The appointment is booked. Tomorrow, a stranger will place their hands on or near your body for an hour. A friend recommended it, or curiosity won, or desperation did. Either way, the session is happening and the preparation is: what exactly?
Now the appointment is tomorrow and you have no idea what you are walking into.
This is normal. Most people arrive at their first Reiki session with more questions than answers. What will actually happen? What should I do? What if I do not feel anything? What if I feel something weird?
Here is what to expect, from walking in the door to walking out.
Before Your Session
Preparation for Reiki is minimal compared to other wellness appointments. You do not need to fast, abstain from anything, or do homework. But a few practical considerations will help you get the most from your session.
| Preparation Area | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Clothing | Loose, comfortable. You stay fully clothed. Yoga pants, soft shirt, no tight waistbands. |
| Food | Light meal 1-2 hours before. Not too full, not hungry. |
| Caffeine | Avoid immediately before if anxiety-prone. |
| Alcohol | Arrive sober. Interferes with energy work. |
| Phone | Silent or off. Leave in your bag. |
| Jewelry | Optional to remove. Ask your practitioner. |
| Arrival | 5-10 minutes early. Do not rush in stressed. |
If you wear contact lenses, consider bringing glasses. Some people find their eyes water during sessions. This is a release response and nothing to worry about, but wet contacts are uncomfortable.
The Intake Conversation
Your session will begin with a brief conversation. The practitioner wants to understand why you are there and whether you have any specific concerns.
Expect questions like: Have you had Reiki before? What brought you in today? Do you have any physical injuries or conditions I should know about? Are there areas of your body you prefer I avoid touching? Is there anything specific you want to focus on?
Be honest. If you are skeptical, say so. If you are dealing with grief, chronic pain, or anxiety, mention it. The practitioner is not going to judge you. They need context to serve you well.
This is also your chance to ask questions. How long will the session last? Will you touch me or hover above? What should I do if I need to cough, scratch, or use the bathroom? A good practitioner will put you at ease and explain their process.
Intake conversations usually take five to fifteen minutes.
The Session Room
Reiki happens in a quiet, private space. The setup varies by location, but common elements include a massage table or treatment table where you will lie down. Some practitioners work with clients seated in chairs, but lying down is more common.
Expect soft lighting. Bright fluorescents are not conducive to relaxation. You will likely see dimmed lamps, candles, or filtered natural light. Background music or silence depends on the practitioner. Some play gentle instrumental music or nature sounds. Others work in complete quiet. If you have a strong preference, ask beforehand.
The room should be warm enough that you can relax without getting cold. A blanket is often provided. The overall atmosphere should feel calm and safe. If something makes you uncomfortable, speak up before you begin.
What Happens During the Session
You will lie on your back on the table, fully clothed. A pillow supports your head. A bolster may go under your knees for comfort. A light blanket covers you.
Your practitioner will ask you to close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. Then they begin.
In traditional Usui Reiki, the practitioner places their hands in a series of positions on or slightly above your body. They typically start at the head and work down toward the feet, though sequences vary by practitioner and lineage. Each position is held for two to five minutes before moving to the next.
Touch is light. This is not massage. There is no pressure, no manipulation, no kneading. The practitioner’s hands simply rest in place. Some practitioners do not touch at all, keeping their hands an inch or two above your body throughout. Both approaches are legitimate. Ask in advance if you have a preference.
Common areas covered: head and face, temples, back of skull, throat and shoulders, chest and heart area, upper abdomen, lower abdomen, hips, legs, and feet. You may be asked to turn over so the practitioner can work on your back, though many sessions are done entirely face-up.
A typical session lasts 60 to 90 minutes, including intake and closing conversation. The hands-on portion is usually 45 to 60 minutes.
Your job during the session is to do nothing. You do not need to visualize anything, pray, meditate, or try to make something happen. Just lie there. Breathe normally. Let your mind wander. Fall asleep if you can. The practitioner handles the energy work. You receive.
What You Might Feel
This is the question everyone asks. What will I actually feel?
What will you feel? It varies enormously. Some people feel dramatic sensations. Some feel subtle shifts. Some feel nothing physical at all. None of these responses means the session worked or failed.
| Sensation | What It Means |
|---|---|
| Warmth from practitioner's hands | Most common report. Indicates energy flow. Normal even when hands hover without touching. |
| Tingling or buzzing | Energy movement. Often felt in hands, feet, or area being worked on. |
| Heaviness, sinking feeling | Deep relaxation response. Your body letting go. |
| Lightness, floating | Also relaxation. Some people feel expansion rather than heaviness. |
| Muscle twitches | Tension releasing. Common in legs, face, shoulders. Let it happen. |
| Stomach gurgling | Digestive system activating during relaxation. Practitioners hear this constantly. Not embarrassing. |
| Sudden temperature shifts | Feeling hot or cold in specific areas. Energy moving or releasing. |
| Emotional waves, tears | Very common. Does not mean you are sad. Represents release. Let it flow. |
| Vivid imagery or colors | Some people see colors, scenes, or have memories surface. Normal. |
| Nothing noticeable | Also normal. Effects may be subtle or emerge later. Does not mean it did not work. |
Most important: whatever you experience is okay. There is no correct response. Your body processes energy in its own way.
After the Session
Your practitioner will let you know when they are finished, usually with a gentle word or light touch on your shoulder. Take your time getting up. You may feel groggy, spacey, or deeply relaxed. Sit on the edge of the table for a moment before standing.
Drink water. Practitioners universally recommend this. Hydration supports whatever your body is processing.
Your practitioner may ask about your experience and share any observations. They might have noticed areas that felt particularly active or blocked. This conversation is optional but can be helpful.
In the hours after your session, pay attention to how you feel. Some people feel energized. Some feel tired and want to rest. Some notice emotional shifts, vivid dreams that night, or physical sensations in the days following. These are all normal integration responses. Nothing special is required afterward, but avoiding intense exercise, alcohol, and stressful activities for the rest of the day can help. Give yourself space to be quiet if possible.
How Many Sessions Do You Need?
One session can provide benefit: relaxation, stress relief, a sense of peace. But Reiki often works cumulatively. Many practitioners recommend a series of three to four sessions, spaced one to two weeks apart, to address a specific issue or establish a baseline.
After that, frequency depends on your goals. Some people come weekly for ongoing support. Some come monthly for maintenance. Some come only when they feel they need it. There is no prescription. Your body and your circumstances guide the decision.
If you feel nothing after one session, consider trying two or three more before concluding Reiki is not for you. Sometimes the effects are subtle at first and build over time. Sometimes a different practitioner is a better match for your energy.
Finding a Practitioner in NYC
New York City has hundreds of Reiki practitioners working in dedicated wellness centers, yoga studios, spas, and private offices. You will find options across all five boroughs, though the concentration is highest in Manhattan and Brooklyn.
In Manhattan, wellness centers cluster around Union Square, the Flatiron District, and the Upper West Side. Brooklyn has a thriving holistic health community in neighborhoods like Park Slope, Williamsburg, and Carroll Gardens. Queens practitioners often work in Astoria and Long Island City. Some practitioners operate from dedicated studio spaces; others see clients in shared wellness offices or their own homes.
When choosing a practitioner, ask about their training and lineage. A legitimate practitioner can tell you who trained them and what level they have reached. Level 2 or higher is appropriate for professional practice.
Ask about their style. Do they touch or hover? Do they use music? How long are sessions? What is the cost? Manhattan practitioners generally charge between $100 and $175 for a 60-minute session, with outer borough rates running somewhat lower. Package deals and first-time discounts are worth asking about.
Trust your intuition when selecting. Many practitioners offer brief consultations or can answer questions by phone before you book. If something feels off, try someone else. The relationship between practitioner and client matters in energy work.
Managing Expectations
Reiki is not a miracle cure. One session will not fix chronic illness, resolve deep trauma, or change your life overnight. If a practitioner promises dramatic results, be skeptical.
What Reiki can reliably offer: deep relaxation, temporary relief from stress and anxiety, a sense of peace and wellbeing, and space for your body’s natural healing processes. For many people, that is enough. For some, the effects go deeper over time.
Approach your first session with openness rather than expectation. You are not trying to achieve anything. You are allowing yourself to receive. That receptivity, more than any technique or belief, is what makes a session successful.
Whatever happens on that table is exactly what was supposed to happen for you, in that moment. Trust that. And if you leave feeling a little lighter, a little more yourself, then the session did its job.
After Your Session
Most practitioners recommend taking it easy after Reiki. Drink water. Avoid intense exercise or stressful activities for a few hours if possible. Some people feel energized; others feel deeply relaxed or even sleepy. Both responses are normal.
Realistic timeline: Immediate effects typically last a few hours to a day. You may sleep better that night. Some people notice shifts in mood or energy over the following 2-3 days. Dramatic, life-changing transformation from a single session is uncommon. if that is your expectation, adjust it.
How to evaluate your session: Before your appointment, note your stress level, sleep quality, and any specific complaints on a simple 1-10 scale. Check again 24-48 hours after. Movement of even 1-2 points is a signal worth noticing. No movement after one session is not conclusive. most practitioners suggest 3 sessions minimum before deciding whether Reiki works for you.
If emotions surface after a session, let them. Reiki can sometimes release things you were holding without realizing it. This is generally considered a healthy part of the process, though it can feel uncomfortable.
Common First-Session Mistakes
Expecting too much. One session provides data, not transformation. Treat it as an experiment, not a cure.
Analyzing during the session. Trying to figure out “is this working?” while it is happening pulls you out of the receptive state. Let go of evaluation until afterward.
Scheduling stressful activities immediately after. Jumping into a work call or crowded subway can undo the relaxation. Build buffer time when possible.
Judging based on what you felt on the table. Some people feel dramatic sensations; others feel almost nothing. Post-session effects matter more than in-session fireworks.
Accessibility and Special Needs
Most practitioners can accommodate various needs with advance notice. If you use a wheelchair, have mobility limitations, or cannot lie flat, mention this when booking. Many practitioners offer seated sessions or can adjust their approach.
If you have sensory sensitivities, ask about the environment. Can they skip the music? Dim the lights differently? Use unscented products? Good practitioners adapt to client needs.
Language services vary. Most NYC practitioners work primarily in English, but you can find practitioners who speak Spanish, Mandarin, and other languages if you search specifically.
Cancellation Policies
Most practitioners require 24 to 48 hours notice for cancellations. Late cancellations or no-shows typically incur a fee, often 50% to 100% of the session cost. This is standard across the wellness industry. Confirm the policy when you book.
Questions That Come Up
Will I feel anything during the session?
Most people feel deep relaxation. Many report warmth from the practitioner’s hands, tingling sensations, or a feeling of heaviness or lightness. Some people feel nothing unusual but still benefit from the rest. Experience varies widely.
What if I fall asleep?
This is common and completely fine. Many practitioners consider it a sign that your body needed deep rest. You will still receive the benefits.
Should I tip my Reiki practitioner?
Practices vary. In spa settings, tipping is often expected. For practitioners with private practices, tipping is less common but appreciated. When in doubt, ask or offer. There is no universal rule.
How is this different from meditation?
In meditation, you actively work with your own attention. In Reiki, you receive while the practitioner works. Both produce relaxation, but Reiki involves external facilitation and the practitioner-client relationship.
Can I eat before a session?
A light meal is fine. Avoid heavy meals right before, as lying down on a full stomach can be uncomfortable. Some practitioners recommend avoiding alcohol or caffeine that day.
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Reiki is a complementary practice and should not replace professional medical treatment. If you have a health condition, consult a licensed healthcare provider before beginning any new wellness practice.