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What to Expect during a Reiki Session: Our Members Share the most common experiences

What to Expect during a Reiki Session: Our Members Share the Most Common Client Experiences

If you are new to Reiki it’s perfectly normal to wonder what to expect from a Reiki session. You might have heard from a friend about a great Reiki experience they had or read all the benefits of Reiki online – but what does it actually feel like to experience Reiki? What reactions could you expect to experience? Should you expect to feel anything at all? These are all common client questions.

And we are here to shine some light on the experiences and reactions people usually report before, during and after a Reiki session. We also asked our lovely Reiki Healing Association Members to share the feedback they most often get from their clients to help demystify a typical Reiki treatment.

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What is Reiki?

Reiki is an ancient form of hands-on therapy in which the practitioner channels energy to the recipient in order to encourage healing or restore wellbeing. During a Reiki session, the Reiki Practitioner will work with the energy we all naturally possess to balance the body’s natural energy systems. Reiki Practitioners are trained on how to channel this powerful energy using ancient techniques that have been around for centuries. Reiki is one of the simplest healing energy therapies, but the results can be so powerful and profound.

What happens before a Reiki Session? How should you prepare for a Reiki treatment?

Your Reiki Practitioner will explain what you can expect during the Reiki session, before the session begins so its always best to arrive a little early to go through any questions with the Reiki Practitioner. You will usually fill out a pre-session survey to allow the Practitioner to get a bit of background about what brought you there, and to also check if you have any specific requirements such as mobility issues that they will need to cater for.

Most sessions will last about an hour long, but times will vary depending on the individuals needs. The reiki session will usually take place on a Reiki table, with the client laying down on some comfy blankets and pillows. You remain fully clothed during the reiki session, but its best to wear loose-fitting clothes so you feel relaxed and comfortable. If the client does have any mobility issues, the session can take place in a chair.

The session is your time to completely relax -its a safe space, a healing oasis away from the world. As a result, the Reiki Practitioner will always aim to create a calming and relaxing environment for the reiki session, using music, candles, aromatherapy and healing crystals.

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Reiki Practitioner laying hands on a client: what to Expect During A Reiki Session

What to Expect During A Reiki Session

The Reiki Practitioner will ask you to close your eyes and relax as they position themselves next to you besides the Reiki table. During the Reiki session, you can expect the Reiki Practitioner to move around the table and either place their hands lightly on your body or hovering just above, as they work through a series of Reiki hand positions which are designed to target the main energy centres in the body, known as chakras. The practitioner will ask you in advance if you are happy for hands-on-reiki or would prefer no touch during the session. The Reiki Practitioner will usually start the session with their hands on your head and then they will work down the body to the feet, avoiding all sensitive and private body parts.

The Practitioner will let you know they are about to begin. Although they may check in with you throughout the session to make sure you are okay, talking is usually kept to a minimum so you can really relax and switch off.

Often you may be able to sense the Practitioners hands moving across your body even if you have your eyes closed and even if they are not touching you directly – this is because you can sense the energy!

Common Reactions you can expect during a Reiki Session

Everyone will experience different things during a reiki session. But common reactions include:

Feeling temperature changes – a sensation of heat or cold at the practitioners hand placement
Recipient my see lots of colours in their mind’s eye
Involuntary movements or mild spasms
The recipient may become so relaxed they fall asleep
Itchiness
Emotional responses such as crying
Rumbling stomach
Memory flashes
A slight tingling or pins and needles at the practitioners hand placement

All of these reactions are normal. You may experience one, two, all or none of the above! Reiki works in very subtle ways and you shouldn’t worry about the lack of any sensations.

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What to Expect During A Reiki Session: Practitioners will usually begin at the client’s head

Our Members Reveal what their Clients Commonly Experience During a Reiki Session:

Feeling lighter

A number of our Members reported that clients often claim that Reiki makes them feel light, like Reiki has lifted away stress and confusion. You may feel peace and calm in your mind, or less tense and stressed physically.

“Feeling light and very calm” notes RMT Jyoti.
Jayanthi said clients report “Feeling light and calm. Mostly leaving with a happy and relaxed lit up face.”

Seeing colours

Seeing colours also is commonly reported by clients. This is a perfectly natural and normal response to Reiki. Client’s may see one colour or a series of colours in their mind’s eye.

“Seeing colours. Feeling of calmness. Sometimes tingling. But overall – relaxed and welcome” says Sandy.
Rhonda also has clients report “Seeing colours. Peacefulness.”

Interestingly seeing colours is a common experience for Reiki Practitioners and Masters themselves conducting a session. Seeing colours can simply be a visual expression of the of energy or could be related to chakra or aura colours, depending on how energetically sensitive the individual is.

Feeling a release of emotions

Experiencing a release of emotional energy is normal during a Reiki session. A client may begin to cry as emotional blocks are lifted.

Iva said “I had someone who was very sceptical have a major release and started to cry.”

This is so normal – and why most Reiki Practitioners will always have a box of tissues on hand

Feelings of Relaxation and General Wellbeing

Feeling relaxed is another common Reiki reaction.

Aparna notes “Deep relaxation and a feeling of well-being” is commonly reported by clients. We don’t think you can underestimate just how important feeling truly relaxed is for clients in such a fast paced world. Our own experiences of Reiki suggest these feelings of relaxation last after the session itself and into the rest of the day.
Kim also notes that clients commonly experience “Feelings of well-being, grounded and clear headed. Less reaction from triggers and clearer intuition.”

Really there aren’t any ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ reactions to Reiki. Some people may report that they don’t really feel anything at all, whilst others may experience profound emotions or feelings of relaxation, peace or wellbeing.

What to Expect after a Reiki Session

Whilst one Reiki session is a great way to unwind and relax, most people will book in multiple sessions to really progress with their wellness goals. After the session the Reiki Practitioner will ask you for your feedback and talk you though how you can book in follow up sessions. After your session you will be in a very relaxed state, and the practitioner will give you some space to come back to full awareness before you leave. Drinking a glass of water is a great way to ground yourself back in the present moment after a Reiki treatment.

It’s really important to note here that the goal of any Reiki session is not to ‘cure’ or ‘fix’ a specific problem or issue – even if a set issue is the reason you are there. Reiki works across mind, body and spirit – it holistically addresses imbalances in the energy body and seeks to restore balance, which in turn can promote health and wellbeing. The client is in control of the amount of Reiki they want to recieve and their body will intuitvely know where it is needed most. The Practitioner is just the facilitator of the energy session.

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Have you experienced a Reiki Session? Share your tips and experiences in the comment box below!

And for more Reiki resources, be sure to connect with the Reiki Healing Association on Instagram, where we post daily Reiki inspiration and advice for healing and growth as a Reiki Practitioner or Reiki-enthusiast! And don’t forget to follow us on Pinterest, where we are pinning positive affirmations and empowering quotes every single day.