The Life of Mikao Usui: A Visual Guide to New Historical Discoveries
November 20, 2025
If you’ve been searching for ongoing support in your Reiki practice, you may have come across terms like “reiki shares” and “reiki circles.” These concepts emerged from the Western New Age movement of the 1970s and 80s, when the system of Reiki was evolving rapidly outside of Japan.
There’s nothing inherently wrong with these approaches—they’ve provided community and support for many practitioners. However, if you’re drawn to the traditional Japanese roots of Usui Reiki Ryoho, you might be looking for something different: a practice that’s grounded in historical research, connected to Japanese cultural and philosophical traditions, and focused on the foundation practices that Usui Mikao and his students taught.
“the Gakkai (Japanese Reiki association) encourages its members to attend 修養会 Shuyo-kai (practice group), now called 研究会 Kenkyu-kai (class), to receive Reiju as many times as possible, to exercise Hatsurei-ho (the exercise to accelerate Reiki flow), to consider the Gyosei (waka poems) of Emperor Meiji as food for Kokoro and to uphold Go-kai (the Five Reiki Principles).”
– Hiroshi Doi
Understanding Different Approaches to Reiki Practice
Two valid paths with different roots and philosophies
Japanese Reiki Practice Group
Based on Usui Reiki Ryoho (early 1900s Japan)
Origins
- Rooted in Japanese culture & history
- Tendai Buddhism & Shinto influences
- Researchable & documented
Structure
- Regular ongoing practice (weekly/bi-monthly)
- Teacher-led sessions
- Reiju (spiritual blessing) from teacher
- Foundation meditation practices
Focus
- Five elements of the system
- Personal spiritual cultivation
- Experiential Hara-centered energetic work
- Precepts as foundation
- Community & connection
- Long-term development
Western Reiki Shares/Circles
Emerged from New Age movement (1970s-80s)
Origins
- Western New Age movement
- Victorian spiritualism influences
- Blended with Egyptian/Tibetan mysticism
- Indian chakra system integration
Structure
- Often informal gatherings
- Peer-led or rotating facilitation
- Varied practices & techniques
Focus
- Group healing exchanges
- Community & connection
- Energy body/aura work
- Spirit guides & channeling
Bronwen’s Online Reiki Coaching Group: What’s Included & What’s Not
Focused on traditional Usui Reiki Ryoho teachings
✓ What We Practice
- The Five Elements (precepts & waka, meditations, reiju, hands-on healing, mantras/symbols)
- Traditional Japanese techniques
- Reiju (spiritual blessing)
- Foundation practices (Hatsurei Ho Version 1 & 2)
- Chanting of jumon (mantras)
- Hara-centered energetic work
- Teacher-student relationship
- Historical & cultural context
- Researchable practices
- Ongoing practice support
- Professional Practitioner & Teacher guidance
✗ What I Don’t Include
- Chakra systems (Indian yogic tradition)
- Aura cleansing techniques
- Spirit guides or channeling
- Egyptian origin stories
- Tibetan additions
- Extraterrestrial connections
- Non-traditional symbols
- “Power boosts” or “upgrades”
- Energy body work (Victorian spiritualism)
- Channeled information
Challenges to Your Reiki Practice
Here’s the reality many practitioners face today:
- Japanese-focused in-person practice groups may not exist in your area
- The groups you do find might blend multiple systems or focus primarily on New Age additions
- You want something historically accurate and researchable, not guesswork or channeled information
- You need flexibility for your schedule and time zone
A Modern Solution for Traditional Practice
This is why I created the Online Reiki Coaching Group. It’s a modern adaptation of traditional Japanese practice groups called Shuyo kai—bringing together the structure, support, and foundation practices of Usui Reiki Ryoho in a format that works for today’s global community.
Every second Sunday (or Monday in Australia), we gather online to:
- Practice foundation techniques (Hatsurei Ho Versions 1 & 2)
- Delve deeper into the Japanese aspects of the practice
- Receive reiju (a Japanese Reiki blessing)
- Connect with like-minded practitioners
- Find support for your self-practice and business development
The Benefits of This Approach
What Makes This Different:
Based on over two decades of research into Usui Mikao’s teachings, this group focuses on the five foundation elements: precepts & waka, meditation and techniques, reiju, hands-on healing, and mantras/symbols. Everything connects back to documented Japanese cultural, spiritual, and philosophical traditions—Tendai Buddhism, Shinto practices, and the historical context of early 1900s Japan.
As your teacher, I’m present to guide, support, and perform reiju—maintaining that essential teacher-student relationship found in traditional Japanese practice groups. This isn’t a one-time event but regular, continuous support for your lifelong practice.
Who Is This For?
This group is perfect if you want support in continuing your Reiki self-practice, assistance developing your Reiki business, value historical accuracy and research, appreciate Japanese spiritual traditions, or can’t find local groups that resonate with your approach.
Everyone is welcome—whether you studied with me or another teacher, whether you’re brand new to the Japanese approach or deeply experienced. What matters is your sincere interest and curiosity in practicing the system of Reiki.
Finding Your Spiritual Home
It’s tough trying to practice on your own. If you’re drawn to the traditional Japanese roots of Usui Reiki Ryoho, the Online Reiki Coaching Group might be your practice home.
Be reminded why you practice the system of Reiki. Connect with your spiritual home.
Practical Details:
- Join from anywhere in the world
- Participate with or without camera
- Recordings available for one month
- Meets every second Sunday (Europe/USA) or Monday (Australia) at 8am Australian time
- Name-your-price enrollment makes it accessible regardless of your financial situation
