Everything in this world is energy – including our bodies. When this energy becomes dense, held onto, and not consciously worked through, aches and pain can begin to form in the body. This is where reiki healing comes in. If you haven’t heard of this Japanese healing modality, you may be missing out. This practice can aid in whatever physical or emotional suffering you may have and benefit you for years to come.
If you’re new here and haven’t heard my personal healing story, head to my blog or healing page. You’ll learn what led me (a previous atheist) to a path of holistic healing and alternative medicine. If you want to learn all about what reiki healing actually is, what reiki feels like, does, and who reiki therapy benefits, keep reading! I’m Katie, a reiki practitioner since 2017. I went through a major shamanic healing crisis leading me to be bedridden, passing in and out with dissociative seizures in 2016. After discovering this alternative medicine and utilizing it for many months and years, my life completely changed. I was able to finally work through and heal the trauma I had tried to keep buried for so long. I’m hoping you will do the same.
What is Reiki Energy Healing?
Reiki therapy is a form of energy healing that helps the body to return to a state of homeostasis. It is a Japanese alternative medicine where Universal energy is transferred through the hands of a reiki practitioner to a patient in order to encourage physical + emotional healing. A practitioner who has been attuned to the energy of reiki places their hands either above or lightly on the body, allowing healing energy to enter the field of the receiver. With this Universal energy, centers of the body are shifted and shaken up, allowing whatever has become “stuck” to come to the surface and be worked on. Reiki can be done to realign the chakras, or to work on a specific injury or pain point for the client. Clients can also use reiki as a pick-me-up or spa day to return to a state of relaxation and calm.
What Does A Reiki Practitioner Actually Do?
I’ve found that each practitioner (also sometimes referred to as “reiki master”) performs reiki in their own unique way! Some place their hands directly on patients, while others like myself keep their hands a few inches above the body. A reiki practitioner transfers energy either directly to a location on the body, or into the aura of the body. When doing so their hands may raise even higher. But as a patient, you still may physically feel as if they’ve placed their hands directly on your body! I typically keep my hands off a client or patient. If I feel this person needs physical touch though, I will do so. Most of us uncomfortable with personal contact are the ones who may need it most for healing benefit.
A reiki practitioner may remain at one part of the body, such as at the head, sending energy down the body to wherever it needs to go. They may also move around a patient’s body. The practitioner may focus on joints or scan slightly above with their hands. In this way they can physically “feel” where energy is needed next (our hands may become extra hot or tingly, or the air will literally feel as if we’ve hit a bump in the aura). I like to perform a combination of both during my sessions. Then I can be sure I haven’t missed any spots of tension or extra dense energy.
Every Reiki Practitioner is Not the Same
While I mostly remain silent during reiki sessions, allowing clients to have their own experience in their mind’s eye, I will ask questions if I notice agitation or other signals that a shift has occurred. I’ll often tell clients to focus on whatever thought, emotion, or visual just came up as this is something important that needs to be worked through. The reiki energy is bringing it up for a reason, so giving even more attention allows for an added invitation of healing. I’ve also had reiki practitioners who asked me to repeat mantras out loud during sessions, or who never said a word until our time together was over. This really depends on the energy worker. I recommend trying out a few healers until you find a method from one you really enjoy and that makes you feel most comfortable to create the best space for healing.
How Will I Feel During A Reiki Session?
The person receiving the healing energy may feel tired, deeply relaxed, tingles, pulsing, or other sensations where a shift may be occurring. Nausea can occur, as well as twitching, muscle spasms, or intense emotion. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve cried while receiving reiki therapy! I’ve also coughed up energy, as well as had intense chest, vaginal and anal pain. As someone who’s had severe sexual abuse, this isn’t surprising. But for others, pain can occur where trauma has been stored. This typically goes away as soon as treatment is over. So don’t fear reiki making anything worse! I promise you it’s a release you and your body will thank you for afterwards.
Do I Need to Do Anything During A Healing Session?
Nope! Just close your eyes if you feel comfortable, relax and allow. Let yourself cry and release any emotion that comes to the surface without too much judgment. Holding back tears only keeps that energy inside. This is the opposite of what we’re after with this type of healing. You can also try to meditate during a reiki session. Mediation allows you to notice where your mind wanders and question what comes up. But even if you fall asleep during a session, your body and mind are receiving exactly what is needed for your healing at that time. So take the pressure off of yourself and just RECEIVE.
How Will I Feel AFTER A Reiki Session?
This depends on the person, how deep of a reiki session you had and how much energy was transferred. But typically a patient will feel a little more emotional. Past triggers may come up and some energy coughing can occur. You may even feel “high” during and after the reiki session. I always recommend sitting and drinking some water for a few minutes before driving home so you can become grounded again and allow any lightheadedness to go away.
For the days after treatment you’ll want to be extra gentle with yourself and drink a lot of water. Your body may go into a healing crisis or detox while dense or negative energy stored over the years releases. If you’re feeling extra emotional and triggered, meditation, journaling, therapy, or talking with a friend is always recommended. Extra rest is always a great idea as well.
What Are the Benefits of Reiki Energy Healing?
There are SO many benefits to this practice as reiki works with the mind, body, and Soul all at once. These include decreased physical pain and tension from injuries, stress reduction, reduced depression and anxiety, or sleep disorders. You’ll experience an improvement in your mood from the balancing of energy as well as deep relaxation and a state of calm. My favorite benefit of this alternative medicine is the ability to reintegrate traumatic experiences or memories in a safe, peaceful manner. Patients are often able to work through the trauma they’ve kept hidden in their subconscious.
Who Is Reiki For? And Where Can I Get It?
This form of therapy is literally for anyone and everyone! Reiki is now offered in hospitals and even provided to military members, specifically in the Special Forces. People of all walks of life benefit from energy healing as long as they’re open-minded and willing to try. One of my favorite things is to work at local events where I offer free “tastes” of reiki energy. Every person I’ve ever given just five minutes of reiki to has walked away absolutely amazed. If you’re local to San Diego and hosting an event, or want to try reiki for yourself, please reach out! I love watching people’s faces in awe when they receive their first treatment.
How Do You Become A Reiki Practitioner?
There are many places a person can become a reiki practitioner, including local crystal shops or healing spaces. Each reiki student is attuned to the energy by another practitioner while learning about the history of the Japanese art and how to apply it to others in practice. This occurs in three levels or at three different times using three different methods of transferring an added layer of energy.
There are classes that offer reiki attunements over just one weekend, but I highly recommend staying away from these. In my opinion, it takes years to work through your own healing process and integrate the reiki energy transferred to you with each attunement. I’d recommend at least six months to a year in between each level of attunement. If possible, with a trusted teacher that you’re able to form a lasting relationship with. So much comes up during the attunement process. And the deeper your own healing work, the deeper and more open you will be transferring this energy to others during a session.
A Few of My Other Blogs About Reiki, Energy Healing and Shamanism:
https://catherinejulia.org/2018/02/15/the-post-reiki-attunement-21-day-cleanse/
https://catherinejulia.org/2017/12/13/healing-with-alternative-medicine/
https://catherinejulia.org/2019/12/06/how-i-became-a-shaman/
https://catherinejulia.org/2019/10/03/releasing-physical-pain-from-the-body/
If you have any questions at all about this ancient practice, please reach out on Instagram or through email! I love teaching as much as I know about holistic healing, alternative medicine, and the benefits of both.
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Hey, I’m Katie, a San Diego reiki practitioner and shaman. After years of childhood abuse, mental health crises and a lack of faith in Western medicine I decided to take healing into my own hands. For more healing tips, tricks + hacks, or just more info on breaking the cycle of childhood trauma, head over to my blog. You’ll find tons of education on how to heal yourself, raise amazing humans and even do both at the same time! Of course, I don’t claim to know it all. But in order to heal my own anxiety, panic attacks, and stress-induced syncope, I’ve had to educate myself on so many things. So, I’m here to make your healing journey way shorter and easier than mine!
Disclaimer: You should never disregard medical or other Professional Advice or delay seeking it because of a statement you have read and/or heard on this blog. This content should not be used in lieu of Professional Advice given by qualified medical professionals such as your doctor. Please seek professional help if your anxiety or depression becomes severe or you are having suicidal thoughts.