What to Expect in Your First Reiki Session

Hey, Radiant Soul!

If you’ve never experienced Reiki before, you might wonder: What actually happens in a Reiki session?

Do I need to do anything?

Will it feel weird?

Do I have to talk the whole time?

Let me ease your heart — Reiki is one of the gentlest, most grounding forms of healing I’ve ever encountered.

And your first session? It’s not about “getting it right.” It’s about allowing yourself to receive.

This post is your soft guide to what to expect so you can walk in (or log on) feeling safe, supported, and open.

First, Let’s Get Grounded: What Reiki Isn’t

Reiki isn’t a massage.

Reiki isn’t talk therapy.

Reiki isn’t about “fixing” anything.

There’s nothing to perform or explain.

The beauty of Reiki is that it invites your body and spirit to be, to soften, to exhale, and to let go.

If you've been holding the weight of stress, overthinking, grief, or chronic tension… Reiki is a space where all that can begin to move, gently, without pressure.

So… What Happens in a Reiki Session?

During a session with me, you’ll be invited to get cozy. That might mean lying down with a blanket and eye mask, sitting in a supportive chair, or creating a small sacred space with a candle or crystal nearby. You can be in bed, on your couch, or wherever you feel most comfortable.

If we’re meeting virtually (which many of my sessions are), I’ll send you grounding instructions ahead of time so you feel fully prepared.

Then, I’ll begin the energy work.

I work intuitively, channeling Reiki energy to support what’s present in your field. This may mean focusing on specific energy centers (chakras), areas of emotional congestion, or physical tension in the body.

And no, I don’t need to be physically with you for this to work. Reiki transcends time and space. Energy doesn’t need proximity; it requires intention.

You’ll receive the healing while resting, meditating, journaling, or

breathing. Some clients like to play soft music or diffuse essential oils, while others receive in silence. There’s no “right” way.

What Might You Feel During a Session?

There’s a broad spectrum of experiences — and all of them are valid.

Here are just a few things clients often share:

• A warm or tingling sensation

• Light pulsing in hands or feet

• Feeling of being held or deeply supported

• Emotional release (crying, sighing, laughter)

• Seeing colors or imagery

• A gentle, floaty, or meditative state

• A deep sense of peace or clarity

• Sometimes… absolutely nothing (and that’s okay too)

  
  

Reiki works beneath the surface, supporting the body’s natural healing process. Even if you don’t “feel” something during the session, many clients notice shifts afterward, deeper sleep, calmer emotions, renewed energy, or unexpected insights.

After the Session: Integration & Care

When the session ends, I always recommend taking a few quiet moments to rest or journal. Drink water, stretch, or ground your energy with breath. You might want to reflect on what came up, but don’t need to analyze it.

Healing happens on many levels. Reiki continues to flow even after the session ends.

Sometimes, you might feel a wave of emotions later that day or the next. That’s your system clearing what’s been held. You might also feel more inspired, aligned, or able to set boundaries with greater ease.

The invitation is to honor whatever arises — without judgment.

Do You Need to Talk or Share Anything?

Only if you want to.

Some clients love to chat a bit before or after. Others prefer a quiet, fully energetically guided session. I meet you wherever you are. There’s never pressure to explain, disclose, or process in a certain way.

This is your healing space: your pace, comfort, and energy.

My Personal Take? Your First Reiki Session Is an Invitation.

It’s not a performance. It’s not a fix. It’s a soft return to self.

Most of us spend our lives in fight-or-flight, trying to keep it together. Reiki gently guides us into rest, regulation, and re-connection. Even one session can be a powerful reset.

You don’t need to “know how to receive.” You don’t need to do anything perfectly. You need to show up — and trust that something inside you is ready to shift.

Ready to Experience Reiki for Yourself?

I’d love to hold space for your first (or next) session.

Whether you're feeling burnt out, emotionally stuck, or just curious about what this energy work could do for you, I’m here to guide you gently through it.

Click here to book a virtual Reiki session.

You’ll receive pre-session tips, post-session integration ideas, and a healing experience crafted just for you.

You’re worthy of support. You’re safe to receive. You’re not too much.

You got this, keep shining!