Books can give different perspectives than mine of the history and uses of reiki, but to create the channel for reiki within you, you will need an attunement. Michio Usui created the system of reiki that is passed on through symbols so that it could be shared. Other ascended masters of healing like Buddha and Jesus have also figured out this energy, but the Usui system aligns well with the time and space requirements of living in this century.  

I do recommend reading about reiki before the workshop as mental and emotional preparation for the energetic shift you are about to undertake. Recommended reading  list: 

• Essential Reiki by Diane Stein

• Hands of Light by Barbara Ann Brennan

Reiki can be used in so many ways including calming, grounding, clearing, and energetic upliftment by permission to yourself, your friends, family, loved ones, foes, situations on the street, food, water, pets, nature, home.  Anything in your presence that is made of energy (which is everything). You could also set up a Reiki practice, or include it as a service within something you already do. We will discuss this in depth during the workshop. 

For those wishing to expand after the initial attunement, a Reiki level 2 attunement will teach you the symbols and allow you to direct the energy through time and space, and level 3 attunement allows you to pass on reiki attunements to others.