Questions to Ask a Reiki Teacher Before You Book an Attunement

A Reiki attunement takes a short time, but the teacher who gives it shapes everything around it. The way a teacher explains the practice, answers questions and supports you afterward often decides whether Reiki becomes a daily habit or slowly fades.

Asking clear questions before you book is a normal and respectful step. A good teacher welcomes them and answers in plain language, without pressure to decide on the spot.

1. What is your Reiki lineage?

Before you book a Reiki attunement, ask the teacher about their lineage, how they trained, what the class covers, how much practice you get, and what support follows the attunement. Clear answers help you choose a teacher whose style fits the way you want to practice.

Usui Reiki passes from teacher to student, and most teachers can trace their line back to Mikao Usui, the founder of the practice. Ask the teacher to share that line, the names of the teachers between them and Usui.

A teacher who can name their lineage is showing you where their training came from. If you want to understand why the line matters, read what the Reiki Usui lineage chart means.

2. How did you train, and how long have you practiced?

Ask who attuned the teacher at each level and how long they have practiced on themselves and on others. Years alone do not make a great teacher, but steady personal practice usually shows in how clearly a teacher explains the basics.

You can also ask how they practice today. A teacher who still gives themselves Reiki most days tends to speak from experience rather than from a script.

3. What does the class cover, and how much will I practice?

A Level 1 class usually covers more than the attunement itself. Ask which of these the class includes and how much time goes to each one:

• The history of Reiki and the five Reiki principles
• Hand positions for daily self-practice
• How to give a session to a friend or family member
• What changes at Level 2 and at the Master level

Hands-on practice matters most. If you are not sure which level to start with, the guide to choosing between Reiki Level 1, 2 and Master explains what each one opens.

4. Is the attunement in person or at a distance?

Teachers in the Usui tradition offer attunements in person, at a distance, or both. Ask how this teacher runs each format, what you do on your end, and whether there is a live conversation before or after.

Neither format is a shortcut. What matters is that you understand the process and feel comfortable with it before the day arrives.

5. What support do I get after the attunement?

Many students feel shifts in the weeks after an attunement, and questions come up when the class is over. Ask whether you can reach the teacher afterward, how they prefer to be contacted, and whether a written manual comes with the class.

Ask how the teacher talks about the first three weeks as well. The post on the 21-day Reiki clearing describes what many students notice in that period.

6. How do you describe what Reiki can and cannot do?

This question tells you a great deal about a teacher. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health describes Reiki as a practice in which practitioners place their hands lightly on or just above a person, and it notes that Reiki has not been shown to have harmful effects. You can read that overview on the NCCIH Reiki page.

A careful teacher presents Reiki as a complementary practice. They encourage you to keep working with a doctor or mental health professional for any health concern, and they never promise a specific outcome.

7. What is included in the class fee?

Ask what the fee covers before you pay. Common items include the attunement, a manual, a certificate of completion, practice time and follow-up questions.

Knowing what is included helps you compare teachers fairly. It also avoids surprises when you are ready to move on to the next level.

Questions to ask yourself, too

A good fit runs both ways. Before you book, think about why you want to learn Reiki now and how much time you can give to daily self-practice.

Consider whether you learn best in a room with other students or at home at your own pace. Your answers point you toward the format and the teacher that suit you, and the guide on how to prepare for your first Reiki attunement covers the days just before it.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need any experience before a Reiki Level 1 attunement?

No experience is needed for Level 1. The class is designed for beginners, and it teaches you the basics of self-practice from the start.

Is a distance attunement the same as an in-person one?

Teachers in the Usui tradition hold different views on this. Ask how this teacher runs a distance attunement, what you do during it, and how they stay in touch afterward.

How do I know if a teacher is right for me?

Pay attention to how the teacher answers your questions. Clear, calm answers and no pressure to book are good signs that you will feel supported after the class.

What should I do after my attunement?

Give yourself Reiki each day, even for a few minutes, and notice what changes. Many students also keep a Reiki journal to track their practice over the first weeks.