What is Reiki and how did it originate?
Reiki (pronounced Ray-Kee)
Reiki offers a calming, non-invasive approach to healing, energy alignment, balance, and overall wellness. Reiki is not related to any religion, and it's not a massage therapy but rather a form of soulful, gentle, engaging, yet powerful energy healing method that is widely regarded and has been practiced in many countries. This healing modality assists in harmonising energy levels in our physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual body system. Trained practitioners utilise the energy that they are attuned to, channelling it through their hands from the “Universal Life Force Energy” known as Reiki. The facilitator will pass this energy on to the participant or client by either hovering their hands or gently placing their hands over the person’s body or their energy body centres, and applying to additional areas such as shoulders, arms, hips, knees, or feet, as trained, to enhance the healing effect. This process aims to revitalise and balance one's energy while promoting natural healing.
The history of natural healing practices can be traced back through ancient times. However, Reiki is considered one of the most well-known and best-used techniques which were rediscovered and developed by a Japanese Buddhist monk named “Usui Mikao” (in Japanese the standard name format is, the family name comes first, followed by first name; Usui is the family name, and Mikao is the first name. Usui Mikao also known as Usui Sensei (‘Sensei’ means Teacher in Japanese).
Usui Mikao’s system originated back in early 1900 when he underwent 21 days of discipline of prayer, fasting and meditating on Mount Kurama in Japan. During this period, he experienced “Satori”, which is recognised as a profound spiritual awakening or enlightenment, and received visions of ancient symbols. He also gained the ability to channel “the Universal Life Force Energy” for healing. This experience enabled him with healing capabilities, and he began to share and practise this newly discovered healing energy with himself and others. He then went on and established the Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai (Association) to further expand his practice, teaching and treating people.
In contemporary society, Reiki is regarded as a complementary practice that can be combined and integrated with other holistic therapies. It is important to note that Reiki is not a quick fix or miraculous cure for any ailments. Reiki is a practice that promotes inner harmony, relaxation, calmness, energy balancing & alignment and a sense of overall wellbeing and self-worth.
By fostering inner harmony, Reiki can assist individuals in mitigating negativity, stress, fear and anxiety, inspire courage and allow them to learn to harmonise and empower the energy within themselves for a more peaceful life and strengthen their vitality, and guiding them in aligning with their true selves. Its approach is not a replacement for conventional medical treatments or mental health care but a supportive way to natural healing.
Recognising that, stress and anxiety can significantly impact our health and affect the quality of our lives. Engaging with Reiki can create greater inner peace within yourself and the world around you. Reiki helps bring you into alignment with your higher self and the universe. When you are in alignment, you will feel more at ease, which makes life challenges feel more manageable; therefore, life becomes more effortless and meaningful.
What to expect from a Reiki session and before the session?
Reiki focuses on harmonising the energy within the physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual body. Trained practitioners utilise Universal Life Force Energy, known as Reiki, channelling it through their hands to the clients or recipients. This energy is directed towards the person's body or their energy body centres (7 main Chakras).
I/the practitioner will pass this energy onto you/the client or recipient by placing my hands gently on or hovering over various parts of the body, such as the arms, shoulders, hips, or knees as well as the 7 main Chakras, as trained. This is also called 'hand-on healing', which is meant to balance energy and promote the sense of wellness from within.
Reiki is commonly viewed as a complementary practice that can enhance other therapies. Its aim is to enhance relaxation, reduce stress, and facilitate healing through energy balancing and alignment.
Before the session, an initial discussion occurs where I/the practitioner will discuss/may ask about your health history and any concerns or goals for the session. Recipients or clients remain fully clothed and usually lie on a massage table. The environment in the “Enriched Harmony Healing” studio is specially created to evoke a calming, nature-inspired atmosphere conducive to relaxation.
What you can expect from your Reiki sessions is a form of relaxation, which can sometimes be deep. However, this may vary among individuals/clients. Generally, it is a unique experience, and each person will have a slightly different outcome based on their personal energies, personal histories, emotions, unfulfilled desires and life experiences prior to attending the session.
A standard Reiki session promotes relaxation, calmness, and an enhancement of overall wellbeing. During the session, you/the individual may experience physical sensations such as warmth/heat, cold/chill, tingling, gentle pulsing, or pins and needles, as well as mental or emotional reactions, including visualising colours or memories, or even falling asleep or a cry, or you might not feel anything. If you experience emotional release such as a cry, please know that it is perfectly acceptable. This can sometimes happen when Reiki energy flows through you and your body and mind start to release blockages or suppressed emotions during or after the treatment. It means you are ready to release an old past, pattern, feeling or the energy that is no longer serving you for your highest good, opening you up to receiving renewed energy, harmony, abundance, making you feel more in alignment with your higher-spirited self. And likewise, apart from the hands-on healing for a practitioner, they can gain psychic abilities from their heightened intuition. For this instance, I may be seeing colours, images, or receiving messages or insightful guidance while being the energetic channel during the session. This experience enhances our connection to the spiritual realm.
(Please Note: The statement's reference to practitioners acquiring "psychic abilities" requires an open-minded consideration. While numerous practitioners report a significant improvement in their intuition, such as a sense of knowing or an instinct regarding where energy is needed, this is typically seen as an increased awareness of subtle energy rather than as fortune-telling or traditional psychic phenomena. Some practitioners may utilise terms like "clairvoyance" or "clairsentience" to characterise their enhanced sensory perception, but this primarily serves to facilitate the healing process rather than to provide general psychic readings.)
After the session, you/individuals may feel more balanced and could experience a release of stress, increased clarity and positivity, or emotional relief.
The fundamental principle of Reiki is to assist you to alleviate negativity and stress and restore balance and harmony to the body’s energy system.
The primary purpose of booking a session is to facilitate letting go and releasing energies that no longer serve you. Reiki emphasises peace, balance, serenity, alignment, positivity, ultimately guiding individuals toward their best selves.
What to expect after your Reiki session? including self-care recommendations
After completing your Reiki, Crystal healing or other therapy session, it is strongly advised that you take your time to compose and settle yourself back into your body or presence. You can take as much time as you need. Once you are completely backed into yourself, you should feel more relaxed, lighter and grounded.
It is also possible to experience temporary detoxification, such as a mild headache or tiredness, which can be experienced but usually subsides quickly. These sensations are considered normal and can represent a form of energy integration and emotional release.
To support your well-being after the session and in the days that follow, it is important to drink an adequate amount of water to stay hydrated. Getting an early night's sleep or ample rest, consuming lighter meals, reducing stimulants and avoiding alcohol or caffeine, along with spending time in nature, are beneficial self-care activities to maintain for at least 2–3 days post-session and are highly recommended.
Understanding your session time
Having Reiki or other energy healing treatments is not a rush process. The minimum time required for a proper session typically is at least 1 hour or more, depending on your selected session options. Please allow the time for yourself to wind down, relax and receive the Reiki energy or other energy healing during your treatment, allowing for a period to settle in before and after the session. It is good to remind yourself that when you book your appointment, it is one way of showing yourself care and love, and it is fair to say that it should be approached with respect as a personal sacred for oneself. This time is an opportunity for you to slow down, relax, reconnect and recharge.
Our time allocations for each package option are general guidelines. Sessions should generally progress as stated. Please ensure to arrive on time to maximize your experience and benefits from each session.
Prepare yourself before your Reiki and other sessions
To enhance your experience with Reiki and other modalities, it is advisable to maintain personal hygiene before your session. We encourage you to arrive in a state of comfort and cleanliness, including wearing comfortable, clean clothing and socks, etc. Maintaining personal hygiene before your appointment can offer your body and mind a refreshed state, allowing you to feel more relaxed. This may facilitate a deeper state of relaxation and a greater receptiveness to healing energy during your session. It is wise to arrive a few minutes earlier; it also will allow time for you to settle in and prepare for the upcoming session without any rush.
Additionally, if you experience any cough, sore throat, runny nose, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, cold, flu, or Covid-like symptoms, joint pains, migraine, or headache or have just had a major operation, surgery, or injury, as well as if you have any rash, allergies, or sensitivities or anything of a similar nature, you MUST inform us prior to your scheduled appointment. If your overall health condition is not improved or you are not well enough and ready for having a treatment. Rescheduling will be necessary, and adjustments will be made to suit. Please be considerate of others, as it is important that we ensure a safe and hygienic space for all clients, including yourself.
We thank you for your understanding and cooperation.