I Let a Stranger Channel Energy Into My Body:

The Decision to Try Reiki

I've always been a bit skeptical about alternative healing. Yoga and meditation were fine, but energy healing seemed too far-fetched. After months of stress and sleepless nights, I decided to try Reiki.

Reiki is a Japanese method where a practitioner sends "universal life force energy" to help with emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being. It sounded like a gentle, harmless practice, but I had no idea what to expect.

Walking Into the Unknown

The Reiki studio was cozy, with soft music and a calming scent. Sarah, the practitioner, welcomed me warmly. Her presence made me feel at ease, even though I was unsure of what to expect.

After talking about why I wanted to try Reiki, Sarah led me to a massage table. She told me to relax and let the energy flow.

I nodded, closed my eyes, and waited.

The Session Begins

At first, nothing seemed to happen. Sarah's hands moved slowly over my body, from head to feet. I thought maybe it was just a fancy way to take a nap.

Then, something changed.

A warmth spread through my chest, like sunlight inside. My fingers tingled, and I felt a gentle pressure on my temples.

Okay, that’s weird.

I kept my eyes closed, trying not to think too much. But then, a wave of emotion hit me. Tears started to well up, and I didn't know why.

Sarah's hands stopped near my heart. "Just let it out," she said. "Sometimes the body releases what the mind can't."

And I did. A tear fell, followed by another. It was as if I had released a hidden tension.

The Unexpected Physical Sensations

The emotional release surprised me, but the physical sensations were even stranger. At one point, my left leg felt cold, like an ice cube, but Sarah's hands were nowhere near it. Later, a heat pulsed from my back, like a small flame.

I had expected to relax, but not this.

After the Session: Processing What Happened

When it ended, I sat up feeling lighter but my mind was racing.

“How do you feel?” Sarah asked.

“I… don’t know,” I said. “I didn’t expect to cry.”

She smiled knowingly. “Energy work can bring up buried emotions. Your body knows what it needs to release.”

I left feeling both drained and refreshed. The next day, I noticed I had no headaches and my mind was clear. And that night, I slept better than I had in months.

Was It All in My Head?

Skepticism was strong. Maybe I had just relaxed enough to trigger a placebo effect. Maybe the power of suggestion made me feel things that weren’t really there.

But here’s the thing: I didn’t expect any of what happened. I thought I’d just lie there, feel nothing, and leave mildly disappointed. Instead, I experienced sensations and emotions I couldn’t explain.

Would I Do It Again?

Absolutely. Even if Reiki is just a fancy way of deep relaxation, the effects were real for me. Whether it was energy, psychology, or a mix of both, something shifted—and I’m curious to see what else might come up in another session.

Final Thoughts

Reiki wasn’t what I expected. It wasn’t just a passive, feel-good experience. It was visceral, emotional, and strangely transformative. Whether you believe in energy healing or not, sometimes the most profound experiences come from surrendering to the unknown.

And who knows? Maybe there’s more to this "universal energy" thing than I thought.

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