Let’s talk about receiving a Reiki treatment for a bit.

Whether it is your first one ever, or your first session with me, I feel there is a lot of questions that need answers when you are preparing for a reiki treatment. Hopefully this blog article will be able to answer most of those questions, but if there is anything I missed, please feel free to comment.

What is Reiki?

This is an important question and one that I get every so often. It surprises me every time a new client knocks on my door and asks this question. I erroneously make the assumption that a person who went through the trouble of finding me, already knows what reiki is and what it can do.

The truth is that most new clients are specifically wanting to learn more about this therapy; they want to experience it because someone had mentioned it to them. They are probably going through a personal crisis or just feel that something is “off” and that a reiki session might help them.

Definition of Reiki

The word “reiki” is Japanese for ‘Universal Life Force Energy’. It consists of two parts: rei, which refers to the divine aspect of the energy, the transcendental spirit or mysterious power, and ki, which conveys vital life force energy (much like the Chinese word ‘chi’).

Reiki is a Japanese complementary healing therapy. It was developed around 1922 by Mikao Usui, but has been around for a very, very long time. Some information about Master Usui’s research into this healing modality claims that it has been practiced for thousands of years by Buddhist traditions.

Reiki is essentially practiced as a hands-on modality, i.e. the practitioner’s hands are placed on the body of the recipient to directly transfer ki or chi.

Reiki is not a massage, but is rather a very gentle, very relaxing therapy. In fact, a great part of the healing is a result of the level of relaxation that takes place. Physical touch plays another important role, as many of you will know I am a great believer in the therapeutic benefits of gentle touch.

Now that you have an idea of what reiki is, here are a few points to consider when preparing for your first (or next) session.

Arrive Relaxed

Make sure you leave your home early enough to allow for any unexpected mishaps. Sometimes traffic is a bitch: unexpected road closures, congested lanes, accidents – we all know the story! When this happens, we end up being flustered, annoyed and sometimes even irritated. Add to that the stress of arriving late and having to give up some of your precious time that you paid for, and you have recipe for furthering your general stress.

Food and Drink

Don’t eat a full meal before you arrive! Rather have some proper snacks such as fruit and nuts. This will allow you to relax deeply during your session. An overly full stomach can cause discomfort and sometimes even a little embarrassment when the juices start gurgling. Although, here I do have to mention that once the energy starts flowing, both me and my client’s tummy often begin to gurgle. But do take care what you consume beforehand.

It is suggested, though, that you do hydrate sufficiently before and after your session. This helps the body to flush out anything that is being released as a result of the treatment.

No Stimulants, Alcohol or Drugs

It is pure logic: do not arrive for a reiki treatment while under the influence of sedatives, alcohol or any recreational drugs. That includes ‘shrooms, ayahuasca, peyote, ketamine, LSD, marijuana or any other elicit drugs. I will summarily cancel your session and you will forfeit your booking deposit!

However, if you are on prescription medication for any reason, please inform me as soon as your session starts. I do not force anybody to stop their meds, but I have to know so I can work with your prescribed medicine on whatever ails you.

During Your Session

Once you have arrived (on time, please!) for your session, here is what you may expect.

To-Da-Loo

I have a guest bathroom so there is no need to stress about having a quick wee before we start. Like I said earlier on, you are encouraged to drink sufficient amounts of clean water and therefor it is only natural that you will need the bathroom. Just make sure that you go BEFORE we start with the treatment, so as not to disrupt the flow of the session.

Talk to Me

First-timers have to fill in an intake form. This form was designed to help me get a general idea of what is going on in your life. It is vital that you fill out the form truthfully and completely.

In the pre-talk, I would like you to be open and honest about your current state. Any information could help me piece together any clues about the origin of a problem. Questions such as why you sought out my services and what it is that is currently niggling you, should be addressed before we commence the treatment.

Your sessions are STRICTLY confidential!

Also, my therapy room is always a safe space. As a qualified counsellor and reiki therapist, I assure you that even though I might not have the answers, I will definitely provide you with the necessary support: a kind ear, an open heart and an open mind.

What’s This Feeling?

Every person is different, experiences their world differently and processes information in different ways. And with a reiki treatment it is no different!

In the pre-talk I avoid ‘planting seeds’ because I would like my client to formulate their own experience. There are people out there who tell their clients exactly what they are going to experience, and in the process they end up creating expectations. Personally I have had very few experiences where I actually felt anything while I was receiving reiki. That is not to say it didn’t happen, or that there was a problem! It just means that the energy was received in a different way and applied to something in my that did not have the capacity to give feedback in the way it was expected.

That is why I like to also have a feedback session after the treatment. I start off by asking my client what is happening for them, and give them an opportunity to both relate as well as ask me about their experience. Then I give them an account of whatever I may have picked up, and with that I sometimes make suggestions and observations that could help my client move forward.

After Your Session

Finishing a session doesn’t mean it is now finish en klaar!

When you leave my therapy room, you will most likely have one or two pieces of “homework” to do. These are simple suggestions that is meant to help you integrate and process the shifts that will be taking place. Please do not take it lightly, especially if you are serious about your own wellbeing and progress.

Stay Hydrated

It bears repeating: your body may go into a state of releasing. To aid the process, please drink lots of fresh, clean water, preferably filtered or spring water.

Give it Time

Reiki does not knock your feet from under you, unless it is absolutely necessary. Some shifts are so subtle that you might only recognise them long, LONG after the fact. While other changes and healings are so profound that people cry of hours!

No one’s journey is the same, so allow the energy to do its thing.

With that said, it is always a good idea to allow yourself a little bit of “Me Time” – go sit in a quiet spot at home for a few hours and do something creative. If you are lucky enough to be close to a beach, a river or a wooded grove, go there for a while and just be with yourself. And if none of that is available to you, just make sure you take some time to be conscious of yourself, your thoughts and how you feel for at least a day after your session.

Reiki is the most basic, loving and forgiving of all alternative healing modalities. Its effectiveness lies in its ability to gently bring about the shifts that are necessary in your life.

The Session

Now that you have an idea what reiki is, and how to prepare, here is a rundown of my procedure of a session:

• Upon your arrival, you will be asked to fill out an intake form. This is pretty important because it gives me an indication of all we might need to address in your session.
• A quick discussion of the information on your form, as well as any particular areas of concern you may have.
• First-timers usually receive a quick briefing on what will be happening while they are lying on the therapy bed.
• You are then requested to remove any jewellery, your shoes and any other items that could be cumbersome or become annoying while receiving reiki.
  NOTE: If you did not expressly indicate a naked reiki session, your clothes will remain on your body.
• You will be asked to lie down on my therapy bed with hands and legs uncrossed.
• I will guide you into a quick relaxation to help you receive the full benefit of the experience.
• I do the reiki while you simply lie back and receive. Many clients fall asleep during a session, and I highly encourage you to allow yourself to have a nap while I work. This way, our egos can step aside and the energy can do its thing.
• Once my work is finished and I am happy, I will do a gentle rubdown 3 times and at the same time gently call you back.
• You will receive a glass of water that has been blessed and consecrated for your consumption. You do not have to consume the full amount of water, as long as you take a few delicious sips. The physical action will help to further bring you back into your body, while the water will also assist in cleansing and hydrating the cells of your body.
• A quick exchange of feedback will commence: it is important that I hear about your experience as it helps me to make sense of my experience while I was working on your energy system.
• At the end of the feedback you may put your shoes back on, as well as any other items and I will end our session.

What Happens Next?

I don’t know – YOU tell me!

Did you like the experience? Then I suggest you book another session. It is always nice to see someone coming back because it helps me to build a bond with you and your energy.

Most people ask me about how often they should come for a session. My answer always comes down to this: you will know! Generally it is a good idea to schedule a session once per month. In extreme cases you can have a session once a week to address a particular issue. However, I do not advocate coming for a session every day or more than once a week. A person needs to give the energy a chance to integrate and do its work, and when you desperately want more it is often an indication that firstly, you do not trust the energy and secondly that there is another problem that needs to be addressed.

Did the session open you up to the possibility of learning more about your experience? Why not sign up for my Reiki I course? You will learn how to perform reiki on yourself, and get a taste of what it is like giving Reiki to another person.

Your body will tell you when it is time for another session. But, like I said: once a month for those of you who would like to engage in a self-care practice that is worthwhile and lasting.