Reiki, pronounced as “ray-kee,” is a holistic and ancient healing technique that originated in Japan. The term “Reiki” combines two Japanese words: “rei” meaning universal or higher power, and “ki” meaning life force energy.

Reiki practitioners believe that this life force energy flows through all living beings and can be channelled to promote physical, emotional, and spiritual healing.

How does Reiki work?

Reiki operates on the principle that the practitioner can channel healing energy into the recipient’s body.

During a face-to-face Reiki session, the recipient typically lies down fully clothed while the practitioner lightly places their hands on or near various parts of the body. The practitioner acts as a conduit, allowing the healing energy to flow into the recipient.

In a virtual Reiki session, the recipient can lie down or meditate, but the main requirement is that they open up to receive Reiki. The practitioner then establishes a connection and also becomes a conduit for Reiki, once again allowing the healing energy to flow into the recipient.

Whether the session is in person or virtual doesn’t matter, they’re both equally effective. In both cases, recipients sometimes feel something, and sometimes they feel nothing. Sensations can vary, but usually are described as warmth, a tingling sensation, a sense of love, a feeling of calm and peace. Whether you feel something or not is not important, because Reiki will still work to your highest good.

It is believed that this energy helps to balance the body’s energy centres (chakras) and remove energy blockages, which in turn supports the body’s natural healing processes.