What Is Reiki? Here’s What You Need to Know
Learn all about reiki energy healing and how to experience the benefits of reiki at home.
If you've heard about reiki before and wondered what exactly it is, you’re in the right place. Reiki is a Japanese healing technique, and the name is derived from the Japanese words “rei” and “ki,” which loosely translate to “universal” and “vital energy,” respectively. The modern form practiced today was created by Dr. Mikao Usui in the early 1900s as a way to tap into your energy field and support your overall wellbeing.
As his reputation as a reiki energy healer grew all over Japan, he taught more than 2,000 students during his travels and in his Tokyo-based clinic. One of Dr. Usui’s students, Hawayo Takata, helped introduce reiki energy healing to the West when she relocated to Hawaii. Though it began as a way to cure ailments, it’s most commonly used to channel your physical and spiritual energy and help manage any symptoms you’re feeling. Think of it like an acupuncture session with no needles.
“Think of [reiki] like an acupuncture session with no needles.”
What to expect during a reiki session
During a reiki session, you are in a relaxing environment and typically lying down on your back. You’ll check in with the practitioner and talk about anything you’d like to work through during the session. It might begin with a brief meditation to set a positive intention, and then the practitioner lightly touches parts of your body with a focus on healing. If you prefer not to be touched, the hands can also hover above you.
You can also practice reiki at home without a practitioner through self-guided reiki meditation. During the 7-Day Energy Healing series on Alo Moves, reiki instructor Nicole Rutsch doesn’t focus on physical touch, but instead encourages you to focus on the light within you and feeling the energy of the universe to ignite your spirit. She also infuses her reiki practice with sound so you feel guided and transported during your session.
“Reiki and sound healing are powerful healing practices that I’ve been grateful to learn,” Rutsch said in an interview with Voyage LA. “Working with these modalities has helped me to become my most authentic self. They’ve helped me to face my own challenges, change perspectives when needed, and enabled me to feel calm and grateful, rather than anxious and stressed.”
Sessions can be anywhere from 20 to 90 minutes, and you may experience slight heat or tingling sensations. Your eyes will be closed and as you relax, simply let whatever thoughts, feelings, or memories surface during your time. As you continue your reiki sessions, visualizations might become clearer.
Benefits of reiki
Encourages relaxation.
In a Yale study, patients who received one reiki session after experiencing a heart attack showed an improved emotional state over other patients who listened to music and rested. Measuring by HRV or “heart rate variability,” which is the pattern of heartbeats controlled by your nervous system, doctors concluded that those who did reiki had a higher HRV and increased activity in the nervous system.
Relieves anxiety and stress.
Reiki promotes de-stressing since you are lying down in a quiet space and helps you focus on your breathing and energy. In some studies, it has been shown to reduce pain, but more research is needed to be conclusive.
Boosts mood.
In one study, 40 students with varying degrees of anxiety were randomly assigned to receive Reiki or to a non-Reiki control group. After a period of eight weeks, the reiki group showed greater overall mood and stress benefits than the control group who did not receive reiki.
It’s non-invasive.
This practice only involves light or no touching, so there are no needles or instruments required to take part. You can also clearly communicate your boundaries with the practitioner, so you feel comfortable during the session.
Want to try reiki healing meditations for free? Join the 7-Day Energy Healing series and unlock more Reiki classes taught by instructor Nicole Rutsch with a free two-week trial to Alo Moves.