Journal · Healing

What is Reiki, and what does a Reiki session feel like?

Reiki is a gentle Japanese relaxation practice. You lie down fully clothed while the practitioner rests their hands lightly on or just above your body. Many people feel calm, warm or sleepy. You do not need to believe in it for a session to feel restful. At Marea, Reiki is offered online or in person in Gurugram.

Illustration of a calm treatment room with a cushioned table, folded blanket and plant beside a window looking out on a calm wave
The short answer

Reiki is a gentle Japanese relaxation practice. You lie down fully clothed while the practitioner rests their hands lightly on or just above your body. Many people feel calm, warm or sleepy. You do not need to believe in it for a session to feel restful. At Marea, Reiki is offered online or in person in Gurugram.

Reiki in Gurugram is offered as a gentle relaxation practice. You lie down fully clothed while the practitioner rests their hands lightly on, or just above, different parts of your body. Many people describe feeling calm, warm or sleepy during a session. It is a complementary practice for rest and reflection, not a medical treatment.


People often ask me what Reiki is before they book, and many are a little unsure about what will happen. This guide explains it simply, from what Reiki is to how a session feels and how to prepare.

What is Reiki, in simple words?

Reiki is a Japanese relaxation practice developed by Mikao Usui in the early twentieth century. The word is usually translated as "universal life energy".

In the Reiki tradition, the practitioner is seen as a channel for this energy, which is thought to support a sense of balance and calm. This is an idea from spiritual practice, not something science has measured. You do not need to accept it for a session to feel restful.

I began learning Reiki in 2019, after 16 years as a teacher.

What happens in a Reiki session?

A Reiki session is quiet and unhurried. You stay fully clothed and lie down, and I do most of the work.

How a session usually flows

  1. A short chat. I ask how you are feeling, what you would like from the session and whether there is anything I should know about your health.

  2. Lying down. You lie on a comfortable table or mat, with a pillow and a light blanket.

  3. Settling. We take a few slow breaths together, and you close your eyes if you like.

  4. The Reiki. I place my hands lightly on, or just above, a series of points from your head to your feet, staying a few minutes at each. Light touch is only ever with your permission, and I can keep my hands just above you the whole time if you prefer.

  5. Resting. You rest for a few minutes at the end.

  6. Coming back. You sit up slowly, have some water, and we talk briefly about how you feel.


There is no massage or pressure, and you can ask me to stop or change anything at any point.


What I notice in my sessions

"Some people come expecting to feel something big, and worry when they don't. What I see most often is simpler: shoulders drop, breathing slows and the face softens. Many of the people I see rarely lie down in the middle of the day without feeling guilty, and for a lot of them the most valuable part is simply having an hour where nobody needs anything from them."

This is a general observation from my practice, not a description of any one person.

What does a Reiki session feel like?

Everyone feels something a little different. Some people notice warmth or a gentle tingling where my hands are. Others feel heavy and very still, or drift into a light sleep.

Some people feel a little emotional during or after a session, and that is okay too. And some people simply feel relaxed without noticing anything in particular. There is no right experience to have.

Do I need to believe in Reiki for a session to feel relaxing?

No. You do not need any belief or experience. Many people come out of curiosity and enjoy it simply as a quiet hour to lie down and rest.

Come with an open mind, and notice whatever you notice. If you feel nothing special, that is fine.

Can Reiki be done online?

Yes. Reiki is offered online as well as in person in Gurugram. Online Reiki is often called distance Reiki.

For an online session, we connect briefly on a video call at the start to talk about how you are feeling. Then you lie down somewhere quiet at home while I offer Reiki from my space, and we reconnect at the end to talk about how it went.

Many people like online sessions because they can rest in their own room afterwards without travelling.

How long is a Reiki session, and how should I prepare?

The length of a Reiki session depends on what you need, and I will let you know the timing when you book. Wear loose, comfortable clothes. You do not need to undress.

Try this before your session

  • Eat lightly beforehand, so you are not hungry or too full.

  • Drink some water before and after.

  • Keep your phone on silent.

  • Leave a little free time afterwards to sit with how you feel.

Is Reiki safe, and who should tell me about a health condition?

Reiki is gentle and non-invasive, and most people find it comfortable. Still, please tell me before the session if you are pregnant, have had a recent injury or surgery, or have any ongoing health condition, so I can adapt the session for you.


Reiki does not replace any treatment you are having. Please keep up all your medical care and medication as advised by your doctor.

When to see a therapist or doctor

Reiki can be a calming pause, but it is not a substitute for care. Please speak to a therapist or doctor if:

  • worry, low mood or poor sleep has lasted a few weeks;

  • you feel overwhelmed most days, or it is affecting your work or relationships;

  • you have physical symptoms that have not been checked.


My daughter Avinii Taneja is a Counselling Psychologist at Marea and offers online therapy across India. You can read about therapy at Marea. If you would like a different kind of quiet hour, you might also enjoy reading what happens in a sound bath.


Energy healing is a complementary practice. It does not diagnose or treat any condition and is not a substitute for medical or psychological care.

Key takeaways

  • Reiki is a gentle Japanese relaxation practice where you lie fully clothed and rest.

  • Many people feel warm, calm or sleepy, and some feel nothing in particular. All of this is fine.

  • You do not need to believe in Reiki for it to feel restful.

  • Sessions are online or in person in Gurugram.

  • Reiki is a complementary practice and does not replace medical care or therapy.


If you would like a quiet hour to slow down, book a Reiki session with me, online or in person in Gurugram. WhatsApp Pooja on +91 96258 19367.


Questions

Is Reiki a religion?

No. Reiki is not linked to any religion and does not ask you to follow any beliefs. People of all faiths, and people with no particular faith, enjoy Reiki as a way to relax and rest. You are welcome exactly as you are.

Do I have to take my clothes off for Reiki?

No. You stay fully clothed throughout a Reiki session. Wear something loose and comfortable that you can lie down in. You may be asked to take off your shoes, and you can keep a light blanket over you if you feel cool.

What should I do after a Reiki session?

Take things slowly for a little while. Drink some water, eat something light if you are hungry and give yourself a few quiet minutes before going back to your day. Many people like to rest or go to bed early on the day of a session.

How many Reiki sessions do I need?

There is no fixed number. Some people come once to try it, while others like a session every few weeks as a regular pause for themselves. Notice how you feel after the first session and decide what suits you. There is no course you have to finish.

Where can I get Reiki in Gurugram?

At Marea Wellness, Pooja Taneja offers Reiki sessions in person in Gurugram and online across India. You can WhatsApp +91 96258 19367 to ask about available times and book a session that suits you.

Can Reiki help with anxiety or stress?

Many people describe feeling calmer after a Reiki session, and enjoy it as a time to rest. Reiki does not treat anxiety or any other condition. If stress or anxiety is affecting your daily life, please speak to a therapist or doctor, and you can enjoy Reiki alongside that care.

Pooja Taneja, Holistic Healer · · 5 min read

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