Reiki Healing Explained
Reiki is a form of energy healing that originated in Japan. Practitioners use gentle touch or place their hands a short distance above the body within a system intended to support relaxation, reflection and a sense of energetic balance.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy-healing practice most closely associated with Mikao Usui, who developed the system in Japan during the early twentieth century.
Modern Reiki practitioners generally describe the practice in terms of universal or life-force energy. During a session, the practitioner places their hands lightly on or near different areas of the body.
People may choose Reiki for relaxation, spiritual exploration, personal reflection or as part of a wider interest in complementary and holistic wellbeing practices.
How is Reiki traditionally understood?
Reiki practitioners commonly work within the idea that a form of universal energy can be channelled through the practitioner and offered to the recipient.
The word Reiki is usually associated with Japanese concepts relating to spiritual or universal energy and life energy.
Different Reiki traditions and teachers may explain these ideas in slightly different ways, so there is no single description used by every practitioner.
Hands-On Reiki
The practitioner may lightly rest their hands on selected areas of the body, with the recipient's consent.
Hands-Off Reiki
Some practitioners hold their hands a short distance above the body rather than making physical contact.
Distance Reiki
Some Reiki traditions include practices intended to be carried out without the practitioner and recipient being in the same location.
What happens during a Reiki session?
A Reiki session is usually quiet and unhurried. The practitioner may begin with a short conversation about what the session involves and answer any questions before beginning.
Initial Conversation
The practitioner explains the session and discusses preferences, boundaries and whether touch will be used.
Get Comfortable
The recipient usually remains fully clothed and may lie on a treatment couch or sit comfortably.
Hand Positions
The practitioner works through a series of hand positions either lightly touching or remaining above the body.
Quiet Reflection
Sessions often finish with a short period of stillness before the recipient gets up gradually.
What might Reiki feel like?
Experiences vary considerably from person to person.
Some people report feeling deeply relaxed or becoming very aware of warmth, coolness, tingling or other sensations during a session. Others simply experience the treatment as a quiet period of rest.
It is also entirely possible to experience no unusual physical sensations at all.
There is no “correct” Reiki experience
Reiki does not require the recipient to experience heat, tingling, visions or any other particular sensation. People's responses can differ from session to session.
Why do people try Reiki?
Relaxation
Reiki sessions usually take place in a calm setting and may offer dedicated time for rest and stillness.
Spiritual Exploration
Some people are attracted to Reiki because of its energetic and spiritual framework.
Personal Reflection
A session can provide quiet time away from everyday activity and an opportunity for inward reflection.
Reiki and energy healing
Reiki is one of the best-known forms of energy healing, but energy healing is a much broader term.
Other energy-healing systems may use different teachings, symbols, techniques or ideas about how energy is understood and worked with.
This means that Reiki can be considered a type of energy-healing practice, but not every energy healer is necessarily a Reiki practitioner.
Reiki and chakras
Chakra concepts are often discussed alongside Reiki in modern complementary wellbeing settings.
Some Reiki practitioners incorporate chakra awareness into their sessions, while others follow a more traditional Reiki approach without placing particular emphasis on chakras.
Reiki and chakra healing therefore overlap in some modern practices but are not the same system.
Can Reiki be learned?
Reiki is traditionally taught by a Reiki teacher or master through different levels of training.
Course structures vary between Reiki schools, but learners are often introduced to the history of Reiki, hand positions, personal practice, treatment methods and the principles followed within their tradition.
Beginning Practice
Introductory training commonly focuses on self-practice and basic Reiki techniques.
Further Training
Later levels may introduce additional techniques, symbols or approaches according to the Reiki tradition being taught.
Teaching
Advanced training may prepare experienced practitioners to teach Reiki to others.
Reiki and wellbeing
Reiki is widely used as a complementary wellbeing practice, often alongside meditation, massage and other forms of supportive care.
Some people report relaxation or a greater sense of calm after a session, although individual experiences vary.
The concept of Reiki energy itself has not been established as a measurable biological energy within conventional science, and Reiki should not be presented as a proven treatment for illness.
It is best approached as a complementary or spiritual practice rather than a substitute for appropriate healthcare.
Frequently asked questions
Do you have to believe in Reiki for it to be used?
No particular belief is required to attend a session. People approach Reiki from spiritual, wellbeing or simple curiosity-based perspectives.
Do you remove your clothes for Reiki?
No. Reiki is normally carried out while the recipient remains fully clothed.
Does Reiki involve massage?
No. Reiki does not normally involve massage or manipulation of the muscles.
Is Reiki the same as energy healing?
Reiki is one form of energy healing. The term energy healing also includes other traditions and methods.
Is Reiki the same as chakra healing?
No. They are different systems, although some modern practitioners combine Reiki with chakra-focused practices.
Can Reiki replace medical treatment?
No. Reiki is a complementary practice and should not replace appropriate medical assessment or treatment.
Explore related healing practices
Reiki sits at the centre of a wider family of energy, meditation and complementary practices explored throughout Healing Practices.