If you’re a massage therapist on the verge of burnout or are curiously looking for a modality that can complement your services, this article is for you. Reiki is a modality that is light on your body and has profound stress and tension relieving effects for your clients. You may have heard of it in passing at your massage school or at places you’ve worked. I came across it about 25 years ago and I didn’t get it at first. I was in massage school and spent the better part of six months developing myself as a skilled therapeutic massage therapist when a guest teacher visited and shared reiki with us. Although I didn’t understand the language of energy healing, I felt something deep shift inside me. That class changed the way I gave massage and without even trying when I massaged clients I could get back to that place of peace and connection to that greater source of love. My clients could feel it too.

What is Reiki

Reiki is a Japanese modality in which the practitioner harnesses Life Force Energy into their hands and transfers it to their clients. Giving it is much like being in meditation. It is both beneficial for the practitioner and the client because as the practitioner harnesses the energy it flows through them too. It heals them, it releases blocks and moves stagnant ki (energy) from tissues, and then it does the same for clients. It is a blissful place to be in a treatment.

As massage therapists, we are dedicated to the art of touch, we want our clients to experience relaxation, and we want to instill positive wellness habits in our clients’ lives. Whether you are working for yourself or at a wellness center or spa, we are in the world of healing and every session offers an opportunity for us to explore different ways of enhancing our care to our clients.

Let me explain further what reiki is. I know I said it is a modality and technically speaking it is, but that is too limiting to what is truly is and does. It’s not just another modality; it’s an energy-based healing practice that taps into the natural life force present in all of us. The word itself says it all. Rei means Universal or coming from the omnipotent source and Ki means energy. Reiki has been defined as Universal Life Force Energy, but the more accurate definition is Spirit Empowered Energy. Reiki connects us to the source that created the energy and directs the energy. As pieces of creation, we are already tapped into it as part of our very nature. Practicing reiki helps us to deepen that connection for our own self growth and also share that connection with our clients. Reiki offers an opportunity to expand our healing toolkit, complementing our hands-on techniques with the power of energy and intention.

The Benefits of Reiki For Your Massage Practice

One of the remarkable aspects of reiki is its ability to deepen our connection to healing. As massage therapists, we understand the importance of touch, but reiki takes us beyond touch—into the world of energy. Through reiki training, we learn to sense and channel this energy, amplifying our innate healing abilities.

Reiki doesn’t replace our massage techniques or services but enhances them. When I first started practicing massage, it was my clients who told me that they could sense something energetically deeper in the massage that alleviated their pain. Reiki was moving through me without any effort and that is one of the beauties of this practice. We simply step out of the our own way and show up with our best intentions for our clients and connect to this source and it does the rest. It naturally improves our massage and is the perfect complement to our practice. Clients experience a sense of relaxation and balance that can be lost in trying to do too much in a 50 or 80 minute appointment on a busy day.

One of the most significant advantages of incorporating reiki into my practice is it prevents burnout. We give so much of ourselves during sessions, and sometimes our energy can become depleted. Reiki is a powerful self-care tool that replenishes our energy reserves, restoring balance within us, and helping us avoid therapist burnout.

Reiki also enhances our intuitive touch. It fine-tunes our sensitivity to the flow of energy, allowing us to better perceive our clients’ needs and respond intuitively during sessions. This heightened intuition becomes a valuable tool in customizing treatments to address each client’s unique concerns.

Another important aspect is the holistic approach reiki brings. A massage session is not only physical; it touches the emotional, mental, and spiritual aspects of clients, whether we are aware of it or not. Reiki helps us piece together these aspects of our clients well-being and gives us a holistic perspective that allows us to address not just the physical symptoms but reach the intangible layers of our clients’ discomfort.

Imagine adding a layer of tranquility to your massage sessions—the kind that lingers long after your client leaves the table. That’s the gift of Reiki—a lasting sense of peace that resonates within your clients.

Reiki Improves Your Therapeutic Touch

Reiki training also cultivates personal and spiritual growth. It’s an inward journey, encouraging self-reflection and mindfulness. As we explore reiki, we deepen our understanding of ourselves, nurturing a more profound sense of balance and well-being.

Incorporating reiki into our practice is not about changing our techniques but rather expanding our horizons and offering an enriched experience for our clients. It’s about aligning our passion for healing with a broader spectrum of therapeutic possibilities.

Reiki is an invitation to deepen our connection to healing, nurture our own well-being, and offer our clients an even more profound experience of relaxation and healing. It’s not just another skill; it’s a transformative journey toward unlocking our full healing potential—one that both we and our clients benefit from.

Choosing a Reiki Training and Teacher

In order to offer reiki services to clients, we must learn the fundamental principles of energy healing and how it works. This is done through reiki training courses with an experienced reiki master that can properly guide you. Reiki involves a gentle laying on of hands, it works within the body’s energy field to promote relaxation and balance on a holistic level. Courses are typically given in three levels. Level 1 training covers the fundamentals of energy healing and is focused on self healing. Level 2 progresses into advanced energy healing techniques and developing an intuitive touch, listening with your hands and learning distant healing. Level 3 focuses on developing a deeper connection with the source of reiki and attuning others. There is no one organization that certifies reiki practitioners. Certification is done through the reiki teacher and that is why reiki trainings vary greatly. Some trainings are a few hours covering the basics but lack hands-on practice, while others may be longer. The content of trainings may also be different as some teachers include their experiences into a class. It is important to choose a reiki training based on the teacher and whether their style of teaching aligns with you and what you want to learn. I offer my reiki training, Hand to Soul School of Reiki & Healing Arts, as two-day weekend courses and my style is based on the Usui Reiki Ryoho lineage. Get to know your reiki teacher, ask them questions and if possible receive a reiki treatment from them. Although that is not necessary, it can help you discern whether you’re a good fit. Once you have found a teacher, mind set it everything. Go into your reiki training with an open mind and heart, and have a clear intention for yourself.