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Preparing for and Experiencing a Reiki Session

Updated: Aug 11

Practitioner performing Reiki on a client lying on a massage table, hands hovering above the face in a calming, sunlit room.
A practitioner's hands hovering above a client during a Reiki session, channeling calm, restorative energy in warm natural light.

A Gentle Guide to Energy Healing at Confluence Breath & Bodywork



Reiki is a deeply calming and restorative energy healing practice that supports physical, emotional, and energetic balance. Whether you are new to Reiki or returning to the practice, understanding how to prepare and what to expect can help you receive the full benefit of your session.

At Confluence Breath & Bodywork, Reiki is offered in a trauma-informed, heart-centered environment, both in person in Bend, Oregon and virtually from the comfort of your home. This guide is here to help you arrive grounded, open, and supported throughout your Reiki experience.

Why Preparation Matters

Reiki works with the body's natural energy system to encourage relaxation, release energetic holding, and support nervous system regulation. Preparing mindfully before your session allows your body and mind to settle into a receptive state, supporting deeper rest and integration.

Reiki does not require effort, belief, or concentration, only openness and a willingness to receive.

How to Prepare for Your Reiki Session

Wear Comfortable Clothing

Dress in soft, breathable layers that allow you to relax fully while lying down. You will remain fully clothed throughout your Reiki session.

Hydrate Lightly

Drink water throughout the day leading up to your session. Avoid large amounts immediately beforehand so your body remains comfortable during rest.

Eat Light

A small, nourishing meal one to two hours before your session is ideal. Avoid caffeine or heavy foods that may distract from relaxation.

Set a Gentle Intention

You do not need to know exactly what you want to work on. Simply reflecting on qualities such as calm, clarity, grounding, or support can gently guide the session.

Arrive With an Open Mind

Every Reiki session is unique. Trust that your body and energy system will receive exactly what it needs, even if the experience feels subtle or different than expected.

Creating a Supportive Space

In-Person Reiki Sessions (Bend, Oregon)

If you are joining in person:

  • Arrive 10–15 minutes early to settle

  • You will lie comfortably on a massage table with support under the head and knees

  • Blankets and bolsters are provided

  • Gentle sound or essential oils may be offered if desired

Everything needed for a peaceful experience is provided. You are welcome to bring water or a journal if you choose.

Virtual Reiki Sessions

Distance Reiki is just as effective as in-person sessions. To prepare your space at home:

  • Choose a quiet place to lie down or sit comfortably

  • Use a blanket, pillow, or eye mask for comfort

  • Dim the lights or create soft lighting

  • Silence notifications and minimize interruptions

  • Use headphones if music or guided relaxation is included

  • Have water and a journal nearby

Log in a few minutes early to allow your body to settle.

What to Expect During a Reiki Session

Each Reiki session follows a gentle, intuitive flow designed to support safety and ease:

  • A brief welcome and check-in

  • Optional grounding or intention setting

  • Hands-on or hands-hovering Reiki energy transmission

  • Periods of quiet rest and energetic support

  • A closing rest and short reflection

You may close your eyes, relax, and simply receive. Reiki works quietly and intuitively, beyond the thinking mind.

Common Experiences During Reiki

Physical Sensations

  • Warmth or coolness beneath the practitioner's hands

  • Tingling, pulsing, or gentle waves of energy

  • A feeling of heaviness or lightness

  • Deep relaxation or falling asleep

Emotional Responses

  • A sense of peace, calm, or emotional release

  • Gentle emotions surfacing and passing

  • Feeling lighter or more spacious

Energetic Awareness

  • Awareness of energy moving through the body

  • Inner imagery or intuitive impressions

  • A sense of balance, harmony, or alignment

There is no need to interpret what you feel. Reiki meets you exactly where you are.

Choice, Consent, and Comfort

You are always in control of your experience. During your session, you are welcome to:

  • Speak or ask questions

  • Request adjustments

  • Change positions or take breaks

  • Share anything that arises

There is no pressure to feel anything specific. Reiki honors your natural rhythm and energetic capacity.

After Your Reiki Session

After Reiki, you may feel calm, energized, emotional, or deeply relaxed. These responses are all normal. We recommend:

  • Drinking water

  • Resting or moving gently

  • Journaling insights or sensations

  • Allowing space for continued integration

For deeper post-session support, visit After Reiki: Integration Guide, which offers gentle practices to support the days following your session.

Final Thoughts

Reiki is gentle, non-invasive, and deeply supportive. You do not need to do anything, only arrive and receive.

Healing does not always feel dramatic. Sometimes it looks like rest, stillness, or feeling safe enough to soften.

Your body knows how to heal. Reiki simply reminds it how.

Continue Your Reiki Journey

Reiki is most supportive when experienced with consistency and care.

If you feel called to receive ongoing support, whether for stress relief, emotional balance, or energetic grounding, you're welcome to explore upcoming sessions or book a private Reiki experience.

 
 
 

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