What is reiki?

Reiki is an energetic healing practice. Its roots date back to the early 19th century in Japan with the founder Master Mikao Usui. Fascinatingly, because reiki was born out of Usui's spiritual search and aspirations, it occupies a space somewhere between a spiritual practice and a grounded healing practice.

When we do reiki we align with the universal energy that is always present and we allow this to flow through us to another person. Anyone can easily learn to practice reiki because it is not based on personal energy or a special individual skill. Mostly, it is learned from a master who attunes a practitioner to the energy. It is simply a practice of connecting to universal life force energy that is always available to us. Just like anyone can learn to practice reiki, it also means that reiki can be practiced on oneself, other people, a plant, a pet, a situation...

This is what makes reiki a bit different from other alternative healing practices that are more singularly focused on the body (massage, acupuncture, acupressure, etc.). 

What does a reiki session look like?

When you come to a reiki session, you will be invited to lay down on a comfortable table and may be covered with a blanket to avoid any chills. You can simply close your eyes, relax and rest. The reiki practitioner will go around your body and place their hands gently on or slightly above various spots around your body. In this way, universal energy flows to you and helps to clarify and heal that which is not in alignment. Reiki always flows to wherever it is most needed and cannot be guided by the will of the person giving the treatment. This is a benevolent energy that always works for the highest good.

What does reiki feel like?

During the session, you may have various sensations. Commonly people feel warmth or a chill from the hands of the practitioner or at certain spots of the body. This can happen when energy is flowing or attention is being brought to a spot that needs it. Sometimes reiki may bring a certain image, sound or memory to mind. All of that is very normal. Often, because the body and mind are in a desperate need of rest, you will fall into a deep state of relaxation or sleep.

What does reiki do?

Reiki instigates deep healing that may be necessary for the body, mind, or spirit. Universal life force energy is what connects all of us and when we align to this benevolent energy that is aimed at the highest good, whatever may be out of alignment with that will begin to realign and heal itself. What does that really mean? If there is an emotional blockage, reiki will help bring awareness to this and encourage your body, mind, and spirit to address it. It may bring clarity to things that need to be alterred in your life or inside you. In this way, it's not simply a passive cure, but very much a gentle and loving push to profoundly heal. That being said, when we heal on this deep, emotional level the beginning of the journey can be a bit messy and bewildering as things are initially shaken up so that the pieces can return to their proper place. It's important to understand and be open to this when seeking reiki treatment. If you feel called to engage in this process, then reiki is certainly for you. If you don't feel ready or wish for this kind of healing, it may be better to wait until another moment to do reiki.