One can become a Reiki practitioner quite easily by taking a workshop at which a series of attunements are performed by a Reiki Master. These attunements open or re-awaken the connection to the reiki energy and allow you to channel it. At the workshop you will also learn how to give treatments to yourself and others.
There are three levels of training in Reiki: Reiki 1, Reiki 2 and Mastership (Reiki 3). There are a number of branches or schools of reiki, some of which have additional levels of training.
Although some schools (notably the Reiki Alliance) charge high fees, particularly for the mastership, Reiki Masters in my tradition offer the training at relatively modest fees: $100, for Reiki 1, $225 for Reiki 2, $325 for a combined workshop of Reiki 1 & 2, and $500-700 for the Mastership. Some people offer what I think of as "instant' masterhips (all three attunements in a single weekend), but I don't think that is a good idea and won't do it. I think one should have at least 1 year of experience working with the energy, treating yourself and others before considering mastership.
It is also possible to be attuned (re-connected to the energy) by a long distance or remote process - some Reiki masters attune people via the internet - but I don't particularly recommend it. Aside from the attunements, one of the great values of a reiki workshop is that it offers hands-on experience of working with the energy on a variety of people. That is at the heart of what reiki is about and to skip it is to deprive yourself of something wonderful.
The combined reiki I and II workshop, which I recommend is a two-day workshop. I like to work with at least three people at these workshops because I think it provides a better experience for participants.
