What is Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that promotes healing and wellbeing. The word combines rei, meaning universal, and ki, meaning life force energy.
It is a safe and simple natural therapy using a hands on and hands off healing technique. You remain fully clothed for the whole session.
How it works
Reiki works on the principle that life force energy flows through us and plays a part in our vitality. When that energy is depleted we are more likely to feel unwell and stressed; when it is abundant we tend to feel happier and healthier.
The session treats the person as a whole — body, mind and spirit — with the highest of good will and intention. Because it is individual, the benefits people experience uniquely reflect their own needs at the time of the treatment.
Benefits
What to expect
Before
Wear something comfortable. There’s no preparation, and you don’t need to know anything about Reiki to have a session.
During
You lie down, fully clothed, usually with a blanket. The practitioner works with hands lightly on or just above the body. Many people drift off; that’s completely fine.
What you might feel
Warmth, tingling, a sense of heaviness or simply deep relaxation. Some people feel emotional afterwards. All of it is normal and none of it is required — feeling nothing much is also a perfectly common experience.
After
Take a moment before getting up, and drink some water. Most people feel calm and slightly slowed down for a while afterwards.
Who it’s often used for
People come to us about all sorts of things. These are the ones that come up most often with this treatment — if yours isn’t listed, ask us.
Good to know
Reiki is a complementary therapy for relaxation and wellbeing. It is not a substitute for medical treatment, and we’d never suggest you stop or change anything your doctor has prescribed.
There are no contraindications in the usual sense — nothing is applied to you and nothing enters the body. If you’d rather the practitioner worked entirely hands off, just say so.
Reiki FAQs
Do I need to believe in it for it to work?
No, and you don’t need to know anything about it either. Plenty of people book a session simply because they want an hour of genuine rest, and that’s a perfectly good reason.
Will I be touched?
It’s a hands on and hands off technique, so the practitioner may rest their hands lightly on you or hold them just above. If you’d prefer no contact at all, say so at the start and the session will be worked entirely hands off.
Do I need to undress?
No. You stay fully clothed throughout.
What if I fall asleep?
Very common, and nothing to apologise for. It doesn’t affect the session.
The treatments described here are complementary therapies intended to support general health and wellbeing. They are not a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment, and nothing here should be taken as a promise of a particular outcome. If you have a health concern, please speak to your GP, and never stop or change prescribed medication without their advice.