Energy Healing 101: What to Know Before Starting Reiki Training at SWIHA

If you’ve ever felt guided by intuition, drawn to energy work, or called to support others on their healing journey—Reiki may be the path your spirit has been searching for.

At Southwest Institute of Healing Arts (SWIHA), our Reiki training programs offer much more than technique—they offer transformation. Before you dive into this powerful modality, let’s explore what Reiki really is, how to know if energy healing is right for you, and what you can expect from Traditional Reiki training at SWIHA.

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese healing technique that promotes relaxation, stress reduction, and energetic alignment through gentle touch or even non-touch methods. It’s based on the principle that “life force energy” flows through all living things, and when that energy is low, we’re more likely to feel unwell, disconnected, or emotionally off balance.

A Reiki practitioner channels this universal energy to support the client’s natural ability to heal physically, emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. Reiki isn’t tied to any specific religion or belief system; it simply invites us to return to balance.

Is Energy Healing Right for You?

Energy healing may be a meaningful path for you if:

• - You’re naturally intuitive or empathic
• - You’ve always felt deeply connected to the well-being of others
• - You’re a massage therapist, coach, yoga teacher, or holistic practitioner looking to expand your toolkit
• - You believe in the power of intention and the mind-body-spirit connection
• - You’re on a personal healing journey and feel called to help others through theirs
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Many students at SWIHA report feeling like they were led to Reiki… as if something bigger than themselves nudged them toward this work.

What to Expect in SWIHA’s Traditional Reiki Training

SWIHA offers Reiki classes that align with traditional Reiki lineage, while also encouraging personal spiritual growth. Here’s what you can expect:

• - Training in Reiki, starting with Level I & II and expanding through Master Teacher levels
• - Hands-on practice in giving and receiving Reiki sessions
• - Exploration of energetic anatomy, including chakras, meridians, and aura layers
• - Ethical foundations for practicing energy healing professionally
• - Guidance on how to develop your intuition and create safe healing spaces
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Depending on your goals, Reiki can be taken as part of a larger Holistic Wellness Practitioner Diploma, a Certificate of Excellence, or as a personal development course.

Tips Before You Begin Reiki Training

• - Be open to change. Reiki often sparks deep personal shifts. It’s as much about your own healing as it is about helping others.
• - Practice self-Reiki. You’ll learn to give Reiki to yourself first, reinforcing that you must be nourished to support others.
• - Know your “why.” Whether you're looking to serve clients or simply explore energy work for personal healing, staying connected to your purpose will keep your journey grounded.
• - Bring your curiosity. There is no one-size-fits-all in energy healing—at SWIHA, you’ll be encouraged to explore what aligns with your soul.

A Path of Purpose and Possibility

At SWIHA, Reiki is more than a class—it’s a portal into personal power, purpose, and connection. Whether you feel called to offer healing to others or simply wish to deepen your own awareness, our Reiki training can support you in becoming a confident and compassionate channel of light.

Ready to Begin?

Learn more about our Reiki offerings and upcoming course schedules that are available on-campus. Follow the nudge… The world needs more healers.