Reiki pronounced "RAY-key," is a holistic mind-body healing art developed by Mikao Usui in Japan during the 1920s. It is based on the ancient Eastern understanding of a life force energy or "Rei Ki" (靈氣) that permeates everything in the universe. It's the energy of nature.
Mikao Usui, the founder of Reiki Therapy for Improvement of Body and Mind, created this unique healing method that allows Reiki practitioners to channel this life force energy. Using this method, practitioners gently place their hands on the person's body, effectively enhancing the person's natural self-healing ability and maximizing physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
Mikao Usui's primary focus was healing physical ailments but he also created techniques that helped resolve mental blocks, bad habits, and emotional disbalance. This's why his method is said to be truly unique - it works on the whole person - mind, body, and spirit.
About Jikiden REiki
While the practice of Reiki in Japan nearly completely disappeared, Reiki has gained immense popularity in the West. Over time, a lot was "lost in translation" and Reiki teachings in the West have undergone significant changes, leading to many new Reiki styles. Many of the new Reiki lineages retain "Usui" in the name but utilize techniques that are quite different from the original Reiki method created by the founder.
Thankfully, the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto, Japan, has been diligently preserving the traditional Japanese Reiki method of 心身改善臼井靈氣療法 "Shin Shin Kaizen Usui Reiki Ryoho".
"Jikiden" or "Direct Teaching" of Reiki has been passed down from teacher to student without modification for generations. Today, when hundreds of thousands of people practice Reiki around the world, Jikiden Reiki can be seen as the "best-kept secret" in Reiki - it is our sole remaining access to the traditional Japanese Reiki method.
Join us on a journey to discover the true essence of Reiki with Jikiden Reiki. Book a session with us or sign up for one of our seminars.
What Are Reiki Sessions Like?
A Reiki session is usually conducted in a peaceful setting, with a person lying down on a massage table fully clothed. The practitioner then gently places his or her hands on the receiver's body focusing on areas of concern. There is no pressure or manipulation, only light touch.
If you've had Usui Reiki or other Reiki styles in the past, you may have experienced the "no-touch" Reiki. This is not uncommon - in many Reiki styles, practitioners don't touch their clients and have hands hovering above the client's body. At San Diego Reiki, our Certified Jikiden Reiki practitioners utilize direct touch during Reiki. Direct touch was considered essential in the original Reiki method and we continue following that authentic Japanese tradition.
What Does It Feel Like TO Receive Reiki?
When a person receives Reiki, the experience may be different each time, even with the same practitioner. Some people feel a certain flow through their body, others feel warmth or other physical sensations.
You may experience clarity, grounding, feeling more balanced, and a certain lightness - as if a weight has been lifted off. Occasionally, Reiki may trigger an emotional release. It is also possible not to feel anything during the session, but it is rather rare. Most people feel relaxed and rejuvenated after receiving Reiki.
Original Reiki
San Diego Reiki is a traditional Japanese Reiki practice founded in 2014 by Dr. Maria Danilychev, MD.
Amazed by over a decade of observational evidence of the effectiveness of complementary therapies, Dr. Danlychev learned Reiki in 2013 and soon after, established San Diego Reiki, a practice dedicated to natural well-being through the gentle yet effective Japanese mind-body healing art of Jikiden Reiki.
What started as the doctor's learning experience out of scientific curiosity, has transformed into a unique Reiki practice that has transformed the lives of thousands of people.
We now have several Jikiden Reiki practitioners and continue to offer Reiki sessions and classes in San Diego and beyond.
Our Mission And Goals
At San Diego Reiki, our mission is:
- To provide exceptional Reiki services in a healing and compassionate environment.
- To preserve Reiki in its original Japanese tradition.
- To promote health and well-being in our community.
Short-term goals:
- To create a healing environment where we provide amazing Reiki services with dedication and gratitude.
Intermediate goals:
- To transition to a non-profit organization.
- To open additional locations.
Long-term goals:
- For San Diego Reiki to be a leader in the field of Reiki, while maintaining a humble approach.
- To conduct clinical research demonstrating the effectiveness of Reiki.
- To teach Reiki in settings where medical services and resources are scarce.
Dr. Maria Danilychev, MD
Dr. Danilychev, MD, the founder of San Diego Reiki, is a practicing medical doctor with more than 20 years of experience.
Over the course of her medical career, Dr. Danilychev has seen a lot! From being one of the first responders during 9/11 to becoming one of the very few quadruple board-certified physicians in the US, Dr. Danilychev's expertise spans the fields of Internal Medicine, Clinical Research, Geriatrics, and Hospice and Palliative Medicine.
In addition to Dr. Danilychev's extensive knowledge of Western Medicine, she is the only medical doctor in the US, who is certified to practice and teach Jikiden Reiki, the only available traditional Japanese Reiki healing method.
In spite of a wide range of her accomplishments, Dr. Danilychev maintains a humble approach of empathy and compassion in medicine, as well as in her Reiki practice.
In her spare time, Dr. Danilychev enjoys nature, travel, learning new languages, music, and other hobbies that feel expansive and creative.
Barbara Hennessy, RN
Barbara is an experienced and compassionate Reiki practitioner. With over 14 years of practice and study in Usui, Karuna, and Jikiden Reiki, she has developed a profound reverence for the traditional Japanese healing art for body and mind that is Jikiden Reiki. Barbara has a diverse background in the healing arts. She is an RN for just under 30 years, having recently retired from Kaiser Permanente Home Health. She worked as a Holistic Health Practitioner for 15 years doing Massage Therapy.
Barbara approaches each client gently, with kindness and compassion. Her goal in a Reiki session is bring the client home to their true inner self where you will experience a profound sense of well-being, resilience and happiness.
A resident of San Diego, Barbara, in her spare time, enjoys walking her Black Lab Winnie, hiking, reading, and practicing Zen meditation.
Laurie Chambers, RN
In addition to being a Certified Jikiden Reiki Practitioner and 1st-level teacher, Laurie is an actively practicing Labor and Delivery nurse with many years of experience in the medical field.
Being drawn to natural wellness, Laurie embarked on a search for a holistic modality that would feel most aligned with her inner path and eventually discovered Jikiden Reiki - a gentle yet powerful healing method from Japan. Having learned other styles of Reiki in the past from some of the most esteemed teachers in the field, Laurie really connected with the authentic nature of Jikiden Reiki and has directly observed its remarkable healing effects in her work as a nurse.
Laurie is truly a natural healer and has unique spiritual insights, that can help gently guide you through even the most challenging healing journey. Laurie's clarity, calm, and wisdom will help you feel safe and supported while Reiki helps restore your mind-body and spirit.
In her free time, Laurie loves travel, photography, writing, and spending time with family and her amazing yellow lab Elsa.
Peter Price
Meet Peter Price, a Jikiden Reiki practitioner and first-level Reiki teacher (Shihan-Kaku).
Peter is a remarkable Reiki practitioner who brings a wealth of knowledge and life experiences to his Reiki practice. With a BBA in Business Administration from the University of San Diego and training in engineering, Peter spent over 35 years in Mechanical Design and Project Engineering roles at a Fortune 500 Aerospace company, working on projects both domestically and abroad.
Drawn to natural wellness, Peter discovered Jikiden Reiki, a traditional Japanese healing method that resonated deeply with his quest for holistic health. Naturally, Peter approached Reiki from an analytical perspective, and after repeated success in helping people with Reiki, he came to a definitive conclusion that Jikiden Reiki offers profound benefits on physical, mental, and spiritual levels.
Peter is a compassionate and insightful healer, known for his calm demeanor, good sense of humor, and strong intuition. His clarity and wisdom create a safe and nurturing environment, allowing Reiki to restore balance to the mind, body, and spirit.
Being a father of two adult daughters, Peter has gained profound insights and life experiences that help him connect with his clients in a patient and empathetic way. In his free time, Peter enjoys art and water sports, which further inspire his balanced and creative approach to life and well-being.
Mandy Pundik
Meet Mandy Pundik, a dedicated Jikiden Reiki practitioner at San Diego Reiki.
Mandy's goal is to create a safe and peaceful environment through Reiki, allowing individuals to tune into their body and heart's needs. She believes in the power of slowing down and giving oneself the necessary attention to foster healing and well-being. Mandy helps her clients re-establish an authentic connection with their higher self, and achieve a sense of balance and harmony. Mandy's compassionate and understanding nature, combined with a focus on mindfulness, ensures that her clients feel truly cared for.
Mandy’s journey in healing and wellness is deeply rooted in her diverse educational and professional background. She studied Social Work and Religion in Nashville, TN, and London, England, earning her Bachelor in Social Work.
Her passion for travel and teaching led her to Hiroshima, Japan, where she worked as an English teacher, immersing herself in the Japanese culture and language. Reiki is a remarkable Japanese healing art, and Mandy plans to further advance her connection to Japan and Reiki through additional training at the Jikiden Reiki Institute in Kyoto, Japan in 2025.
In her spare time, Mandy enjoys taking care of her two children, hosting community gatherings, traveling, and volunteering at a local food pantry. She also loves playing with her Great Dane, Honey Boo Boo. :)
People feel lighter, happier, and more relaxed in Mandy's presence. Her holistic approach to life and healing can gently help you on your mind-body wellness journey.
Ingrid Hoffman
Ingrid is a well-rounded Reiki Practitioner who combines a deep knowledge of Reiki with expertise in personal training and nutrition. Her journey with Reiki began as she explored holistic and Eastern healing methods. She completed Shoden and Okuden Reiki training (levels 1 & 2) and has become a Certified Jikiden Reiki Practitioner. Ingrid views herself as a lifelong learner, always eager to expand her knowledge to enhance her practice.
Because of her unique background, Ingrid has a deep understanding of the human body and how the musculoskeletal and nervous systems interact in response to injury. Ingrid harnesses the power of Reiki specializing in Reiki for sports injury management and for maximizing general well-being and athletic performance. Ingrid's caring presence and empathetic nature will make you feel comforted and relaxed. Receiving Reiki from Ingrid will help you stay motivated and reach your highest physical and spiritual potential.
When not practicing Reiki, Ingrid enjoys spending time in nature, traveling, and training in her favorite martial art Muay Thai.
Meansue Kha
After beating cancer at age 15, Meansue encountered numerous obstacles as he was trying to heal from this serious illness and its treatment complications.
Meansue had to overcome significant health challenges, some of which were a result of medical mismanagement of his condition. While harboring no resentment towards Western Medicine, Meansue can relate to what it feels like when you "fall through the cracks" of our healthcare system. He can profoundly understand the suffering many people endure while dealing with a serious illness, misdiagnosis, and side effects of treatment.
After many years of receiving disjointed medical care, Meansue was finally able to return to living a complete and healthy life through the use of Reiki. Meansue started of as a Reiki client, after about a year he became a Reiki practitioner, and eventually a Reiki teacher (Shihan-Kaku).
Meansue's healing journey has been nothing short of remarkable! Not only he is now able to maintain his own wellness but he is also helping others with Reiki.
In his free time, Meansue loves spending time with his goldendoodle Bunny and leading an active lifestyle (Meansue loves working out, playing soccer, and snowboarding). He also embraces creative pursuits, such as playing the piano and other instruments, and singing. Meansue also enjoys learning new languages and is currently studying Japanese.