When You Arrive
Many Reiki practitioners operate from their own homes, or travel to your home. This is perfectly fine, but may change the exact parameters of how the welcome occurs.
If you are in a setting like a spa, chiropractor’s office, or dedicated Reiki studio, you should expect to be greeted warmly. These spaces are not always calm and serene! Don’t worry – in most of these spaces, you will be shown to a private room similar to those used for massage or other therapies.
Beginning Your Experience
Your comfort is important, so your practitioner will likely ask about the room temperature and lighting. You may be offered aromatherapy, crystals, or other supporting services, if these options were not discussed during your initial consultation or when you made the appointment. Not all Reiki practitioners incorporate these paths within their practice; if they might be important to you, make it one of the questions you ask before you set your appointment!
Your practitioner will also review any specific issues you would like to address. They’ll briefly cover their process, so that you know what to expect within their personalized practice.
Do I Undress?
Nope! Some Reiki practitioners will offer clients a moment to remove belts, and any jewelry that might be uncomfortable. Many will remind individuals who wear bras and pantyhose that those items may be best removed – if doing so will make the client more comfortable. If the client chooses to remove any items of clothing, the practitioner will step out of the room and provide time for that to happen.
Beyond those minor things, Reiki is performed while everyone has clothes on. (Some spaces and organizations offer nude Reiki. These may include family-friendly nude campgrounds and adults-only resorts. Seek this only according to your comfort level.)
Now What?
In most cases, you will lie on a table similar to, or exactly like, a massage table or doctor’s exam table. Reiki can be performed with the client in any position, so if your experience needs to differ from that, you can experience just as much peace and healing. This article is focused on a typical in-office experience.
Your practitioner will spend a few moments in prayer or meditation, either silently to themselves, or aloud with you. They may recite a poem or prayer to open the session.
Hands Off?
At this point, most practitioners will begin, either at your head or your feet. Most will use very light touches as they work to transfer and balance energy. This will not be the touch you might feel during a massage; there is no manipulation of muscles or manual movement of your body. Most practitioners will lift their hands away from the body when they reach sensitive areas, such as the genitals, breasts, and neck. If there are any places on your body that you would prefer not to have touched, please feel free to speak up! Your practitioner wants to know!
In some places, it is not legal to perform Reiki with your hands touching the client unless you have a massage therapy license or similar. Practitioners in these areas may choose to use an alternate method, completing the entire session without touch. While this can be more challenging for the practitioner, it is perfectly valid Reiki and will have the same impact as otherwise. If it is important to you to have one style or the other, feel free to ask!
During This Time
You may be silent. You may speak. You may sneeze, cough, cry, feel angry, or fall asleep. You may experience any of a full range of human emotions and needs. You may need to use the restroom. This is OK! You are a human, and you are expected to have emotions and needs. You are not a disruption to the session, and it is your needs that are paramount during this time! Your practitioner can get started again when you are ready.
Your practitioner may also speak. They may ask you questions about what you are feeling, or check in to make sure you are comfortable. Depending on your needs, they may help you to turn over, or adjust your headrest. Other than that, you are free to meditate, sleep, or whatever you like!
What Does Reiki Feel Like?
Reiki Feels different to different people. As your energy shifts and balances, you may feel warmth in one or more areas of your body. You may feel deep emotions, and should feel safe to do so. Some clients feel very mild physical tingling. Many clients feel only deep peace.
As your practitioner works using Universal Energy to help you heal, there are almost an infinite number of sensations or feelings that you may experience. If anything feels uncomfortable, if you experience something you don’t understand, or if you feel any pain that did not exist prior to your session, know that you always have the authority to stop! Ask what’s happening, ask your practitioner to move to another place on your body, or stop the practice for a few moments to chat. It is your session!
As Your Session Ends
Your session itself will likely end several minutes before your “end time.” This is because a short discussion to help clear any emotions or issues that have arisen is often a necessary part of Reiki. If you removed a belt or bra, you will be given an opportunity to get your outfit back in the order you chose that morning. You should be offered some water, and time to adjust before you’re expected to make your way out into the real world.
If your path might include additional appointments, you’ll likely be offered the opportunity to make your next appointment. If you’d like to return, it’s a good idea to go ahead and schedule! Your practitioner may work in several locations, so an appointment when one is convenient for you is best made early.
Up Next:
Reiki: What to Expect After Your Session
Also see: “What Is Reiki?”