add the master symbol. (Note that Dr. Usui and his organization the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai did not use a master symbol) Mrs. Takata added the foundation treatment which is a simplified version of what she learned from Dr. Hayashi. The foundation treatment consists of 4 hand positions on the abdomen area and 3 or 4 hand positions for the head and a few optional hand potitions on the back. She also decided not to teach most of the techniques (now called Japanese Reiki techniques) she learned from Dr. Hayashi, thus simplifying the system for Westerners- that was featured in the Spring 07 issue of Reiki News Magazine) She also added the fee structure previously mentioned. So while the lineage is the same, going back to Dr. Usui, and the 3 symbols from Reiki II are the same as Dr. Usui taught, in many ways, the system of Reiki she taught was different than what Dr. Usui had originally created. The important thing is that her system is effective with the addition of the foundation treatment being her most important contribution to Reiki.
The required waiting periods between classes were added by several of Mrs. Takata’s Masters after she passed on. Actually according to Mrs. Yamaguchi who became a Reiki teacher under Dr. Hayashi, Dr. Hayashi taught that Reiki treatments should be given for free. This is why he taught mostly to wealthy students who could afford to practice without charging money. So, while some say payment must be received, we know that this is not a requirement and that it is really up to the practitioner to decide if they want to charge a fee or not for Reiki treatments.
However, some changes were restrictive, making it more difficult for students to progress. Some took the Third Degree and divided it into several small