Reiki is a Japanese word meaning "Universal Life-Force-Energy". The "Ki" part is the same word as Chi or Qi, the Chinese word for the energy which underlies everything. Reiki is a system for channeling that energy to someone for the purpose of healing. It was discovered by Dr. Usui in the late 1800's, a teacher or perhaps dean of a Christian school in Japan.

Reiki is a hands on healing technique, using the practitioners energy to heal. There are basic positions to place the hands and even techniques to use on yourself. Stones and crystals can be used to focus and amplify this healing energy.

Reiki was brought to America by Mrs. Takata, born in 1900. She traveled to Japan to visit her family. She became very ill and was treated by a Reiki practitioner, when she became well she asked to be taught this technique for healing. She returned to Hawaii and continued using and teaching Reiki.  Eventually she moved to California, using and teaching Reiki there as well.   She did not teach other masters until 1975, and before her own death in 1980 she trained 22 Reiki Masters. (source from about.com)

Mrs. Takata's 22 Masters
George Araki
Dorothy Baba
Ursula Baylow
Rick Bockner
Patricia Bowling
Barbara Brown
Fran Brown
Phyllis Furumoto
Beth Gray
John Gray
Iris Ishikuro
Harry Kuboi
Ethel  Lombardi
Barbara McCullough
Mary McFadyen
Paul Mitchell
Bethel Phaigh
Shinobu Saito
Virginia Samdahl
Wanja Twan
Barbara Weber Ray
Kay Yamashita

More to come........