Is there a central organization for Reiki practitioners?

There is no one governing body to Reiki. There are however several organizations for Reiki practitioners to explore, varying in size and in disciplines. Those who do claim authority to this healing technique in my opinion are missing the point. This is a gift to be given to everyone, I believe each of us holds a truth of the Universe that is unique, once cultivated in some form or another we share this perception to broaden our understanding of each other.

Three resources that I utilizie in my practice of Reiki:

INTERNET:
Finding information on Reiki couldn't be any easier just type Reiki into any internet browser and begin your quest. The internet is a vast place that is full of information, but it's also a world of tricks and tom foolery. This may at first be a challenge to find information that remains clear in the pursuit of understnading Reiki and its traditions. It is a journey well worth taking, I continue to learn about expanding elements to Reiki and integrate it to my practice.

BOOKS:
Are my favorite resource and now more than ever more are published each year. My technique is to go to the bookstore, hold it in my hands and listen to what I am feeling. Does it feel good to hold? Some cases I will flip to a random page and start reading. Even if the author may be biased (as we all have our coloring) there are always nuggets of information to integrate. It is similar to shopping at a farmers market, where we peruse through everyone's stuff and make our own choices of what to place in our basket.

Collecting information about energy medicine may be somewhat of a crapshoot at first, but eventually you will find authors that resonate with many of your perceptions.
Your practice begins to evolve and grow as a result of the continued research of all forms of energy modalities.

REIKI GATHERINGS:
The third resource is Reiki gatherings, this is where I have received information on most of my leads into research. Just when you think you discovered all facets, 12 more pop up into your awareness! How cool is that? And the cycle continues of research, practice, integration and sharing.

If Reiki is indeed open to personal opinion how is it regulated?

Integrity:

When a Reiki practitioner chooses to become a teacher what she or he learns from their teacher is to the best of their teacher's knowledge at that time. The responsibility is to forever continue unfolding the infinte layers that encompass this healing modality. We learn from Usui's perspective of how he achieved the practice of Reiki, now it is our turn on how we teach other both Usui's method and share our experiences with it.

Intention:

As a practitioner be it in a session or facilitating a class it is my intention to inspire, enhance and create the environment for all those participating a healing space. This intention becomes the guide, the focus of the class. Usui's principles are the academics of the class, the attunment and hands on experience integrates the intention.

Honoring Tradition:

There are elements to tradition of Usui's principles that I advocate, five of which are listed on the top right of each page. They continue to evolve and grow into statements I understand and resonate with. Some advocators of Reiki are rigid into teaching exactly as they were taught. This tradition must be preserved at all costs. A few years ago I read a story about tradition:

A young girl was watching her mother prepare the traditional ham dinner that was past down from three generations. As she watched her mother prepare it, she observed her cut and remove both sides of the ham, cover the remaining piece with cloves and other herbs. The girl curious asked, "mom, why do you cut off the ends of the ham?" the mother replied, "Because darling that's how it was taught to me by my mother, it's our tradition". The young girl unsatisfied with the answer waited until that evening for her grandmothers arrival, after dinner the young girl asked, "grandma why do you cut the ends of the ham for the traditional family dinner?" The grandmother smiled, "Because darling that's how it was taught to me by my mother, it's our tradition". The young girl yet again unsatisfied with the answer asked to call her great grandmother to discover the secret as to the tradition of the family ham. A phone call was made and the phone was handed to the young girl, "great grandma, why do you cut the ends of the ham off for the traditional family ham? The great grandmother laughed and replied, "because little one the ham was too big for my pan!"

There is a delicate balance to the adherance of tradition and the practice of honoring your personal truth.

From my understanding tradition is the practice of re-enacting one's method of tapping into one's divine nature. It is designed to be a guide, a template from which to spring board and develop your own method.