About Your Reiki Session
What is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) is a gentle, powerful hands-on technique that uses the Universal Life Force energy (prana, chi, etc.) around us to heal the body, mind, emotions, and spirit. The word “Reiki” comes from two Japanese kanji or characters: Rei is the kanji for “spirit”, and ki means “life-force energy”.
How is Reiki given?
Reiki is typically performed with the recipient lying, fully clothed, on a massage table. The practitioner lightly puts their hands on or above the recipient at specified points, starting from the head and moving down to the feet. The practitioner leaves their hands in one area for a few minutes before moving on to the next. Reiki can also be administered without touching the body with the practitioner's hands hovering above the body or from across the room or across the world.
What does Reiki feel like?
The recipient might feel heat, a glowing energy, a tingling sensation. Some people may experience a brief change in breathing (similar to trying not to cry in a public place). Others feel emotions but are not sure why. Still others feel a sense of well-being or the urge to fall asleep. And some people feel nothing at all. Reiki works regardless of whether you feel the energy or not.
How to prepare for my session?
In general, there is no real preparation required. However, ways you may benefit are:
Reduce caffeine, chocolate, sugar and other stimulant intake the day of your session.
Plan to wear comfortable clothing, with no tight waistbands, dangling earrings, etc.
Set an intention for the session.
How does Distance Reiki work?
Distance Reiki can be administered via video or phone conferencing or “silently” with text check-ins before and after. Distance Reiki is just as effective as in-person Reiki and some people find that they are better able to relax without having to worry about travel, COVID protocols or someone “in their space”. Similar to in-person Reiki, I will check in with you before a session to make sure you are comfortable and to answer any questions. Then I will let you know when the session starts and concludes and provide an optional debrief. For Distance Reiki, in addition to the above preparations, plan to:
Pick a time when you won’t be disturbed and turn off notifications/alarms on your devices.
Lie down, relax and nap or you can sit in a comfortable chair.
Listen to music that relaxes you (like meditation, binaural beats or Reiki music).
In the first session (In-person or Distance)
In this session, we will spend up to 30-minutes on intake to understand your situation, symptoms and progress. We will also connect at the end of the session for a debrief and to plan next steps.
Reiki can stir up emotions and thought patterns that manifest as physical symptoms. Yet, it can also lead to insights on how you can navigate the path to healing on the different levels. It is important for me to work with those individuals who are willing to do that work outside of the session.
Inform me if you are currently receiving psychiatric or medical care or counseling.
During the session, do your best to relax, breathe and receive.
After a session
Drink plenty of warm water, as Reiki has a cleansing effect.
Keep the remainder of the day low-key, maximizing the calming effect on the nervous system.
I may check in with you the day after to see how you are doing.