Discovering Reiki: The Energy of Healing and Connection

When I first encountered Reiki, I didn’t fully understand what it was. I had heard words like energy healing and universal life force, but they felt abstract and a little mysterious. Yet, something about Reiki called to me. I was already drawn to practices that cultivated awareness and connection, and Reiki seemed to hold a quiet power I couldn’t quite explain.

What I’ve since discovered is that Reiki is both beautifully simple and profoundly powerful. It’s a practice of channeling universal life energy, the same energy that flows through all living things, to support balance and healing on every level: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese healing modality that translates to “universal life energy.” It was developed in the early 20th century by Mikao Usui, who believed that when this energy flows freely, the body and mind are able to return to their natural state of harmony and wellness.

In a Reiki session, the practitioner acts as a channel for this healing energy, gently placing their hands on or just above the recipient’s body. There’s no manipulation, pressure, or diagnosis involved; Reiki simply flows where it’s needed most. Many people describe feeling warmth, tingling, deep relaxation, or even emotional release during a session. Others simply feel peaceful and calm, like being wrapped in a blanket of stillness.

But Reiki isn’t just about “fixing” something that’s wrong. It’s about restoring balance; bringing us back to ourselves. It invites us to pause, breathe, and receive.

My Journey with Reiki

My journey with Reiki began before I ever stepped onto the path of yoga teacher training. At the time, I was seeking healing and clarity; a way to understand my own energy and emotions on a deeper level. I didn’t yet have the language of chakras or energy channels, but I felt the pull toward something subtle, intuitive, and ancient.

During my first Reiki training, I remember feeling the pulsing in my palms for the first time, a gentle vibration that seemed to whisper, you are energy, and everything around you is too. It was both humbling and expansive, like waking up to a truth that had always been there.

As I began to practice on myself, I noticed quiet shifts unfolding in my life. My sleep deepened. My anxiety softened. My intuition sharpened in ways I couldn’t ignore. The more I worked with Reiki, the more I felt aligned; calmer in my mind, clearer in my purpose, more connected to something larger than myself.

Later, when I found my way to yoga teacher training, Reiki became the foundation that helped me understand energy flow within the body. It taught me to see yoga not just as movement, but as energy in motion; breath, awareness, and life force woven together. Reiki opened the door, and yoga helped me step fully into that space of embodiment and service.

Today, Reiki is woven into almost everything I do; from my personal morning rituals to how I hold space for students and clients. It has taught me that true healing doesn’t always come from “doing,” but from allowing.

The Benefits of Reiki

Reiki meets each person exactly where they are. Because it works with the body’s own energy system, its effects can be gentle yet deeply transformative.

Here are some of the many ways Reiki can support overall well-being:

1. Deep relaxation and stress relief: Reiki helps calm the nervous system, inviting the body into a state of rest and repair. Many people fall into a meditative or even sleep-like state during a session. This relaxation response can help lower heart rate, ease muscle tension, and reduce feelings of anxiety.

2. Emotional balance and clarity: Energy often carries emotion, and when it becomes stagnant, we may feel heavy or “stuck.” Reiki helps clear emotional blockages, supporting a greater sense of peace and clarity. Clients often share that they feel lighter, emotionally and energetically, after a session.

3. Pain management and physical support: While Reiki is not a replacement for medical care, it can complement traditional treatments beautifully. It’s been shown to help reduce pain and discomfort by promoting circulation and relaxation, which supports the body’s natural healing processes.

4. Improved sleep and vitality: By helping the body release tension and stress, Reiki encourages deeper rest and better sleep quality. Many people also report feeling more energized and refreshed after sessions.

5. Spiritual connection and inner awareness: Reiki isn’t tied to any religion, but it often opens the door to a deeper sense of connection; to oneself, to others, and to the world. It gently guides us back to our intuition, reminding us that healing begins from within.

Reiki as a Complementary Practice

Reiki integrates beautifully with other wellness modalities. In yoga, it deepens the mind-body connection. During meditation, it helps quiet mental chatter and expand awareness. Combined with sound healing, it amplifies the sense of vibrational harmony.

In my own practice, I often use Reiki intuitively, letting the energy guide where it’s needed most. Sometimes it’s focused around the heart space, where we hold emotion. Other times, it’s at the crown or root chakras, helping balance grounding and expansion. Each session is unique, and every person’s experience is different. That’s the beauty of energy work.

Receiving Reiki

You don’t need to “believe” in Reiki for it to work. The energy flows naturally, whether or not the mind fully understands it. What helps most is an open heart and willingness to receive.

During a session, you simply lie down or sit comfortably while the practitioner channels Reiki energy through light touch or by hovering their hands above the body. You may feel sensations of heat, tingling, waves of calm, or even emotional release. Sometimes it feels like nothing at all; just peaceful stillness. Whatever arises is perfect.

Afterward, it’s common to feel deeply relaxed, clear-minded, and balanced. Some people notice gentle physical detox symptoms or vivid dreams as the energy continues to integrate. Drinking water, resting, and grounding in nature afterward helps the process flow smoothly.

Becoming Attuned to Reiki

One of the most beautiful aspects of Reiki is that anyone can learn to work with it. Through a process called attunement, a Reiki Master opens your energy channels so you can connect directly to universal life force energy.

Once attuned, Reiki is always with you; it becomes a lifelong tool for self-care, balance, and growth. Whether you use it for yourself, loved ones, or to enhance your professional healing work, Reiki is an empowering and heart-centered practice that expands over time.

A Gentle Invitation

If you’re curious about Reiki, consider this your invitation to explore. You don’t need to have any experience with energy work or spirituality. Reiki meets you exactly where you are.

You might start by booking a session, or simply learning more about what it feels like. You might even find yourself drawn to a training or attunement someday. However it unfolds, trust the timing. Reiki has a way of arriving in our lives exactly when we’re ready for it.

For me, Reiki continues to be a reminder that healing is not about striving or fixing; it’s about remembering. Remembering that we are already whole, already connected, already enough.

When we slow down, open our hearts, and allow that universal energy to flow through us, everything softens. The mind quiets. The body releases. We return home; to peace, presence, and love.

Experience Reiki with Zen with Zegley

If you’re ready to experience the calm, clarity, and connection that Reiki brings, I invite you to book a session or attend an upcoming Reiki-infused class with Zen with Zegley.

Whether you’re seeking relaxation, energy balance, or simply a moment of stillness in your week, Reiki can help you reconnect to your natural state of harmony.

You can learn more or schedule your session at https://www.zenwithzegley.com/book-online. I would be honored to share this beautiful practice with you.