So, you are new to reiki and interested in having a healing session. Or you are curious about what the experience is like and want to learn more. This was me just last week, so while I was on O’ahu I attended my first reiki healing session. Fresh from the experience, I am here to help answer your questions and explain what to expect at your first Reiki healing session.
- What is Reiki?
- How do I find a Healer near me?
- What should I look for in a Healer?
- How long is a Healing session?
- How do I prepare for my session?
- Will the Healer touch me?
- What does it feel like?
- Does it actually work?
- How will my life improve?
Please understand that reiki can have different effects on people and each session can feel different from the previous. This insight is based on my knowledge and experience of reiki and healing.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a healing technique with origins in Japan. There are several types of reiki, but the kind that is most popular in Western culture was developed by Mikao Usui.1 It involves using the hands to heal the body and can be used to balance energy systems (think: chakras) within the body.
How do I find a Healer near me?
The internet! Search “reiki healing [insert city name]” or “reiki [insert city name]” and you should be able to find results nearby.
If you live in a small town or area where it is not offered, you could search for a healer in a town or city you plan on visiting soon. This is what I did for my trip to O’ahu. As someone who visited Sedona many times, I knew about reiki and other types of healing but only recently felt called to attend a session.
What should I look for in a Healer?
It can be difficult to judge a healer over the internet, I understand. I researched several businesses on the island before choosing the reiki healer I ultimately saw while on my trip. I generally looked at these criteria:
- Online reviews and ratings on Google
- Website (navigability, set up, details in the product description)
- Interaction with the reiki practitioner (my interaction was done virtually while troubleshooting an issue, but I do recommend a phone call if that is available to you)
I believe choosing the right healer is imperative since the session could be a heavy and intense experience for you. The “vibe” between you and the healer should be positive and comfortable.
How long is a Healing session?
This will vary depending on what the practitioner offers but during my research, I found times ranging from 45 minutes to 120 minutes. My session was a reiki healing and sound bath, that was just under 2 hours long.
How do I prepare for my session?
Prepare your mind and body by getting into the right mindset for the healing. Prior to attending my session, I spent time journaling and playing (with hula hoops) outside to align myself energetically. I made sure to eat a few hours before the session to have a mostly empty stomach.
Your reiki master should provide information on how to prepare for the session and any specific recommendations they have.
Curious about playing with hula hoops? Read my post about it, here.
Will the Healer touch me?
Touch can be a part of reiki healing, however, if you are uncomfortable with this, inform your healer ahead of the session and this modification will likely be accepted.
My reiki practitioner placed her hands on my back during one part of the session and was sure to confirm if this was okay with me prior to starting the healing.
What does it feel like?
Typical sensations can include any of the following: tingling, burning, pressure, heaviness, numbness, or nothing at all. Some people feel like they have an out-of-body experience. Each session can reveal different results, as well.
I will break up what my first healing session felt like for me into two sections: During the Session and After the Session.
During the Session
At first, I did not feel much. I focused on breathing and relaxing my body and mind. I meditate and have experienced other types of healing sessions and knew breath would help me move from beta brain waves to alpha and theta.
This lack of feeling suddenly changed when I felt a burning sensation on the lowest part of my spine. It was like I had been sitting for too long but since I was laying on my stomach, I found the sensation to be odd. It lasted a few minutes, then disappeared.
For the remainder of the session, I felt heavy, as if being pulled to the ground, a tingling sensation coming from my palms.
After the Session
Immediately after the session, I felt like there was a fuzziness in my brain and thoughts. My body was slightly floating. Spacey and relaxed. I have felt this way two other times after different healings in Sedona, so I was not surprised by this reaction.
Does it actually work?
This depends on your belief in the world and energy. Did it work for me? Yes. I don’t know how else to explain what happened to me other than it definitely works.
After my session, my reiki practitioner and I debriefed and she asked how I was feeling and if I had any questions. I kept to myself the burning sensation at the base of my spine and only revealed the heaviness and hands. She then explained how my energy systems were all flowing nicely except for one: the root chakra, which is located at the base of the spine.
I ask myself: How could she know this and why would I feel that sensation?
My eyes got so wide, and I revealed that I did feel a sensation there. We continued on and talked about what I could do to help balance that energy center. I am still in disbelief and also in total belief.
How will my life improve?
With healings like reiki, you get out what you put in. Are you open to the experience and allowing the effects to impact your life? Or are you skeptical and looking for reasons to discount the mystical? The energetic magic of reiki healing can greatly improve your life if you allow it to. Benefits will vary depending on how energy is flowing through your body, but I’ve noticed the following in my life since the healing:
- Renewed self-assurance
- Relaxed demeanor
- A positive outlook on life
I hope you found this to be helpful and I wish you well on your healing.
- What is Reiki? Reiki.org. 2024. https://www.reiki.org/faqs/what-reiki (18 June 2024). ↩︎
