Reiki: A Journey into Healing Energy and Deep Relaxation

Imagine this: You are lying on a comfortable massage table, covered by a warm and comforting blanket. You are surrounded by pillows and bolsters to enhance your comfort. Your eyes are closed, and you hear soft, relaxing music playing in the background, helping you feel safe and at peace. You take three deep, calming breaths and allow yourself to enter a relaxed state so the Reiki practitioner can begin channeling positive energy to help you manage the things causing you distress.

Sounds peaceful, doesn’t it?This is how a Reiki session typically begins—guided by the practitioner through healing energy, helping to open your chakras and find comfort in your awareness.

My Journey

I first discovered Reiki while attending yoga classes at a studio near my parents' house. I didn’t really know what it was—just that at the end of class, the instructor would come around and offer us Reiki. I always found it deeply relaxing and comforting. Over time, the yoga instructors began pulling me aside after class to share the experiences they had while giving me Reiki. To my surprise, I had felt similar sensations during those moments. The head of the yoga studio once told me she thought I would make an excellent Reiki Master and encouraged me to take the courses.

At first, I wasn’t exactly sure what Reiki was, but I figured I’d give the first class a try. And so, my journey began.

Reiki History

Reiki is a secular system of enlightenment, often taught and practiced as a healing art. It allows you to heal yourself and others by placing your hands gently on or just above the body. Reiki was developed by Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1900s. Practicing Reiki involves being connected to Reiki energy through an attunement or empowerment process.

While there is no scientific research proving the existence of Reiki energy itself, many people find Reiki to be deeply relaxing. It has been studied for its effects on conditions such as pain, anxiety, and depression, and is considered a complementary treatment—used alongside traditional medical care.

Reiki was introduced to the West by Hawayo Hiromi Takata and quickly gained popularity in the United States. The word Reiki comes from two Japanese words: “rei,” meaning universal, and “ki,” meaning life force energy—a flow of energy believed to exist in all living things.

So What is Reiki?

For some, Reiki can be a bit confusing, and there are many different interpretations of what it is. It’s important to understand that Reiki is not a religion. Practitioners are free to follow their own spiritual or religious beliefs. What is consistent, however, is that people who are open to Reiki often experience relief from stress and healing from physical or emotional ailments.

Reiki can be practiced on adults, children, animals, and even plants—hence the name universal life energy. A typical treatment lasts 45 minutes to an hour. The Reiki practitioner acts as a channel for healing energy, which flows through their hands to the recipient, focusing on areas of the body where it is needed most.

A session often begins at the third eye chakra (located at the forehead), and moves to the sides of the head, the crown, the back of the head, the throat, the chest, the heart, the abdomen, arms, hips, knees, and finally, the feet and heels. The client typically feels only the gentle hovering of hands above each area.

After a session, the practitioner will sit with the client to discuss their experience. Some may feel warmth or tingling in certain chakra areas, while others may notice shifts in emotions or energy. These discussions are helpful in identifying areas that may benefit from further attention or healing and can sometimes open the door for deeper therapeutic conversations. For example, if a client experiences significant warmth in their heart chakra, the practitioner may explore what emotional issues could be contributing to that sensation—not necessarily a physical heart condition.

Clients can schedule sessions as frequently as they like and may even request specific areas for the practitioner to focus on.

How Reiki and Mental Health Can Be a Strong Connection

Reiki and therapy also go hand-in-hand. Since Reiki highlights areas in the body that may be holding stress or emotional tension, these insights can be further explored in therapy sessions to provide emotional clarity and support. As a Reiki Master and a mental health professional, I often combine 30 minutes of Reiki with 30 minutes of counseling. This blend offers a balanced, holistic approach to healing.

While many people seek Reiki for stress relief, it’s also used to support healing from physical conditions. For example, Reiki practitioners often work with cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy to help ease the side effects of treatment. Reiki has also been used to support digestion, chronic pain, infertility, and other stress-related conditions.

Since Reiki is still relatively new to many people, some remain skeptical of its holistic benefits. For those interested in becoming a Reiki healer, there are three degrees of attunement:

1. First Degree – Allows you to practice Reiki on yourself and others through touch.

2. Second Degree – Enables distance healing, allowing you to send Reiki energy mentally.

3. Third Degree (Master Level) – Gives you the ability to teach and perform attunements for others.

   
   

To find a qualified and ethical Reiki practitioner, consider asking your doctor for recommendations or visiting a local yoga studio where Reiki is often offered.

If you’re someone who appreciates holistic remedies, I highly recommend giving Reiki a try. At the very least, you’ll leave your session feeling more relaxed and grounded than when you walked in.