Do I Have to Talk? (And Other Common Questions About Reiki)
Nervous about your first energy healing session? Learn exactly what happens in a Reiki appointment (and why you don’t have to do anything) from Kermode Rose Holistics in Medicine Hat, Alberta.
If you’ve ever hovered over the "Book Now" button for a Reiki session, but didn’t click it because you weren’t sure what would actually happen in the room, you are not alone.
At Kermode Rose Holistics in Medicine Hat, I see this hesitation all the time.
You might be curious about energy work. You might be craving the relief and regulation it promises. But the unknown can be intimidating.
Most wellness appointments require something from you. You have to answer hard questions for a therapist, hold poses for a yoga teacher, or recount your symptoms for a doctor. It makes sense that you’d be wondering if you have to perform here, too.
But here’s the truth: Reiki is likely the one hour in your life where you don’t have to do anything.
Let’s talk about what a session actually feels like, and answer the questions you might be too afraid to ask.
Do I have to talk during the session?
The short answer is no.
We’ll have a brief chat at the beginning of your appointment to check in on where you are physically and emotionally. But once you get on the table, silence is golden.
Unlike talk therapy, where we analyze the story of your stress, Reiki works with the energy of your stress. You don’t need to explain why you’re tired or articulate your trauma for it to release. Your body tells me everything I need to know. Your only job is to close your eyes and drift.
Do I have to take my clothes off?
Absolutely not. You remain fully clothed the entire time.
I recommend wearing comfortable, loose clothing—think yoga pants comfortable, not office comfortable—so you can fully relax. You will lay on a massage table under a warm blanket, feeling cozy and secure.
Do you touch me?
This is entirely up to you and your boundaries.
As a Holy Fire® III Reiki Master, I can work with a light, gentle touch on specific energy centers (head, shoulders, knees, feet), or I can work entirely hands-off, hovering my hands just above your body.
Before we start, I always ask for your preference. If you are touch-averse or feeling particularly protective of your personal space, we keep it hands-off. The energy relies on frequency, not physical pressure, so it works effectively either way.
Am I supposed to meditate? What if my brain won't shut off?
Please do not lay there stressing about whether you are relaxing correctly.
You don’t have to clear your mind. You don’t have to set complex intentions. You don’t have to visualize white light.
If your brain is making grocery lists for the first 20 minutes, that’s fine. The energy will flow where it needs to go regardless of what your mind is doing. Eventually, the frequency of the Reiki will naturally entrain your brainwaves down from a busy, alert state to a restorative, dream-like state.
In fact, most of my clients fall asleep. I consider a "Reiki snore" the highest compliment—it means your nervous system finally felt safe enough to go offline.
What will I feel?
Everyone’s receiving channel is different, but most clients report feeling:
Heat: My hands often feel very warm to the client, even if my skin is cool. This is just the concentration of energy.
Tingles: Gentle sensations moving through your arms or legs.
Stomach Gurgling: This is my favourite one. When your nervous system switches from "Fight or Flight" to "Rest and Digest," your digestion turns back on. A grumbling tummy is just the sound of stress leaving the building.
Heaviness: A pleasant, anchored feeling, like a weighted blanket for your soul.
The Takeaway
You don’t have to carry the weight of the world for an hour.
If you are accustomed to holding it all together for everyone else, this is your permission slip to let go. Whether you book a quick Regulation Reset or a full Rebalance Protocol, the goal is the same: to give your nervous system a safe place to land.
About Karen and Kermode Rose Holistics
Karen Francis is a Holy Fire® III Reiki Master and former school teacher based in Medicine Hat, Alberta. She founded Kermode Rose Holistics to bridge the gap between science and spirit, creating a grounded, accessible space for nervous system regulation.
Her studio is designed specifically for the busy, the burnt out, and the skeptical. Whether you’re looking for a 30-minute reset or a deep 90-minute immersion, Karen’s protocols are built to help you stop doing and start receiving.
Ready to finally exhale? Learn more about Karen’s services and contact Karen to schedule your session today.
