.
For Reiki 2nd Degree, there's a lot more to learn to equip you to become a practitioner (optional), including learning the sacred symbols, both how to draw them and how to use them.
Reiki Master Teacher can be considered a two-pronged approach. Again, there are more symbols, more attunements, and a responsibility to share accurate teachings.
All in all, a crash course of around 4-hours is rushed and in my professional opinion - irresponsible.
Why lineage matters
To be 12th generation in a tradition which stems back over 100 years is considerably undiluted. I can also teach you about everyone who has come before me, whose energy has been transferred through attunements, and how we all came to be here.
Where courses are easily accessible online for pennies, lineages seem to be somewhat lost in the process, and heavily diluted.
It's like purposefully doing the opposite of learning your family tree through Ancestry!
Your wellbeing comes first
This is energy work, and student wellbeing should be paramount to any teacher.
One of my students once said that they are typically the person who blends in at the back of the room, going unnoticed, and will take their self doubt and insecurities home with them.
Let me assure you that every student on my courses will be seen and heard.
“The small-group weekend was intimate, peaceful and deeply supportive”
With each attunement carried out one-to-one, there is sufficient time and space to chat about anything which may come up, be sensitive to share, and ensure your nervous system truly feels held and nurtured.
A full room of 15 people or more is incomprehensible for one facilitator to support.
Time to integrate
Following each course, there is a 3-4 week period to complete your self healing.
This is where real transformation enters as you put into practice all that you've learnt, purge denser energies that no longer serve you, and become accustomed to a) how that energy feels within you, and b) how to work with the energy.
If you are being offered two courses within one day, one weekend, or back-to-back weekends, this is a sign that you may be pushing your nervous system past its limits, rushing the process, and not giving sufficient time to truly learn how to use and feel the energy.
If you're going on to teach Reiki, there is an air of irresponsibility in rushing the process.
So I ask: Why are we in such a rush? Is it modern day on-demand society?
Between 1st Degree and 2nd Degree: 6 months minimum
Between 2nd Degree and Master Teacher: 12 months minimum
“The most incredible experience over 2 days, Ashleigh was wonderful in explaining everything”
Held in person
My courses are always held in person. This is to ensure that we have that one-to-one time and space, feeling held and supported, and there's always room for hugs, connection, and general natter where we share our life experiences and learn from each other as much as we learn from the course itself.
Reiki does cut through time and space, so yes, online courses with attunements are possible, but it does beg the question: are you being seen?
There are also self-led courses available online where you digest the curriculum, but follow up with your attunements on a one-to-one basis with a master teacher of your choosing or near to you. However, a huge part of attending a course is (as mentioned) sharing the experience with others, building a community, and not feeling alone on this new journey.
“As a teacher and a person she is supportive and patient.”
This one is for you to do your own due diligence, and choose what's right for you. Sometimes we already have community. Sometimes we don't feel alone. Sometimes this may just be another tool to add to our already evolving self healing and spirituality journey.
Do what is right for you - always.
What happens after the course
So you finish the course and are sent on your way. You have self healing to do, but no guidance on what may come up, what you may experience, what you may struggle with, and how you notice any changes within your being.
Ask yourself:
Are you offered support from your master teacher?
Are you in touch with the other people from your course?
Are you scheduled in for your top-up attunement?
Are you being encouraged to do 1:1 trades or Reiki shares?
Do you have any recommended reads or listens to inspire you on this journey?
It should never be a closed door once you have finished your course. Your journey is just beginning.
“My Reiki journey began just over three years ago, and looking back, I truly believe I was guided to Ashleigh for a reason. From the very first moment, I felt her warmth, her kindness, and her genuine passion for Usui Reiki Ryoho. She doesn’t just teach Reiki - she lives and breathes it in the most beautiful, authentic way.
Through every stage of my journey, from Reiki Level 1 to Level 2, and now to becoming a Reiki Master Teacher, Ashleigh has held such a safe, nurturing, and supportive space. Her love, patience, and unwavering belief in me have helped me grow not only in Reiki, but within.
I feel incredibly grateful and truly blessed to have walked this path with her by my side. She has touched my life in a way that words can’t fully express. I will carry everything she has shared with me forward, and I couldn’t recommend her more highly 🙏✨”
Choosing with clarity
I hope this has answered many questions, given you some clarity, and helped you with what to look out for when you choose which Reiki course to book onto.
Within our lineage we teach responsibly, ethically, and honour sacred teachings.
It is not about who charges the most and is therefore 'more reputable'.
It is also not always about a course being accredited, because spirituality and awakenings don't work in that way.
And sometimes, someone may just be ripped off.
If you ever need to talk it through, just drop me a message and we’ll get something in the diary.
