Reiki is an art of healing which began in Japan. It is believed that this art originated in Tibet when Tibetan monks studied energies and developed a system of sounds and symbols for universal healing energies. Over a period of time, this art was lost. Around the late 1800s, Dr. Mikao Usui, a Japanese Christian educator in Kyoto, Japan, traveled to the United States and India in search of this healing skill. After studying the original Buddhist Holy Scriptures in Sanskrit, he rediscovered the wisdom of Reiki healing and returned to Japan. Thus, the science of Reiki that evolved in Tibet long ago was traced back and developed in Japan.

The word Reiki is made up of two words - "rei" and "ki."The word "rei" means free passage or transcendental spirit. The word "ki" means vital life force energy or universal life energy. The practice of Reiki incorporates elements of just about every other alternative healing practice such as spiritual healing, auras, crystals, chakra balancing, meditation, aromatherapy, naturopathy, and homeopathy. The uniqueness of Reiki is in this blend of various holistic therapies.

The art of Reiki works on the principle of balancing of energies. The energies are transferred from the practitioner to the patient. This enhances the body's natural ability to heal itself through the balancing of energy. Reiki serves as a healing therapy. There are specific techniques for restoring and balancing the natural life force energy within the body that are utilized in this science. This makes Reiki a holistic science that uses natural hands-on energy healing system, which impacts on all levels: body, mind, and spirit.

There are many forms of Reiki being practiced today. The two important forms are the Usui System of Natural Healing and the Radiance Technique. Reiki has evolved from a spiritual art to a science that can heal different diseases. Now, practitioners offer Reiki services to cure a number of diseases and bring peace and harmony in the human body. Reiki has proved to be useful in treating a number of illnesses. Reiki was first introduced to the Western world in the mid-1970s. Subsequently, Reiki has spread rapidly through out the world.