Reiki for Beginners: What to Expect in Your First Session

Reiki can feel mysterious if you’ve never experienced it before, but the actual session is simple and grounded. At its core, Reiki is a hands-on (or hands-near) method of supporting the body’s natural ability to find balance. The session isn’t dramatic or theatrical. Most people describe it as calming, centering, and quietly restorative.

Before the Session

When you arrive, we take a few minutes to talk. This helps us understand what’s happening in your life, what you’re hoping for, and how your body has been holding things lately.

The discussion is not therapy and doesn’t require deep disclosure. It simply helps you settle in, get oriented, and communicate your intention for healing.

You stay fully clothed on the massage table. There is no pressure, stretching, or “fixing.” Reiki works through stillness, awareness, and the flow of universal energy.

During the Session

The session usually lasts 45–60 minutes. I place my hands lightly on specific areas or keep them just above your body. The placement follows a traditional sequence designed to support the whole system—physical, emotional, mental, and energetic. Some people feel warmth, gentle tingling, or drifting relaxation. Others simply feel quiet and at ease.

Reiki doesn’t require belief or visualization. The body does its own work. My role is to stay present, grounded, and attuned so your system can settle into a regulated state.

What Reiki Helps Support

People often come for help with stress, overthinking, burnout, emotional heaviness, life transitions, or a desire to reconnect with themselves. Reiki doesn’t diagnose or treat medical conditions.

It supports the body’s natural coherence and promotes a sense of stability and clarity. Many people experience better sleep, easier breathing, reduced tension, and a renewed feeling of inner spaciousness.

After the Session

Most people leave feeling calm and clear. Their most common comment is "I feel lighter!" Sometimes insights surface later in the day or week as your system continues integrating the session.

Resting or napping, going for a quiet walk, or taking a few intentional breaths can help gently anchor the experience.

Reiki is a practice, not a performance. It offers a slow, steady way of reconnecting with yourself and creating internal space. A single session can help you reset. Ongoing sessions build deeper awareness and alignment over time.