What is Reiki?

Put simply, Reiki is a mind-body-spirit practice that supports the relaxation response.

Reiki is a form of energy work most commonly offered through light, non-invasive touch. Reiki does not involve physical manipulation but is believed to work on the level of the biofield, or the body’s subtle vibrational field thought to surround and penetrate the body. Reiki is believed to promote balance throughout the human system by working with the biofield.

With deep roots in Japan, Reiki is practice with a complex history. The word “Reiki” is the combination of two Japanese words: rei and ki. “Ki” suggests life force energy (like qi in Traditional Chinese Medicine), while “rei” has vast significations, largely related to spirit. Compounded, “rei” + “ki” comes to describe a universal, subtle, intelligence that permeates all of life, from the microscopic to the cosmic. In this worldview, intentionally accessing the field of universal energy is possible, and has healing potential.

According to Reiki cosmology, the practice of Reiki involves the transmission of universal life force energy through the practitioner to the recipient. It is believed that the practice of Reiki can support a person’s ki (or life force energy, like qi in TCM) to become more vibrant, vital, and free-flowing.

Learn more on our Reiki blog article.

What is a Reiki Session like?

Reiki is relaxing, awe-inspiring, powerful, and gentle. 

In your first session, Betsy will share with you what to expect, and invite any intentions or questions you might have initially. Reiki involves light, no-pressure touch (hands-off is always an option if preferred) while laying fully clothed on a treatment table with blankets and pillows available, optimal comfort as the goal.

The relaxation response is the most common outcome of a Reiki session, often in the form of deep relaxation, mental and emotional ease, unwinding and release, sleep, or supportive dreamstate-like imagery and sensation. There is opportunity in every session to share any questions or intentions beforehand, and to reflect on and integrate your experience afterward.

What are the benefits of Reiki?

Reiki is not a “treatment,” but rather a mind-body-spirit practice to support stress reduction and relaxation. Many people use Reiki for wellness. While it is not agreed upon “why” among health and scientific circles, it is largely agreed upon that Reiki elicits the relaxation response. The relaxation response  supports the nervous system to shift to a parasympathetic state (“rest and digest”) where mental and physiological stress is eased.

While gentle and subtle, some people find Reiki to be quite powerful. People describe profound states of relaxation, beautiful healing memories or visions of the future, a sense of spiritual support and guidance, vivid colors and imagery, powerful symbolic dreamlike states, phenomena like a shamanic journey or trance state.

After a Reiki session, many people describe experiencing deep rest,

an overwhelming feeling of peace, clarity on a troubling issue,

or a sense of coming home to themselves.

In the words of clients:

“You can actually relax…turn your mind off.”

“During a reiki session, my body feels like it's being held, embraced and overcome by warmth.”

“I have always found reiki very interesting and almost mystical, but it is also a tool that I use to improve my mental health and self-esteem.”

“I felt good the whole time. While my head was being touched I could feel warmth/tingling in my hands/feet. It felt like my mind was being put on pause from the chaos from my day.”

“It gives you a rare opportunity to both be intimately present with your corporeal soul (the energetic info stored in your physical body) and be held and supported by the Universal Source vibes/energy.”

“It was so powerful. I was surprised I actually felt energy vibrations in my body…. It did such deep work….It was very revealing…and also uplifting!”

“[Reiki] felt really supportive and healing. It grounded me in the present moment in my body, not totally unlike meditation or even acupuncture, except actively involving another person, which was kind of like a really highly trained somatic ‘witness’. This felt really good. I felt ‘seen’…”

“It’s hard to put into words…it’s really actually amazing.”