The Reiki attunement is what makes Reiki unique to other forms of healing touch and energy work.
This ceremony, called Reiju (Ray-joo) in Japanese, is performed by the Reiki Master and opens and expands the main energy channels of the student's body, allowing universal energy, also known as Qi/Chi/Ki, to flow more freely and deeply.
Because of this opening process, the attunement also does what Reiki is meant to do — clear blockages. As a result, this can create significant energy changes within the individual and many will undergo an intense period of self-growth.
Reiki Level 1: The First Degree
Level 1 is a practitioner's initiation into Reiki and is open to anyone. The focus during Level 1 is on opening the energy channels on a physical level, allowing the practitioner to connect to the universal life force energy, which flows from the cosmos through the crown of the head and down to the heart and hands.
Many Reiki Masters emphasize self-Reiki as the goal of the Level 1 designation, encouraging students to focus on practicing Reiki on themselves, thereby working through their own obstacles.