- Find a cozy, quiet spot. Somewhere you feel safe and won’t be disturbed for half an hour. Rest on the couch, lie on your bed, or settle into your favorite chair – wherever your body feels most at ease.
- Get comfortable. Sit or lie down, whichever feels right to you. Introduce some soft lighting, a blanket, a candle, maybe some calming music in the background. Little touches like this will help you feel held and supported.
- Take a few slow, deep breaths. Let your shoulders soften, your jaw release, and your breathing slow down. There’s no need to force anything. Simply allow yourself to arrive in the moment.
- Set an intention. You might like to hold a gentle wish in mind, e.g., for healing, peace, clarity, or simply rest. Or you might choose to release expectations altogether and just be open to receiving whatever you need most right now.
- Allow yourself to simply receive. During the session, you may notice warmth, gentle tingling, emotional shifts, or a deep sense of relaxation. You might even drift off to sleep, and that’s perfectly okay. However it shows up for you is exactly right and what you most need.
- Afterward, be gentle with yourself. Drink some water, move slowly, rest if you can, and give yourself a little time to shift into other modes of being. Some people feel calm and light, others feel tired or emotional — both are part of the process of letting go and integrating the energy.
There’s no right or wrong way to experience Reiki. All you need to do is show up, get comfortable, relax, and let yourself receive the energy.
May your mind, heart, and nervous system find deep rest. 💜
FAQ
Are you a Reiki master?
Yes, I have received attunements for all three levels of Usui Reiki Ryoho, including master level (Shinpiden), from multiple teachers. I also practice Reiki daily as part of my own spiritual practice, which I find wonderfully purifying, soothing, and grounding.
What are the benefits of Reiki?
- Calms the nervous system
- Promotes deep relaxation and rest
- Helps ease stress and tension
- Supports the body’s natural healing process
- May improve sleep quality
- Encourages emotional balance and clarity
- Helps release energy blockages
- Assists you in reconnecting with your Soul
- Leaves you feeling lighter, more grounded, and at peace
What Might I Experience During the Session?
Everyone is different when it comes to the experience of Reiki. However, you might experience any of the following physical sensations:
- Waves of energy moving through your body
- Tingles or shivers
- Little lights or sparks seen behind your closed eyes
- Spiral-like sensations of energy
- Heat, warmth, or coldness in various parts of your body
- Surges of emotion (have tissues on hand)
- Feeling like you’re floating or are weightless
- Seeing certain colors or images
- Overall calmness and well-being
But … isn’t Reiki a bit ‘woo woo’?
I used to be a skeptic of Reiki before I experienced it first-hand in Bali back in 2016. I remember looking at the Balinese Reiki master, thinking, “Okay, I’ll try it out, but I doubt I’ll feel anything.” To my surprise, I experienced a massive heart opening near the end of the session, and so much grief came pouring out of me that I couldn’t hold the tears back. I was crying uncontrollably! The Reiki master afterward told me gently that I needed to heal my heart, as there was a lot of unprocessed pain stored there. Although it was a little embarrassing at the time (as I was raised with the stoic Western conditioning of “holding back your tears and not making others uncomfortable”), it was also a deeply healing experience – and that was after one session. I have since had multiple healing Reiki sessions with various teachers and have undertaken training as a Reiki master myself. So is it ‘woo woo’? That’s up to you to decide. But if you haven’t experienced it, don’t discount its value just yet. (Here are two highly cited studies on the efficacy of Reiki: the first, the second.)
Is your approach trauma-informed?
Yes. I value consent and gentleness when it comes to the healing services that I offer. In other words, there will be no healing energy that is ‘forced’ upon you at any time, as Reiki works in agreement with your Spirit family and Soul’s permission. To honor those who have experienced severe trauma, I encourage you to rest in whatever way feels most safe to you during the healing, even if that means keeping your eyes open. If at any point you feel uncomfortable, please find a way of grounding yourself, perhaps by stretching, drinking water, or cuddling a pet. You can also get up and move around, letting the Reiki work its magic in the background.