Why I’m Moving Away from the Term “Reiki” in My Healing Work

For many years, I have deeply valued the art of energy healing. I’ve trained extensively, becoming a certified Reiki Master and working with countless individuals to restore balance and alignment in their lives. However, as my practice has evolved, I’ve felt a growing misalignment with using the term “Reiki” to describe the work I do.

This shift isn’t a rejection of Reiki itself—I have the utmost respect for its roots and traditions. Rather, it’s a reflection of my deep reverence for its lineage, my own personal evolution as a healer, and a commitment to energetic discernment in the work I bring forth.

Honoring Reiki’s Origins

Reiki, as a healing practice, was founded in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui in Japan. Its foundations lie in ancient spiritual and healing traditions, blending Buddhist, Shinto, and Taoist influences with energy work to facilitate healing on all levels—physical, emotional, and spiritual. The very word "Reiki" (霊気) translates to "spiritual energy" or "universal life force energy."

Being a Jiu Jitsu student since the age of 12, I have always been drawn to Japanese culture, its philosophy, and its discipline. This deep appreciation has led me to reflect on how Reiki is more than just an energy healing modality—it is a cultural and spiritual practice with a long lineage. Out of reverence for its traditional roots, I no longer feel fully aligned with using the name “Reiki” to describe what I do, as my approach has expanded beyond its original framework.

An Integrative Approach to Healing

While Reiki’s energetic principles remain a cornerstone of my work, my sessions now integrate multiple healing modalities, blending Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) wisdom, guided meditation, sound, breath, and feminine activation. This intuitive and personalized approach, which I now call Energetic Alignment & Healing, allows me to tailor each session to my client’s unique energetic makeup and elemental imbalances.

Rather than following a structured technique, I work with the body's energy in a way that is fluid, responsive, and deeply connected to the individual's needs. This flexibility has empowered me to serve my clients in a way that feels more authentic, aligned, and attuned to their healing journey.

Spiritual Discernment & Energetic Integrity

Beyond cultural respect and personal alignment, another key reason for this transition is spiritual discernment. Reiki, like many ancient healing arts, is passed down through lineages. When we become certified in Reiki, we form an energetic connection not only with the practice but also with the lineage and teachers who came before us.

With hundreds of thousands of practitioners worldwide, it’s important to acknowledge that while most are using this energy for good, not all energetic ties are created equal. In any lineage, there may be those who have not worked in full integrity, and energetic ties can carry forward—sometimes unknowingly. I have come to realize that I no longer wish to be energetically connected to a system that I do not have full discernment over.

I believe in being highly intentional about the energy I work with and pass on to my clients. By stepping into a practice that is fully my own, I am ensuring that the energy I channel is in its purest, most aligned form, free of external influences or unseen energetic ties.

Empowering Others to Honor Their Own Path

This transition is not about rejecting Reiki—it’s about honoring the evolution of my own work and staying in integrity with what I offer. If Reiki still resonates deeply with you, honor that. If you feel called to evolve beyond it, trust that too. The most important thing is to be intentional, discerning, and aligned with the energy you choose to engage with.

Healing is a sacred journey, and it is one that continuously unfolds. As I move forward, my commitment remains the same: to provide a space of deep healing, alignment, and transformation for those who are ready to step into their highest energetic potential.

If you feel called to experience this intuitive and integrative approach, I invite you to explore Energetic Alignment & Healing with me. Let’s co-create a space of balance, renewal, and empowerment—tailored to your unique energetic signature!

With love & gratitude,

Ashley René