Many people who have not yet received Reiki have wondered what to expect from a certified Reiki practitioner during a Reiki session. You may also wonder if you’ll like the experience or if it will be too spiritual for your taste. That’s why I’ve put together this guide: no matter what your experience with energy work might have been, you can feel confident that you’ll enjoy this session as much as possible!
Show up to the session with an open mind and heart.
When you arrive, the practitioner will greet you and ask if they can bring you anything to help you settle, perhaps a glass of water or herbal tea. They will have a 5-10 minute chat with you and request some basic information, such as what brings you to Reiki and your expectations; they will take some details from you regarding next of kin and GP and ensure you understand what to expect during the session and that you understand that Reiki is a complementary therapy and should never be used as a replacement for traditional or Western medicine.
If this is your first time receiving Reiki energy work and you don’t know what to expect during a Reiki session (or even what questions to ask), no worries! I have put this guide together to help you understand what might happen, so there are no surprises and to help squash any apprehension you may be feeling.
Allow yourself to be present.
Allow yourself to be present. Let go of any thoughts about the past or future. Focus on being here now – in this moment, on what is happening inside your body and mind.
Trust your practitioner and yourself.
Reiki is an energy healing modality that works on the principle that we all have an innate ability to heal ourselves and each other. When you receive Reiki, it’s important to trust your practitioner and yourself as you go through this process.
Trust: Trust that the practitioner is there to support you in your healing process, physically, emotionally and mentally. Trust that they have been appropriately trained (you can do this by asking to see their certifications and whether they hold any registrations, for example, I am registered with UK Reiki Federation and CMA and if they have insurance) and that they know how to administer Reiki to paying clients. Trust that the process will unfold naturally–it may seem strange at first, but once it starts working, everything will fall into place easily! Also, remember: Reiki doesn’t work instantly, like taking two paracetamol for your headache; rather than thinking, “What if nothing happens?” ask yourself “, How can I take advantage of these moments?”
Let go of expectations and allow the session to unfold naturally.
The best way to approach a Reiki session is with an open mind. Don’t expect to feel, see, or hear anything; allow the experience to unfold naturally.
As the practitioner works around your body, either placing their hands on specific areas or hovering them above, you may notice sensations in that area or adjacent areas. These are signs that your energy is moving and being balanced.
For example:
- You might feel warmth or coolness in an area of pain or discomfort
- You might see colours or images while receiving Reiki (these could be memories or visions of the future/past)
- Or maybe you’ll sounds and possibly even phrases (this had happened with a client before, where they heard a “message”).
If you have a question, ask it! The Reiki practitioner is there to support you in your healing process.
If you have a question, ask it! The Reiki practitioner is there to support you in your healing process. Let them know if you need an extra blanket; you need to move positions or pop to the toilet! By not asking, you will not enjoy the relaxation benefits of your treatment and do not worry; you are not disrupting the session by popping out for a quick wee. In addition, your practitioner should advise you on how to get in touch after your session – for example; my clients have access to me via WhatsApp for anything that comes up for them that they wish to share or discuss.
You may feel warmth, coldness, tingling, or heat where you receive Reiki.
How does Reiki work? You may feel warmth, coldness, tingling, or heat where you receive Reiki. This is not because of the temperature in the room; it is simply an indication that your body is receiving energy. It is common to feel cold; if you feel uncomfortable, ask your practitioner for an extra layer. We are here to make you as comfortable as possible.
If you feel something that is not hot or cold but more like a tingly or fluttering sensation, this is the Reiki energy moving through your chakras (energy centres) and opening them up as it flows through them.
You may feel peaceful, energised or both during a Reiki session. Some people feel so relaxed that they fall asleep during a treatment. Others report feeling energised for days after receiving Reiki. It all depends on your unique body chemistry and how quickly you absorb energy from others into your chakras. If you’d like to go deeper into what happens during a Reiki session with myself, look at my Reiki Session page.
Reiki is a powerful energy work that helps the body heal itself. It may treat physical ailments and help with emotional issues such as anxiety and depression. Reiki balances the chi (or life force) flow through your chakras (energy centres), so your body can function optimally. More information in this blog post, “What Is Reik and How Does It Work?”
Reiki sessions are generally in person; however, you can also receive distance healing if you don’t have access to someone who practices Reiki healing. Or prefer to have your session at a time and place that suits you or if you like to have a nap after your session or meditate rather than have to hop in the car or walk back home. Many of my clients are based outside of the UK, and Reiki works just as efficiently with me being in Hove, UK, and them being on the other side of the world. Generally, Reiki sessions are between 30 and 90 minutes. I offer distance healings of 30 and 60 minutes and in-person sessions of 60 and 90 minutes. However, other practitioners may offer longer or shorter sessions.
Conclusion
If you’re interested in learning more about Reiki or booking a session with me, check out these other blog posts and my web page, which tells you specifically how I work and how to book a session. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me.
Samantha is an intuitive healer and visionary who holds space for heart-centric souls to discover their strengths, find their true purpose and take bold steps towards living a life aligned with their core values and soul purpose. Through a fusion of psychology, spirituality, Human Design, Reiki Energy Healing, and two decades of business experience, Samantha has supported hundreds of people to find their purpose, live life with more flow, and build thriving businesses.
She is is a registered practitioner with UK Reiki Federation and CMA.
As a though-leader, her work has been featured in numerous publications and television appearances on BBC and Channel 5 News.
