Reiki Explained: What It Is, How It Works, and Why It Helps
- Heather Headley
- Jun 1, 2023
- 9 min read
Updated: Oct 20
Let me guess: you’ve heard of Reiki but aren’t totally sure what it is. Or maybe a friend swears by it, and you're curious — but also a little skeptical? Totally fair.
This post is here to explain Reiki in simple, down-to-earth terms. No fluff. No pressure. Just real talk about how this energy healing practice has helped me (and many others) feel calmer, clearer, and more balanced — and how it might support you, too.
I started out as a client myself, unsure what to expect. These days, I’m a Reiki practitioner offering online Reiki sessions to clients across the U.S., and the results still surprise me.
Whether you're searching for relief from stress or just want to feel more grounded, Reiki may be worth exploring.
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive form of energy healing that supports your body’s natural ability to relax, restore, and heal. It originated in Japan, and the word itself translates roughly to "universal life energy" — with “Rei” meaning universal and “Ki” meaning energy or life force.
Unlike medication or physical therapy, Reiki doesn’t treat a specific symptom. Instead, it works holistically — helping your energy system return to balance, which can lead to all sorts of emotional, physical, and mental improvements.
Reiki is now recognized by major health organizations like the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health as a valid complementary wellness practice. It’s also used in hospitals and wellness centers around the world.
How Reiki Works
Let’s clear this up: Reiki isn’t about “magic hands” or spiritual rituals. It’s about connection, intention, and energy.
When I do a Reiki session, I’m simply acting as a channel — guiding energy to flow where your body and spirit need it most. Whether in person or remotely, Reiki helps shift your nervous system out of fight-or-flight and into a state of deep rest and healing.
During a session, you’ll either lie comfortably on a table (for in-person sessions) or relax at home (for distance Reiki) while I gently place my hands on or above key energy points in your body. Most people describe it as feeling calm, grounded, and — honestly — a little magical.
It’s not a religion, and there’s nothing you need to believe for it to work.
What Are the Benefits of Reiki?
Here’s what people often experience from regular Reiki healing sessions:
Reduced stress and anxiety
Better sleep and relaxation
Emotional clarity and stability
Relief from physical pain or tension
Faster recovery from injury, illness, or surgery
Lower blood pressure
Support for trauma and emotional healing
A deeper connection to self or spiritual insight
More and more people are turning to Reiki for stress relief and emotional support — especially when traditional methods aren’t quite cutting it. Some even combine Reiki with therapy or medical care for a more holistic healing journey.
I’ve written more about how Reiki calms the nervous system if you’re curious about the science behind it. Even large medical centers like the Cleveland Clinic acknowledge energy medicine as a supportive practice for stress reduction and healing. Beyond the physical benefits, Reiki can also create a deeper sense of connection to yourself and, for many, a connection to the divine.
What Happens in a Reiki Session?
If you’ve never had a Reiki session before, here’s what to expect:
We start with a conversation. You can share why you’re interested in Reiki, how you’ve been feeling, or anything you'd like support with. No pressure — it’s your time, and your comfort matters.
Then we begin the energy work. You stay fully clothed, either lying on a massage table or resting at home (if it’s an online Reiki session). Some people like to use a blanket or eye pillow. I’ll either place my hands gently on your body or hover just above, depending on your preferences.
You relax, and Reiki flows. Each session is different, guided by what your body needs most that day. Some people feel warmth, tingling, or waves of energy. Others simply feel a deep sense of calm and stillness.
Sometimes the most powerful shifts happen after the session — when the energy continues integrating and releasing old patterns.
What Clients Experience During a Reiki Session
Every Reiki experience is unique. Some people feel a gentle warmth, subtle tingling, or waves of energy moving through the body. Others see colors or images, receive intuitive messages, or find their minds drifting into a deep state of calm. And sometimes? You might just feel incredibly peaceful and still — like your whole system is finally able to exhale.
But here’s the interesting part: often, the biggest shifts happen after the session — in the hours, days, or even weeks that follow. Clients describe feeling more emotionally clear, deeply relaxed, and aligned in ways they can’t always explain.
As one client put it: “I left my session feeling so much lighter and more balanced energetically.”
That’s the beauty of energy healing. You don’t have to analyze it or explain it — you simply notice the ripple effects in your daily life.
If you’ve ever had a session that brought unexpected clarity, insight, or emotional release, it may remind you of what clients often experience in my Clarity Reading Sessions — where intuitive guidance reveals what your body and spirit are ready to explore.
Taking the Next Step on Your Healing Journey
If you’ve been curious about Reiki, the best way to understand it is to experience it for yourself. Reiki isn’t about instant fixes or spiritual bypassing — it’s about gently supporting your natural capacity to heal, reset, and grow.
As the Mayo Clinic notes, complementary healing methods like Reiki can enhance your overall well-being when used alongside traditional medical care.
I offer Reiki through my Energy Reset Sessions, available to clients nationwide through distance Reiki. You don’t need to leave home — the healing energy flows across any distance. And if you’re local to Southern Oregon, I also offer limited in-person Reiki sessions by request.
Wherever you are, Reiki meets you there.
You're welcome to bring your questions, hesitations, or just your curiosity. There’s no pressure and no “right” way to show up — just space to breathe, soften, and reconnect with yourself.
Reiki helped me return to my own center — to who I really am — and I believe it has something valuable to offer you, too.
Why Distance Reiki Works (Even If It Sounds a Bit Woo at First)
I get this question a lot: “Can Reiki really work from a distance?”
And I get why it sounds odd — but yes, distance Reiki absolutely works.
Here’s a simple way to think about it: energy isn’t limited by physical space. Just like your voice travels over a phone line, Reiki flows through focus, intention, and connection. In fact, online Reiki sessions often help people relax more deeply because they’re in their own safe, cozy environment.
Even modern science supports this idea. Quantum physics has shown that particles can remain connected across space (a concept called “quantum entanglement”). Reiki uses this same principle — sending healing energy across any distance.
So whether you’re in Oregon or halfway across the country, you can still receive the full benefits of Reiki — right from home.
What Clients Say
Everyone’s experience with Reiki is different, but here’s what I hear most often:
“I felt more at ease in my skin, less anxiety… and wonder of wonders I have spontaneously stopped biting my fingernails!” – Amy, OR
“Within minutes I felt a gentle warmth and a deep, calming wave wash over me like my whole nervous system finally exhaled.” – Alicia, Austin TX
“Heather truly has a gift… it’s exactly what I need each time I see her for Reiki or Energy work.” – Dawn
Sometimes people feel subtle physical sensations, like warmth or gentle pulsing. Others see colors, recall memories, or get emotional clarity. And sometimes… nothing happens during the session, but they notice real shifts in the days that follow.
Reiki tends to meet you where you are — and gives your body permission to soften, breathe, and begin again.
Booking a Reiki Session (Online or In Person)
I offer Energy Reset Sessions through online Reiki sessions that are open to clients anywhere in the U.S. (and beyond). If you’re searching for distance Reiki or want to try Reiki healing from home, this is a gentle and accessible place to start.
And if you're near Medford, Oregon, I also offer a limited number of in-person Reiki sessions by request.
Whether you're looking for Reiki for anxiety, emotional healing, or just need a break from the noise of everyday life — you’re welcome here.
Have questions? Feel unsure? You don’t have to be “spiritual” or know all the answers. Just come as you are.
Reiki helped me reconnect with myself — quietly and without force. I’d love to hold space for you to experience that too.
What is Reiki?
Reiki is a gentle energy healing practice that helps your body and mind return to a natural state of balance. It works with universal life force energy — the same subtle current that moves through everything in nature — to calm your nervous system, ease emotional tension, and restore energetic flow. It’s less about “fixing” and more about creating the conditions for your body to remember how to heal itself.
How does Reiki work?
Everything in your body — your heartbeat, your breath, even your thoughts — is energy. When stress, grief, or fear build up, that energy can get stuck or disrupted. During a Reiki session, the practitioner channels universal energy through their hands (either in-person or remotely) to help your system release what it’s been holding and reset back into flow. Clients often describe it as their body finally exhaling after holding its breath for too long.
Is Reiki scientific or spiritual?
It’s both, in its own way. Reiki isn’t a religion or belief system; it’s an energetic process that supports your body’s natural healing response. From a biological perspective, it activates the parasympathetic nervous system — the part of you that knows how to rest, digest, and repair. Spiritually, many people feel more connected to themselves, their faith, or something greater after a session.
How can Reiki help me?
Reiki supports the whole person — physically, emotionally, and energetically. It can help if you’re feeling anxious, stuck, overwhelmed, or disconnected. Many people use it to release stress, process grief, or find clarity during transitions. It’s not a replacement for therapy or medical care, but it beautifully complements both by addressing what’s happening beneath the surface.
What does a Reiki session feel like?
Most people feel deeply relaxed — some notice warmth, tingling, waves of energy, or emotional release. Others drift into a peaceful, meditative state. There’s no “right” experience; your body takes what it needs. You might leave feeling calm and grounded, or lighter and more open.
Does Reiki work remotely?
Yes, and often even more effectively. Energy isn’t limited by time or distance — a concept supported by modern quantum physics. Remote Reiki allows you to relax in your own space without needing to travel, which helps your system integrate more easily. Whether you’re in the same room or across the country, the energy meets you exactly where you are.
How soon will I notice changes?
Most clients feel a shift after the first session — a sense of calm, relief, or emotional clarity. Deeper transformation usually unfolds over several weeks as your nervous system learns to sustain the new balance. Reiki isn’t a quick fix; it’s a process of returning to yourself layer by layer.
What if I’ve experienced trauma or don’t like being touched?
You’re always in control. Reiki can be done with hands hovering above the body or completely remotely — no physical contact is ever required. This is one of the reasons Reiki can be so supportive for trauma survivors; it allows deep healing without triggering touch or reactivation.
Do I need to believe in Reiki for it to work?
Not at all. Reiki doesn’t depend on belief — it depends on energy flow. Your body already knows how to receive and release; Reiki simply reminds it. Many clients come in skeptical and leave surprised by how tangible the shifts feel.
Will Reiki interfere with my religion or personal beliefs?
No. Reiki isn’t connected to any religion. It can actually deepen your own sense of faith or spiritual connection because it clears the noise and helps you feel more at peace within yourself.
How is Reiki different from therapy or coaching?
Therapy helps you process your thoughts and emotions through the mind. Coaching helps you integrate new patterns into your daily life. Reiki helps your body catch up. It brings regulation to your nervous system so the changes you make through therapy or coaching can actually take root. At Look Within, I often weave Reiki into intuitive readings and coaching sessions — it’s part of the Reveal → Regulate → Recalibrate flow that defines the Look Within Method.
How should I prepare for a session?
Before your session, find a quiet space where you won’t be interrupted. Wear something comfortable and set a simple intention — even something as gentle as “I’m open to release and receive what I need today.”
Afterward, drink plenty of water, rest if you can, and notice what comes up in the days that follow. Sometimes the body continues to release or integrate new awareness for several days.
How often should I book Reiki sessions?
It depends on what you’re working through. Some clients come weekly during intense seasons, while others prefer a monthly or seasonal reset. You’ll know when it’s time — your body always tells the truth.
Is Reiki safe for everyone?
Yes. Reiki is non-invasive and gentle, making it safe for all ages and conditions. It works alongside any other healing modality, medication, or therapy you may already be using.
How do I begin?
If you’re new, I recommend starting with the Come Home to Yourself Session — it’s a blend of intuitive insight, Reiki, and holistic coaching designed to meet you exactly where you are. You can explore all session options at Look Within Holistic Coaching.
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