Reiki is a gentle, hands-on, energy practice rooted in ancient Japan, shared through generations, to continue today. The Reiki practitioner will put their hands gently on your body - or hover slightly above the body if preferred. During a session, I am  a channel for the Reiki healing energy, which is believed to help the body shift into a deep state of relaxation, similar to meditation. Most clients say they feel calmer, lighter and more at ease afterwards. Science has not yet identified how Reiki works or why it produces these effects. Reiki is not a substitute for medical care. What is documented is that in recent wellness studies, people that got real reiki had better results than those receiving fake reiki. They did not know if they had a real practitioner or not, but their testimony after the reiki session confirmed that reiki worked. We know that relaxation and stress reduction have real, well-documented benefits for the body and mind, and that's the experience most clients come back for. 

Distance Reiki is based on the idea that energy is not limited by physical space or time, so a session can be offered to you no matter where you are in the world. During a scheduled session, I focus my attention and channel Reiki energy toward you, either through the phone or using a picture of you. I  hold you in my mind, and go through the hand positions, sending you Reiki, just as I would if you were in the room.  Again, there is no scientifically proven mechanism explaining how distance Reiki works, and it hasn't been rigorously studied the way in-person treatments have. What clients consistently report, though, is a genuine sense of relaxation and calm during their scheduled session - even thousands of miles away - which is why so many return for it. You would be lying down or relaxing in a recliner chair during your scheduled session. 

Everyone experiences a session differently, but common signs during or after a distance session include feeling warmth, tingling, or a feeling of relaxation. Some clients notice right away and others take time to relax and start to feel more at ease. Many clients say they slept much better that night or felt calmer the following day or two.  It's normal to feel nothing dramatic - relaxation does not always have obvious physical signs. I always follow up after a session so we can talk through what you noticed, if anything, and adjust future sessions accordingly. Always drink extra water after Reiki sessions to help move the energy and flush your body. 

In every session we start with what brought in and if there is any specific area you feel needs some clearing/relaxing. A brief talk to explain that I will ask how you are feeling, do you have any questions, and I will ask you to have a few sips of water and then lay comfortably on the Reiki treatment table. I will do a body scan, with my hands, and then start at the top of your head and work my way down your body to your feet, placing my hands in various spots on your body. I will scan your body again to finish. I will ask if you want me to go to any area again and then allow you to lay still and enjoy the relaxation a few minutes before sitting up. I will offer you some water again and ask you to share how you are feeling. That's it.  The next day I will contact you to see how you are doing and send you a link to share the experience of  your session. 

This is as individual as each person. Many clients like to start with a session each week for 3-4 weeks to rebalance themselves and feel good again. Once they have the initial 4 sessions, they come once a month or every 2 months to reset and enjoy the relaxation of the session. Everyone is different and responds differently, so it is up to the individual how often they want to come for a session. It also depends on what is going on in your life at the moment - many clients come more often if they are going through stressful events, like starting a new school year in college or university, starting a new job, just transitioning to a new area or to give themselves a reward for something they accomplished. Everyone has their own reasons for coming for a Reiki session. You can also gift a session to someone for their birthday, anniversary or any occasion. 

 If the Reiki practitioner does not display their certificates you can ask to see them or ask where they got their training. A qualified Reiki practitioner should be able to share which type of Reiki they were trained in, their level (Reiki I, II, III, Master or Master Instructor/Teacher) and some information about their training program or lineage. Some Reiki practitioners are members of organizations that have set standards and mission statements. It is not a requirement to belong to any group. I am a member of the Center for Reiki Research, which is a  group that shares information from the latest research, has regular, informative webinars and has online conferences for education about Reiki by qualified Reiki practitioners, scientists, teachers and doctors that work with them. I am qualified in Usui Reiki at the Master Instructor Level. I continue to take Reiki courses to learn more and be of more service to my clients. There are also websites for Canada and International Reiki practitioners that have memberships requiring them to uphold a code of ethics and regulation standards. In Canada there is the Canadian Reiki Association,  Canadian Reiki Association  and there is also the International Center for Reiki Training.

The ICRT has members from Canada and world wide.   As of 2026 there are no set standards or regulatory bodies governing the practice of Reiki in Canada. There is no "better" style of Reiki or lineage. All Reiki came from Dr. Mikao Usui and it has been taught all over the world. I believe Reiki practitioners, especially those that teach Reiki, should have in-person training for some of their certification, which is the  standard set by the Canadian Reiki Association. I have had all my levels of Reiki taught in person and am just now going to take some online training, as I want to learn from specific Masters that I can't meet in person for their classes. 

In short, yes! Reiki does no harm. Reiki will only go where it is welcome so if someone is not comfortable to have reiki and does not wish to receive it, they won't.  Reiki is a gentle, non-invasive practice with no known negative side effects. Since it involves light or no touch, it's considered safe for people of all ages-including children, pregnant women, and those who are frail or recovering from illness or surgery. That being said, Reiki is meant to complement your existing healthcare, not replace it. If you have a medical condition please continue to follow your doctor's care and treatment plan, adding Reiki as a supplement.