What is Reiki?

Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan in the early 20th century. The word “Reiki” comes from two Japanese words:

Rei (霊) meaning “universal” or “spiritual”
Ki (気) meaning “life energy” (similar to chi in Chinese or prana in Sanskrit)

What Happens in a Reiki Session?

A full Reiki session is a sacred offering of healing energy, received by a fully clothed individual who rests in stillness—either lying peacefully on a treatment table or seated in a supportive, comfortable chair.

The healing transmission of Reiki is most often shared through gentle, light touch, as the practitioner’s hands are mindfully placed in a series of positions along the head, torso, and back. Each placement is guided by respect, compassion, and divine intention—never intrusive, never forceful.

As the energy flows where it is most needed, additional hand placements on the arms or legs may be intuitively guided, especially where healing is invited—such as after injury or surgery. In cases of sensitivity or open wounds, or by the practitioner’s calling, the hands may hover just above the body, offering the same deep energetic nourishment through the unseen currents of universal life force.

Key Concepts:

Non-invasive: It doesn’t involve physical manipulation or the ingestion of substances.
Energy flow: Blocked or unbalanced energy can lead to illness or stress.
Universal life force: Reiki taps into a universal energy that flows through all living things.

What should I expect?

“I drifted off… it felt like I was floating.”
“Your hands were so warm—they felt like sunlight.”
“I feel more at peace than I do after a massage.”
“My headache is gone!”

These are just a few of the heartfelt reflections people share after receiving Reiki.

The experience of Reiki is deeply personal and often guided by the quiet wisdom of the spirit. It may feel like gentle warmth radiating from the practitioner’s hands, or a cool, soothing presence that calms the body and mind. You may feel subtle waves of energy rippling through your body—pulsations, tingling, or a sense of expansion.

Many describe the session as deeply comforting. You may find yourself in a dreamlike threshold between waking and sleep—a sacred space where healing unfolds beyond words. For some, Reiki evokes a powerful spiritual or emotional release; for others, the effects are quiet but unmistakable, like a stream flowing beneath the surface.

Even if nothing dramatic is felt during the first session, most people leave with a sense of deep calm, as if burdens have gently lifted. Reiki’s blessings are often cumulative—each session deepening your connection to inner peace, clarity, and balance.

After a session, you may continue to feel the unfolding of the energy: a grounded sense of presence, improved digestion, deeper sleep, or a clearer emotional state. These subtle shifts are signs of alignment with the universal life force that flows within and around us all.