What Happens During Your First Reiki Session? Let Me Put Your Mind at Rest
The short answer: your first Reiki session at The Reiki One in Alderley Edge lasts 90 minutes. You stay fully clothed, you choose whether the Reiki is hands-on or hands-off, and you don't need to believe in anything or do anything. You simply lie back and let yourself be looked after.
If you've never had Reiki before, you might be wondering what on earth actually happens.
Do you have to take your clothes off?
Does somebody touch you?
Are you supposed to feel something?
What if you can't switch your brain off?
And what exactly are you meant to do while someone is giving you Reiki?
I understand those questions because I've been that person lying on the treatment bed, wondering what on earth was going on.
I've been practising Reiki for around 20 years now, but my very first experience wasn't particularly magical. In fact, I remember wondering whether I'd just paid £60 for somebody to sit in a corner doing absolutely nothing.
Let me explain.
My first experience of Reiki wasn't quite what I'd expected
It was about 22 years ago, and I was away at a spa for ten days after Christmas.
Because I was there for so long, I decided to work my way through the treatment menu. Reiki was on the list. I didn't know what it was, but I booked it anyway.
I certainly didn't Google it beforehand.
When I arrived, the room was quite bright and clinical. There were towels on the treatment bed, and one of my first thoughts was, "I'm going to get bloody cold lying here."
I absolutely hate being cold.
The therapist told me to close my eyes, and that was pretty much it.
So there I was, lying on this bed, thinking, "What's she doing? Am I supposed to be feeling something? Is anything actually happening?"
At some point, I must have fallen asleep because I remember feeling this extraordinary whooshing sensation from the top of my head right down to my feet.
And then it was over.
There was no real conversation afterwards. No explanation of what she'd experienced. Nothing particularly personal.
Off the bed, thank you very much, goodbye.
I remember wondering whether she'd been sitting in the corner flicking the V's at me while I had my eyes closed, thinking, "Haha, sucker. That's £60!"
It certainly wasn't an experience that made me rush out to book another appointment.
Then I experienced Reiki in a completely different way
Years later, I was going through an incredibly difficult period of my life.
I was a single mum with two small children, navigating divorce, finances and all the other challenges that come with rebuilding your life.
I was exhausted, overwhelmed and struggling to get through each day.
I didn't know I needed Reiki.
I wasn't searching for Reiki.
I didn't even really know what burnout was.
I just knew that everything felt terribly hard.
A friend suggested I try Reiki, and my response was something along the lines of, "What the f's Reiki? That sounds like a load of twaddle!"
But she persuaded me to give it a go.
And this time, everything was different.
The room was warm and cosy, with fairy lights, beautiful music, a wonderfully comfortable bed and a thick duvet.
The therapist introduced herself, talked me through what would happen and made me feel comfortable.
For the first time in what felt like forever, I had an hour when nobody needed anything from me.
I didn't have to make decisions, solve problems, look after anybody or be responsible for everything.
Somebody was looking after me.
I went back the following week. And the week after that.
Eventually, I started having Reiki every week, and I continued for years because I found it so supportive.
There wasn't some miraculous overnight transformation. It was much more gradual.
I remember one day realising that the constant nervous, sick feeling I'd carried around in my stomach wasn't there anymore.
Reiki became something I genuinely looked forward to. An hour that was entirely mine.
Around a year later, I decided to train in Reiki myself.
And those experiences, both the good and the not-so-good, have influenced the way I work ever since.
So, what happens during your first Reiki Experience with me?
Your first appointment at The Reiki One in Alderley Edge is my signature 90-minute Reiki Experience.
It's something I've developed over the years by bringing together Reiki, meditation, essential oils and all the things I've personally loved about receiving treatments.
I'm quite particular about the details.
I even get onto my own treatment bed to check what you'll see when you're lying there.
I look at the ceiling, the lighting, how the bed feels, the temperature and all those little things you might not consciously notice but that make such a difference to how comfortable you feel.
My treatment room has a beautiful floral mural, underfloor heating, a heated treatment bed, soft candlelight, cosy blankets and singing bowls.
I think carefully about the essential oils I use, the herbal teas I offer and the atmosphere I create.
None of it is accidental.
First, we have a proper chat
Before we begin, we'll go through your wellbeing questionnaire.
This gives me an opportunity to get to know you, understand how you're feeling and find out what's been going on in your life.
You might be feeling overwhelmed, emotionally drained, out of balance or simply curious about Reiki.
You might not even be able to put your finger on what's wrong.
That's absolutely fine.
I don't expect you to arrive with everything neatly worked out.
Something I've noticed over the years is that people sometimes sit down and start telling me things they hadn't planned to share.
They'll occasionally say, "I don't know where all that came from!"
I actually find that quite humbling, because it tells me they feel comfortable enough to open up.
You can tell me as much or as little as you want to. There's no pressure to share anything you're not comfortable discussing.
And I always reassure clients that what they share with me is treated privately and confidentially. Discretion is something we take very seriously throughout the practice.
I want you to feel that you're being listened to, not judged.
The very last question I ask is:
"What are your top three emotions of the day?"
I ask because how you're feeling today might be completely different from how you felt last week.
And I use those emotions to help me select three essential oils for your treatment.
Generally, I'll choose a grounding oil for your feet, another to use on my hands during the Reiki, and something more uplifting towards the end.
I'll check that you're happy with the oils and ask about any relevant sensitivities before using them.
It's one of the ways I make the experience personal to you.
Then comes my foot cleansing ritual
Now, this is one of my favourite parts.
Years ago, I went for a facial, and the therapist began by using lovely warm mitts on my feet.
I remember saying, "Forget the effing facial! You can just do that to my feet for an hour, and I'd be happy!"
I loved it so much that I decided to incorporate a foot cleansing ritual into my own Reiki Experience.
It's a lovely way to begin, and it helps create that feeling of being properly looked after.
I've taken the things that made me feel special as a client and brought them into the experience I offer other people.
Getting you properly comfortable
However lovely a treatment room looks, what really matters is how comfortable you feel in it.
I'll ask whether you'd like a pillow underneath your knees.
Is the bed warm enough?
Are you happy with the duvet?
Would you prefer a weighted blanket or an eye mask?
And please don't think you have to lie there like a rigid corpse for the entire treatment!
You're absolutely allowed to move.
If you need to change position, change position.
If you're too hot, too cold or uncomfortable, tell me.
If you need something, ask.
You remain clothed for Reiki, so there's no need to worry about undressing.
I want you to be completely comfortable, not lying there wondering whether you're doing something wrong.
You're always in control of your Reiki Experience
Before we begin, there are two things I always ask.
The first is:
"Would you like to know what you might see, feel, hear or experience during Reiki, or would you rather just experience it?"
Some people want to know everything beforehand.
Others prefer to discover it for themselves.
Neither is right or wrong.
It's entirely your choice.
I remember lying on that treatment bed during my first Reiki session, wondering, "What's she going to do next?"
So I understand why someone might want a little reassurance.
The second thing I ask is whether you're happy for me to do the Reiki hands-on or whether you'd prefer hands-off Reiki.
Again, completely your choice.
If you'd prefer me not to touch you, that's absolutely fine.
And if you change your mind at any point, just tell me.
Your comfort, your boundaries and your consent always come first.
Your guided meditation
I'm also a meditation teacher, and I absolutely love creating my own guided meditations.
The one I use during my 90-minute Reiki Experience is particularly special to me.
It's something that came through me intuitively, and I love sharing it.
Before we begin, I'll invite you to set an intention in your own mind.
Then I explain:
"You are very welcome to follow along if you want to, and if you don't want to, I won't be offended."
And I mean it!
You don't have to be good at meditating.
You don't have to follow every word or create perfect pictures in your imagination.
You can listen, let your thoughts wander, drift in and out of sleep or simply enjoy lying there.
The meditation takes you on a beautiful journey through nature.
There's a river, sunshine dancing on the water, wildflowers, majestic oak trees and eventually a healing sanctuary that's entirely your own.
It's a place where, in your imagination, you can leave behind all the worries and responsibilities you've been carrying.
I also weave in some of the emotions you've shared with me during your consultation, making the journey personal to you.
And there are a few lovely sensory elements incorporated into the experience, but I'm not going to give away all my little secrets!
The meditation lasts around 20 minutes and leads naturally into the Reiki.
What actually happens during the Reiki?
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice.
In traditional Reiki, we work with the understanding that universal life force energy flows through the practitioner to the recipient.
I don't consider myself the healer.
I'm the channel.
My role is to channel Reiki energy and support your own inner capacity for healing and balance.
During your treatment, I'll work with my hands gently placed on or near different areas of your body, depending on which approach you've chosen.
I also work intuitively, drawing on my experience as a Reiki Master and what I perceive through my clairvoyant and clairsentient abilities.
But here's the important thing.
You don't have to do anything.
You don't have to concentrate on receiving energy.
You don't have to make yourself relax.
You don't have to visualise anything perfectly.
And you certainly don't have to worry about whether you're doing Reiki correctly.
That's my job, not yours.
You just lie there and enjoy being looked after.
What does Reiki feel like? And what if I fall asleep?
This is probably one of the most common questions people ask me.
And the answer is that everyone's experience is different.
Some people describe warmth, tingling or waves of energy.
Others see colours, patterns or images behind their closed eyes.
Some feel as though they're floating.
Some experience an enormous sense of relaxation.
And some fall fast asleep.
In fact, I often find that by the time I've worked from the top of someone's head down to their third eye chakra, they're already snoring away.
And do you know what?
If you snore, I take it as a compliment!
I've certainly done it myself. I've even woken myself up snoring during a Reiki treatment.
So please don't be embarrassed.
Your first session might feel different from your second or third
Something I've noticed over the years is that people don't always relax quite as deeply during their first Reiki treatment as they do during subsequent appointments.
And that's understandable.
You're somewhere unfamiliar, having an experience you've perhaps never had before.
You might be lying there wondering what I'm going to do next.
You might be aware of every little movement.
You might be wondering whether you're supposed to feel something.
I've noticed that during subsequent sessions, some people settle more quickly because they know the room, they know me and they know what to expect.
But that doesn't mean your first treatment is any less worthwhile.
And equally, some people are away with the fairies within minutes of their very first appointment!
There's no right or wrong.
You don't have to experience something dramatic for your time on the bed to be meaningful to you.
Reiki is a complementary wellbeing practice. Research has explored its possible effects on relaxation and other outcomes, although the evidence remains limited and it isn't a replacement for medical care.
For me, the most important thing is that you have this time entirely for yourself.
What happens at the end? This is where I do things differently
One of the things I found disappointing when I first started having Reiki was getting to the end of a treatment and being sent on my way without any real explanation.
I'd spent an hour lying there, and I wanted to know what the practitioner had experienced.
Had they seen anything?
Had they felt anything?
Was there anything they wanted to share?
So I decided that, when I became a practitioner, I'd do things differently.
At the end of your treatment, I'll tell you what I've experienced.
That might be colours, patterns, images, intuitive impressions or areas where I've sensed energetic imbalances or blockages.
I always share my observations before asking you about yours.
Why?
Because I don't want what you've experienced to influence what I tell you.
Over the years, I've also realised that some clients deliberately leave things out of their wellbeing questionnaire because they want to see whether I'll pick up on them during the Reiki.
And that's fine.
I'm not offended if somebody wants to test me!
Although I do ask everyone to share anything relevant to their comfort or safety.
Something that's incredibly important to me is that I don't attach my own story to what I've perceived.
If I've seen something, I'll tell you what I've seen.
It might mean something to you, or it might not.
I'm not there to impose my beliefs or tell you what something must mean.
I share my own intuitive experience, and you can decide what resonates.
Personalised advice to take away
We'll also talk about things you might find helpful between appointments.
Sometimes it's something really simple.
It might be a short meditation, a breathing exercise, getting out into nature or making time for something creative.
Other times, I might suggest particular colours, foods or activities traditionally associated with a chakra I'm focusing on.
I want you to leave with something useful that feels relevant to you and your everyday life.
And then there's your oracle card
I finish every Reiki session by pulling an oracle card for you.
And do you know what?
After all these years, it still amazes me how often the card seems to reflect what we've just been talking about.
It's freaky!
I'll share my interpretation with you, and you're very welcome to take a photograph of the card if you'd like to remember it.
For me, it's a lovely way to bring the experience to a close.
A little something to take home
Remember those three emotions we talked about at the beginning and the essential oils I selected for you?
Well, I have my own branded ribbon, and I place your chosen oils onto it before tying it around your wrist, if you're happy for me to do so.
It's a little scented reminder of your experience to take home with you.
Occasionally, if I feel intuitively drawn to give you a crystal and I have one available, you might leave with one of those too.
I've always loved those little personal touches.
I remember going for facials where the therapist would select product samples just for me, explain why she'd chosen them and send me home with personalised recommendations.
It made me feel seen, heard and valued.
And that's a feeling I've never forgotten.
Looking after yourself after Reiki
Before you leave, I'll also explain my aftercare recommendations.
When I trained in Reiki, using a training manual written by William Lee Rand, we were taught that aftercare is an important part of the Reiki experience.
Within traditional Reiki teachings, there's an understanding that treatments can encourage an energetic cleansing process.
The teaching I received associated this with releasing energetic blockages and toxins, although the proposed physical detoxification mechanism hasn't been scientifically established.
It's why I recommend drinking plenty of water, avoiding alcohol after your treatment and giving yourself time to rest.
Some people feel wonderfully relaxed afterwards.
Others might feel a little tired or emotional, or notice vivid dreams.
And some simply go about their day feeling much the same as usual.
Everybody is different.
I'll explain my recommendations and give you the opportunity to ask any questions.
I'll also recommend when I think your next appointment would be helpful.
My approach is about making time to look after yourself regularly, rather than waiting until you're completely overwhelmed before doing something about it.
Do you have to believe in Reiki?
Absolutely not.
Remember, when somebody first suggested Reiki to me, I thought it sounded like a load of twaddle.
I certainly wasn't some wonderfully enlightened spiritual being who knew exactly what energy healing was.
I was a tired woman who needed some time to herself.
And I discovered something that became an incredibly meaningful part of my life.
You don't have to share my spiritual beliefs.
You can be curious, sceptical, nervous or simply interested in trying something different.
I do the woo without the woo woo.
I'll explain what I'm doing, answer your questions and respect whatever you make of the experience.
My intention for every person who comes through my door
There's something I haven't mentioned yet.
I always invite my clients to set an intention before their Reiki.
But I have an intention of my own.
And it's actually quite simple.
I want you to feel seen, heard and held.
Not because I've said all the right things or created the perfect treatment room.
But because you've genuinely felt that somebody has taken the time to understand you, listen to you and care for you.
When I look back at those first two experiences of Reiki, what stands out most isn't necessarily what the practitioners did with their hands.
It's how differently I felt.
The first time, I felt confused, uncomfortable and not particularly cared for.
The second time, I felt supported.
I felt held.
And at that point in my life, that meant more to me than I can probably explain.
I'd spent so much time looking after everybody else that I hadn't even thought about looking after myself.
I wouldn't say I was putting myself last.
I don't think I was thinking about myself at all.
That's why I put so much thought into the experience I create today.
The warmth of the bed, the oils, the foot ritual, the meditation, the choices you have, the conversation before and afterwards, and those little things you take away.
They're all part of it.
I want you to know that, for the time you're with me, you don't have to look after everybody else.
You don't have to solve anything.
You don't have to be anything for anybody.
You can just be you.
And let somebody look after you for a change.
Because ultimately, what I'd love you to leave feeling is that you've experienced a hug for your soul.
Your first Reiki session: quick answers
What happens in a first Reiki session?
At The Reiki One, your first appointment is a 90-minute Reiki Experience. It includes a wellbeing consultation, personalised essential oils, a foot cleansing ritual, a guided meditation, the Reiki treatment itself, and time afterwards to talk through what I experienced and what to do next.
Do you have to take your clothes off for Reiki?
No. You stay fully clothed throughout. You can also ask for a pillow under your knees, a weighted blanket, an extra blanket or an eye mask.
Does Reiki involve being touched?
Only if you want it to. I offer hands-on Reiki and hands-off Reiki, and you can change your mind at any point.
What does Reiki feel like?
Everyone's experience is different. Some people feel warmth, tingling or waves of energy. Others see colours or images behind their closed eyes, feel as though they are floating, or feel deeply relaxed. Some people fall asleep.
What if I fall asleep or can't switch my brain off?
That is completely fine. You don't have to concentrate, visualise anything or make yourself relax. Falling asleep is very common, and I take a snore as a compliment.
Do I have to believe in Reiki?
No. You can be curious, sceptical or nervous. I'll explain what I'm doing and respect whatever you make of the experience. Reiki is a complementary wellbeing practice and is not a replacement for medical care.
How long is a first Reiki appointment and how much does it cost?
A first appointment at The Reiki One is 90 minutes and costs £90.
What should I do after my first Reiki session?
Drink plenty of water, avoid alcohol and give yourself time to rest. Some people feel relaxed afterwards, some feel tired or emotional, some notice vivid dreams, and some feel much the same as usual.
Where can I have Reiki near Wilmslow, Bramhall or Cheadle?
I see clients at One Inner Beauty Studio, 12 to 14 South Street, Alderley Edge, Cheshire SK9 7ES, and welcome people from Wilmslow, Bramhall, Cheadle and the surrounding areas.
Your first Reiki Experience in Alderley Edge
If you've been curious about Reiki but weren't quite sure what to expect, I hope I've put your mind at rest.
My signature 90-minute Reiki Experience takes place at One Inner Beauty Studio in Alderley Edge, Cheshire.
I welcome clients from Wilmslow, Bramhall, Cheadle and the surrounding areas.
Your first appointment includes our wellbeing consultation, personalised essential oils, foot cleansing ritual, guided meditation, Reiki treatment and time afterwards to discuss your experience.
And, of course, all those little finishing touches.
You can find out more and book your first appointment here:
Put your soul in good hands.
Penelope x
Comments