COMMON QUESTIONS (HANDS-ON REIKI THERAPY)
WHAT IS HANDS-ON REIKI
Hands-On Reiki is where you attend you reiki session in person and where your Reiki Practitioner connects you to the Reiki by placing their hands directly on your body in either a series of prescribed hand positions or using Intuitive Guidance about where the Reiki is most needed on your body.
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As a Reiki Practitioner practicing the traditional system of Reiki as taught in the Komyo Reiki Do system, I use Intuitive Guidance rather than a set of prescribed positions.
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HOW SHOULD I PREPARE FOR MY FIRST REIKI TREATMENT?
If you want to make the most of your Reiki Therapy session, it is recommended that prior to your session you try have an early night's rest and avoid consuming alcohol or drugs (other than in the ordinary course or physician prescribed medication).
The reason for this is that Reiki works on what it deems to be a priority and if you are suffering from temporary fatigue due to a late night or the after-affects of alcohol or drugs, that may be what the Reiki focusses on, rather than moving into more long-term, deeper healing.
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Having said that, Reiki Therapy is your Gift to yourself, so it is entirely your choice what you choose to do prior to any session.
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WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISTANCE REIKI AND HANDS-ON REIKI THERAPY
Whether you have Hands-On Reiki Therapy or Distance Reiki Therapy, the Reiki you receive is the same.
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The only real differences between Hands-On Reiki and Distance Reiki is that for Distance Reiki you do not attend in person.
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However, some clients prefer one more than the other for various reasons. Read more on the Benefits of Hands-On Reiki Therapy and the Benefits of Distance Reiki Therapy.
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WHAT TO I WEAR FOR MY REIKI SESSION?
It is recommended that you wear loose, comfortable clothing that is appropriately cool or warm for the weather (keeping in mind that your temperature tends to drop when lying down in a relaxed state)
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Metals can interfere with the flow of the Energy so it is recommended that you do not wear jewellery or a watch to your session or that you take them off before commencing your session.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST REIKI SESSION?
In a standard treatment, Reiki is drawn by you (using the Reiki Pracititioner a conduit between you and the Reiki).
The Reiki Practitioner's hands are placed on various set positions on your body (mainly on the head and torso) to essentially plug you in to the Reiki.
You will usually lie on a massage table but treatments can also be given while you are seated or even standing if for any reason, you are not able to lie on the table.
You will remain fully clothed for the Reiki session and a light blanket may be placed over you to keep you at a comfortable temperature.
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Read more about what you can expect with 'Hands-On Reiki Therapy'.
DO I NEED TO TAKE MY CLOTHES OFF FOR MY REIKI SESSION?
No, you remain fully clothed at all times for a Reiki Therapy session.
WHY DO SOME REIKI PRACTITIONERS HOVER THEIR HANDS IN A REIKI THERAPY SESSION?
'Hovering' over the Reiki positions (as opposed to the Practitioner placing their hands directly on the recipient's body) is a modification and adaptation of original Reiki Therapy Practice as taught by Reiki Founder Mikao Usui. It is believed that Practitioners began to hover rather than apply their handly directly on the body to cater for modern sensitivities.
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Hands-On Reiki is recommended as it allows direct connection between the recipient and the Reiki. Read more about why hands-on Reiki is best practice.
WHY DO SOME REIKI PRACTITIONERS TIME THE REIKI HAND POSITIONS?
Timing of hand positions is a recent modification and adaptation of the original practice of Reiki Therapy. It is not recommended for optimum results from Reiki Therapy. This has occurred in 'Western' systems of Reiki where they are taught set hand positions. In Traditional Japanese Reiki, the hand positions are ascertained intuitively by the Practitioner based on the unique energy needs of each client.
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You energy body innately knows how much Reiki you need for each position and this will change with every session. What you need compared to what another person needs will be very different as we all have own own individual and unique physical, mental, psychological and spiritual needs. It is not for the Reiki Practitioner to get involved in that process and potentially 'cut-off' the Reiki before you have drawn all you need from it.
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Learn more about 'How Reiki works' and why 'flexible timing of the Reiki hand positions' is recommended.
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IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO DO AFTER MY REIKI THERAPY SESSION?
Reiki promotes energy shifts and detoxification and accordingly, it is important to be gentle with yourself after your Reiki Therapy session and in the days that follow. It is important to keep your elecrolyte levels up, stay well hydrated and help flush your system.
It is recommended that after your Reiki Therapy session, you drink lots of water, add good quality salt to your meals (such as Himalayan Pink salt or Celtic salt), have a warm bath or shower before bed and try to have a quiet and early night.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST SESSION?
Whilst most clients find Reiki relaxes and uplifts them and they feel wonderful in the days following their session, some clients can experience some uncomfortable side effects for a short period as the Energy shifts and adjusts and moves things that no longer serve them. For more details, you can read more about the possible side effects of Reiki.​
WHAT IS ZENSHIN KEKKO
This technique is optional at the end of your hands-on Reiki session. It will be demonstrated to you, using a proxy, before your Reiki session commences and you have the option to opt-in or out based on your health condition/s, injuries and comfort level. This gentle technique is performed whilst the client is fully clothed.
Zenshin Kekko (also known as Zenshin Ketueki Kokan Ho) is an original Reiki technique used in Usui Reiki Ryoho by Mikao Usui designed to help circulate blood flow. Traditionally it was used as either a stand-alone Reiki treatment or after each hands-on Reiki Session. It is a powerful way to end a Reiki session after receiving all that Reiki to circulate the blood. It is also a way to help a client 'come back' into the room after a deeply relaxing hands-on Reiki session.
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Traditionally, Reiki consisted of not only hands-on techniques, but also of firm patting, stroking and very gentle pushing and light pulling. Zenshin kekko is a combination of these and whilst it is a Reiki technique (it is not a massage), it may be likened to massage in the sense that there is movements in the hand actions of the Reiki Practitioner on the client's clothed body as it is designed to circulate energy and blood.
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It is important to note that Fiona Phillips is not trained in massage, this is a Traditional Japanese Reiki technique and if for any reason you have any condition or ailment where a massage-like technique is not advised or is considered a contraindication (including diabetes and some cancers), it is your obligation to opt-out of this technique in your session. If for any reason you are unsure, please consult you treating physician before opting-in for this technique, otherwise it is best to opt-out of this technique until you have obtained the physicians approval.