What Is Reiki? A Beginner’s Guide to Energy Healing
In recent years, Reiki has become a buzzword in wellness circles, but many people are still unsure what it actually is. Is it meditation? Is it spiritual? Do you have to believe in it for it to work?
If you’re curious about Reiki but aren’t quite sure what to expect, this beginner’s guide will walk you through the basics—what Reiki is, how it works, what a session is like, and the many benefits it can offer your body, mind, and spirit.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a gentle, non-invasive healing practice that channels universal life force energy to help bring balance, relaxation, and well-being to the recipient. The word "Reiki" comes from two Japanese words:
Rei – meaning "universal"
Ki – meaning "life energy"
This life energy flows through all living things. When your energy is strong and flowing freely, you feel balanced, healthy, and grounded. But when your energy is low or blocked—due to stress, trauma, illness, or emotional overwhelm—you may feel tired, anxious, or out of sync. Reiki helps restore that natural energetic flow, supporting the body’s innate ability to heal.
How Does Reiki Work?
During a Reiki session, a practitioner gently places their hands either lightly on or just above the body, acting as a channel for healing energy. There’s no massage or manipulation—just stillness, presence, and energy transfer.
Reiki works on the energetic body, which includes your aura (energy field), chakras (energy centers), and meridians (energy pathways). By clearing blockages and balancing these systems, Reiki can positively impact your physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health.
While it may sound mystical, Reiki is grounded in the principle that everything is energy—and just like emotional or mental stress can affect the body, energetic healing can bring deep restoration to all levels of your being.
What Happens During a Reiki Session?
A typical Reiki session looks something like this:
Arrival & Intention Setting – You may chat briefly with your practitioner about how you're feeling and what you'd like to focus on (e.g., stress, fatigue, emotional healing).
Relaxation – You’ll lie fully clothed on a massage table or sit in a comfortable chair, eyes closed, perhaps with soft music playing.
Energy Work – The practitioner will move their hands over or near your body, pausing at energy centers. You may feel warmth, tingling, waves of emotion, or a deep sense of peace.
Integration – Afterward, you’ll have time to rest, hydrate, and reflect. The effects can be subtle or profound, often unfolding over the hours or days that follow.
What Does Reiki Feel Like?
Everyone’s experience is unique. Common sensations during or after Reiki include:
Deep relaxation or sleepiness
A sense of warmth or gentle pulsing
Emotional release or clarity
A lighter, more grounded feeling
Less tension in the body or mind
Even if you don’t “feel” much during the session, the energy is still working—quietly, gently, and effectively.
Benefits of Reiki
Reiki supports healing on multiple levels. Some of its many benefits include:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Improved sleep and relaxation
Emotional balance and clarity
Enhanced focus and creativity
Relief from physical tension or discomfort
Support during illness, recovery, or life transitions
Deeper connection to your inner self and intuition
Is Reiki Right for You?
Reiki is suitable for people of all ages and walks of life. You don’t need to follow a specific belief system, and there's nothing you need to "do" during a session except relax and receive. It can be used as a stand-alone practice or alongside other treatments and therapies.
Whether you're navigating stress, healing from trauma, or simply craving calm, Reiki offers a safe, nurturing space to reconnect with your own energy and wisdom.
Final Thoughts
At its heart, Reiki is about coming home to yourself—your breath, your body, your balance. In a world that often demands more than we have to give, Reiki offers a moment of stillness, a reset, and a gentle reminder that healing is always possible.
At Lily Earth, I offer in-person and distance Reiki sessions designed to support your unique journey. If you’re ready to explore energy healing in a safe, grounded way, I’d be honored to guide you.
Let’s begin your Reiki journey—one breath, one session, one shift at a time.
