Reiki
The first time I tried reiki I was a bit skeptical. Adding to that was the fact that it was to be conducted remotely. I couldn’t wrap my head around how I would experience anything at all from the 4:00am session when my reiki practitioner was in a completely different time zone than me. I expected to have a normal sleep in my own bed and wake up in the morning, perhaps even forgetting that I’d scheduled this appointment.
I instead woke up early in anticipation of the reiki healing, both nervous and excited. She had told me she prefers to work when her clients are asleep, since she has an easier time tuning into their energy without an overthinking mind. But gosh, I was both awake and overthinking the fact that I was awake and would probably ruin the chakra-balancing work to be done. I wasn’t checking the time at this exact moment, but it must have been just around 4:00am when I felt a weird sensation in my back, like a calming energy entering my body. I rolled over and fell asleep immediately.
The session worked wonderfully, and I was convinced. I went back for reiki, both remotely and in-person, to heal pain from a breakup, to clear old wounds from childhood, to help me find a stronger footing in my daily life, and to expand my capacity for creativity, intuition, and confidence. Every session has felt like a heavy-hitter to me, with deep feelings being released and a floating feeling of possibility upon integration. I would often book a session when I needed some extra help releasing negative emotions, when it felt too hard to do it myself or with other modalities.
Reiki has sparked terrific changes in my life, helped me discover new parts of myself, and allowed me to experience greater ease. Even better, there’s nothing you need to do to receive this healing except to process it, making it a relatively easy way to make big progress.
I’ve collected stories from friends who have tried reiki as well. One reported how she felt a tingling heat across her body while receiving reiki, and she felt energized and powerful at the end of her session. Another friend fell asleep, telling me she doesn’t understand how anyone wouldn’t find that the most relaxing experience ever. One amazingly received a vision during reiki. Yet another found it to be a bit intense and disorienting at first, feeling tired afterward (that can happen when big energy is being moved). One way or another, it seems that many feel reiki working. It is truly incredible!
What is a session like?
Reiki is simply energy healing, where a practitioner will intuitively channel reiki energy to and through you. While the reiki is performed with you on a massage table (or in a comfortable lying position if administered remotely) - fully clothed, usually with little to no touch and no talking - there is nothing in particular that you need to do or think about. My recommendation would be to simply observe - sensations felt, the sound of music being played, any emotions running through you. Feel free to zone out or fall asleep.
People have a range of experiences during and following a session. Normally, I feel a bit tired the same day, and an emotional heaviness for the next 2-3 days as I release baggage, followed by clarity and a huuuge boost in positivity starting 4-6 days following a reiki session.
Because reiki is a powerful modality and continues to work through you even after a session, consider taking some time - at least 2 weeks to a month - between appointments to allow yourself to fully process and integrate the energy.
Did you know?
Reiki is a compound word in Japanese - “rei” meaning universal, “ki” meaning life-force energy. Together it means the channeling of universal healing energy. Ki can also be knows as Qi in Chinese culture, Prana in Hinduism, the Holy Spirit in Christianity, or Mana in Polynesian culture.
Modern reiki was discovered in Kyoto, Japan in 1921, but many speculate its true roots are much more ancient. Perhaps it was a healing artform lost to history, only to be rediscovered by Usui Mikao after a 21 spiritual journey atop Mount Kurama. In 1922, the Emperor of Japan honored Usui for the healing advancements he made for the country.
Reiki works with the chakras, or the seven main energy centers of the body. The chakra system emerged from ancient Hindu philosophical texts, and is now called forward in many holistic practices. See here for my page all about chakras.
You can reiki just about anything - yourself, your pets, plants, even water!
How can Reiki help me?
Reiki can seem quite mysterious, but the proof is in the pudding. The experience it creates in people and the long-term impact on wellbeing can be massive, and I’ve found people enjoy talking about their surprise and delight at how a session helped them. Even if you’re still skeptical, I encourage you to just be open to try it for yourself and see how reiki can delight you too.
People use reiki for these reasons and many more:
Grief of losing a loved one
Releasing pain from hurtful memories
Opening up to new love and friendships
Activating intuition or creativity
Feeling more grounded and safe in the world
Setting and maintaining clear boundaries
Boosting motivation and self-confidence
Stress, anxiety, and depression
PTSD
Pain management
Surgical recovery
Fibromyalgia
Insomnia
High blood pressure
Cancer symptoms
Weakened immune-system
Let’s give it a try!
Reiki can be done remotely or in person; I have done both and have received deep healing each and every time! I recommend finding an attuned, professional reiki practitioner for your healing sessions.
