What is Reiki? A Beginner's Guide
- Christie Goetz
- Apr 7, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Sometimes people find their way to Reiki because something just feels… off.
Not necessarily wrong—just heavier, more overwhelming, or harder to settle.
You might feel mentally busy, physically tense, or like you haven’t fully exhaled in a while.
Reiki offers a gentle, supportive space for your body to settle, reset, and return to balance.
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese energy healing practice that works by channeling universal life energy through the practitioner’s hands to support physical and emotional well-being.
✨ New to Reiki?
You don’t need to have everything figured out before booking.
Sessions are calm, guided, and shaped around what you need that day.
The Origins of Reiki
Reiki as we know it today traces back to Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist monk who developed this healing practice during a 21-day meditation retreat on Mount Kurama in 1922. Through deep spiritual experiences and study, Usui developed the foundational principles of Reiki.
Reiki later expanded through Hawayo Takata, who brought these teachings to Hawaii in 1937 and helped introduce Reiki more widely to the Western world.
The practice has evolved significantly since its early days:
Traditional Japanese techniques merged with Western healing methods
Development of standardized hand positions
Integration with other holistic practices, such as crystal healing and sound therapy
Over time, Reiki has continued to evolve—while still holding its core intention of supporting balance, healing, and connection.
Understanding Reiki
Reiki is a gentle form of energy healing that works with the natural life force energy within and around us.
You can think of it like a subtle current that flows through all living things—quiet, steady, and completely natural.
How Does Reiki Work?
During a Reiki session, the practitioner works as a channel for this energy.
Using their hands, they gently direct the energy to support balance and flow within the body.
Hands may rest lightly on the body or hover just above certain areas. Sessions can also be done remotely, with the same intention of allowing the energy to move where it’s needed most.
What Makes Reiki Special?
The beauty of Reiki lies in its simplicity:
The recipient's body naturally draws in the exact amount of energy it needs
The practitioner doesn’t force or direct the energy
The energy automatically goes to areas that require healing
Both practitioner and recipient remain fully clothed throughout the session
What Can Reiki Help With?
Reiki can support the body on physical, emotional, and energetic levels at the same time.
Many people come in feeling overwhelmed, tense, or disconnected—and leave feeling more settled, clear, and grounded.
Benefits of Reiki
Reiki is often experienced as deeply calming and supportive for both the mind and body. Many clients report shifts in their emotional and physical well-being, including:
Some people also notice physical shifts, such as:
Relief from physical tension or discomfort
Reduced muscle tightness
Reiki is sometimes used alongside traditional medical care as a complimentary practice. In certain settings, it may be offered to support:
Cancer treatment support
Post-operative recovery
Chronic pain support
Emotional and mental well-being
Some studies and client experiences suggest that regular Reiki sessions may support ongoing improvements in both physical and emotional well-being, making it a helpful complement to your overall care.
The Structure of a Reiki Session
A Reiki session takes place in a calm, quiet space designed to help your body relax and settle. You’ll lie down fully dressed on a massage table, which is usually covered with a light blanket for added comfort.
To support a calming environment, the space may include:
Soft background music
Essential oil diffusers
Dimmed lighting
Crystal arrangements
At East Coast Apothecary, sessions are designed to feel safe, grounded, and deeply restorative — especially for those who tend to hold a lot for others.
You’re not expected to “do” anything during your session. Many clients simply rest, while the body naturally begins to settle and process what it needs to.
In-person sessions last about 60 minutes, including time to connect before and after. Distance sessions are typically shorter, allowing your body enough time to settle into a relaxed state.
During the session, your practitioner moves through specific hand positions—either gently touching or hovering just above the body (in person). In distance sessions, a proxy (similar to an “energy bear”) may be used to focus the session.
The work follows key energy centers, beginning at the head and moving down through the body.
Many clients find themselves entering a deeply relaxed or meditative state during their session.
✨ Curious what your first session would feel like?
Many clients come in unsure of what to expect—and leave feeling more relaxed, clear, and grounded than they have in a long time.
The Science Behind Reiki
From a scientific perspective, Reiki is often explored through how the body responds to relaxation and energetic interactions. Some research looks at subtle shifts in the body’s stress response and overall regulation during sessions.
During a Reiki session, many people shift from a more activated (fight-or-flight) state into a more relaxed (rest-and-digest) state.
This shift may support:
A slower heart rate
Reduced stress response
A sense of physical relaxation
Overall nervous system regulation
Reiki is often understood through the body’s energy centers, commonly referred to as chakras:
Root (base of spine) - grounding and security
Sacral (lower abdomen) - creativity and emotions
Solar Plexus (upper abdomen) - personal power
Heart (chest) - love and compassion
Throat (neck) - communication
Third Eye (forehead) - intuition
Crown (top of head) - spiritual connection
These energy centers are often associated with different aspects of physical, emotional, and energetic well-being. For example, the Solar Plexus chakra, located in the upper abdomen, is commonly connected to personal power and self-confidence.
You Don’t Need to Be “Ready”
A lot of people wait until things feel really overwhelming before trying Reiki.
But you don’t have to wait until you’re burned out.
Reiki can be a gentle place to land—even if you’re just feeling a little off, disconnected, or in need of a reset.
You don’t need a reason beyond wanting to feel a little more like yourself again.
Integrating Reiki Into Your Life
Reiki doesn’t have to be something you commit to on a strict schedule.
For many people, it becomes a supportive place to return to when something feels off—physically, emotionally, or energetically.
Some come in during times of stress or transition.
Others return when they feel overwhelmed, disconnected, or in need of a reset.
There’s no “right” way to receive Reiki.
Let your body lead
You might notice times when you feel:
More mentally or emotionally overwhelmed than usual
Physically tense or unable to fully relax
Disconnected from yourself or your intuition
Like you’ve been holding a lot for others
These are often the moments when support can feel especially helpful.
🌿 Beginning Your Reiki Journey
If you’ve been reading this and something feels like:
“this might be what I need…”
that feeling is worth listening to.
You don’t need to fully understand Reiki.
You don’t need to be completely sure.
You just need a place to begin.
✨ Sessions are available both in-person and online.
Not sure where to start?
That’s completely normal.
Many people begin with Reiki, and from there we can adjust based on what you need.
You don’t have to figure it all out ahead of time.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is Reiki and how does it work?
Reiki is an energy healing modality that involves channeling universal energy to promote healing. Practitioners use techniques such as light touch or hovering hands over the client to facilitate a flow of energy, helping to balance physical and emotional well-being.
Who founded Reiki and what are its origins?
Reiki was founded by Mikao Usui in the early 1900s in Japan. It was later introduced to the Western world by Hawayo Takata in 1937, leading to its evolution and growing popularity as a holistic health practice.
What are the benefits of Reiki therapy?
Reiki offers numerous benefits including stress management, emotional balance, pain relief, reduced anxiety, and improved sleep. It serves as a complementary therapy alongside conventional medicine, enhancing overall health.
What can I expect during a typical Reiki session?
A typical in-person Reiki session lasts 60 minutes, while a distant Reiki session is usually about 30-35 minutes. In-person clients usually lie down fully clothed while the practitioner uses various techniques, either through light touch or hovering hands, to channel energy and promote relaxation.
If receiving distant Reiki, you choose the setting and position yourself for the most comfort (lying in bed, on the couch, wherever you are most comfortable).
Is there scientific evidence supporting Reiki's effectiveness?
While scientific research on Reiki is ongoing, many practitioners and clients report positive outcomes related to stress reduction and emotional healing. The practice involves interactions between energy fields and addresses the body's stress response through relaxation techniques.
How can I integrate Reiki into my wellness routine?
Integrating Reiki into your wellness routine can enhance your holistic health practices. It is recommended to have regular sessions for optimal benefit, and combining Reiki with other complementary therapies can further support your overall well-being.
What a great article!