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Distance Reiki Explained: How Remote Energy Healing Works and Why It’s Effective

Reiki is an ancient energy healing practice designed to restore balance to the body and mind. While many are familiar with in-person sessions, Reiki can also be effectively performed remotely through Distance Reiki. This blog will explain how Distance Reiki works, its benefits, and how to prepare for a session, supported by credible sources.


woman meditating at the beginning of her distance reiki session with laptop

What is Distance Reiki?


Distance Reiki is a method of energy healing that transcends physical proximity, allowing practitioners to channel healing energy to clients regardless of location. This practice is rooted in the understanding that energy is not confined by time or space. Although this concept has always existed as a facet of Reiki, it has become increasingly popular since 2020 as people around the world opened their minds to trying out new ways of doing things in general, but has since grown in popularity as large parts of the spiritual healing community witnessed just how effective these methods could be when performed at a distance (many practitioners and clients stating they now actually find distance healing to be even more effective for transforming subtle energies than in person, possibly due to the lack of influence from external physical factors and energies that would be present for an in-person session).


It does make sense that energy healing would lend itself to this type of practice. Part of the initiatic path for practitioners, after all, involves a reframing of beliefs to view the world and the people within it as a collection of energy fields interacting with each other, making the recipient’s energy influenceable by energy channeled through the hands as well as energy channeled through the mind (because yes…thoughts are also energy).


A key component of this practice is the Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen, a sacred symbol used in Reiki to bridge distance between the practitioner and client. Through this symbol, the practitioner focuses their intention and energy on the recipient, helping them to release energetic blockages and promote healing.


Although rooted in ancient spiritual traditions, the principles underlying distance healing align with concepts currently being explored in quantum physics. For instance, quantum entanglement — a phenomenon that earned the 2022 Nobel Prize in Physics and, as described by Quanta Magazine, “proved the profoundly strange quantum nature of reality” — suggests that connections can exist beyond physical boundaries. This opens the possibility that ancient spiritual practices may have grasped insights about the nature of reality that modern science is only beginning to understand!


How Does Distance Reiki Work?

During a Distance Reiki session, the practitioner creates a connection with the client energetically. In my case, this involves working with my hands as if the client were in front of me, connecting with the different sections of the body through intention and receiving real-time energetic sensations equivalent (and sometimes stronger) than if I were in person.

Here’s what typically happens during a session:


  1. Intention Setting: We start the session with a quick introduction and confirmation of the energetic intentions of the session. If this is a custom session, I will let you know the high-level energetic intent based on your reading (which I will have performed in advance).


  2. Energy Connection: I will ask you to lay back and close your eyes, at which point I will connect the Reiki energy using established techniques and symbols. The energy will be enhanced with the crystal grid and music selection that support the goals of the session.


  3. Healing Transmission: The next 45 minutes are a time for you to lay back and rest comfortably, as you would for an in-person session. It is not uncommon for someone to fall asleep, but the energy will work just the same. I will make my way down the body, focusing on energy centres where I feel resistance. It is not uncommon for individuals who are more sensitive to feel gentle sensations in areas of the body as energy is received. If that’s you, you may find yourself googling quantum physics afterwards to understand what just happened.


  4. Debrief: Some time is set aside for a quick debrief, where I will share notes on observations and areas I primarily focused on. You will receive a set of notes within 48 hours of the appointment with slightly more detail. If there is a desire to delve further into the meaning of the energetic blocks, longer-format sessions have an additional 30 minutes to discuss and further query your field using pendulum inquiry and oracle cards. This can be highly beneficial if we have had a few sessions and have some patterns we can start to make sense of.


Distance Reiki is ideal for anyone seeking flexibility or those unable to attend in-person sessions due to mobility or geographical constraints.


Who Can Benefit from Distance Reiki?


Distance Reiki is a versatile healing method that can benefit anyone, including:


  • Busy individuals who need healing but can’t make time for in-person sessions.

  • People in remote areas without access to Reiki practitioners nearby.

  • Clients with health or mobility challenges who may find travel difficult.

  • Children and babies who may be more comfortable receiving reiki in their own environments

  • Pets and animals who can also receive Distance Reiki (yes, it works for them too!).


Whether you’re seeking stress relief, emotional healing, or spiritual growth, Distance Reiki provides a gentle yet effective solution.


Is Distance Reiki Effective?


The effectiveness of Distance Reiki, as with in-person Reiki, lies in its ability to work with the body’s energetic field. It is difficult to do studies on the immediate effectiveness of Reiki as the outcome of this adjustment will be dependent on the individual’s field and their own needs at that particular time. You will often hear practitioners say that their job is to create the conditions in your own body for it to heal itself, and that is because Reiki is believed to be an intelligent energy that goes exactly where it is needed on a case-by-case basis, the practitioner is simply the conduit.


That being said, a number of more observable and measurable variables have been identified as the signs that the energetic actions have taken place. For the most part, these include signs that the stress response has diminished and that the nervous system has gone into a parasympathetic state. Aside from being a pleasant result in and of itself (stress reduction is often the only goal of many clients who seek reiki), moving from a state of “Fight or Flight” into “Rest and Digest” is crucial for the body’s ability to enact its own disease-fighting and self-regulating processes (for example, see this Pubmed article for a discussion of chronic stress and its negative effects on the immune system such as suppression of protective T-cells).


Some studies have been highlighted below, where results have shown statistically significant improvements in:


-Self-reported stress rating

-Procedural anxiety and post-operative recovery

-Improvement in HRV ratings (a variable used clinically to measure stress response and activation of the vagus nerve)

-Reducing pain intensity

-Improvement in cancer treatment symptoms

-Improved sleep quality and quality of life


Reiki and pain and fatigue in oncology patients: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1550830720302275

Reiki and sleep quality in cancer patients (Prostate and Breast Cancer patients in hormone therapy): https://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JCO.2024.42.16_suppl.e24076

Reiki and improvement of symptoms if children with cerebral palsy: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1744388121002280

Psychological benefits of reiki in patients undergoing treatment: https://ijastro.shodhsagar.co.in/index.php/ijao/article/view/6


As Reiki continues to grow in popularity, with programmes available in a number of well-known hospitals and an increasing number of medical practitioners deciding to get attuned, there is a good argument for at least considering the possibility with a more open mind, particularly as we face an epidemic of diseases that have been linked to chronic underlying stress.


How to Prepare for a Distance Reiki Session

Preparing for a Distance Reiki session helps maximise its benefits. As part of your booking, you’ll receive a PDF guide titled “Create a Serene Space for Your Online Reiki Session,” which provides tips for setting up your environment.


Here are a few highlights:


  • Location: Choose a quiet, private space where you won’t be interrupted.

  • Comfort: Wear loose clothing and keep cozy blankets or cushions nearby.

  • Lighting and Scents: Dim lighting, candles, or aromatherapy oils can help create a relaxing atmosphere.

  • Mindset: Spend a few minutes tuning into your emotions and setting a clear intention for the session.


The guide also offers suggestions like grounding exercises, such as spending a few minutes outside barefoot, and hydration tips to help you feel prepared.

You’ll receive this guide automatically when you book your session, ensuring you have everything you need to make your Distance Reiki experience a meaningful one.


Conclusion

Distance Reiki offers an accessible, effective way to experience the profound benefits of energy healing from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re dealing with stress, emotional challenges, or simply seeking relaxation, Distance Reiki can provide the support you need.


Are you ready to experience the transformative power of Reiki? Book a session today and start your journey toward balance and well-being.

 
 
 

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