About Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle, yet powerful, energy healing practice that taps into the universal life force that flows through all living beings. Originating in Japan, it was developed by Mikao Usui as a holistic approach to restoring balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit.

At its essence, Reiki works by channeling this universal energy, known as Ki, through the hands of a practitioner into the recipient. This energy flows intuitively to where it is most needed, clearing energetic blockages, promoting relaxation, and supporting the body’s innate healing processes. Whether you are seeking relief from stress, emotional balance, or a deeper connection to your inner self, Reiki offers a pathway to profound healing and spiritual alignment.

Reiki sessions are non-invasive and deeply soothing. The practitioner may gently place their hands on or just above the body, guiding the flow of energy in a way that encourages physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The healing energy is not bound by time or space, making distant Reiki sessions equally effective for those unable to attend in person.

The practice of Reiki is built on five guiding principles, which can be used as a prayer or mantra to remind us to live mindfully each day:

Just for today, I will not worry.
Just for today, I will not be angry.
Just for today, I will be grateful.
Just for today, I will work with honesty and integrity.
Just for today, I will be kind to myself and others.

Reiki is more than just a healing modality; it is a way of life, inviting you to reconnect with the universal energy that surrounds and sustains us. Through Reiki, we embrace a deeper state of peace, balance, and heart-centered living.

What happens during a Reiki session?

A Reiki session is a deeply peaceful and restorative experience, designed to bring balance and healing to your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual being. Whether it’s your first time or you’re familiar with the practice, each session is unique, responding to your specific needs in the moment.

The session begins in a calm, welcoming environment, where you can either lie down or sit comfortably, fully clothed or dressed to your level of comfort. Soft lighting, soothing music, and a tranquil atmosphere help you ease into a relaxed state, preparing you to receive the healing energy. The Reiki practitioner acts as a channel for universal life force energy, often placing their hands gently on or just above different areas of your body. The energy flows intuitively, focusing on where it’s needed most, restoring harmony and clearing any blockages that may be present.

As the energy moves through you, you might feel warmth, cold, tingling, or gentle waves of energy in different parts of your body. Some people experience deep relaxation and may even fall asleep, while others may have an emotional release, receive insights, see colors, have flashes from a past life, experience involuntary movements, or feel a sense of clarity. Each session is a personal journey, allowing the energy to work in a way that best supports your well-being.

In distant Reiki sessions, the experience is similar, with the energy being sent across space to you. You can remain in a relaxed state at home while receiving the benefits of the healing energy, as it transcends physical boundaries.

After the session, many people report feeling lighter, more centered, and at peace. The effects of Reiki can continue to unfold in the hours and days that follow. To support the healing process, it’s helpful to drink water, rest, and reflect on any insights or shifts you may have experienced. Reiki offers a nurturing, gentle path to re-align your energy and promote holistic well-being.

Who should come for Reiki?

Reiki is for anyone seeking balance, healing, and deep relaxation in their life. Whether you're feeling stressed, overwhelmed, physically drained, or simply curious about exploring new ways to connect with your inner self, reiki offers a gentle, non-invasive pathway to restore harmony. It’s ideal for those experiencing:

Emotional Stress: If you're navigating anxiety, grief, depression, or emotional burnout, reiki can help calm the mind and ease emotional turbulence. I also recommend Reiki for End of Life Care (Hospice Care).

Physical Discomfort: Pregnant people, people managing chronic pain, fatigue, tension, or recovering from illness, injury, or surgery often find relief and support through reiki’s soothing energy. I also recommend people come in before surgery to balance the body.

Spiritual Growth: For those on a journey of spiritual awakening, reiki can deepen your connection to higher consciousness, opening doors to personal insight and inner peace.

Life Transitions: Whether you’re going through a major life change—such as a career shift, pregnancy, relationship changes, or personal loss—reiki helps you process these transitions with clarity and emotional resilience. I also recommend Reiki for End of Life Care (Hospice Care).

Anyone seeking greater self-awareness, a moment of calm amidst life’s chaos, or a deeper connection to their own healing potential will benefit from reiki. It meets you exactly where you are, offering personalized healing that works on the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels.

Other uses for Reiki

Reiki’s healing energy isn’t limited to just the physical body—it can be applied to many aspects of life. Here are some of the ways Reiki can be used to support your well-being and surroundings:

Reiki for the Body (Including Pregnancy): Reiki works on physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual levels, making it an ideal tool for addressing discomfort, stress, and energy imbalances within the body. Whether you're looking for pain relief, stress reduction, or overall energy alignment, reiki can restore harmony.

Reiki for the Home or Workspace: Your environment deeply affects your energy. Reiki can clear and uplift the energy in your home, office, or any space you frequent. This helps to create a peaceful and nurturing atmosphere, ideal for well-being and productivity.

Reiki for Relationships: Reiki can also be used to bring balance and harmony into your relationships—whether personal or professional. By sending healing energy to the emotional and energetic cords that connect us, reiki helps release tension and restore understanding and connection.

Reiki for Food and Water: You can enhance the energetic quality of your food and water with reiki. This practice can raise the vibration of what you consume, aligning it more fully with your body’s needs and intentions.

Reiki for Medications, Supplements, or Herbs: If you're using medications or supplements, reiki can be applied to these substances to energetically align them with your highest good, helping to reduce potential side effects and enhance their effectiveness.

Reiki for Events and Projects: Reiki can be sent to upcoming events, important meetings, or creative projects to ensure they unfold smoothly and in alignment with your highest purpose.

Reiki for Pets and Animals: Animals respond beautifully to Reiki, making it a wonderful option for healing and calming pets that are experiencing stress, illness, or recovery.

Reiki for Situations or Decisions: Whether you’re facing a difficult decision or navigating a challenging life situation, reiki can be sent to help bring clarity, ease, and a greater sense of alignment.

Reiki for Locations and Travel: If a particular location feels heavy or carries stagnant energy—whether it's your home, a new property, or even a place you're visiting—reiki can be used to clear and elevate the energy, making the space feel lighter and more supportive. Reiki can also support your travels by sending healing energy ahead to your destination, creating a peaceful and harmonious environment when you arrive. Additionally, Reiki can be sent to you during your journey, helping ensure a smooth, safe, and stress-free experience along the way.

Reiki for the Past: Reiki can be sent to the past to soothe painful experiences. All things from the past have an energetic cord to the present and future moments. All is One. It is our imprint that keeps this past energy current. When we heal our projection or perception of an experience, we heal ourselves in the present moment. Healing the weight of the past liberates our future. Reiki can be sent to traumatic events of a person, ancestral lineage, place, culture, community, or environment.

Reiki is a versatile tool that can be used in countless ways to support you, your environment, and even the people or situations you care about. Each session can be tailored to your unique needs and intentions, ensuring that Reiki energy is directed wherever it's most beneficial.

Is Reiki safe?

Reiki is considered a very safe and non-invasive practice, making it suitable for people of all ages and health conditions including inpatients in a hospital or long term care facility, the elderly, pregnant women, children, babies, and animals. The gentle nature of reiki allows it to be used alongside other healing modalities and medical treatments without risk of interference. However, like any form of healing, it's important to understand how it works and what to expect.

Potential Considerations:

Emotional Release: During or after a session, some people may experience an emotional release, such as crying or unexpected feelings surfacing. This is a natural part of the healing process as stored emotions are brought to the surface for clearing. While this can be intense for some, it is usually experienced as a relief or a sense of release.

Healing Crisis: Occasionally, after a Reiki session, a person may experience what is known as a "healing crisis" or "awakening." This can involve mild symptoms such as fatigue, headaches, or emotional ups and downs. These temporary reactions are thought to occur as the body adjusts to the energetic shifts and begins to release toxins or mental, emotional, or spiritual blockages. It’s generally short-lived and often followed by a greater sense of well-being.

No Substitute for Medical Care: While Reiki supports the body's natural healing processes, it is not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment. It works as a complementary therapy and should be used in conjunction with primary medical care and advice when addressing specific health concerns. Please discuss reiki as a complementary therapy with your medical healthcare team.

Diabetes & Those With Pacemakers: It has been shown that reiki may lower required insulin levels, so please check your insulin levels daily after your session. Please tell your Reiki Practitioner if you have diabetes. There has been limited evidence to show that reiki can adversely affect those with pacemakers, but this idea has been circulating and I wanted to address it. The concern arose from the idea that reiki can change one's heartrate, as well as deep meditation, breathwork, sound healing, and many other modalities. Please tell your Reiki Practitioner if you have a pacemaker. What they can do is avoid the heart area and work in other parts of the body, such as the soles of the feet. This will not diminish your session in any way.

Ultimately, Reiki is considered a safe and supportive form of healing. The experience is guided by the recipient’s own body and energy, meaning it will never cause harm or overwhelm. The most important thing is to approach Reiki with an open mind and be receptive to whatever shifts may occur.

How do I prepare for a Reiki session?

Preparing for a Reiki session is simple and doesn’t require any special steps, but there are a few things you can do to enhance the experience and allow yourself to receive the most benefit from the healing energy.

Tips for Preparing for a Reiki Session:

Set an Intention: Before your session, take a few moments to reflect on what you’d like to receive from the healing. You might want to focus on physical, emotional, or spiritual aspects of your life. Setting a clear intention, whether it’s for relaxation, clarity, or healing, can help guide the energy during the session. Your Reiki Practitioner will prompt you for an intention prior to the start of your session.

Wear Comfortable Clothing: Reiki is typically done fully clothed or to your desired level of comfort, so wearing something loose and comfortable will help you relax more easily. Choose clothing that allows you to feel at ease, whether you're lying down or sitting for the session. Natural fibers are higher in frequency and are best such as linen (flax), wool, hemp, or 100% organic cotton. This is not a requirement. Please do not worry or be concerned if you do not have these fabrics. Come as you are.

Hydrate: Drink water before your session to stay hydrated. Energy work can sometimes stir up blockages or stuck emotions, and staying hydrated helps your body process these shifts more smoothly. Please use the restroom prior to your session.

Arrive with an Open Mind: Reiki works on multiple levels, and the experience is different for everyone. It’s helpful to come to the session with an open mind, free of expectations. Trust that the energy will flow exactly where it needs to and that your body and spirit know what is needed for healing.

Relax and Let Go: You don’t need to do anything specific during the session—just relax and allow the energy to flow. If your mind wanders, gently bring your focus back to your breath or simply notice how your body feels as the energy moves through you.

Avoid Heavy Meals, Stimulants, and Non-prescribed Drugs: It’s best to avoid heavy meals, caffeine, drugs or alcohol before your session, as these can interfere with your ability to relax fully and receive the energy.

By creating a calm space within yourself before your Reiki session, you are opening up to the full potential of the healing experience. The more you can relax and let go, the more easily the energy can flow, bringing balance and alignment to your entire being.

Self-care after a Reiki session

Caring for yourself after a Reiki session is an important part of the healing process. Here are some suggestions to help you integrate the energy work and maximize its benefits:

Self-Care Tips After a Reiki Session:

Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to help flush out any toxins that may have been released during the session. Staying hydrated supports your body’s natural healing processes.

Rest and Reflect: Allow yourself some quiet time to relax after the session. You might want to take a short nap, meditate, journal, or simply sit in silence to integrate the experience. Reflecting on any insights or feelings that arose during the session can also be helpful.

Gentle Movement: Engage in gentle stretching, yoga, or light walks to help release any remaining tension and keep your energy flowing smoothly. Avoid strenuous activities right after your session to allow your body to adjust.

Journal Your Experience: Writing down your thoughts and feelings about the session can provide clarity and help you process any emotions or insights that surfaced. It’s a good way to track your healing journey over time.

Limit Stimulants: Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and other stimulants for a few hours after your session. This allows your body to remain in a more relaxed state and fully integrate the energy work.

Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself after a reiki session. You may feel a range of emotions or physical sensations as your body adjusts. Allow yourself to feel whatever comes up without judgment.

Create a Supportive Environment: Surround yourself with calming and supportive elements, such as soft lighting, soothing music, or comforting scents (like essential oils). Creating a peaceful atmosphere can help you maintain the relaxed state from your session.

Follow Up on Any Insights: If you received guidance or insights during the session, consider how you might incorporate those into your life. Whether it’s a shift in perspective, an emotional release, or a new intention, integrating these insights can enhance your overall well-being.

By taking these steps to care for yourself after a reiki session, you can deepen the benefits of the healing experience and support your journey toward balance and well-being. Remember that everyone’s experience is unique, so listen to your body and honor what feels right for you in the moments following your session.