What to Expect During Your First Reiki Session

If you’re considering scheduling your first Reiki session, you're in the right place. You probably have some questions regarding how it works, what it feels like, is it worth it, and generally what to expect during your first experience. This article outlines all the basic information you’ll want to know, so when you go to book your first Reiki session you’ll feel confident, informed, and ready to relax.

Reiki is a soothing and healing energy practice with origins in Japan. It soothes your nervous system and balances your ki (or chi). At the end of a session, clients express feelings such as calmer, more energized, and at peace than when they initially walked into the studio. This is because the energetic warmth of the Reiki practitioner’s hands activates your parasympathetic nervous system, nicknamed “rest and digest”.

In your day to day life, your body produces chemicals to keep you moving and motivated. For example, if your boss sends you an email with a long list of difficult tasks to complete with an urgent deadline, you’ll begin to feel stressed which in turn motivates you to get the work done. This is an evolutionary protective instinct of your body. In life or death situations, such as running out of a burning building or exerting superhuman strength to save another’s life in a car crash, you need this instinct in order to survive. However, if you experience prolonged periods of stress or adrenaline rushes, you’ll need to replenish your energy to avoid burnout. Additionally, if you experience burnout for a prolonged period of time, it can lead to more serious issues. This is why it’s important to remember to step back energetically to replenish and restore. For example, if you’ve ever spent a day at the beach something that might have previously been bothering you feels like a smaller matter or perhaps you suddenly arrive at a creative and practical solution to the matter at hand.

Reiki’s healing nature is rooted in its ability to calm your nervous system. When your parasympathetic nervous system is activated, your body’s natural ability to heal itself is heightened. This is due to the fact that the systems of your body (ie cardiovascular, respiratory, and endocrine) are being distributed more supportive resources. Also, your digestion improves, so you might notice some stomach gurgles. That’s a good sign that your nervous system is resetting. You might also notice some little twitches. This is another good sign that your nervous system is resetting. Your mind and body are intrinsically connected, so emotions and memories are not only stored in your brain but also in your muscles. Every emotion has some form of physical reaction. If you’re experiencing joy, you’ll smile. If you’re sad, you might cry. If you’re feeling vulnerable, you’ll probably contract into a more condensed body position. This is why some people do have emotional experiences during a Reiki session. The gentle somatic qualities of Reiki can aid in the processing of bottled up emotions or long held tension due to traumatic situations a client may have experienced recently or several years ago. For example, if you’ve experienced some form of heartache, you may feel tension in your chest. The soothing qualities of Reiki can help to lighten and relieve that somatic expression of the emotion you might be managing.

A private Reiki session at Sacred Practice Reiki Studio is facilitated on a massage table. You remain fully clothed for the whole session (typically 1 hour) and you can opt for a blanket for additional warmth as it is not uncommon for your body temperature to drop slightly as you relax. Each client is asked if you are okay with essential oils before the session begins. If yes, at Sacred Practice Reiki Studio, your session will always start with a light lavender mist to signal to your nervous system, it’s time to settle in for some well needed r&r. Then, you’ll be guided through a brief progressive relaxation to continue the settling in process. During the majority of your session, a trained Reiki practitioner will utilize gentle touch and light hoovering. The practitioner’s hands generally remain quite warm which adds to the soothing nature of your appointment. In your first session, you might not find yourself as relaxed as follow up appointments, because your subconscious mind is learning to become comfortable with the new environment and experience. However, over time and with consistent attendance, your body will learn to trust the space and practitioner. Many regular clients (typically attending once a month) drift in and out of sleep during a session. As your mind and body reenter these deeper states of awareness, over time the neural pathways of your brain adjust. This is the concept of neuroplasticity. With dedication, you can retrain your mind to access more relaxed states and clearer thinking more readily and more frequently. This can have vast and lasting positive impacts on your life.

At Sacred Practice Reiki Studio, approximately 10-15 minutes of singing bowls are included in your session, which adds to the rejuvenating effects you’ll experience. Allison, the owner and founder of Sacred Practice, likes to refer to the sound healing portion as “the icing on the cake.” Reiki soothes the systems of your body and the hand hammered Tibetan singing bowls shift your brainwaves into a more meditative state, bringing you a sense of serene clarity. Bowls may even be placed on your body if you feel comfortable with this and the practitioner feels intuitively drawn to do so. Healers have used Tibetan singing bowls in the Himalayas to realign frequencies and vibrations of the body all the way down to the molecular level for centuries.

As the Reiki practitioner at Sacred Practice gently guides you back to a more wakeful state with a few deep breaths, you’ll have a moment to savor the peace you’ve cultivated by choosing to carve out the time to replenish and restore your energies. On your way out you’ll be offered tea (herbal and caffeinated options are available in to go cups). If you choose to forgo the tea it is recommended to drink some water after a session to hydrate.

If you are still contemplating if now is the right time to set up an appointment, it’s worth considering for a moment how you’ve been feeling lately. It can be very easy to talk yourself out of some well needed rest, because there are so many things on your to-do lists, or life is just so busy there’s no time in the day.

First, take a deep breath and then here are some questions to consider with yourself:

• How have my energy levels been this week?

• Am I currently feeling burnt out?

• Do I feel like I have a lot on my plate currently? When was the last time I indulged in some supportive self care?

If I take the time to balance my energies with a session, do I feel I will be able to show up more fully for the people, events, and/or commitments I care about most in my life?

When you take time to reset and center, it brings mental and emotional clarity. This then ripples out into all areas of your life and has a positive impact on those you interact with on a day to day basis. Energy connects and with restful self care you infuse vibrancy and vitality most importantly into yourself (mind, body, and spirit) as well as everything and everyone that is in connection with you.

Sacred Practice Reiki Studio is currently located in South City (3615 McCausland Ave. Saint Louis, MO 63109). There is a small parking lot adjacent to the studio that is free to utilize. It’s recommended to arrive wearing comfortable clothes and to silence your phone and any other devices before you begin your session. Some people arrive after work. Some people come in on their day off. Some find they prefer evening appointments to prolong the relaxation they gain from their Reiki session. Others find morning appointments help start their day off aligned.

A first time appointment, as of October 2026, is $95 (with a $25 deposit at sign up). If you find you really enjoy your session, a monthly VIP Membership is available. With the membership subscription you save on Reiki sessions, have free attendance to the monthly Sound Bath Journey, and can cancel at any time through your profile on the Sacred Practice website.

To schedule your first Reiki and Sound Healing session, click the button below. We’d be happy to support you in your wellness journey.

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