You’ve learned what Reiki is. You chose a practitioner, prepared as much as you chose, and experienced a peaceful time. What’s supposed to happen now?
You may notice any, all, or none of the following. It is not necessarily an indication that Reiki isn’t working for you, or that you’re not with the right Reiki healer. Each of us comes to the table with different needs. More subtle shifts in energy will likely be more noticeable than larger ones, in a twist no one expects! But note any of these – it will help both you and your practitioner to be prepared or know where to focus for next time.
You May Feel Sleepy
This is maybe the most common easily-noted effect of Reiki treatments. Many people prefer to schedule their appointments for a time when they are able to go home and sleep or nap immediately afterward.
You May Feel Energized
In a previous article, I briefly discussed that your Reiki experience will be personalized to your needs. In some cases, an individual opens emotional or physical healing that has them leaving the table feeling lighter, more capable, or stronger.
This is not a result of the Reiki itself. If Reiki just gave people physical energy, it would be far more popular than coffee. It isn’t. No practitioner can just personalize their practice to give you some pep. But when a client is able to release heavy emotions, or find a great reduction in physical pain, they may feel a surge of energy. Yay!
You May Feel Thirsty
Reiki can boost the body’s natural digestion and detox. In order to detox, your organs need water. Ideally, they need it all the time! As your body is aligned to a place where it wants to eliminate waste, your thirst is telling you to help it do that job.
Don’t make your body tell you this. Just drink plenty of water before and after your Reiki session.
You May Feel Empowered
If you have come to your session full of stressors and questions, you may find some clarity with Reiki. Use this carefully! Don’t make any major decisions, like quitting a job or moving cross-country, for a day or two after your session.
You May Feel Healed
Be careful! I mean, yay! For real, Reiki is amazing and some people have shown dramatic improvement in physical ailments after receiving Reiki. This is the goal! But there’s a “but” …
Minor issues such as a strained muscle or tension headache might, in fact, be rendered healed after Reiki. When it comes to more serious ailments, however, please take a beat before making decisions.
Before you stop taking any medication on the basis that you feel better, please check with the doctor who prescribed the medication. You may wish to have testing completed, or to ease off the medication slowly to avoid detrimental side effects. Before you go ahead and do some kickboxing with your torn rotator cuff, make sure it IS good and doesn’t just FEEL good right now.
Reiki is healing. It is just important to remember that, as with any medicine or healing modality, you sometimes want to make sure things are OK rather than just making that assumption.
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.
There really isn’t anything you have to do prior to your session. We’re here to discuss some of the ways that you may prepare to get the most from Reiki. Many clients are only able to do a couple of these things, while others rush in still anxious from their workday without having given any of them a thought. That’s OK! Your Reiki will still work!
If you have the time and inclination, consider some of these beneficial ways to prepare:
Eat Something
If you are hungry, your focus is likely to be on food! Your attention is not necessary in order for Reiki to be effectively performed. But you are likely to get more from the experience if you feel as comfortable as possible. Most humans do not feel comfortable when they are hungry!
Drink Something
Preferably, drink water. Reiki can encourage your body to eliminate waste more efficiently, and you need to be hydrated for that to happen. You will likely be offered water after your session, but it’s relatively important to go hydrated.
Reiki will not stop working because you had a Pepsi instead, but maybe have a water.
Meditate or Pray
Depending on your spiritual or religious path, meditation may take many forms. You might pray for a peaceful and successful session. You might use a repeated mantra, listen to guided meditation, or take an intentional walk. The idea is to take some time to connect with your spiritual side, and with any energy, spirit, deity, or entity that helps you to feel the potential for healing.
Give Yourself Time
Allow yourself a little extra time so that you can ignore the slow car in front of you, catch the next bus, or take that far-away parking space. You may also be asked to fill out some paperwork prior to your first session, so be sure to allow for a little extra time that day!
Dress Comfortably
Reiki is performed while everyone has clothes on, unless it is performed during a massage or other procedure where it would be normal to disrobe. You may or may not be given an opportunity to remove belts, uncomfortable bras, jewelry, or binding clothing. If you are able, just go comfy!
Know Your Needs
If you haven’t had an opportunity to talk to your practitioner in advance, you will likely be given that opportunity before they begin. It’s really part of the session! It can be helpful if you are able to express your reasons for seeking Reiki healing. Your practitioner will be able to tailor their practice to specifically address certain needs.
Things you might tell your practitioner include:
Specific emotional issues
Injuries, stiffness, pain, or tension in any area
Recent surgeries or medical procedures
Concerns you may have, even if they have not been diagnosed by a medical doctor
Up Next
We’ll look at what happens during an actual Reiki session in Reiki: What to Expect
There are many, many people certified and trained to perform Reiki. People from all walks of life, all colors, shapes, sizes, and belief systems have taken the class.
So how do you know which one is right for you? Aren’t they all doing the same thing? Read on, my friend, we’re going on a journey for those answers!
Is All Reiki The Same?
In theory, yes, all Reiki is the same. In practice, that is not the case.
All Reiki practitioners will have learned that a poor diet and unwell body can inhibit mental clarity and energy flow within the practitioner. When this happens, the client may not receive the full benefit of the session.
That’s just an example. Beyond diet, lots of habits or issues can impact a practitioner’s effectiveness! Excessive alcohol use, lack of regular Reiki meditation and practice, and a chaotic lifestyle are other issues that might mean an individual isn’t in the best shape to practice Reiki.
Why does all of that matter? Because there are two distinct ways in which people generally experience Reiki. One is when they are at some sort of gathering, and they express difficulty with an issue that might be aided by Reiki. A friend jumps up and says, “I know Reiki! Come on!” They go to a private space, have a Reiki session, and wait to see what happens. When someone tells me that Reiki “didn’t do anything,” this is frequently the setting in which it was received.
In the other scenario, a client makes an appointment with a professional Reiki practitioner. That practitioner maintains a nutrient-dense diet, and stays well hydrated – almost as if it were their job 🙃. That practitioner regularly meditates on the Reiki Principles, and applies them within their daily life. They are intentionally prepared for the session, mentally and physically, and will call to reschedule if they are not. You, the client, arrive for your appointment and are given space to explain your needs. Your healing is tailored to the areas you would like to be addressed. When your session is over, you are offered water, and given time to discuss any feelings or concerns that have arisen. Your practitioner calls in a day or two to inquire about any specific areas that were addressed.
These experiences are not the same. They will not feel the same, and they will not heal the same. It is true that Reiki is available to all; that is fundamental to Reiki. It is untrue to say that all who practice Reiki do so with equal outcomes.
How Will I Know?
If the practitioner is a friend, you’ll know! If you’re regularly partying with this friend, see them participating in drama, and know that they regularly pack their bodies with fast food and soda, there are some clues! Don’t ignore your friend’s Reiki work necessarily – they’re trying something, and you might still benefit. But maybe this isn’t the person with whom you give Reiki a serious try. As their Reiki practice grows, so might their desire to shift their habits. Allow them grace for growth and space for learning.
What If I Have No Friends?
What happens if you don’t know anyone who is certified and trained, or don’t know anyone you’d trust?
Spas, massage therapists, chiropractors, wellness centers, herbalists, midwives, and even medical centers may hire or have contracts with Reiki professionals. It is perfectly acceptable to call one and ask! Much of the time, you’ll at least be able to get a recommendation. Local groups on your favorite social media platforms are also great places to ask for recommendations!
Once you have your recommendation, call or message the practitioner to ask for a consultation. In most places, this is free. During this consultation, ask questions! Ask if they do anything special that helps their Reiki practice, and, as we’ll discuss later, ask about their training.
Even more important than asking questions is just getting a “vibe.” If you aren’t comfortable with the practitioner, or if they give you a sense of an anxious, depressed, or scattered mental space, take a beat. Thank them, and leave without scheduling your appointment. Think about what really bothered you. Consider whether it was really the practitioner, or if you were hungry, annoyed, or had a headache and need to reevaluate them mentally.
It is likely that they will follow up with you. If you have decided that you want to make an appointment, then do so. If not, it is OK to say, “No, thank you. I have decided to pursue a different path.” Then you call a different massage therapist or spa and ask if they know of someone else. Easy peasy.
Aren’t There Levels? Do I Need a Reiki Master?
Since this article is being written by a professional Reiki Master, I’m going to say “yes!” But no. Or maybe. Yes, there are levels. Maybe it matters. Here’s why:
Most of the time, a Reiki Master will have had instruction and practice over several years. This kind of dedication generally indicates that they are willing to follow a lifestyle that supports their Reiki journey. Of course, that is not always the case.
Sometimes, a Reiki Master has not had years of Reiki practice and training. In some cases, this indicates that they bought a certificate online and watched some videos in order to become “trained.” In other cases, this means that the practitioner has had many years of similar study, is already adept and comfortable with energy work, and has proven their value as both a practitioner and an instructor. That last one is rare, and that practitioner will still have been required to take all of the training.
So, do you need someone with a certificate declaring them a “master” ? Not unless you believe that sheet of paper has special powers. It may be an indication that you have found a Reiki practitioner who is dedicated to the practice, and will provide excellent service. It may mean that this person paid extra to get their certificate, because it means they can make extra money teaching Reiki classes.
Ask them how they were trained – it’s OK. They expect it, and some even know each Reiki master who has trained under which other Reiki master in their “lineage” all the way back to the doctor who refined this method. Check out the practitioner’s website or brochures, to see if the focus seems to be on healing versus business. They have to make a living, so expect that they advertise and advocate for themselves! But once they get you to their space, what is the focus? You can figure out pretty quickly how you feel about the depth of their practice.
Some professional Reiki practitioners are simply happy practicing with a Level 1 certificate and training. THIS IS NOT BAD! This is personal choice, and it does not mean that their abilities or knowledge are lesser. Read that again. It is entirely possible to acquire knowledge and ability outside of formal education in every area of life. Reiki is not an exception. Far more important is a practitioner’s dedication to maintaining Reiki practice and study, and to a living a lifestyle that supports their practice.
Most Important
Without question, the most important factor in choosing a Reiki practitioner is YOU! If you are comfortable with someone, and feel as though they might help you on your healing path, they’re probably the right person for you. In the rare event that you do not feel more peaceful, the session feels awkward to you, or you don’t see a benefit after a session or two, it’s OK to seek out new recommendations. No Reiki practitioner should push you to continue if you are uncomfortable or are not feeling a benefit.
Pronounced “RAY key”, Reiki is a form of alternative healing. It is part of the family of techniques which are sometimes referred to as “energy healing”. The specific system of Reiki was developed by a monk in Japan during the mid 1800’s. However, the idea that healing energy can be transferred through one person to help heal another is much older than that, dating back to Biblical times and even before.
This energy can be thought of in many ways. Some view the Universal Energy as being their idea of God. Some believe it is a gift that comes from a specific God, as in the laying on of hands in a Christian service. Others view it as a physical, cosmic energy literally created by the expansion of the universe.
Is Reiki a Religion?
No. Reiki is performed by practitioners of many religious and spiritual belief systems, including atheists. It is seen as a form of spiritual healing by some, and may be incorporated into someone’s personal religious path, but it does not have the markers of a religion itself. There is no required belief in anything – not even in Reiki! Skeptics welcome!
Reiki practice can optionally include some terminology and ideas which stem from Buddhist and Hindu practices. However, this is not a religious ceremony, nor is Reiki a part of either religious path. It is an entirely separate practice.
“Energy Healing”, Huh? Sounds Like a Scam.
No kidding! It totally does, especially when you’re used to very intense physical medicine, like surgical procedures and actual pills that kill the bad bugs to make you better. I was a total skeptic the first few times I tried Reiki, too! But when it worked for me, I had to try to figure it out. I understand a placebo effect, but for that to happen, you have to actually think you’re doing something that might actually, work, at least somewhere in that brain. I totally did not expect to feel anything, much less have my anxiety mitigated for several days after.
Oh, you’re the kind of person who likes to see some evidence, rather than taking my word for it? Yeah, that makes sense.
Reiki is a safe, gentle, and profoundly relaxing healing modality… This review has found reasonably strong evidence for Reiki being more effective than placebo, suggesting that Reiki attunement leads to a quantifiable increase in healing ability. Reiki is better than placebo in activating the parasympathetic nervous system, as measured by reduced heart rate, reduced blood pressure, and increased heart rate variability. For patients with chronic health conditions, Reiki has been found to be more effective than placebo for reducing pain, anxiety, and depression, and for improving self-esteem and quality of life
Reiki is becoming an increasingly accepted presence in hospitals and clinics… It is seen as an effective and cost-reducing method to improve health outcomes and quality of care. Hospital staff, such as physicians and nurses, are adding Reiki treatments to their work. Scientific validation of Reiki’s effectiveness have helped bring this method to the mainstream, where it is able to aid patients in all realms, including those with mental health challenges.
Is Reiki Medicine?
For the purposes of legal definitions in the United States, no, Reiki is not medicine. One does not need a medical license to practice Reiki. Reiki practitioners do not diagnose disease or prescribe medications.
A Reiki practitioner may ask about physical or mental concerns. They may sense a different energy in some part of your body, and suggest you could have something going on there. This is to help you check in with your body, and notice for yourself whether there might be reason to seek medical attention. In other words, if a practitioner suggests they felt an different energy in your abdominal area, you might think “Yes, I have wicked gas right now.” You might also think, “Oh, maybe I should grab that pregnancy test”, or “Shoot, I was supposed to have had that follow-up with the gastroenterologist.” They’re not telling you that you’re sick, but that your body seems to need some kind of attention in that area.
Is Reiki Alternative Medicine?
In short, yes. If you consider medicine in terms of “allopathic” vs “everything else”, then Reiki is part of “everything else”. Allopathic medicine is what we think of as “modern medicine”, including the part before it got so modern. Surgery, medication, germ theory, Grey’s Anatomy, etc.
Alternative medicine is usually everything else. Chiropractic care, massage therapy, herbalism, homeopathy, Ayurveda, acupuncture, and many others can be considered “alternative”. But many people like to think of most of these as Health Care, rather than “medicine”. Yes, they may help you in the same ways as medicine, but thinking of them all as different paths for different purposes helps keep them separate.
Medicine will help you set a broken bone. Chiropractic care may help keep your body from getting other aches and pains while you’re favoring the broken leg. Good nutrition may help the bone knit together more quickly, careful yoga will help keep the blood flowing to the areas that need it, and Reiki can help with the pain and potentially speed healing. They’re different, and a person may make use of any or all of these methods to stay well, or to heal.
I am not a doctor (sorry dad!) I do not diagnose or treat illness. As an herbalist, I may make recommendations about which foods, herbs, and plants may best help you in your desired healing, but it is always recommended that you check with your doctor or pharmacist before you make any change to your medication, exercise, or diet routines. Don’t take chances with your wellness.
