What to expect from energy healing (REIKI)

by Misako Lauritzen

The first time can be intimidating especially for people like me who are logical-minded.

I was there with you before I had taken a dive to experience what it could do for me. Today I wanted to take the time to explain what you can expect from energy healing. I hope in the end I will be able to remove some of the anxieties that you may have.

1. Practitioners do not have superpowers.

We do not possess any kind of super or magical powers. Some say they do, and it is great for them, but I sure do not. Practitioners like myself are trained to channel universal life force (energy) into a client so it may awaken natural healing abilities that the client herself possesses. I also believe that practitioners are highly disciplined individuals who maintain physical, emotional, and spiritual balances with daily practices such as healthy eating habits, working out, and meditation.

2. Energy healing is not a form of religion.

Energy healing is not affiliated with any kind of religious practices and do not require you to participate in any belief system, except for a belief in yourself! Some people ask whether taking part in energy healing may be in conflict with their religious faith. I can assure you that people with any religious background can benefit from energy healing without violating their faiths. Practitioners, in fact, do not and should not ask you to do anything that you are not comfortable with.

3. Practitioners do not and should not ask you to do anything that you are not comfortable with.

I said this before, and I will say it again. For instance you can request the practitioner not to touch your body directly. In energy healing such as reiki we channel energy through your chakras and joints, and often practitioners' hands are applied directly on the client's body. If you are not comfortable with physical touch, let the practitioner know that you prefer not to be touched. Reiki can be performed either hands-on or -off, and it will not diminish the benefits of it either way. Once I had a specific form of reiki performed on me in which a group of practitioners stood a distance away from me channeling energy, with me lying on the floor. I still got the maximum benefit.

4. You bring your intention to the table, and let the healing take care of the rest.

Your intention makes a big difference, so, before we meet, we ask you some questions to identify what you would like to get out of the session. Contemplating on your intention begins the healing process for you. Your knowing what you intend to accomplish, instead of vaguely hoping to feel better, brings you closer to the goal even before the session takes place.


During the Reiki session, the practitioner channels energy through seven chakras and joints, starting with the crown chakra and working all the way to the root chakra. While the practitioner works, the client will be lying down on her back. It is not uncommon for people to fall asleep within the first few minutes of a reiki session. It is one of the great benefits of reiki; it relaxes the most tense and anxiety-ridden people and puts them to sleep! 

Do not worry and enjoy the slumber. Practitioners have no problem working on a client while you are asleep. Healing energy can work its way through, whether you are awake or not.

When the session is done, the practitioner can gently wake you. Make sure to drink lots of water; the healing process continues even after you go home. 

I hope this post has done something to put you at ease for your first Reiki appointment. Should you be interested in Reiki, join us on December 14th from 10a.m. to 2p.m. at our Anaheim and Pasadena locations offering 30 min. sessions to the community. Please note that all our Reiki sessions are by appointment only.  If you have any concerns, you can always contact us or visit our website at www.shizen-health.com, and we will do our best to answer any questions you may have!