Teaching Guidelines & Resources

Working with NOS and the Core Curriculum

A Core Curriculum provides guidelines and a framework on which to develop courses, and should always be read alongside the NOS (National Occupational Standards). The following information is given as a help to Reiki Teachers who wish to be teaching to the recommended standards.

‘Professional Practice’ is not a specific level or style of Reiki, but is based upon:

• first level/degree as a minimum
• Face to face personal attunement with a Reiki Master Teacher
• Lineage back to Usui
• Experience and practice of giving Reiki
• Meeting the minimum standards specified in the National Occupational Standards for Reiki
• Ongoing personal practice with a recommended minimum of 100 hours of Reiki being received (self-treatment or from others).

Remember the NOS and the Core Curriculum do not refer to any one level or style of Reiki. It is a requirement that a minimum standard of training is received by the practitioner, although many teachers will teach above that standard.

The context in which training is given or undertaken is also specified:

• Students should personally give 75 full treatments, which should be recorded. Five of these Reiki treatments should be supervised by a competent Reiki Teacher or Practitioner
• Training period of not less than nine months
• Recommended that there are a minimum total of 240 hours, of which 65 should be “in person”
• Students must receive 100 treatments (self-treatment or received from another practitioner)

Students must complete 10 case studies – each case study must contain 4 treatments (therefore 40 treatments which can be included in the 75 above)

 

Hours of Study

Total Qualification Time. A minimum of 240 hours of study is required. This is the number of notional hours that represents an estimate of the total amount of time that could reasonably be expected to be required in order for a Learner to achieve and demonstrate the achievement of the level of attainment necessary for the award of a qualification. This total includes the number of hours of Guided Learning as set out below.

Guided Learning. 65 hours. This is the activity of a Learner in being taught or instructed by – or otherwise participating in education or training under the Immediate Guidance or Supervision of – a Lecturer, Supervisor, or Tutor suitably qualified as a Reiki Master/Teacher.

The overall period of training should take place over a minimum of 9 months

Of the 75 treatments to be given, 40 of these should be fully documented and given to 10 individuals who have each received 4 treatments, the balance of 35 can be decided by the practitioner.  The practitioner should also have received 100 treatments (from self or others).Further to the general guidelines on Working with NOS and the Core Curriculum, a basic syllabus was devised against the 2009 National Occupational Standards and was shared with the Reiki Council.

Guidelines for Professional Reiki Training

Further to the general guidelines on Working with NOS and the Core Curriculum, a basic syllabus was devised against the 2009 National Occupational Standards and was shared with the Reiki Council.

It is given as a guide, with suggestions as to the very basic topics on which to base practitioner training and should be used in conjunction with the full NOS for Reiki. It is the responsibility of the individual Reiki Teacher to ensure that all standards are met.

 

Suggested Minimum Syllabus

A basic list of what should be taught within a training course for Reiki professionals is given on the following pages. These are a guide and the teacher should familiarise themselves with the current NOS and Core Curriculum to ensure that all competences are met.

A) Practical and Theoretical Aspects of Reiki

1. Principles, scope, methods and techniques for Reiki

• A history of the practitioner’s own style/system of Reiki and their lineage
• Why there should be person to person attunement
• Basic principles of Reiki systems and energy
• The use of external and internal energy
• Importance of self-treatments
• Different methods and techniques for giving Reiki, including any limitations
• If appropriate for style/system of Reiki, self-treatment for clients
• The possible effects of Reiki

2. Role of the Practitioner

• The history and development of Reiki  and its relationship to other modalities/healthcare
• Instances when Reiki is insufficient or should not be given
• The individual role of the practitioner and of the client
• How to describe and explain Reiki to clients (together with any self-treatment options) as applicable to the style/system being used.
• The models and concepts within Reiki and how they have evolved and developed.
• Appreciation of the difference and similarities between style/systems

B) Practitioner Skills

1. Communication

• How to communicate effectively with the client, from initial contact and throughout treatment
• Techniques such as observation, listening, sensitive questioning, non-verbal and verbal communication.
• How to adapt vocabulary, tone and pace to meet differing needs
• How to use questioning to effectively check the client’s understanding
• The reason and importance of encouraging clients to raise questions
• The use of body language as a means of communication
• The types of barriers to communication and how to overcome these
• Ways of greeting the client and companions
• Discussing and reaching agreement on a treatment plan with the client

2. Professional relationships

• Understanding of a professional relationship, and how to develop a professional relationship with clients
• Boundaries within professional relationships
• How to deal with conflicting advice
• Rights and dignity of an individual, and how to sustain these
• Individuals who may be present during a Reiki treatment
• Time management

3. Work role and practice

• Why it is important to reflect and evaluate your own practice so that you are able to identify personal and professional development needs
• Methods of conducting reflection and evaluation effectively
• Methods of reviewing and appraising the Reiki treatment with the client

4. Confidentiality

• Understanding why Client Confidentiality is important, the client’s rights and the responsibility of the practitioner in relation to these
• The procedures, protocols and security measures to be adhered to when sharing Client information with other healthcare professionals

5. Consent

• Understanding informal and formal consent
• Roles of those obtaining and giving consent
• When different types of consent should be used

6. Keeping Records

• Why and how you should take and maintain accurate client records
• How to make sure information is kept confidential and secure
• Preparing a treatment plan following discussion with the client
• The client’s right to access information held by the Practitioner

7. Health and well-being

• Understanding of emotional, physical, spiritual and mental health and well-being
• Consequence of emotional and psychological balance
• Effect of lifestyle and one’s physical and emotional state

8. Anatomy & Physiology

• Knowledge of common conditions, and when it may be necessary to request help, decline treatment or to refer on
• Knowledge of the structure of the skeletal system
• Knowing the location and understanding the basic functions of the major organs of the body
• An understanding of Red flag symptoms

C) Practice Management

1. Professional standards and adhering to codes of practice

• Understanding the role taken by a professional body
• Understanding and following codes of conduct, ethics and rules for yourself as a Reiki professional
• Practitioner responsibilities
• Responsibilities of any employer
• Purpose of supervision especially after incidents and emergencies
• How to provide support to individuals

2. European, national and local legislation

• The importance of keeping up to date with legislation
• Health & Safety at Work, including safety and security; understanding of practitioner responsibilities and those of third parties
• The Data protection Act; understanding the methods of storing and using data
• Equal opportunities – all legislation

3. Employment and organisational policies and practices

• The different types of agencies with whom the practitioner may work, including their roles and functions
• Why it is important to respect the rights of clients
• The role and responsibility of the practitioner, and their limits of ability and occupational competence
• Resources – non-physical and physical  (including information) – accessible to the Reiki practitioner, together with procedures for their use
• How to network with other healthcare professionals using appropriate protocols
• Resources which may be used by clients
• Planning and preparing a practice area or room suitable for discussions with clients and for giving Reiki
• Getting ready for the client, self and resources

1. Business Finances and Marketing

• How and what accounts should be kept
• What responsibilities the practitioner has in terms of taxation
• How to advertise ethically and responsibly, including what claims or statements are inappropriate/illegal.
• How to calculate and set fees

The NOS (National Occupational Standards) for Reiki focus on professional Reiki training for practitioners, but they do not specify exactly what should be taught within the Reiki aspect of training. It is important to note that this is NOT the full content requirements for professional training as per the NOS or Core Curriculum.

Teaching Guidelines – by Reiki Level

The NOS (National Occupational Standards) for Reiki focus on professional Reiki training for practitioners, but they do not specify exactly what should be taught within the Reiki aspect of training. It is important to note that this is NOT the full content requirements for professional training as per the NOS or Core Curriculum.

A copy of the current National Occupational Standards for Reiki can be downloaded from this website, along with requirements for teachers, and the Core Curriculum. Please see National Occupational Standards in the Education & Training section.

 

Content Guidelines by Reiki Level

In 2005 the UK Reiki Federation carried out a Consultation with its Reiki Teacher Members and a suggested minimum content for each level of training was put together. The following has been devised as a result of that consultation and subsequent development in Reiki training. The guidelines are general, as differing styles of Reiki may use different techniques and meditations.[/vc_column_text][mk_padding_divider size=”50″][mk_blockquote font_family=”none” align=”left”]One of the aims of the UK Reiki Federation is to provide support and advice to both members of the UK Reiki Federation and to the public. Not everyone who learns Reiki wishes to practise professionally, some prefer to use it for their own personal development or on family and friends. However, we are able to support members whether they work in a professional capacity or not.

Resources

Supporting Professional Reiki Practice

One of the aims of the UK Reiki Federation is to provide support and advice to both members of the UK Reiki Federation and to the public. Not everyone who learns Reiki wishes to practise professionally, some prefer to use it for their own personal development or on family and friends. However, we are able to support members whether they work in a professional capacity or not.

Reiki 1 is generally considered to be for personal and family use, whereas historically Reiki 2 has been considered Practitioner Level.

With the advent of regulation and the introduction of National Occupational Standards for Reiki, the UK Reiki Federation would encourage Practitioners to undertake CPD training if they have not previously had training which meets the current standards. In addition, Reiki Teachers should now be training all professional practitioners to the new standards.

Through its various activities, the UK Reiki Federation is able to provide information for both Practitioners and Teachers on the new recommendations for training and practice.

Much of this information has either been provided at a cost to the UK Reiki Federation (and therefore its members), or generously shared by members for the benefit of other members – therefore please do not redistribute any of these, or any other member-only documents to non-members.