Reiki in Russia is a grey zone: the activity is formally illegal when healing effects are claimed, but criminal prosecution rarely reaches court. We examine the legal status across jurisdictions, profiles of 12 international masters, and the classic «authority borrowing» technique.
1. Profiles of International Masters
| Master |
Country |
Who they are |
Lineage |
| Hyakuten Inamoto |
Japan |
Buddhist monk (Jodo-shu, ordained 1982), founder of Komyo ReikiDo (1998), one of the most respected Japanese masters |
Usui → Japanese tradition |
| Johannes Reindl |
Austria |
Lineage holder of Usui Shiki Ryoho since 15.03.2019 (appointed by Phyllis Furumoyo). Started Reiki in 1995, initiated as master in Kyoto |
Usui → Hayashi → Takata → Furumoyo → Reindl |
| Robert Fueston |
USA (Kentucky) |
President of Reiki Preservation Society. Reiki historian, researched 22 of Takata’s students. Author of «Reiki: Transmissions of Light» |
Western tradition |
| Diane Stein |
USA |
Feminist, Wiccan, author. In 1995 published «Essential Reiki» — first book to reveal Reiki secret symbols. Position: Reiki should be accessible to all, not cost $10,000 |
Non-traditional |
| Justin Stein |
Canada |
Academic researcher of Japanese religions, University of Toronto. Specialist in Reiki history. Not a practising commercial master |
Academic context |
2. Why Schools Use These Names
Mentioning authoritative masters on a site is a classic infobusiness technique called authority borrowing. The logic: «we are connected to recognised international masters».
Important: the mere mention of these people on a school’s website does not mean their endorsement of its programme or diploma.
3. Legal Status by Jurisdiction
Russia
| Norm |
Substance |
| Art. 235 RF Criminal Code |
Illegal medical practice — criminal liability when health harm occurs |
| FL-323, Art. 50 |
Folk medicine (healing) is permitted but requires a special permit from the regional public health authority |
| Without permit |
Paid «healing» = illegal business activity (Art. 171 CC) + risk of Art. 235 if health harm caused |
| Reiki in Russia |
Classified as «folk healing». Most practitioners work without a permit — in the grey zone |
USA
| Situation |
Details |
| Most states |
Reiki is unregulated. Practice is legal with no medical claims |
| Florida, Texas, New Jersey, Ohio, Utah |
Require massage therapist licence for touching clients |
| Federal level |
No regulation. FTC and FDA intervene when claims of treating diseases are made |
Europe
| Country |
Situation |
| Austria |
Alternative medicine partially regulated. Grey zone |
| Netherlands |
CAM practices unregulated. Legal with no medical claims |
| EU overall |
EU Consumer Rights Directive prohibits misleading claims. «Healing diseases» = violation |
4. Universal Red Flags
| Problem |
Substance |
| Medical claims |
«I treat cancer/depression/diabetes» — illegal everywhere without a medical licence |
| Remote initiations |
Not regulated anywhere, ethically questionable |
| «International master» |
Not a legal status in any country |
| Reiki Alliance licence |
Private organisation, not recognised by any state |
| IE diplomas |
Have no legal force as educational documents (FL-273) |
Source material based on web research. Date: 2026-06-15.