What to Expect in Your First Reiki Session | Beginner’s Guide
A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Understanding Reiki Healing
TL;DR: ⚡️
Emotional energy healing is about tending to the parts of you that don’t have words. It’s the subtle, energetic layer beneath your emotions, thoughts, and reactions. In this post, we’ll explore how emotional energy gets stuck, how to begin releasing it, and what healing can look like when it comes from the inside out.
Before we dive in: I offer 1:1 Reiki sessions both virtually and in person if you're navigating emotional heaviness, anxiety, or just feel off without a clear reason. These sessions are gentle, intuitive, and designed to support your nervous system, release emotional residue, and help you reconnect to yourself with more clarity and calm.
To book, email info@vibrationalbloom.com, visit vibrationalbloom.com, or send me a DM.
By Jess | The Bloom Collective
What to Expect During Your First Reiki Session
If you're new to Reiki, it’s normal to have questions about what exactly happens during a session. Reiki, a gentle Japanese energy healing technique, offers a soothing way to release stress and find balance. Here’s what you can expect from your first Reiki experience.
How to Prepare for Your Reiki Session:
Dress comfortably in loose clothing.
Arrive hydrated, and consider avoiding heavy meals beforehand.
Approach your session with an open, relaxed mindset.
The Reiki Session Process:
Initial Discussion: You and your practitioner will briefly discuss your intentions and what you’re hoping to achieve.
Comfortable Positioning: You'll typically lie fully clothed on a massage table, though sitting comfortably is also an option.
Gentle Hand Placement: The Reiki practitioner gently places their hands on or just above various areas of your body, following a sequence of positions.
Common Sensations During Reiki:
Warmth or gentle heat radiating from the practitioner's hands: Many people describe feeling a soothing warmth during Reiki, as if heat is being transferred through the hands without any physical pressure. This is often felt in areas where energy is beginning to shift or release.
Tingling or subtle vibrations: You might notice a buzzing or tingling sensation in specific parts of your body. This can signal energetic movement or blockages starting to clear. Some describe it as an internal current or light pulsing.
Deep relaxation, calmness, or even falling asleep: Reiki naturally activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which supports rest and restoration. It's common to drift into a meditative or sleep-like state as your body settles into deeper relaxation.
Emotional release or gentle insights: Emotions may rise to the surface during a session, either subtly or with more intensity. This can feel like a wave of sadness, relief, or even joy. Many people also experience moments of clarity or intuitive insight as stagnant energy clears.
A Look Into My Personal Experience:
The first time I experienced Reiki, it was deeply relaxing, and I felt a gentle, calming sensation. Initially, I didn't feel much, but as the session progressed, it felt like soothing waves washing over my body. Reiki sessions can vary greatly: sometimes you might feel the energy as the client, sometimes the practitioner might sense it more strongly, and occasionally you might not consciously feel much, yet the practitioner does. Each session is uniquely personal and can differ from one time to the next.
After Your Reiki Session:
Drink plenty of water to help your body clear energy released during the session.
Expect to feel relaxed, clear-headed, or emotionally lighter.
Engage in gentle activities and allow yourself some quiet reflection time.
Try grounding yourself by walking barefoot on natural surfaces, doing light stretching, or visualizing roots growing from your feet into the earth.
Personally, I like to eat a piece of dark chocolate after my session and sip on plenty of water-it feels grounding and comforting after moving through so much subtle energy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What should I do before my session?
Drink water, dress comfortably, and arrive a few minutes early to ground yourself.
Can Reiki be done remotely?
Yes. Distance Reiki is just as effective as in-person sessions and can be done from anywhere.
How often should I receive Reiki?
It depends on your needs. Some clients benefit from weekly sessions, while others check in monthly or during periods of emotional stress.
Will I feel anything during the session?
You might feel warmth, tingling, emotional shifts, or nothing at all. All responses are valid.
Can Reiki interfere with medical treatments?
No. Reiki is a supportive modality and does not replace or interfere with conventional medical care.
Is Reiki safe for everyone?
Yes. Reiki is gentle and non-invasive, making it safe for most people regardless of age or background.
Can I combine Reiki with other wellness practices?
Absolutely. Reiki pairs well with meditation, therapy, yoga, sound healing, and other holistic practices to support your overall well-being.
How long does a Reiki session last?
Typically 45-60 minutes.
Do I have to believe in Reiki for it to work?
No, Reiki works independently of beliefs or skepticism.
Can Reiki help with specific conditions?
Reiki supports overall wellness and relaxation, which can complement healing from stress, anxiety, and emotional imbalance.
What should I do before my session?
Drink water, dress comfortably, and arrive a few minutes early to ground yourself.
Can Reiki be done remotely?
Yes. Distance Reiki is just as effective as in-person sessions and can be done from anywhere.
How often should I receive Reiki?
It depends on your needs. Some clients benefit from weekly sessions, while others check in monthly or during periods of emotional stress.
Will I feel anything during the session?
You might feel warmth, tingling, emotional shifts, or nothing at all. All responses are valid.
Can Reiki interfere with medical treatments?
No. Reiki is a supportive modality and does not replace or interfere with conventional medical care.
Yes. Reiki is gentle and safe for people of all ages, as well as animals. How long does a Reiki session last? Typically 45-60 minutes.
Do I have to believe in Reiki for it to work? No, Reiki works independently of beliefs or skepticism.
Can Reiki help with specific conditions? Reiki supports overall wellness and relaxation, which can complement healing from stress, anxiety, and emotional imbalance.
Where Reiki Can Take You Next
Every Reiki session is unique, offering exactly what you need at the moment. If you’re curious about how emotional energy shows up and how Reiki can help shift it, check out this blog post on what burnout really feels like. It goes deeper into emotional energy and how subtle shifts can create space for clarity and calm.
Stay Connected
New posts go live every Thursday at 6 PM MST. I share soft tools for healing, nervous system support, energy rituals, and personal reflections to help you move through your week with more ease and clarity.
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With care,
Jess 🌿
Reiki Healer, Writer, and Founder of Vibrational Bloom
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