What Is Reiki & Why I Have It Every Month?

If you know me, you’ll know I love a massage. But there’s another type of treatment I make sure I have regularly too…

Reiki.

I make sure I have at least one treatment for myself every month. Usually, my first choice will always be a massage because I love the feeling of working on all those aches, pains and areas of tension in my body. But I also believe we need to look after ourselves on a deeper level too.

So alongside my massage, I like to have something that feels more healing for me — whether that’s Reiki, a healing treatment or chakra balancing.

And if you’ve seen me mention that I’m going for Reiki and wondered what I’m actually talking about, this blog is for you.

Because honestly, Reiki is one of those things that can be quite difficult to explain.

My journey with energy healing

I think one of the reasons I’ve always been so open to spiritual and energy-based therapies is because I grew up around them.

My grandma was a healer and had her own crystal shop, so this was something that was just normal to me growing up.

Whenever I wasn’t feeling well, she would make up one of her little concoctions for me, but she would also use healing with her hands and her energy.

It wasn’t something that ever felt strange or taboo.

It was simply something I grew up around and something I strongly believed in.

Actually, my journey with energy work started when I was only a few weeks old.

I had kinesiology as a baby because I was struggling with things like reflux and sleep, and my family found that I became much more settled afterwards.

I know some people might read that and think, “But surely a tiny baby can’t hold onto stress or trauma?”

But I think we sometimes underestimate just how much our bodies can hold.

Birth itself can be a huge experience for a tiny body, and I find it fascinating how much our bodies can respond to different experiences, even from such a young age.

Of course, I’ve still experienced stress, difficult times and all the normal ups and downs that life brings. But I do believe that being introduced to this kind of work so early in my life helped shape my views on healing and looking after yourself.

How I discovered Reiki

As I got older, I knew I wanted to work within massage and beauty, and eventually I started training.

While I was at college, I was lucky enough to get a job at the beautiful Eastthorpe Hall in Mirfield.

I started right at the bottom, helping around the spa and pool area, and as I qualified I worked my way up to becoming a therapist, then head therapist and eventually into a management role.

I am honestly so grateful for everything that experience taught me. It shaped so much of the therapist I am today.

I’ve never really been someone who likes to blow my own trumpet, but I always knew massage was something I was good at.

I was fortunate enough to be awarded Student of the Year during my training, took part in competitions and won some too.

But more than anything, I had found something that I genuinely loved.

And while I was at Eastthorpe, I was introduced to another part of holistic therapy that has stayed with me ever since.

My boss, Steph, was a Reiki Master.

She was an absolutely wonderful lady who had such an impact on me, and I’m still grateful for everything she taught me.

She used to give me Reiki treatments while I was working there, and this really shaped how I viewed Reiki.

Looking back, I feel incredibly grateful for how everything unfolded. I really do believe that certain people and experiences come into our lives for a reason.

So, what actually is Reiki?

This is the bit I always find difficult to explain!

Because Reiki can be different for everybody.

In simple terms, Reiki is a form of energy healing that aims to encourage relaxation, calm the nervous system and bring the body and mind back into balance.

During a Reiki treatment, the practitioner works with the body’s energy, often working through the chakras from the top of the body downwards.

The chakras are often described as energy centres within the body, and the idea is that they can become blocked or unbalanced.

The intention of Reiki is to help bring that energy back into balance.

Different practitioners work in slightly different ways. Some are more hands-on, while others may work with their hands just above the body without physical contact.

And this is another reason why I find Reiki so difficult to explain.

You might have a completely different experience to me.

My throat chakra

One thing that seems to come up for me again and again during Reiki is my throat chakra.

I’m always told that this area feels a little blocked or isn’t flowing as freely as it could, and usually a little more time is spent there.

And actually, it makes so much sense to me.

I’ve always been someone who can hold back.

Sometimes I’ll think, “I won’t say that because they probably don’t want to hear it.”

Or I’ll have an opinion but decide not to share it because I don’t want someone to take it the wrong way.

It’s not that I don’t have my own beliefs or opinions. I absolutely do.

I’ve just always had a little part of me that has held back from expressing my true, authentic self.

And I think that’s something I’ve become much more aware of as I’ve grown older.

For me, Reiki doesn’t suddenly “fix” that.

Instead, I feel like the regular treatments create an awareness.

They give me the opportunity to slow down, check in with myself and notice where I might be holding things in.

Sometimes I need to speak up.

Sometimes I need to stop holding back.

And sometimes, actually, I probably need to say less!

It’s about finding that balance.

How do I feel after Reiki?

This is another reason why I always say that you need to experience it for yourself.

There isn’t one particular way you’re supposed to feel afterwards.

Sometimes I come away feeling incredibly lifted, almost like I’ve had a huge emotional pick-me-up.

Other times I feel really tired and completely relaxed.

And sometimes I just feel… different.

It’s difficult to put into words.

I think when you’re lying there and you’re able to properly switch off, you can enter this lovely, deeply relaxed state where you’re not really thinking about what the therapist is doing.

I’ve definitely had treatments where I’ve come away thinking, “I have absolutely no idea what just happened, but I feel amazing!”

And I think that’s the beauty of it.

You don’t necessarily need to understand every part of the treatment to benefit from taking that time for yourself.

Why I keep going back

For me, regular Reiki isn’t about expecting one treatment to change everything.

It’s something I use alongside the other ways I look after myself.

I have my massage for my physical body — my tension, my muscles and my aches and pains.

And I have Reiki and other healing treatments for that deeper feeling of checking in with myself, my energy and how I’m feeling.

I think we all need to find the things that bring us peace.

For some people, that’s massage.

For someone else, it might be reflexology, yoga, meditation, walking, breathwork or Reiki.

There isn’t one right answer.

And that’s something I always encourage my own clients to explore too.

You don’t always have to have the same treatment every time.

Sometimes your body needs one thing and sometimes you need something completely different.

Reiki at Moss & Moon

I’m very lucky to work from Moss & Moon Wellbeing in Ossett, which is such a beautiful space for this kind of work.

There are several lovely practitioners offering different healing and holistic treatments there, and I genuinely believe it’s the kind of place where you can come and simply take some time for yourself.

Some of the practitioners I’ve personally experienced and would happily recommend include Lyla, who is based in Ossett and offers Reiki and healing sessions, and Erin from 333, who also offers Reiki and healing through Moss & Moon, and has a great blog on her website about the benefits of Reiki. You can find the blog on her website at Radiant Path 333.

I’ve experienced treatments with both of them myself, and I completely understand why I keep going back.

There was just something that clicked when I first met Lyla, and after having a treatment with her I understood why.

Sometimes you just connect with a therapist and their energy feels right for you.

And that’s another thing I think is really important with holistic treatments.

Find someone you feel comfortable with.

Find someone you trust.

And find something that leaves you feeling like you’ve given yourself something back.

So, would I recommend Reiki?

Absolutely.

But I wouldn’t tell you exactly what you’re going to feel, because I don’t know.

And that’s the honest answer.

You might feel deeply relaxed. You might feel emotional. You might feel energised. You might feel tired. Or you might simply enjoy having an hour where nobody needs anything from you and you can completely switch off.

You might notice certain things coming up for you, or you might not.

Your experience will be your own.

And I think that’s what makes Reiki so difficult to explain — but also what makes it so lovely.

Sometimes you just have to experience something rather than understand it.

So if you’ve ever seen me say “I’m off for Reiki” and wondered what on earth I’m talking about…

Now you know. 🤍

And if you’ve never tried it before, maybe it’s something worth exploring.

Find the treatment that brings you peace.

Because looking after yourself isn’t just about fixing the bits of your body that hurt.

Sometimes it’s about giving yourself space to breathe, reset and come back to yourself too.

Katie x