Beaming is used with distance healing or with a person who cannot be touched.  Beaming is a technique of distant healing.

Beaming is the line visualized between the practitioner and the patient recipient.

Although a distant healing technique, this is generally done in the presence of another when hands on Reiki touch might be inappropriate (abuse cases, burn victims).

Beaming is common to other healing systems too.

Reiki can be sent through the air by filling and surrounding your hand(s) with Reiki, then direct it (through your will, vision, and thoughts) to the desired target.