I would like to start learning/practicing reiki, but I wonder if taking classes is practical. I read sometimes classes can decrease your natural reiki ability, while others say classes are a good place to learn. Also, reiki class prices are well.. pricey. What's your input?
Try reading stuff on Chi healing and auto-educate yourself, it's pretty easy for me though.
There is plenty of internet to get the info you need to start. no need to pay for that knowledge in my opinion.
You could do the same with reiki to. In the end they are all different interpretations of the same thing, if those arts have remained for so long, they all must have their similarities which actually work. :-)
I'd start by reading stuff on reiki on the internet.
Start with basic things like the Cho-ku-rei symbol.
What is good about Reiki symbols (cause geez there's tons of em) is that you can really use only cho-ku-rei for a while since you're begining.
Cho-ku-rei really gather all the energy around and puts it in the specific part you're looking to heal
I prefer using my thumb to draw the symbol on the place that needs it but if you're going for shoulders or bigger body parts you can use your palm.
Classes are not really necessary but the person that you use it on must trust you and be relaxed.
Start with some small healings.
If you notice the people saying wow this helps a lot and she doesn't feel anything the next day it's probably working and you have a good flow of energy.
Keep doing that until you feel like you could make use of another symbol.
There's really no right way to do a symbol, specially the cho ku rei, you draw it how you feel the energy flowing.
It can also cure pretty much anything, if you have a headhache do the symbol on your head etc.
The best advice I can give you is to not try to learn all the symbols too quickly because they're very complex.
But hehe if you wanna try you can always do!
After the Cho ku rei you can read about the Masters Symbols which is awesome to look at and try em on yourself.
Good Luck!
Kzaal.
"Are reiki classes nessisary?"
If you wish to learn the art of Reiki they are. :-)