I’ll speak to “you” as if you are “the student”, because whether you’re considering the course, have already done the course, would never dream of doing the course or whether you’re simply curious (or nosy!), you are very welcome here.
In this blog, I not only want to paint a picture of the experience for the participants (“you”, “the student”!), I also want to give you a sense of how I prepare, how I experience the course and what it truly means to me.
This piece of writing has been brewing in me for a while now. A Reiki course can be like no course you’ve ever taken before; that’s what I want you to understand in reading this. I always intend for it to be a truly special experience for each participant.
Of course, how you experience this course is not entirely within my control. So much depends on each individual - your perspective, your experiences, your expectations - and also on the group as a whole. A bit like when you make pancakes(!): every course turns out a little differently. That’s part of its beauty. It is always, in its own way, a completely unique experience and one from which I always learn plenty for myself.
Now. The thing is:
My teaching is evolving - it always has been, and it always will be. This course is held to a high professional standard and is accredited as part of the Alvechurch Reiki Professional Practitioner Diploma, an approved UK Reiki Federation course and recognised by the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council.
The structure and content remain largely the same, and I continue to follow a detailed and carefully considered teaching plan, with small tweaks made over time through reflection. What does seem to be deepening, however, is the experience of the teaching itself within that strong foundation.
Part of this is the depth and capacity of my listening, which has grown significantly. This isn’t a conventional course where information is simply delivered, noted down, and validated with a certificate - it’s so much more than that (which is what makes it so, so special). While I do share a great deal of knowledge, there is time and space for discussion and reflection. Within that, I am listening closely and observing the group: what’s being expressed, what’s not being said, and the more subtle, unseen layers beneath the surface.
I feel deep gratitude that my capacity for this depth of listening and care is being strengthened through the Death Doula Preparation Course that I’m following. I’m also grateful for the guidance of an incredible role model, Alexandra Derwen, whose presence in my life is deeply influencing my teaching.
I’ll be honest — I hesitated to share that part (about the evolution of my teaching).......
Why hesitate? Well, as I sit here writing, I find myself thinking of my earlier students. I wonder if you might read this and feel that your experience isn’t reflected here. I truly hope that isn’t the case. And if it ever were, I would hope you’d feel able to tell me.
I teach with a wide-open heart….
That’s the thing: I do teach with a wide-open heart. And on some occasions, after a course, I don’t hear from a student again. I know life moves on, and there’s no expectation to stay in touch, of course, but I do sometimes find myself wondering how you are and where your path has taken you. Ultimately, I have to hope you received everything you needed at the time - as is always the intention when we invite Reiki.
I invest energy in making sure I’ve supported you in choosing my Reiki 1 Course wisely. Before we even arrive at the course itself, there’s a step I never like to miss:
I always make sure we’ve had a conversation beforehand.
It matters that you feel informed, comfortable and confident in your choice of teacher. That you know what you’re saying yes to and that it feels aligned in both timing and suitability for you.
The gathering……
So, in the lead-up, I find myself intrigued by the glimpses I get in those early conversations. I begin to notice patterns forming as the small group (never more than 8 of you; generally fewer than that) is starting to form:
Perhaps you’ve shared similar life experiences…
Or perhaps you come from completely different backgrounds and I sense that the learning between you has the potential to be rich and unexpected.
As I’m binding your manuals, making up your goodie bags, shopping for your refreshments and creating and printing your certificates, I hold each of you in mind. You also come to mind as I’m meditating in the weeks leading up to the course. My intuition gently nudges me towards what you might need from me and from the course, sometimes before I’ve ever met you in person.
I hold a genuine curiosity for how it will all land for you.
So… what actually happens over those two days?
Let me take you into it…...
First of all, when I’m teaching in a hired venue (usually the serene haven of Skin & Wellness in the centre of Alvechurch, or Hopwood Village Hall, depending on numbers), I make sure both I and the space are fully prepared.
On the day itself, I arrive super early to set up carefully and with intention. I also take time to sit in meditation, as maintaining my spiritual hygiene is very important to me.
As outlined in the course itinerary sent 14 days beforehand, I will be ready to welcome you at 8:50am (10 minutes before the course begins), so I kindly ask that you don’t arrive any earlier than this. This is a boundary I hold firmly and lovingly, allowing me to remain in a calm, centred state as I welcome you, and to set the tone for the day ahead.
Without going into everything I hold as part of my teaching practice, I’d like to share something my teacher, Amanda White (Usui Reiki Academy Surrey), passed on during the Reiki Master Teacher training I took with her in 2021.
This isn’t exactly how she worded or explained it, but I’ve taken the essence and expressed it in my own words:
Teach from a place of full presence, from a calm, meditative state of mind. A soft gaze can help you remain grounded, allowing you to stay in that state of calm awareness as you speak to the group.
That calm, meditative state is only truly accessible for me when I deeply value the ritual of taking time in meditation before I open the doors.
As you arrive, I give you space and time to fully settle; to make yourself a drink of your choice, find a seat you feel comfortable in, rummage through your goodie bag, leaf through your manual and chat with others on the course.
This is a time of gathering and settling in, as the group gradually takes shape.
It’s important to me that this feels like a safe, supportive space for everyone there, myself included. After a bit of practical housekeeping, I like to invite us into a shared understanding about how we’ll BE together as a group; something simple and flexible that helps everyone feel comfortable and included.
This group agreement might include things like being present (for example, limiting phone use) and being mindful of time, especially around breaks, so we can honour the rhythm of the day. We also have realistic conversations around confidentiality. There’s always space for you to add anything that would help you feel more at ease in the group.
We then unpack the question: “what’s your why?”, exploring and sharing as much as you feel comfortable with about why you are taking a Reiki 1 course and why now? The reasons are varied and intriguing. This is a wonderful way to hear from each of you and voice our intentions for the two days.
There’s a natural rhythm to the two days, supporting the overall flow of the course, like smaller waves moving within a larger one. The rhythm is a repeated flow of teaching, followed by guided practice and then a period of reflection, which gives a chance to ask questions. There are 4 pillars that hold up the two days; the attunements.
Attunements, or spiritual empowerments, are an important part of a Reiki course, offering an initial opening to the awareness of Reiki and “tuning” the student into its finer vibrational frequency. They are carried out as a ritual within a shared, group energy field, in which the I bring each student into this experience with the intention of connecting them to Reiki and the lineage. Rather than a single, powerful event, attunements are given gradually over the two days, allowing space for integration, practice and understanding.
At their heart, they are a focused act of intention. This intention goes beyond a gentle initiation into recognising and working with Reiki. It can be understood as a remembering of our original nature and that we already are spiritual energy. An attunement can feel like a return to yourself.
For some, this is a profound and sensory experience, sometimes also emotional. For others, very little is felt in the moment, and some trust is required; trust in the intention set and in the process of awareness deepening over time.
Day one is devoted to “self.” There is a substantial amount of theory to move through, carefully scaffolded to support your understanding of what Reiki is, how energy can be understood, and the importance of historical context.
This theoretical learning is interwoven with meditation practice, which we build gradually, with my full support. Day one’s culmination is a beautiful self Reiki treatment.
I set a little light homework to help carry the healing energy of the day into your evening. I also suggest keeping your plans gentle, as you may feel quite tired and benefit from resting and allowing everything to settle.
I try to take part in this myself, especially the resting and letting things settle. I spend time reflecting on the first day before we meet again, because it really matters to me that I’m meeting you and the group in the best way I can.
Day two centres on learning to offer Reiki treatments to others - at this stage, limited to friends, family (and pets). The emphasis, however, remains on Reiki as your own practice, first and foremost.
From the very first guided treatments (one seated and one on the couch), I’ll gently remind you to let go of the “doing”, to allow the flow of Reiki and to notice that you are receiving healing at the same time. If you find yourself feeling tired or depleted after treating someone else, it may be a sign that you need to practise “getting yourself out of the way”.
This takes time and, in many ways, it’s an ongoing process. A beautiful, continuous re-remembering, perhaps not unlike your attunements.
Depending on the preferences of the group, we spend time towards the end of day two exploring animal Reiki, using Reiki to cleanse and charge crystals, or both aspects. Generally, by this point, you will have resonated with at least some aspects of the course, and my aim is to gently encourage you to engage your imagination:
Where do you see Reiki fitting into your life?
What do you imagine the benefits to be for you and your loved ones?
We conclude day two with a celebration of your achievement at completing the course with a beautiful certificate and perhaps some group photos. I remind you of the importance of putting into practice what you have learnt. The 21 days after the course, sometimes referred to as the “21-day self cleanse”, is an important period of adjustment and a phase of integration. It is your chance (not your last chance, however - never feel you’ve messed it up and can’t start over!) to put into daily practice all you have learnt.
I also remind you that I am contactable following the course, should you have any questions. I am well aware that there is so much information flying around on a Reiki course. What you need to land for you at the time, will land for you. From thereon in, the beautiful unpacking of the gift is ongoing!
You’re likely to be feeling a little tired after the course, so it’s always a good idea to allow yourself some restful days in the time that follows. I encourage you to stay connected with one another, if you’d like to.
On the following Monday morning, you’ll find a feedback form in your inbox - I always adore reading your reflections.
As I bring this piece to a close, I’m conscious that there is so, so much more I could share with you about this Reiki 1 Course! At the same time, I feel that to do so would be to reveal all of my trade secrets and leave very little left to discover for yourself.
So, I shall leave it there!...
Suffice it to say, I recall that as I drove home from my Reiki 1 course with Amanda White some years ago, I felt uplifted in a way no course had ever made me feel before. It was as though my eyes had been opened to all of the colours in the world, as they had suddenly been cranked up to the max! I also had that wonderful sense of wellbeing you get from a spa retreat, you know? No stress at my shoulders, ease and bliss in my heart….
My wish for my Reiki 1 students (that would be you, I guess, if you’re still reading this?) is that you experience it as the precious gift it was for me, and that you feel the gentle “retreat vibe” across the two days. My hope is that the way this course is framed inspires and supports you to create a beautiful daily Reiki practice, and that it ignites a deep, unwavering self-love within you.
If this has piqued your interest and you’d like to explore Reiki training with me, you can find out more here and, specifically about Reiki 1, here.. I am always delighted to talk about the course - just drop me an email at alvechurchreiki@gmail.com and we can arrange a time to talk.
All opinions and views expressed in this article are my own. I am Helen Cochrane, an accredited Reiki practitioner and Usui Reiki Master Teacher, offering accredited courses. I am the founder of Alvechurch Reiki.
Aww wonderful, it all comes flooding back! You hold such a beautiful space to learn in. Professional and compassionate in equal measure. One of the greats ❤️