What happens at the start of a Reiki session?
Most sessions begin with a short conversation. A practitioner will usually ask what brings you, whether you have had Reiki before, and whether there is anywhere you would prefer not to be touched. This is a good moment to say if you would rather they keep their hands just above your body.
You remain fully clothed. In a Cleveland Clinic account of a session, the only thing removed was shoes. You then lie on your back on a padded treatment table, often with a pillow under your knees, or sit comfortably supported in a chair if lying down is difficult.
How can you prepare for a Reiki session?
There is little to prepare, but a few small things make the hour more comfortable.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing you are happy to lie down in.
- Eat lightly beforehand, so you are neither hungry nor overly full while lying still.
- Decide in advance whether you are comfortable with light touch, and on which areas, or would prefer hands held above the body.
- Mention any injuries, pain when lying flat, or pregnancy, so the practitioner can adjust your position.
- Keep taking any medication and attending any appointments as usual; Reiki is not a reason to change your care.
What does the practitioner actually do?
According to the University of Minnesota's Taking Charge resource, Reiki is most commonly offered through light, non-invasive touch, with the practitioner's hands placed and held on a series of locations on the head and on the front and back of the torso. Hands may also be held just above the body, for example over an injury or wherever touch is not wanted.
There is no rubbing, kneading or manipulation. The practitioner simply holds each position for a few minutes before moving to the next, often in silence or with soft music. Reiki practitioners believe that during this time they are channeling a universal life energy to support the person's own healing response.
What Reiki practitioners believe is happening
In the Reiki tradition, the practitioner does not direct the energy with effort; they see themselves as a channel, and believe the energy goes where it is needed. That is the practice's own explanation. NCCIH states that there is no scientific evidence supporting the existence of the energy field thought to play a role in Reiki, and Reiki is not a treatment for any physical or mental health condition.
What does a Reiki session feel like?
Experiences vary widely. The Taking Charge resource lists heat from the practitioner's hands, a cool sensation, and subtle pulsing as common reports, and says the most common experience is a quick release of stress and a feeling of deep relaxation. Cleveland Clinic's writer described a trance-like calm and small muscle twitches. Many people fall asleep.
Some people feel nothing in particular, and that is a normal experience too. Whatever you notice, it is worth holding lightly: a relaxing hour lying still with a calm person nearby would be expected to feel restful on its own, and these sensations are not evidence that an energy field has changed.
How long does a Reiki session last?
There is no fixed length. The Taking Charge resource notes that sessions in health care settings are often 15 to 20 minutes, while some private practitioners offer 90 minutes, with most falling somewhere in between. The Cleveland Clinic session described in its article ran about an hour.
Some practitioners also offer distance Reiki, which is taught at the second level of training; practitioners believe Reiki can be sent without physical presence. Ask any practitioner how long their sessions run and what they include before booking. For Laura Bass specifically, session format and length are details to ask Laura.
What happens after a Reiki session?
At the end, the practitioner usually lets you know the session is finished and gives you a moment to sit up slowly. Some offer a glass of water and a brief conversation about how it felt. A responsible practitioner will not tell you what illness you have, what is wrong with your organs, or that you should stop any treatment.
NCCIH notes that Reiki has not been shown to have harmful effects. The main caution is indirect: do not let any complementary practice delay you from seeing a doctor or mental health professional. If you use Reiki, tell your health care providers, as NCCIH recommends for all complementary approaches.
Your consent during a session
Because Reiki can involve touch, consent matters. You are entitled to know where the practitioner will place their hands before the session starts, to ask for hands-off work only, and to ask them to stop, move their hands, or end the session at any time without explanation.
A good practitioner will check in, respect a no without argument, and never touch the chest, groin or any area you have not agreed to. The guide on how to choose an energy healer covers boundaries and red flags in more detail.
Common questions
Do I have to undress for Reiki?
No. Reiki is given to a fully clothed person. You may be asked to remove your shoes, and loose, comfortable clothing helps you relax on the table. If anyone asks you to undress for a Reiki session, that is outside normal practice and a reason to leave.
Will the practitioner touch me?
Often, but only lightly and only on agreed areas, usually the head, shoulders and front and back of the torso. There is no massage or pressure. Many practitioners also work with their hands held a few inches above the body, and you can ask for that from the start. You can change your mind at any time during the session.
Should I talk during a Reiki session?
You do not need to. Most sessions are quiet, and many people close their eyes or fall asleep. If you feel uncomfortable, cold or need to move, say so; a practitioner will adjust. Some practitioners talk briefly with you at the end, but the session itself is usually spent resting.
Is a Reiki session the same as therapy?
No. Reiki is a complementary practice and not psychotherapy. At Laura Bass Counseling the two are kept as separate pathways, and energy work is never introduced into a therapy session unless a client asks. If you are looking for help with anxiety, depression or a relationship, psychotherapy is the right starting point.
Can Reiki be done remotely?
Many practitioners offer what they call distance Reiki, taught at the second level of training, in which they believe Reiki can be sent without being in the same room. As with in-person Reiki, the mechanism has not been established by scientific evidence. Whether Laura offers any remote sessions is something to ask her directly.