Reiki is a non-invasive, hands-on healing practice that involves the practitioner lightly touching or hovering their hands over your fully-clothed body. This practice aims to promote deep relaxation and facilitate the body’s natural healing processes by working with energy fields. The clothing you choose significantly influences your experience, either maximizing your comfort and the effectiveness of the session or creating physical distractions. Preparing your attire beforehand supports a more profound and beneficial session.
The Primary Goal: Comfort and Flow
The objective of selecting your clothing is to ensure you can lie still and relax completely for an extended period without restriction. Soft, loose-fitting garments are recommended, as they prevent pressure on the body while you are resting on the treatment table. Clothes that allow for unrestricted movement, such as yoga pants, sweatpants, or a relaxed jumpsuit, are ideal choices.
The material of your outfit is also important, with natural fibers preferred over synthetic ones. Fabrics like cotton, linen, and bamboo are breathable, which helps regulate your body temperature as you enter a state of deep stillness. Avoid stiff or scratchy materials, complex seams, or bulky embroidery, as they can become irritating and disrupt your focus.
Avoid any clothing that constricts blood flow or breathing, such as tight waistbands, structured jackets, or compression garments. The clothing should not create a physical impediment when the practitioner places their hands on or near the body’s energy centers. Personal comfort is the priority for a productive session, and the color of your clothes is secondary to the quality of their fit and fabric.
Practical Items to Leave Behind
Several common items worn daily can become a source of distraction or discomfort during the session. It is advisable to remove all substantial jewelry before your appointment, including chunky necklaces, dangling earrings, and heavy wristwatches. These items can press uncomfortably against the skin when you are lying down and may interfere with the practitioner’s hand placements near the head, neck, and wrists.
Metal objects, such as large belt buckles, coins, or heavy key chains carried in pockets, should also be removed. Items in your pockets can create pressure points against the table, breaking the physical relaxation needed for deep rest. Furthermore, large metallic components, like metal zippers or thick belts, may create a subtle energetic block, making the practitioner’s work around the torso less seamless.
Refrain from applying strong scents, including perfumes, colognes, or heavily fragranced body lotions. While aromatherapy is sometimes used in a controlled setting, intense personal fragrances can be distracting for both the recipient and the practitioner. Strong smells can also trigger sensitivities or allergies in others, counteracting the intention of creating a calm, neutral environment.
Logistics and Layering
Since room temperature can vary, and the body’s temperature naturally drops during deep relaxation, layering your clothing is a practical strategy. Wearing a short-sleeved shirt under a thin, long-sleeved top or bringing a light cardigan allows you to adjust your temperature quickly without disrupting the process. A practitioner may also provide a blanket, but having control over your own layers ensures immediate comfort.
Footwear should be easy to remove, as shoes are typically taken off before you lie down on the table. Wearing clean, comfortable socks is recommended since your feet may be involved in the session, and keeping them warm promotes overall relaxation.
Individuals coming straight from work or an active day may find their clothes are not conducive to a healing session. If your attire involves stiff fabrics, tight tailoring, or restrictive elements, consider bringing a small bag with a simple change of clothes, such as soft joggers and a t-shirt. Preparing a change of clothes ensures you can fully transition into a state of comfort and receptivity regardless of the location’s logistics.