For a classic full Reiki treatment, the catcher is lying down, usually on a massage table. It is advisable to wear loose and comfortable clothes during treatment and remove metal objects such as watch, bracelet, jewellery and glasses.
The Reiki practitioner takes a few moments to enter a meditative calm state and mentally prepare for the session, which takes place without unnecessary verbal exchanges.
The practitioner places his hands on or above the recipient’s body, in various positions. Some practitioners do not touch the recipient, and the hands are placed a few inches from the body, for all or part of the session. Hands remain in position for 3 to 5 minutes before moving on to the next position. Overall, the positions of the hands will cover the head, arms, front and back of the torso, legs and feet. The entire session lasts 45 to 90 minutes depending on the problem to be treated, the receiver’s let go or the practitioner’s feeling.
Some practitioners use a pre-established set of positions, while others follow their intuition and are guided to where the care is needed. They sometimes begin the care with an “energy scan” of the receiver to locate these areas. The intuitive approach also leads to staying in a position for periods much shorter or longer than 3 minutes. In general the recipient feels heat and/or tingling in the treated area, even if the practitioner does not touch it. The most immediate felt effects are a state of deep relaxation and a general feeling of well-being, although emotional discharges can occur. There may also be localised pain, signaling a healing crisis. But they disappear spontaneously at the end of the session.
Although improvements can be felt from the first session, several sessions are often necessary to allow the organisation to rebalance itself. A series of three or more sessions, usually at intervals of 1 to 7 days, is recommended in case of dysfunction is chronic.
It is also important to bring sessions together over time. In the absence of a health problem, regular care is recommended to maintain a good general condition.