When beginning to offer Reiki professionally, many practitioners are unsure about how to start and end a session. Having a clear process for Reiki sessions helps both the practitioner and the client feel at ease. Here’s a step-by-step guide to offering a professional, in-person Reiki session.
Step 1: Prepare Your Space
Before the client arrives, make sure your space is clean, calm, and welcoming. Smudge the room with sage or use sound clearing, such as a bell or chime, to remove stagnant energy. Light a candle or play soft, relaxing music to set a peaceful tone. You want your space to feel like a sanctuary.
Step 2: Ground Yourself
Take a few moments to ground yourself and connect with the Reiki energy. Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and visualize yourself rooted to the earth. Set an intention for the session, asking that Reiki flow through you for the client’s highest good.
Step 3: Welcome and Check-In with the Client
When your client arrives, greet them warmly. Take a few minutes to chat and check in with them. Ask how they’re feeling, and if they’ve had Reiki before, and what their goals are for this session. This allows you to tailor the session to their specific needs.
Step 4: Explain the Process
If the client is new to Reiki or unsure what to expect, briefly explain what will happen during the session. Let them know they’ll remain fully clothed and that you’ll be using a series of hand placements on or above their body. Invite them to relax and allow the energy to flow wherever it is needed most.
Step 5: Begin the Reiki Session
Have the client lie down on your treatment table, covering them with a light blanket if they prefer. Begin by placing your hands on or just above their head, allowing the Reiki energy to flow. Work through the standard hand positions, spending extra time in areas where you feel drawn or where the client has mentioned discomfort.
Step 6: Incorporate Symbols and Distance Healing (2nd Degree Practitioners and Masters)
As a 2nd Degree or Master Reiki practitioner, you have the ability to work with the Reiki symbols and distance healing. Depending on the client’s needs, silently invoke the symbols at the start of the session, focusing on strengthening the energy flow. If you sense an emotional block or imbalance, use the emotional healing symbol to help release it.
Step 7: Use Intuition and Guidance
Allow your intuition to guide you throughout the session. If you feel drawn to a certain area of the body, trust that instinct and spend more time there. For Masters, if guided, you can also incorporate the Master symbol to enhance the healing energy.
Step 8: Seal the Energy
After completing the hand positions, take a moment to seal the energy around the client. Visualize the Reiki energy wrapping around their body, ensuring they’re protected and balanced. Offer a final moment of silence to allow the energy to settle.
Step 9: Gently Bring the Client Back
When the session is complete, gently guide the client back to awareness. Softly tell them that the session has ended and allow them a few moments to lie in stillness. Some clients may feel sleepy or deeply relaxed, so give them time to sit up slowly.
Step 10: Post-Session Conversation and Feedback
Once the client is ready, sit with them for a moment to discuss their experience. Ask how they’re feeling and if they noticed anything during the session. Offer a glass of water and suggest ways to support their healing process in the days ahead, such as drinking plenty of water, resting, and avoiding heavy emotional situations.
Step 11: Clear the Space
After your client leaves, take a few minutes to clear the space again. Thank the Reiki energy, and smudge or ring a bell to cleanse the room of any lingering energies. This helps prepare the space for your next session and keeps your own energy clear.
Remember that your practice is your own and there is no one right way to run a session. This guide is only a suggestion, and you should feel free to do customize these steps to better align them to your preferences.
If you have questions or need advice about personal or professional Reiki practice, I’d love to support you. Sign up for a Reiki Mentoring session here to receive one-on-one guidance and support.