Energy Healing

Reiki

Reiki Energy Healing Explained: What It Is, How It Works, and What to Expect

Reiki is a Japanese energy healing modality that has gained popularity worldwide due to its gentle and spiritual approach to healing. Discovered in the early 1800s by Japanese Buddhist monk Dr. Mikao Usui, Reiki has since evolved and been adopted by practitioners globally while remaining true to its core foundations and pillars.

Reiki comes from the Japanese words "rei" meaning universal and "ki" meaning life energy. It is a gentle spiritual healing art where the practitioner works with the client's energy, focusing on any areas that need restoration or balance; physically, mentally, spiritually, emotionally and energetically. Reiki is associated with our Chakra (energy) system, and each of the main Chakras represents different parts of our body, organs, systems, deep-rooted beliefs, traumas, patterns, and how we show up in everyday living.

Reiki will always go where it needs to and the intention set and symbols used by the Reiki healer will be to clear away any negative or stagnant energies, or anything that is no longer serving you or your greatest and highest good and restore equilibrium.

What are the benefits of Reiki?

Reiki promotes balance and healing in our energetic bodies, from head to toe. Our chakra system should allow energy to flow freely, but due to conditioning, beliefs, traumas, and other impactful events, our energy can get stuck. Reiki aims to shake and stir those stagnant energies, allowing them to rise to the surface, be acknowledged, processed, and released. When out of balance, these energies can affect our health, wellbeing, relationships, and how we react. Reiki practitioners facilitate the release, while clients need to do some ground work to ensure everything stays in balance as much as possible.

Reiki can also help bring balance and harmony to our spiritual bodies as well. Many people find that they have a stronger sense of connection to their higher selves, the universe, or their spiritual beliefs after receiving Reiki. Some people even report feeling more in touch with their intuition or experiencing a greater sense of purpose in their lives.

Reiki also relaxes and releases tension from the body, cleanses the body of toxins and supports our immune system, provides clarity in all aspects of life, improves sleeping patterns, brings us back to a sense of connection to self and self-love, and allows us to remember the true essence of all we are and came here to be.

Some of the conditions that Reiki may be used to help include:

Stress and anxiety
Chronic pain
Depression
Insomnia
Digestive issues
Headaches and migraines
Emotional trauma
Cancer treatment
Autoimmune disorders
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Reiki

Is there any risk or side-effect with Reiki?

Reiki is a non-invasive and gentle form of healing, and there are generally no known side effects. However, some people may experience emotional releases during or after a session, which can be intense. It is important to give yourself time and space to process these feelings, and to talk to your practitioner if you need support and additional resources.

Reiki is generally considered safe for most people. However, there are a few precautions to keep in mind. If you are pregnant, it is important to let your Reiki practitioner know, as some positions may not be suitable for you. It is also important to let your practitioner know if you have any medical conditions or are taking any medications.

Are crystals used during Reiki?

Crystals can be used during Reiki sessions to amplify the healing energy and promote balance and harmony. Crystals are believed to have unique healing properties that can complement and enhance the energy healing provided by Reiki.

While crystals are not necessary components of Reiki, some practitioners may choose to use them during a session.

What Happens During a Reiki Session?

You can have an in-person session or distance session. As Reiki is energy and knows no time nor space, this Universal Life Force energy healing can be delivered to you anytime and anywhere in the world and is truly powerful.

In-person Energy Healing:

Upon arrival, the practitioner will typically have a brief conversation with you to help you understand the process and perhaps explore where you need some healing. Although many practitioners will already intuitively know where the imbalances reside, they may also utilise tools such as a pendulum to assess and be guided to which of your chakras are out of alignment. From here, the session involves you lying on the treatment bed/table, and there will be a mixture of the practitioner’s hands off and hands on along your body (if you are comfortable). Some practitioners may be hands off throughout your session.

Distance Energy Healing:

This is carried out by a specific process for the healing using specific Reiki symbols and the purest of intentions. Some personal details are gathered from you for example your date of birth and photo, The beauty of distance healing is that you get to receive this healing in your own relaxed and comfortable setting. Some people who receive Distance healing have an even more profound experience than if they were receiving an in-person session.

In terms of what you may experience during your treatment whether it be an in-person or distance healing, everyone's experience is unique. You are a unique individual after all with different experiences and needs, so the expectation is to have none, as you will not have the same experience and sensations as a friend who has had Reiki. Overall, your Reiki promotes healing and for most people treatments tend to be incredibly relaxing. Some may fall asleep, others may experience visuals such as colours or shapes, loved ones or even be transported to beautiful places. You may experience sensations such as warmth, tingles, lightness or floating. In Reiki the treatment is to release stagnant energies and what no longer serves you, for some it can be emotional as well as freeing so don’t be afraid to just let whatever needs to flow to simply flow. Afterall we hold on to so much and heavily suppress years of emotions, pain and heartache so Reiki helps to shake and stir up these suppressed emotions allowing them to rise to the surface and be processed so they can finally be released.

How Should You Feel After Reiki?

After a Reiki session, people may feel a range of sensations, including relaxation, peace, and a sense of calm. Some people may experience tingling, warmth, or other physical sensations, while others may experience emotional release or a deeper sense of connection to self.

It is essential to listen to your body and give yourself time to rest and integrate the energy after a session. It is also recommended to drink plenty of water to support the body's natural detoxification process. Journaling can be a useful tool to use to facilitate emotions or insights that need to come through. Grounding in nature is also beneficial to anchor and connect to self and the earth. Some people may experience slight headaches, but again, this is just the remainder of the stagnant energy leaving our bodies.

As Reiki can be referred to as an energy detox it's recommended to be gentle on yourself and follow the steps as outlined above.

How Many Reiki Sessions are Needed?

The number of Reiki sessions needed varies from person to person, and depends on the individual's needs and goals. Some people may only need one session to experience significant benefits, while others may require multiple sessions to achieve their desired results.

It is essential to work with a Reiki healer who understands your unique needs and can develop a treatment plan tailored to your goals.

Bodhi Holistic Hub provides a number of Reiki practitioners, all carefully vetted and verified, giving you peace of mind you’ll be in good hands.

Types or Reiki

Reiki has evolved into multiple branches since its origin. While all forms trace back to Usui Reiki, different systems emphasise specific techniques or spiritual frameworks.

Usui Reiki
This is the original system developed by Mikao Usui in Japan, and it remains the foundation of most Reiki practices today. A typical session follows a series of hand positions either lightly on or just above the body, with the intention of supporting the body’s natural ability to rebalance. Most modern Reiki lineages trace back to this system in some form, even when they’ve evolved or expanded beyond it.

Holy Fire Reiki
Developed through the International Center for Reiki Training, Holy Fire Reiki is a more recent evolution that builds on the Usui system. The experience is often described as more internally guided, with less emphasis on technique and more on allowing the energy to lead the session. Practitioners position it as working at a subtler level, focusing on emotional healing, personal clarity, and a sense of inner stability.

Angelic Reiki
Angelic Reiki blends traditional Reiki with a structured form of angelic or spiritual connection. In practice, sessions often involve invoking specific angelic presences while working with the client’s energy field. The framework is less about hand positions alone and more about facilitating a connection between the client and what is described as higher-frequency guidance.

Crystal Reiki
Crystal Reiki introduces physical tools into the session, most commonly placing crystals on or around the body. Each stone is selected for its associated properties, whether that’s grounding, emotional support, or clarity. The Reiki energy and the vibrational qualities of the crystals are used together, creating a layered approach that some practitioners find more targeted.

Karuna Reiki
Karuna Reiki is typically taught as an advanced level beyond Usui Reiki. It introduces additional symbols and techniques that are centred around compassion-focused healing. Sessions often feel more structured, with specific protocols aimed at working through deeper emotional patterns, rather than general relaxation alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Reiki actually feel like during a session?
Most people describe Reiki as deeply relaxing rather than dramatic. Common sensations include warmth, subtle pulsing, or a feeling of heaviness or lightness in the body. Some people notice emotional shifts or mental clarity, while others simply rest or fall asleep. There is no “correct” experience.

How many Reiki sessions do I realistically need?
A single session is often enough to experience relaxation and a shift in state. For ongoing stress, emotional patterns, or chronic tension, practitioners typically recommend a short series, usually three to five sessions, spaced over several weeks. This allows changes to stabilise rather than relying on a one-off effect.

Can Reiki be combined with other treatments or therapies?
Yes. Reiki is commonly used alongside other holistic modalities such as massage, breathwork, or counselling. It is also used in some clinical settings as a complementary therapy to support relaxation. It should not replace medical care but can sit alongside it without interference.

Is Reiki safe? Are there any real risks?
Reiki is non-invasive and generally considered low-risk for healthy adults. The main response people report is emotional release, which can occur during or after a session. If you have a serious medical or psychological condition, it’s appropriate to check with a healthcare professional before booking.

How do I find a qualified Reiki practitioner without guessing?
Look for practitioners trained in recognised Reiki lineages, typically Usui Reiki or accredited systems. Experience, clarity in communication, and grounded client feedback matter more than marketing language. If you want a filtered option, platforms like Bodhi Holistic Hub list vetted practitioners so you can compare profiles and book directly.

Resources and Further Reading

Professional Organisations

International Center for Reiki Training, a global training body standardising Reiki education and certification
Reiki Australia, supporting practitioner standards and public access to Reiki services in Australia

Research and Scientific Foundation

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health provides an overview of Reiki and its role as a complementary therapy, particularly in stress reduction
Peer-reviewed studies, including those published in the Journal of Evidence-Based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, report moderate evidence for reductions in anxiety and pain in specific contexts

Educational Resources

Foundational teachings from the Usui Reiki system, which underpin most modern Reiki practices
Biofield therapies and mind–body medicine overview, explaining how complementary health approaches like Reiki are understood within integrative healthcare frameworks

Related Modalities

Biofield Tuning, a sound-based energy therapy that uses tuning forks to identify and address imbalances in the body’s electromagnetic field
Breathwork conscious breathing practices that can trigger altered states and emotional release
Kinesiology assesses stress responses through muscle testing, and ThetaHealing engages altered states to work with belief patterns.

This guide was written by the Bodhi Holistic Hub team according to their editorial policy.

Last Updated: Apr 2026

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