What Is Reiki and How Does It Actually Work?
By Waheeda Deen, Reiki Master Teacher | Medicine Woman / Metafix Wellness Center
If you've ever felt drawn to Reiki but weren't quite sure what it is or whether it's right for you — this post is for you. I get asked about it all the time, and honestly, I love talking about it because Reiki changed my life before I ever became a practitioner. So let me break it down in a way that actually makes sense.
So… What Is Reiki?
Reiki (pronounced ray-key) is a Japanese energy healing technique developed in the early 1900s by a man named Mikao Usui. The word itself breaks down beautifully: Rei means "universal" or "spiritually guided," and Ki means "life force energy." So Reiki literally translates to universally guided life force energy.
In other words — it's the energy that flows through all living things. And when that energy is blocked, stagnant, or out of balance, we feel it. We feel it as stress, anxiety, pain, emotional heaviness, or that general sense that something is "off" even when you can't name exactly what it is.
Reiki works by channeling this universal energy through the practitioner's hands into the client's body, encouraging the body's own natural ability to heal itself.
But Is It Real? How Does It Work?
I hear this question a lot, especially from people who are curious but a little skeptical. And that's okay — skepticism is healthy.
Here's what I know from over a decade of practice: your body already knows how to heal. Think about what happens when you get a cut — your body immediately goes to work repairing itself without you consciously telling it to. Reiki supports that same intelligence.
Everything in the universe is made of energy, including you. Science has confirmed this. When your energy field is disrupted — by stress, trauma, grief, illness, or even just the demands of everyday life — your body's ability to function at its best is compromised.
Reiki gently restores the flow of energy through your body's energetic system, including your chakras (energy centers) and your aura (energetic field). When energy flows freely, your body, mind, and spirit can return to a state of balance.
What Happens During a Reiki Session?
During a session with me, you'll lie fully clothed on a comfortable table. I'll place my hands lightly on or just above different areas of your body, following your energy where it needs to go.
You might feel:
Warmth or tingling in certain areas
A deep sense of relaxation (many clients fall asleep!)
Emotional release — sometimes tears come, and that's completely normal
A sense of lightness or clarity afterward
Every session is different because you are different each time you come in. Your energy shifts. Your needs shift. And Reiki meets you exactly where you are.
My full sessions include a guided meditation and personalized consultation so we can focus on what you specifically need that day — whether it's stress relief, chakra balancing, emotional healing, or spiritual support.
What Can Reiki Help With?
Reiki is not a replacement for medical care, but it is a powerful complement to it. Many of my clients use Reiki alongside traditional medicine, therapy, and other wellness practices.
People come to me for Reiki to help with:
Stress, anxiety, and burnout — Reiki activates the parasympathetic nervous system (your "rest and digest" mode), which calms the body and mind on a deep level
Sleep issues — so many clients tell me they sleep better after sessions
Grief and emotional healing — Reiki creates a safe space for emotions to move through and release
Chronic pain — while not a cure, Reiki can help reduce the perception of pain and support the body's healing response
Spiritual disconnection — if you feel lost, stuck, or disconnected from your purpose, Reiki can help you reconnect to yourself
General well-being — you don't have to be "broken" to benefit from Reiki. Maintenance sessions are just as powerful for those who simply want to stay balanced
Do I Need to Believe in It for It to Work?
Nope. Reiki works whether you believe in it or not, just like gravity works whether you believe in it or not. I've had clients come in complete skeptics and leave in tears because of how deeply they felt it.
The energy responds to intention — yours and mine. All I ask is that you come with an open heart and a willingness to receive.
Who Is Reiki For?
Reiki is for everyone. I've worked with children, seniors, people going through cancer treatment, grieving parents, burned-out professionals, spiritual seekers, and people who simply needed to feel held and supported for an hour.
If you're human and you're living life — Reiki is for you.
Ready to Experience It for Yourself?
I offer both in-person sessions at Metafix Wellness Center in Davie, FL and virtual Reiki via Zoom — yes, energy has no boundaries and distance Reiki is just as effective.
New to Reiki and not sure where to start? I offer a FREE 10-minute consultation so we can talk about what you're dealing with and find the best approach for you.
👉 Book your free consultation here
Or if you're ready to dive in:
With love and light, Waheeda Deen Reiki Master Teacher | Metafix Wellness Center 📍 Davie, FL | Virtual sessions available worldwide
Have questions? Drop them in the comments below or reach out directly. I love connecting with you.
