I am frequently asked by potential clients ‘what is a Reiki session like?’ I think people have a lot of fears and apprehension surrounding things that aren’t their norm and so my intention with this blog today is to help release some of this for you. Let me start by saying that I love doing this work. I see people leave my space in the best of spirits, having experienced something truly special and intuitively good for them. I often get messages following a session about what a great experience someone had, what a magical and synchronistic day they had following the session, and/or how it’s helped them make a much needed change or decision. That makes me feel really good and on the right path.

In a session, the first thing we do is simply talk for a period of about 10-15 minutes. I am very intuitive and so the initial talk helps to give me an idea of what a person’s energy makeup is like and where there may be blocks or imbalances. I also like to know what they are experiencing in their life, why they are interested in Reiki, and what they are hoping to gain from it. However, this conversation is not necessary for me. It’s more to set the client at ease with me.

I am always very honest when meeting my clients for a session. In some ways, I like to downplay the profound effects of energy healing and let them know that at the very least, they will rest and feel deeply relaxed for a little while. What I know as the practitioner is that the deep rest I minimize, well, that’s really where the work is done. It is important that I be very clear that Reiki or other forms of energy work is not magic. It is, essentially, you, being deeply relaxed, and me, with a clear and focused intention on your love and overall well-being. It is in a state of deep rest that a person is receptive to such intention. Every client will experience something different, some experiences will be more profound, immediate, and obvious, while some more subtle and unfolding over time.

I believe the work I do as a Reiki practitioner merely acts as a catalyst for self-awakening and self-healing. We are all capable of healing, but sometimes we need a mirror to show us how. My gift as a Pisces and lightworker is that I naturally view each human I encounter at their very best; no matter how sick, no matter how sad, or down-on-their luck. I see your best. I see your light. I see you living your best life. I believe you deserve it. I believe in it because I see and feel it. It’s automatic and it’s important that a healer have this ability to see the deepest and highest version of people because that belief is where wellness and awakening begin.

After our initial chat, if the client is willing, I like to do a sage smudge around the auric field. Auras are not something I see in the typical way. I do not see colors, but I do see blurs and dark and light spots. I don’t know how to describe this really. I kind of have my own language surrounding these things, but I know the blurs and dark spots are just negative energy patterns that are stuck. The smudging helps to loosen and clear them. However, this step is not necessary if a person has allergies or is uncomfortable with it.

Next I ask the client to lie on the table, fully clothed. I dim the lights and have soft music playing as I begin walking them through a relaxation technique and small visualization. I’ve been told that I have a very relaxing voice and that this step is one of my strong suits. As I speak, I am running my hands above the client, again feeling the different energy patterns and potential blocks. At this point, and at the comfort level of the client, I will say a small prayer out loud (or in my head, if it is the client’s preference) inviting God (or higher power,) and the angels and guides I work with to assist me in this work. If the client is ok with it, I invite their higher power, angels, and guides to be present and work with me, as well.

At this point, I remind the client to turn to their breath and then I begin by placing my hands on the top of their head, working down to their feet. I typically work with the chakras, simply because this is where I feel the energy most intensely. Occasionally, I am drawn to other areas and will work intuitively, as well.

Clients experience a range of things and I have truly seen it all. Physically, a client will typically experience, deep relaxation or meditative state, hot or cold sensations, tingling, etc. Other sensations or experiences may be spontaneous laughter or crying. I have had clients tell me they feel “phantom hands” or in other words, my hands on parts of the body that I am not currently touching. I have clients slip into, what I believe, are past life scenes surrounding trauma that are affecting their energy in this life. I’ve had clients experience the beginning stages of out of body or astral travel. All clients seem to experience a sense of “lightness” when the session is complete. My first time as a Reiki client, I had 10 minutes of uncontrollable laughter, to the point of tears and saw everything made of rainbows the rest of the day. It was truly one of the best days of my life. All these experiences are quite normal and not to be feared. Sensations like this are how your body responds to the serious release of energetic blockages and attempts to find new flow and we all experience release and flowing energy in different ways.

As an empath and intuitive, I experience different things in each session as well. As I place my hands on (or above) a client, I oftentimes see colors, signs, ideas, patterns, numbers, portals, images, or entire life scenes. I have had sensations of being in water, such as, the sea or a waterfall. I have experienced floating in the air or space, extreme heaviness or slowness, coldness or heat. Occasionally, I see people, guides, angels, lights surrounding the client. I often experience pressure or mild pain in an area that my client was injured or traumatized. A lot of what I experience is emotional, as well, such as sadness, extreme lack of self-love, or deep-seated anger in certain areas. Understand, though, that I do not carry these sensations or emotions as my own. I experience it briefly in a way that is not part of me. Then I visualize it cleared and transmuted. I am trained as a practitioner how to experience it in a safe way, but always bring myself back to the light. And always, always, always visualize my client in wellness, love, and light. This is essential.

After I’ve worked my way to the feet, I ground and clear my energy and begin to bring the client’s awareness back to the room. The client is invited to sit up, at their ready, at which point we discuss the session. I like to know what the client experienced, how he/she is feeling. Oftentimes, a client will feel too light, in that case, I work to ground them some. I then like to share my experience and any guidance that I may have received. Again, I have my own language for these sensations so you’ll hear me use words like “buzzy” or “swirly” or “fizzy” or “mirky,” just to name a few. I find, however, that the client always knows what I am getting at and felt it too. It’s always fascinating and affirming to me to discuss the various experiences with my clients because it is ALWAYS relevant. ALWAYS. That continued relevance is truly why I continue to do this kind of work. I am always amazed at how energy work changes lives, not to mention, how my interactions with my clients changes mine in return.

I typically recommend my clients think of Reiki as life maintenance and self-care, such as you would with massage or chiropractic work. I like to see people at least every six months, if not more depending on their needs. Energy work is especially beneficial in times of high stress, transition, or illness and if someone is feeling extremely bogged down or low, I set up a series of sessions occurring every few weeks until we can spread it out a little more.

If you are interested in giving Reiki energy work a try, I would love to be your choice of practitioner. My client’s stress reduction, deep relaxation, comfort, and care are my highest of priorities. I currently take clients in my home, however, I am able to travel within a 45 mile radius, but note that I do charge an additional $5 fee for gas, in this case. Please message me if you are interested in a session for yourself or considering a session with me as a gift for someone in need of healing energy.

Thank you and Namaste

Stephanie <3