Hello walknred..I am new to this site. I think the question you posted could recieve alot of different answers. I am a Reiki Master/Teacher. I believe and only in my opinion. You can tell when someone needs a Reiki session. In my friends and family I can feel it. You sometimes can just get the essence from them. In giving them Distance Reiki that can be in some peoples opinion a tuff one. Alot of people in the reiki community feel you need permission. Sometimes it is possible and other times it is not. When you cannot ask directly for their permission, "I just put it out there." I believe that it will either be accepted by them or go to where it is needed. As for learning from a DVD. You could attain some knowledge from them for your journey through Reiki. I do believe though that an attunement and learning should be given to you through a qualifed Master/Teacher. Hope this helped.
Namaste,
Healing-Hands
