Beginner's Guide to Reiki

What is Reiki?

Reiki is a gentle, hands-on healing practice and a powerful form of stress reduction. During a session, the recipient can fully relax and enter a meditative state while the practitioner uses light touch and intentional hand placements on and around the body. The word “Reiki” comes from the Japanese words rei (universal) and ki (life energy). By channeling high-vibrational energy, Reiki helps restore balance, support the natural flow of life force (also called chi or qi), and encourage deep physical, emotional, and spiritual relaxation. Originating in Japan in the early 20th century, Reiki is now widely practiced in the West as a complementary approach for pain management, stress relief, and overall well-being.

How Does Reiki Work?

Reiki is a form of energy work that draws upon a specific healing lineage. Energy surrounds and flows through us constantly, forming the basis of our physical, emotional, and spiritual being—including the aura, which can be thought of as an energetic “bubble” around the body. This protective field is reminiscent of the amniotic sac that surrounds a fetus in the womb, offering security and nourishment as life develops. After birth, this protective sense remains in a more subtle, energetic form. Reiki supports and revitalizes this energy field, helping the body, mind, and emotions to restore balance, release tension, and promote self-healing.

What to Expect During a Reiki Session

During a session, the client enters a relaxed, receptive state while the practitioner works with both the physical body and the surrounding energy field. Light touch is applied to key areas, often along chakras or meridians, as well as above the body in the aura. Clients may notice sensations such as warmth, tingling, or waves of relaxation, and some experience visual impressions, emotional release, or a deep sense of alignment between body, mind, and spirit. The ultimate goal is stress reduction, enhanced well-being, and a strengthened connection to your inner self.

Reiki and the Heart

Reiki is deeply connected to the heart, both as the physical organ and as the energetic center of compassion, presence, and alignment. Here in Kansas City—the literal heart of the nation—this practice resonates with the idea of balance at the center of complex systems. Reiki gently supports the heart by harmonizing both binary and nonbinary flows within our bodies: the simple and complex rhythms that carry stress, tension, and unspoken emotion. In this space, the heart becomes a refuge, receiving energy that transforms restlessness into calm, and silence into clarity. By focusing on the heart, Reiki encourages integration—allowing the mind, body, and spirit to realign while fostering a deep sense of inner peace and openness.

Clients are welcome to remain clothed, wear a robe, or be lightly covered under sheets during the session, ensuring comfort and privacy throughout the experience.