If you have ever felt drawn to energy healing but found yourself unsure about what actually happens during a session, you are in good company. Reiki is one of the most widely practised forms of energy healing in the world, yet it remains surrounded by misconceptions. This guide will walk you through what Reiki is, where it comes from, exactly what happens during a session, and what you can realistically expect to experience.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing technique in which the practitioner channels universal life force energy through their hands to support the recipient’s natural healing processes. The word itself is composed of two Japanese characters: rei(universal, spiritual) and ki(life force energy — the Japanese equivalent of Qi in Chinese medicine or Prana in Ayurveda).
Reiki is not a religion, not a belief system, and not a form of massage. It is a gentle, non-invasive practice that works with the body’s subtle energy field to promote relaxation, release energetic blockages, and support healing on physical, emotional, and spiritual levels.
The History: Mikao Usui and the Origins of Reiki
Reiki was developed in the early 1920s by Mikao Usui, a Japanese scholar and spiritual practitioner. According to tradition, Usui experienced a profound spiritual awakening during a 21-day meditation and fasting retreat on Mount Kurama near Kyoto. During this experience, he received the ability to channel healing energy and the knowledge of how to pass this ability to others.
Usui founded the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Usui Reiki Healing Method Society) and trained numerous practitioners, including Dr Chujiro Hayashi, who in turn trained Hawayo Takata, a Japanese-American woman who brought Reiki to the West in the late 1930s. From these origins, Reiki has spread across the globe and is now practised in hospitals, hospices, and wellness centres in over 60 countries.
How a Reiki Session Works
A typical Reiki session lasts between 45 and 90 minutes. Here is what you can expect:
Before the Session
Your practitioner will begin with a conversation about your health history, current concerns, and what you hope to gain from the session. This is your opportunity to ask questions and share anything that feels relevant. You remain fully clothed throughout the session (wearing comfortable, loose-fitting clothing is recommended), and you will typically lie on a massage table, although seated sessions are also possible.
During the Session
The practitioner will place their hands gently on or just above your body in a series of specific positions, typically starting at the head and moving down to the feet. Each position is held for several minutes. The touch is extremely light — this is not massage, and no pressure is applied. If you prefer not to be touched, the practitioner can work entirely with their hands hovering above the body.
The room will typically be warm, quiet, and peaceful, perhaps with soft music or nature sounds. Many practitioners use gentle lighting and may incorporate aromatherapy or crystals, though these are enhancements rather than essential elements of the practice.
What You Might Feel
Experiences during Reiki vary widely from person to person and session to session. Common sensations include:
- Warmth or tingling— Many people feel warmth radiating from the practitioner’s hands, even when they are not physically touching the body. Tingling sensations are also common.
- Deep relaxation— Most people enter a deeply relaxed state. Some drift into sleep, which is perfectly fine and does not diminish the treatment’s effectiveness.
- Emotional release— It is not uncommon to experience emotions rising to the surface during a session. Tears, laughter, or a sense of emotional unburdening can all occur. This is a normal and healthy part of the healing process.
- Seeing colours or images— Some people report seeing colours (often purple, blue, or green) behind their closed eyelids, or experiencing vivid imagery or memories.
- A sense of peace— Perhaps the most commonly reported experience is a profound sense of calm, peace, and wellbeing that extends well beyond the session itself.
It is equally valid to feel very little during a session. The absence of dramatic sensations does not mean the Reiki is not working. Energy shifts can be subtle and may manifest over the days following a session rather than during it.
Benefits of Reiki
Whilst scientific research into Reiki is still developing, a growing body of studies suggests benefits in several areas:
- Reduction in stress and anxiety
- Improved sleep quality
- Pain management support
- Emotional balance and clarity
- Enhanced sense of wellbeing
- Support during challenging life transitions
- Complementary support alongside conventional medical treatments
Reiki is now offered in numerous NHS hospitals and cancer centres across the UK as a complementary therapy, particularly for patients undergoing chemotherapy or palliative care.
Preparing for Your First Session
Preparation for a Reiki session is simple:
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing
- Avoid heavy meals and alcohol beforehand
- Hydrate well before and after the session
- Come with an open mind, but you do not need to “believe in” Reiki for it to work
- Set an intention for the session if you wish, but it is equally fine to simply relax and receive
Aftercare and Integration
After a Reiki session, most people feel deeply relaxed and peaceful. Some feel energised; others feel sleepy. Both responses are normal. In the days following a session, you may notice shifts in your energy, emotions, sleep patterns, or physical symptoms. This is often described as the body continuing to process and integrate the healing energy.
To support the integration process, drink plenty of water, rest when needed, eat nourishing foods, and be gentle with yourself. Some people experience a brief “healing response” — a temporary intensification of symptoms or emotions as old patterns release. This typically passes within a day or two and is followed by a sense of greater clarity and balance.
Common Myths About Reiki
“Reiki is a religion”
Reiki is a healing practice, not a religion. It has no dogma, no required beliefs, and no conflict with any religious or spiritual tradition. People of all faiths — and of no faith — benefit from Reiki.
“You have to believe in it for it to work”
Reiki does not require belief. It is not a placebo. Many sceptics have been surprised by their experiences during and after sessions. Reiki also works on animals and infants, neither of whom have beliefs about the process.
“Reiki can cure diseases”
Responsible Reiki practitioners do not claim to cure diseases. Reiki is a complementary therapy that supports the body’s natural healing processes, promotes relaxation, and enhances overall wellbeing. It works alongside conventional medicine, not as a replacement for it.
“Reiki can cause harm”
Reiki is one of the safest complementary therapies available. It is non-invasive, gentle, and has no known negative side effects. The energy flows to where it is needed and is naturally self-regulating — you cannot receive “too much” Reiki.
Is Reiki Right for You?
If you are seeking a gentle, deeply relaxing healing experience that supports your overall wellbeing, Reiki may be exactly what you need. It is suitable for people of all ages and health conditions, and it complements virtually any other form of treatment you may be receiving.
The best way to understand Reiki is to experience it. Approach your first session with curiosity rather than expectation, and allow yourself to simply be present with whatever arises. You may find that it becomes one of the most valuable tools in your personal healing toolkit.
