MysticMag chats with Mamta Nanda, a dedicated Reiki Master. Mamta learned Reiki in 2001 and started her public practice in 2004. Initiated as a Reiki Master in 2008, she offers treatments, Reiki courses, and Reiki shares to a diverse clientele in Highbury, Islington, North London, UK. Registered with the CNHC and a verified member of The Reiki Association (TRA), Mamta has served on the TRA Board and represented TRA on the UK Reiki Council. She integrates a range of healing modalities, including Soul Plan Readings and Instinctive Meditation, into her practice. Mamta’s journey from a background in statistics and computer software in India to a full-time mother and Reiki practitioner in the UK reflects her deep commitment to holistic well-being and community support.
Mamta, can you share your personal journey with Reiki and how it led you to become a Reiki Master and teacher?
Since childhood, I had been drawn to natural ways of doing things. I knew very little about Reiki until I encountered it at a local center where my Reiki teacher practiced. She had posted a notice about an upcoming class, and the words caught my attention: “Reiki is a natural form of healing.” That simple statement resonated deeply with me. The idea that I could learn to give myself Reiki treatments appealed to my desire for self-reliance, and the thought of being able to offer healing to my children, friends, and family intrigued me.
At the time, my children were about six and two years old, and I used to worry about their well-being every time they were unwell or hurt. The thought of being able to give them Reiki felt like a wonderful way to manage those anxieties. So, without knowing much about Reiki, I called my future teacher and asked if I could join the class and how to prepare. She intuitively sensed my logical nature and simply advised me to come with an open mind. I’m so grateful I did because, 23 years later, Reiki still feels like one of the best things I’ve ever learned. It has been a true gift to have this healing ability in my hands, allowing me to help myself and others, especially in times of need.
When I first learned Reiki, I gradually began to feel the benefits. My energy levels improved—I used to be so exhausted that I often went to bed at the same time as my children. Feeling the benefits of Reiki gave me the motivation to treat myself regularly, and I noticed I wasn’t getting sick as often. When I did fall ill, I recovered much more quickly. This wasn’t just true for me; my children also seemed less susceptible to infections, and when they did get sick, they recovered faster. Reiki nourished me in ways I hadn’t anticipated, fulfilling inner needs I wasn’t even aware of. It allowed me to take care of myself so that I could better care for others.
As a mother, the benefits I experienced inspired me to share Reiki with other mothers around me. This led to offering Reiki treatments to women, primarily mothers and children. By 2004, I felt ready to start a public practice, beginning with a weekly clinic for mothers, babies, and pregnant women. Over time, this evolved into a general Reiki practice open to anyone seeking its benefits. I had realized that while receiving Reiki from someone else is powerful, learning to give oneself Reiki every day is even more transformative. This inspired me to start Reiki mastery training so that I could help others learn Reiki. I completed my mastery training in 2008 and have been teaching and offering Reiki treatments regularly ever since.
How do your Reiki Shares in London provide continued support for Reiki practitioners, and why do you believe this community aspect is so vital?
I truly believe that healing with the community amplifies the process. While giving myself a daily Reiki treatment is essential, practicing with others—even in one-on-one sessions—allows the healing to reach a much deeper level. This is a significant reason why I’m motivated to dedicate my time and energy to offering practice sessions for the community. On my own Reiki journey, I benefitted a lot from the Reiki shares my Reiki Master used to offer. So I see this as a valuable part of my practice that I’m committed to continuing.
What sets your Reiki classes apart from others, particularly in terms of your approach to teaching Usui Shiki Ryoho?
Reiki is a beautifully simple practice, but as it spread from Japan to the West, it has evolved in many different ways. Today, there are likely over 100 different forms of Reiki practiced around the world. The form of Reiki that I have dedicated myself to is Reiki, Usui Shiki Ryoho, honouring the spiritual lineage of Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata, Phyllis Lei Furumoto and Johannes Reindl.
In this tradition, we teach Reiki in-person in the oral tradition. Being together in person, especially with the intention of teaching, creates a powerful energy field. We teach through our own experience, not from a manual. Teachings are conveyed through spoken word and the students receive them with their whole being. Students are not allowed to make notes during the class. It is experiential learning and the students practice Reiki on themselves and each other.
One of the key elements of this tradition is that the connection between teacher and student is for life, not just for the duration of the class. This is another reason why I continue to offer Reiki shares, particularly for my students. As a full-time Reiki teacher, I make myself available when my students need to connect, whether it’s for a Reiki treatment, to ask questions, or to seek support during challenges. This ongoing relationship is a vital part of the oral tradition of Reiki as practiced in Usui Shiki Ryoho, honoring the way it has been passed down through the lineage from teacher to student.
As a member of various Reiki associations, and a practitioner registered with the Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC), how do you ensure high standards in your Reiki practice and teaching?
The sense of community in my Reiki journey has been deeply enriching, largely due to my involvement with various Reiki organizations. I joined the Reiki Association early on, around 2003, and while my own Reiki master was incredibly supportive, she encouraged her students to be part of a broader community. I feel that no single Master can offer what a larger community can. Being part of a bigger community can sometimes feel like walking through a forest filled with mature trees, rather than having only one tree in my garden. The richness of experience and wisdom from many experienced teachers, practitioners, and students has been invaluable to my growth.
Over the years, I have participated actively in this community, which has deeply nourished me and supported my personal healing and development. This growth naturally flows into everything I offer—treatments, events, shares, workshops, and, of course, my teaching.
In 2017, I felt ready to join the Reiki Alliance, a global organization of Reiki masters practicing and teaching Usui Shiki Ryoho, honouring the spiritual lineage of Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata, Phyllis Lei Furumoto and Johannes Reindl. Being part of this worldwide community has also been transformative, allowing me to grow in ways that are sometimes hard to articulate but deeply impactful nonetheless.
Reiki is practiced in many different ways, and as the complementary care sector has grown, there has been a need to protect the public’s interests when they go to complementary practitioners. In the UK, several Reiki organizations came together under the umbrella of the Reiki Council to establish standards that public/professional Reiki practitioners should adhere to. Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council (CNHC) was established in 2008 with government funding and support.
Being a CNHC-registered practitioner means that my Reiki practice meets these established standards. The CNHC has a code of conduct, similar to the one originally set by the Reiki Association, and being aligned with both ensures that I maintain a high level of professionalism. CNHC registration also requires ongoing professional development, which reassures my clients and students that I am continually deepening my connection with Reiki practice.
Additionally, the CNHC has a robust complaints and disciplinary procedure, offering a formal avenue for addressing any concerns from the public, which hopefully inspires trust. It’s important to note that CNHC registration is voluntary, and not all Reiki practitioners need to or choose to register. However, for the Reiki practitioners in medical or care settings, it is particularly pertinent and beneficial.
How has your experience with Reiki influenced your approach to other healing modalities you offer, such as Soul Plan Readings, Instinctive Meditation and Restorative Yoga?
Before discovering Reiki, I had little awareness of the spiritual dimensions of life. Reiki is more than just a hands-on practice; it comes with its own spiritual teachings, known as the Reiki Principles, which guide students in their personal growth and evolution. Through my journey as a Reiki student, I’ve learned to understand myself better, trust my intuition, and expand my spiritual toolkit.
Over the years, I’ve felt drawn to various modalities that have enriched my own healing journey. Some of these practices have deeply resonated with me, and I’ve immersed myself in them so that I can share their benefits with others. Each of these modalities, along with Reiki, supports me. Every circle I participate in, every session I offer and every situation I encounter is infused with the wisdom and energy of all these practices.
If you would like to find out more about Reiki with Mamta, please visit http://www.reikiwithmamta.com/
