How to Prepare for a Reiki Session: What to Wear, Eat, and Bring

Most clients I see are nervous about doing it "wrong" — wearing the wrong thing, eating too much beforehand, not knowing what to think about during the session. The good news: there's almost nothing you can do wrong. Reiki is designed as a low-effort, fully clothed complementary practice. A few small preparations can help your body settle faster, which means more time spent in the deep rest zone and less time spent settling.

Here's exactly how to prepare for your first 60-minute USUI Reiki session.

What to Wear

Comfortable, loose, layered. You'll be lying on a padded table for 60 minutes, fully clothed (Reiki doesn't require any disrobing — that's one of the things that makes it accessible to people who aren't comfortable with traditional bodywork).

A few practical notes: avoid tight waistbands and underwire — anything that pinches when you settle. Skip heavy jewelry and metal accessories that can interfere with the experience. Bring a layer; body temperature drops in deep relaxation and you may want a blanket. Soft socks are ideal — the room is climate controlled, but feet often want extra warmth.

Yoga pants or sweats and a cozy t-shirt is the standard uniform. Anything you'd wear to read on the couch.

What to Eat (and Not Eat)

A light meal one to two hours before is ideal. Deep relaxation can make digestion feel more noticeable, and a heavy meal can leave some clients feeling sluggish during the session.

Skip caffeine within two hours of your appointment if you can. Stimulants can make it harder to settle into the calm, attentive state most clients want from energy work. Decaf or herbal tea is fine.

Hydrate well throughout the day. You'll likely feel thirstier than usual after the session as your body processes the work.

What to Bring (and Leave Behind)

Bring an open mind, a willingness to receive, and a water bottle for after. That's really it.

Leave behind your phone (on silent or off — even vibrations break the experience) and any pressure to "feel something specific." Some clients feel waves of warmth, tingling, deep relaxation, or unexpected emotion. Some feel quiet stillness. Both are working.

How to Set an Intention (Optional)

You don't need an intention for Reiki to work. But if you want to set one, keep it open. Phrases like "I'm open to whatever I need today," "Help me release what isn't mine to carry," or "I'm willing to slow down" work better than specific outcomes ("fix my anxiety") because they let your system direct the work rather than narrowing it.

What Happens When You Arrive

We'll spend a few minutes talking — anything you'd like me to focus on, any current physical or emotional patterns I should know about, and any questions about the session. Then you'll lie down on the padded table, fully clothed, with a bolster under your knees and a blanket within reach.

For the next 60 minutes, my hands will rest lightly on or just above your body, moving through the major energy centers. You don't have to do anything. Many clients drift in and out of sleep. Some experience vivid imagery. Some feel waves of emotion rise and pass.

After Your Session

Drink water. Move slowly for the rest of the day. Notice if you feel an unusual emotional release in the next 24 to 48 hours — this can happen as the system processes what shifted.

Evidence Note

NCCIH describes Reiki as a complementary health approach with limited and inconsistent evidence for specific medical outcomes. The preparation tips here are practical comfort guidance, not medical treatment advice.

If this is your first session, you don't need to commit to a regular practice. Just notice what's different in the days that follow. For most clients, the answer is sleep, mood, and a sense of inner spaciousness they hadn't realized was missing.

Reiki sessions in Phoenix at MEditation TIME are $125 for 60 minutes. The Signature Energy Session, which combines Reiki with three touch modalities, is $200 for 90 minutes. Either is a good place to begin.