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Healing the Healer: Self-Care for Reiki Practitioners

Working with Reiki energy is a truly beautiful lifelong journey and vocation. We spend so much time helping others find peace, relaxation and more mindfulness, but sometimes we can forget to check in with our own energy needs!

As with any profession, we can find ourselves getting burnt out every now and then, but as highly sensitive people it is really important we look after ourselves energetically. After all, we are often working with people or pets that are going through stressful situations or illnesses that are carrying a lot of negative or stagnant energy which we can easily pick up on and become affected by if we don’t take the time to protect our own energy and stay grounded.

Recently, a fellow Reiki Practitioner that specialised in combining Reiki with therapeutic massage, asked me how she could take better care of herself as she often felt that in massaging all the tension knots out of her client’s back she felt that she was taking on all of their tension – she was energetically exhausted and knew she needed to find some routines and rituals to protect here own energy bubble and disconnect after each session with a client.

We asked the RHA members to share some of their advice for energy protection and self-care as a Reiki Professional, and we’ve summarised some of the fantastic tips below as well as adding in some of our own self-care tips.

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Essential Self-Care Tips for Reiki Practitioners: Balance, Energy, and Well-Being

For Reiki practitioners, maintaining balance and self-care is essential not only to be effective in their practice but also to prevent energy depletion or burnout. Here are some self-care tips tailored specifically for Reiki practitioners:

1. Daily Self Healing

Working through a self-treatment is one of the best ways to recharge, relax and revitalise our own energy stores. This is your time to retreat from the world and just check in with yourself in a quiet space away from distractions and responsibilities. Setting aside at least 10-20 minutes for self-Reiki is a great daily habit to get into for regular self-care, or why not incorporate Reiki into a daily meditation as we all know how busy life is!

As the Power Symbol has very cleansing and protective energetic properties, a great tip to boost your self-reiki sessions, is to draw out the Power Symbol on to each of the chakras as you work through a self healing session, reciting the Cho Ku Rei three times as you work with each chakra. Adding healing affirmations into your self-healing sessions is another way to protect yourself before and after any energy work, you can use intentions like ‘ I am protected. I am grounded. I am safe.’

Catherine W Dunne said “I practice self healing positions twice daily. First thing in the morning, preparing my body to successfully deal with negative energies received (nurse) and when I have returned home, cleansing myself of all attachments”
Ravi Subramaniyam agrees “Self protection, self healing is a must before one does healing for others.”

2. Scanning your Body

Body scanning is an essential practice for Reiki practitioners, helping you tune into your own energy field and identify areas that need healing, balance, or attention. By performing a body scan, you can assess your physical, emotional, and energetic state, bringing greater awareness to how you feel and where you may be holding tension, blockages, or stress.

Find a Quiet Space: Begin by sitting or lying down in a comfortable, quiet environment where you won’t be disturbed. You may want to dim the lights or play soothing music to create a calm atmosphere.
Set an Intention: Before starting, set an intention for the scan. You can focus on becoming aware of any areas that need healing, relaxation, or releasing negative energy. State your intention either out loud or silently.
Activate Reiki: Place your hands in Gassho (prayer position) and focus on connecting with the Reiki energy. You can silently ask for the energy to flow through you and assist you in the body scan. Feel the energy flowing through your hands and body as you begin.
Use Symbols if Needed: If you feel drawn to, you can use Reiki symbols to support your body scan. Cho Ku Rei (Power Symbol) can be used to amplify and focus the energy during the process.
Start at the Crown Chakra: Bring your attention to the top of your head, the crown chakra. With your hands either resting on or hovering slightly above your body, begin to sense or feel the energy here. Notice if there’s any tension, warmth, tingling, or discomfort.
Slowly Move Downward: Gradually move your attention from the crown down through your body. As you move from one area to the next, pause and tune into the sensations in each part of the body. Use your hands if you feel guided to, hovering them over areas that need extra attention.
Observe without Judgment: As you scan each part of your body, simply observe what you feel. Pay special attention to your chakra points, as they are key energy centers in the body. Notice if any particular chakra feels blocked or sluggish, or if it feels overactive. If you sense imbalance, visualize healing light or Reiki symbols (like Sei He Ki for emotional balance) entering that area to bring harmony.

This practice helps bring greater awareness to your physical, emotional, and energetic state, allowing you to address any issues proactively.

3. Cleansing your Reiki Space Regularly using the Cho Ku Rei Reiki Symbol

It is important to keep your reiki Room ‘energetically clean’ so in remains a positive and healing sanctuary for both yourself and your clients so you can both relax during the treatment time. You can cleanse the room before and after a Reiki session to get rid of any lingering energy that may be present.

Steps to Cleanse Your Reiki Space with the Power Symbol (Cho Ku Rei)

Prepare Your Space

Open Windows or Doors: Before starting, open windows or doors to allow any stagnant or negative energy to leave the room.
Tidy Up: Clear any clutter, dust, or physical debris from the space. A clean physical environment helps promote a clean energetic environment.

Set Your Intention

Focus on Your Intention: Before invoking the Power Symbol, set a clear intention for the space cleansing. You can silently or verbally state, “I cleanse this space of all negative or stagnant energy, and fill it with light, love, and high vibrational energy.”
Center Yourself: Take a few deep breaths to ground and center yourself. You can place your hands in gassho (prayer position) to align with the Reiki energy.

Draw the Cho Ku Rei Symbol

Visualize the Symbol: In your mind’s eye, visualize the Cho Ku Rei symbol (a spiral with a vertical line) glowing with bright, white or golden light. See it filling the room with high vibrational energy.
Draw the Symbol with Your Hand: Using your dominant hand, draw Cho Ku Rei in the air in front of you or in the center of the room. While drawing it, imagine energy being activated and amplified in your space.
Recite the Name: While drawing the symbol, say or think “Cho Ku Rei” three times to activate it and enhance its power.

Seal the Room with Cho Ku Rei

Corners of the Room: Move around your room (clockwise if possible), and at each corner of the room, draw the Power Symbol in the air. As you do this, visualize a protective shield of light forming and clearing away any negative energy in that spot.
Above and Below: Draw Cho Ku Rei above and below the center of the room, imagining it radiating light that purifies the entire space, including the ceiling and floor.

Visualize Energy Clearing

See Energy Shifting: As you move around the room, visualize any lower vibrations or stagnant energies being cleared out. You can imagine them dissolving or being swept away by the Power Symbol’s energy.
Fill the Space with Light: After clearing the space, envision the room being filled with pure, healing light. Imagine this light bringing peace, clarity, and protection to the environment.

Close the Cleansing Ritual

Seal with Gratitude: After you’ve drawn the Power Symbol and feel the energy has shifted, stand in the center of the room, close your eyes, and express gratitude for the clearing and protection. You can say something like, “Thank you for cleansing this space and filling it with love and light.”
Reinforce Protection: If you feel it’s necessary, you can reinforce the cleansing by placing crystals (like black tourmaline or clear quartz) around the room to maintain the energetic protection.

By incorporating the Reiki Power Symbol into your space-cleansing routine, you maintain a high-vibrational and energetically balanced environment, making it more conducive for healing and personal work. Repeating this ritual regularly—especially after intense healing sessions—will ensure your space remains clear and supportive. And you can use the same techniques to cleanse all the rooms in your home so you feel happy where ever you go!

4. Protecting your energy

After working with clients, releasing any residual energy is essential to prevent energetic overload and maintain your well-being. You can use Reiki symbols, along with other techniques, to aid in this process.

After working with clients, it’s essential to release any residual energy to prevent overload. Here are effective techniques for energy protection:

Waterfall Visualization: Imagine standing under a waterfall of bright, purifying light, cleansing away any unwanted energy. Incorporate Reiki symbols into the visualization for enhanced cleansing.
Visualize an Energy Shield: Picture a bright white energy shield surrounding you throughout your day. This shield can protect your energy bubble and keep negative influences at bay.
Quick Aura Sweep: Sweep your hands a few inches from your body, from your crown to your toes, and then touch the floor to connect with the Earth, shaking off any dense or stuck energy.
Cleansing Breath Technique: Take a deep breath in, filling your lungs with light and positive energy. As you exhale, visualize any negative or stagnant energy leaving your body. Repeat this several times, each time imagining your energy field becoming clearer and brighter.
Affirmations for Protection: Create a mantra or affirmation that you recite after each session. Phrases like “I am grounded, protected, and at peace” can reinforce your intention to maintain your energy integrity.

5. Ground Yourself

You should always end every Reiki session by grounding yourself. If you leave yourself open and connected to higher spiritual energies all day long, you are more susceptible to pick up and carry around the negative energies and emotions you encounter as you go throughout your day.

Grounding is about bringing yourself back into the present moment, and reconnecting with the Earth. There are many techniques and practices you can use to ground yourself after a Reiki session. Here are some powerful grounding activities for Reiki Practitioner:

Visualize Roots: Imagine roots extending from your feet deep into the Earth, drawing up strong, grounding energy.
Physical Grounding Practices: Engage in activities like walking barefoot on grass, gentle stretches, or holding grounding stones like black tourmaline or hematite.
Nature Connection: Spend time in nature. Sit under a tree, lean against a sturdy rock, or simply observe the beauty around you. Nature has a calming and grounding effect that helps restore your energy.
Mindful Eating: Enjoy a small snack, preferably something wholesome and nutritious, like nuts or fruits. Focus on the flavors and textures, which helps anchor you in the present moment.
Movement Practices: Engage in yoga or Tai Chi, which incorporate flowing movements that help balance energy and promote grounding. These practices encourage mindfulness and reconnect you with your body.
Grounding Visualization with Reiki Symbols: Use Reiki symbols during your grounding visualization. Imagine the symbols glowing at your feet, connecting you with the Earth’s energy and enhancing your grounding experience.
Gratitude Practice: Take a moment to reflect on what you’re grateful for in your life. Expressing gratitude helps shift your focus from the spiritual realm back to your current reality, reinforcing a sense of grounding.
Journaling: Write down your thoughts and feelings after a session. This practice can help you process your experiences and ground your emotions, providing clarity and release.

Incorporating these techniques into your post-Reiki session routine can enhance your grounding practice, allowing you to maintain a strong connection to the Earth and a balanced state of being. Grounding is essential for your well-being as a practitioner, ensuring you can offer the best of yourself to your clients.

6. Use Cleansing Tools

There are so many powerful energy cleansing tools at your disposal. Discovering your preferred energy cleansing tools is a great asset to a Reiki Practitioner. That way you can have them on hand both during your work and in your own downtime too

Crystals: We love keeping crystals nearby. There are many crystals or gemstones with grounding properties – holding a grounding crystal or wearing a piece of jewellery with a powerful stabilising stone is one way you can stay grounded. Grounding crystals include: Black Tourmaline, Bloodstone, Hematite, Jade, Jasper, Jet, Obsidian, Onyx, Pyrite and Agate.
Reiki Baths or Showers: Use the cleansing power of water to release unwanted energy.
Essential Oils: Grounding essential oils, like lavender or sandalwood, can enhance your self-care routine.
Sound Healing: Use sound vibrations to clear your energy field. You can use a singing bowl, chimes, or even your voice to create soothing sounds. The vibrations can help break up stagnant energy and restore harmony within your aura.
Norman Wilson shared his personal energy cleansing rituals: “I eliminate negative energy at the end of each day by using a lavender smudge and rubbing my arms in a downward stroke with a quartz clear crystal.”

7. Set Energetics Boundaries

As a Reiki practitioner, maintaining strong and healthy energetic boundaries is essential. While you’re working with energy and facilitating healing for others, it’s important to protect your own energy and prevent taking on any of your clients’ emotions, issues, or negativity.

Your role in the healing process ends when you bring the Reiki session to a close. Sometimes, we can get so carried away in our efforts and desire to help our clients that we can fall into the trap of getting emotionally tied up in our clients’ personal issues and even their life.

Setting clear energetic boundaries ensures that you can offer healing without feeling drained or overwhelmed. Here are some key practices for setting and maintaining energetic boundaries:

Create a Protective Bubble: Before starting a Reiki session, take a few moments to visualize a protective shield of light surrounding you. This bubble can be any color that resonates with you, though white or golden light is often used for its high vibrational qualities. Imagine this bubble as a filter that allows healing energy to flow out to your client while preventing any negative or unwanted energy from entering your own field.
Use Reiki Symbols for Protection: The Power Symbol (Cho Ku Rei) can be especially helpful for creating energetic boundaries. Visualize or draw the Cho Ku Rei symbol over your body or the space around you, empowering your shield with the intention to protect and fortify your energy.
State Your Boundaries: Before beginning a Reiki session, take a moment to consciously set an intention for your boundaries. You might say, “I am a clear channel for healing energy. I release any energy that does not belong to me, and I maintain my own energy intact.” By verbalizing this intention, you are setting a clear message to yourself and the universe that your energy remains separate and protected.
Call on Spiritual Support: You can also call on guides, angels, or any spiritual entities you work with to help protect your energy. Simply ask for their assistance in maintaining your energetic boundaries throughout the session.
Cut Energetic Cords: After a Reiki session, it’s important to energetically “disconnect” from your client. You can do this by visualizing a light blade or scissors cutting any energetic cords that may have formed during the session. This practice ensures that once the healing is done, you are not carrying any energetic residue from the client with you.
Shake Off Excess Energy: Another simple but effective method is to physically shake off any lingering energy. After the session, shake out your hands, arms, and body to release any stagnant or unwanted energy you may have absorbed.
Water for Cleansing: Washing your hands and wrists in cold water after a session can help to release and cleanse any excess energy. You can also visualize the water washing away any energy that doesn’t belong to you.
Be Aware of Empathy Overload: Many Reiki practitioners are naturally empathetic and sensitive to other people’s emotions and energies. While this sensitivity is a gift in healing work, it can also lead to energy depletion if not managed properly. Recognize when you are absorbing too much energy from others, and remind yourself to establish emotional boundaries.
Practice Emotional Detachment: While offering Reiki, it’s important to remain compassionate but detached. You can hold space for your clients without becoming emotionally entangled in their healing process. Remind yourself that your role is to facilitate healing, not to take on their pain or suffering.
Set Boundaries with Clients: Protecting your energy also means being mindful of how much energy you are giving in a day. Limit the number of sessions you perform, and allow yourself adequate time to rest and recharge between them. Overextending yourself can lead to burnout, making it harder to maintain energetic boundaries.
Honour Your Limits: If you notice that you’re feeling drained or fatigued, it may be a sign that you’re taking on too much. Listen to your body and energy levels, and don’t be afraid to say no or reschedule sessions if you need to.
Listen to Your Energy Levels: Protecting your energy also means knowing when to step back and take time for self-care. If you start feeling emotionally or energetically drained, it’s a signal to recharge. Give yourself permission to rest, meditate, and practice self-Reiki to restore balance.
Lynda Helmer advises “Remember to “zip up” when you are around negative energy to protect yourself from its draining effects. Remember to shake off the energy residue of anyone else you have worked on, in person or distance.”
Pia Cronhamn gave her advice: “I realize that I’m not the healer. I’m only a conductor, a transmitter where the light, energy, lifeforce may transform and ignite the healing power within the one that needs to heal her/himself. Take care of the vessel and ooze it with lifeforce energy, whenever possible.”

8. Asking For Help

No-one is invincible – so if you ever feel like you need a little help getting yourself back to centre, then reach out to the people in your life for support. We should all ask for advice or help when needed.

Receiving Reiki from another practitioner can be a good boost too! Surrounding yourself with positive and kind people is a really good way to re-energise yourself and help you recharge.

Communicate Openly: Don’t hesitate to express how you’re feeling to friends, family, or fellow practitioners. Sharing your thoughts and emotions can help lift the weight off your shoulders and create a space for understanding and support. You may find that others have gone through similar experiences and can offer valuable insights.
Receive Reiki from Another Practitioner: Sometimes, the best way to restore your energy is to receive Reiki from another practitioner. They can channel healing energy and help you release any blockages or stagnant energy that may be affecting your well-being. This can provide a powerful boost and facilitate a deeper sense of connection to yourself and the universe.
Engage in Group Healing Sessions: Participating in group Reiki sessions can be uplifting. Being in a room filled with like-minded individuals amplifies the healing energy and can help you feel more connected. The collective intention for healing can create a powerful experience.
Nurture Positive Relationships: Surrounding yourself with positive and kind individuals is a great way to re-energize yourself. Engage with people who uplift you and share your values. Their positive energy can be contagious, helping you feel more centered and rejuvenated.
Cultivate a Sense of Community: Building a community around Reiki and holistic practices can provide a valuable support system. Participate in workshops, classes, or retreats that allow you to connect with others who share your interests and values.
Practice Self-Compassion: Remember that asking for help is an essential part of self-care. Be gentle with yourself and recognize that everyone has moments of struggle. Cultivating self-compassion can empower you to seek assistance without guilt or shame.
Kornel Kisata advises to ask “for help or healing with another practitioner or master when needed. Share love and light!”

9. Remember your Sensitivity is your superpower

Don’t be too hard on yourself if you get overwhelmed by an energetically draining day! Your heightened intuition and propensity to care and nurture is a gift and is a big part the reason you are called to do the work you do. Just make sure you make self-care a priority in your life, so you can be the best vessel for Universal Life force energy and keep sharing your unique gifts with the world. Self-care isn’t selfish, it is essential. You can’t pour from an empty cup as they say. Never feel guilty about taking time out to recharge and relax in your life and work as a Reiki professional.

Embrace Imperfection: You don’t have to be perfect all the time. Mistakes, setbacks, and off-days are part of the human experience. Honor your imperfections as opportunities for growth.
Release Unrealistic Expectations: You might feel that as a healer, you need to be perfectly grounded or spiritually attuned all the time. It’s okay to have days where you feel off-balance. Healing is a journey, not a destination.
Be Kind to Yourself: When things don’t go as planned, instead of being self-critical, offer yourself kindness. Speak to yourself the way you would to a dear friend—with understanding and patience.
Acknowledge Your Efforts: It’s easy to focus on what you didn’t accomplish, but try to notice the effort you’re putting in, even if the results aren’t immediate or perfect. Celebrate small victories.
Patience with Your Healing Journey: You may encounter periods where you don’t feel the same flow of energy, or your progress seems slow. Give yourself grace, and trust that healing happens in its own time.
Nurture Yourself with Reiki: Use self-Reiki not just for healing, but as an act of self-love. Place your hands on your heart, solar plexus, or other areas of your body, and channel love, peace, and acceptance into yourself.
Release Judgment: When you practice Reiki on yourself, don’t judge how “well” you’re doing it. Trust that the energy is flowing where it needs to, even if you don’t feel it as strongly at times.
Affirm: “I honour myself as I am today. I release the need for perfection and allow myself to grow, heal, and evolve at my own pace.”

I hope you enjoyed reading some of the tips from our Reiki Healing Association Community. If you have any great tips for self-care and energy protection, please share them tips below!

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How do you look after yourself as a reiki and wellness professional? Share your tips and experiences in the comment box below!

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