Reiki is one of those things you may have heard about - but maybe you’re still not quite sure what it actually is, how it works, or if it’s something you can benefit from.
Whether you’re new to energy healing or exploring it more seriously, this guide is here to give you grounded, honest answers to the most common questions I hear as a Reiki Master and teacher.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced ray-kee) is a Japanese energy healing technique that promotes relaxation, stress relief, and emotional balance. The word "Reiki" comes from two Japanese words: Rei, meaning "universal" or "spiritual wisdom," and Ki, meaning "life energy."
It was rediscovered in the early 1900s by Mikao Usui in Japan and has since been passed down through generations of Reiki Masters. At its core, Reiki is a practice of channeling healing energy to support the body’s natural ability to restore balance - physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
When your energy is flowing freely, you feel calm, grounded, and vibrant. But when it’s blocked - due to stress, emotional strain, or trauma - you may feel anxious, depleted, or off-balance. Reiki helps gently clear those energetic blocks so your body can return to its natural state of harmony and ease.
Ready to learn Reiki for yourself? Explore my Reiki Level 1 training - available online and in-person in PEI!
How Does Reiki Work?
During a Reiki session, the practitioner channels Universal energy through their hands, gently resting them on or just above your body.
This isn’t about transferring their personal energy to you. Instead, the practitioner acts as a channel or conduit for high-vibrational energy that flows where it’s most needed in your system.
This energy works to dissolve energetic blockages and restore flow in the body’s subtle energy field. You can think of Reiki like watering a plant: your body already knows how to heal and grow - Reiki simply helps create the ideal conditions for that healing to take place.
The beauty of Reiki is that it supports your entire system holistically. It doesn't treat symptoms in isolation but helps to address the root energetic imbalances behind physical or emotional discomfort.
What Does Reiki Feel Like?
Everyone’s experience of Reiki is unique. Some people feel physical sensations such as:
Warmth or tingling where the practitioner’s hands are placed
Gentle pulsing or subtle movement in the body
A sense of waves or flow moving through the body
On an emotional level, people often describe:
Feeling deeply relaxed and at peace
Moments of clarity or emotional release
A sense of being held or supported energetically
Others may not feel any specific sensation at all - and that’s perfectly normal. Reiki still works even if you don’t consciously feel it. The results often show up in subtle but meaningful ways: improved sleep, clearer thinking, more patience, or feeling lighter in your body and mind.
What Can Reiki Help With?
Reiki is often used to support overall well-being and balance. While it’s not a replacement for medical care, it can be a powerful complementary practice.
People often turn to Reiki for:
Stress and anxiety relief
Emotional processing (grief, burnout, trauma)
Support during periods of change or uncertainty
Chronic pain or tension
Sleep issues or fatigue
A desire for deeper connection and inner peace
It can also support spiritual growth, helping you reconnect with your intuition, develop emotional resilience, and feel more aligned with your values and purpose.
Is Reiki Safe?
Yes, Reiki is incredibly safe. It’s gentle, non-invasive, and requires no physical manipulation, substances, or tools. Because Reiki works with your body’s energy system, it can be used alongside any other form of treatment, including medication, physical therapy, or counseling.
It’s suitable for:
All ages, from infants to seniors
Pregnant women
People living with chronic illness or undergoing medical treatments
Animals and pets
Many clients find that Reiki brings calm and comfort during times of physical or emotional stress, without side effects or contraindications.
Can Reiki Be Done at a Distance?
Absolutely. Reiki is not limited by time or space, which means you don’t have to be physically present with the practitioner for it to be effective.
In a distance Reiki session, you simply relax in a quiet space at the agreed-upon time while the practitioner sends Reiki energy to you. The sensations and effects are often very similar to an in-person session.
Clients often report feeling relaxed, grounded, emotional release, or a wave of calm during or after a session. It’s especially helpful if you’re unable to travel, are in a different location, or simply want to receive healing in your own space.
How Many Sessions Will I Need?
That depends on your needs. Some people feel a shift after just one session, while others benefit most from a series of sessions. If you’re working through long-standing stress, chronic pain, or emotional patterns, several sessions may be recommended.
Many people find that regular Reiki - weekly, biweekly, or monthly - helps them stay grounded and centered as part of their wellness routine.
Reiki isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach. I always encourage my clients to listen to their intuition and body. You’ll know when it’s time for more support or when you’re ready to learn how to give Reiki to yourself.
Do I Need to Believe in Reiki for It to Work?
No belief is required. Reiki works whether or not you "believe" in it. While being open to the experience can help you relax and receive more fully, Reiki doesn’t rely on faith or imagination. Reiki doesn’t rely on belief - it simply works with energy. You don’t need to understand it or even “feel” it for it to support you.
Even people who are skeptical often report feeling more relaxed, centered, or emotionally clear after a session. And children or animals - who aren’t influenced by belief systems - tend to respond especially well to Reiki!
You don’t have to be spiritual, mystical, or deeply intuitive to benefit. Reiki simply meets you where you are.
Can I Learn Reiki Myself?
Yes, and that’s one of the most beautiful parts of Reiki: it’s for everyone. You don’t need special abilities, prior experience, or a background in healing work. If you feel drawn to Reiki, that’s enough! Many of my students start simply because they want to take care of themselves better - and that’s a beautiful reason.
Reiki training is taught in three levels:
Level 1: Learn to give Reiki to yourself, friends, family, and pets. Focuses on self-healing and daily energy practices.
Level 2: Dive deeper into energy work, including distance Reiki and using sacred symbols.
Reiki Master: For those who want to deepen their personal journey or go on to teach others.
Each level includes an attunement, which increases your vibration and the amount of Reiki you are able to channel.
Ready to awaken your inner healer? Learn more about Reiki training and discover which level is right for you.
Can I Give Reiki to Myself?
Yes, and you should! Self-Reiki is one of the greatest gifts of becoming attuned. Once you’ve completed Reiki Level 1, you can give yourself Reiki anytime you need support, grounding, or clarity.
Self-Reiki can be used daily or as needed to:
Ground your energy
Ease anxiety or overthinking
Support your sleep
Connect to your intuition
Create space for emotional healing
Reiki becomes a lifelong tool you can use to care for yourself gently, consistently, and powerfully.
Many of my students use Reiki as a daily ritual - first thing in the morning, before bed, or during stressful moments. It becomes a trusted tool to return to again and again.
The more you practice self-Reiki, the more intuitive it becomes, and the more connected you feel to your own energy.
What’s the Difference Between Reiki and Other Energy Healing?
There are many forms of energy healing, but Reiki is unique in its structure and lineage. It follows a specific system that includes hand positions, attunements, and sacred symbols that have been passed down from teacher to student.
Other methods of energy healing may be more intuitive or informal, but Reiki provides a foundation that feels both safe and empowering. It offers a gentle structure while still allowing plenty of room for personal growth and spiritual connection.
Reiki can also be combined with other healing modalities like meditation, breathwork, sound healing, and coaching - which is why many wellness practitioners integrate Reiki into their offerings.
Is Reiki a Religion?
No, Reiki is not a religion. It’s a spiritual practice in the sense that it connects you to your inner wisdom, but it doesn’t require any particular belief system.
People of all faiths, backgrounds, and belief systems practice Reiki. It can be as practical or as spiritual as you want it to be. It meets you where you are and helps you feel more connected to yourself, your energy, and your purpose.
Final Thoughts: Reiki Is for Everyone!
Whether you’re simply curious or feel called to dive deeper, Reiki has a way of meeting you exactly where you are.
It offers a quiet space to rest, release, and reconnect with your inner wisdom - and it can be a lifelong companion on your journey of healing and growth.
If you feel called to explore Reiki, I’d love to support you. Check out my Reiki trainings - see upcoming classes & self-paced options!