In the hardest moments, when emotions feel unbearable, Reiki for emotional healing can help you soften, release, and begin to heal.
Grief. Heartache. Loss. Disappointment. Sometimes they come without warning, reshaping the landscape of who we are. In those moments, it is easy to feel alone. Easy to believe that healing is out of reach. But even in the depths of pain, there is a quiet truth waiting for you:
You are not broken. You are ready to begin healing.
Reiki for emotional healing offers a way to soften the sharp edges of sorrow. It invites you to return to your breath, to your body, and to the part of yourself that remembers peace.
Reiki is Universal Life Force Energy. It is not limited to any one person. It flows through all of us and is available at any time we choose to connect. Although being attuned to Reiki can deepen your connection to the energy, it isn’t required. All living beings can access its healing power with an open heart and a willing mind.
In this guide, I will share how to create a sacred healing space, call in your spiritual support, and work with simple Reiki techniques to gently release stored emotions from the body.
This is your invitation to come home to yourself
If you feel called to explore Reiki on deeper level, explore our beginner’s guide.
I remember one client, a woman who had just lost her mother, coming to me in the thick of her grief. She wasn’t attuned to Reiki herself, but the sessions we shared offered her a sense of being held when everything else felt like it was falling apart. She asked me what she could do at home, between sessions, to feel connected to that healing energy. I told her the same thing I’ll tell you now. Even if you’re not formally attuned, your intention, your heart, and your willingness to nurture yourself create a powerful bridge to healing.
Setting the Space for Reiki for Emotional Healing
Before you begin working with Reiki energy for emotional support, take a few moments to create a safe, comforting space for yourself.
- Find a quiet place where you can sit or lie down comfortably.
- Light a candle, play soft music, or gather anything that brings you a sense of peace. A favorite crystal, a warm blanket, a photo of a loved one, anything that makes you feel supported.
- Call in your support. If it feels right for you, invite your angels, ancestors, spirit guides, or the Divine into the space. Know that you are not doing this alone.
- Set an intention. Something simple, like “I open myself to healing” or “I allow myself to be held in love.” Set the intention gently and then let it drift into the background of your experience. There is no need to focus on it or force anything. Just let it be.
There is no “right” way for healing to happen. Let the session unfold exactly as it needs to.
Where We Hold Emotional Pain in the Body
Our bodies are wise storytellers. Emotions don’t just pass through us. They live within us, especially when they have not been fully processed. Some key areas that tend to hold emotional pain are:
| Area of the Body | Chakra or Region | Emotions Commonly Stored |
| Heart | Heart Chakra (center of chest) | Grief, heartbreak, loneliness |
| Upper Stomach | Solar Plexus Chakra | Fear, anxiety, control issues, low confidence |
| Lower Abdomen & Hips | Sacral Chakra | Emotional wounds, past traumas, relationship pain, creative blockages |
| Shoulders & Neck | Physical Region | Stress, emotional pressure, carrying others’ burdens |
| Hips | Physical Region | Deep grief, generational pain, ancestral trauma, emotional memory storage |
By bringing Reiki to these areas, you gently invite them to release, soften, and heal.
Simple Hand Placements for Emotional Healing
You do not have to memorize anything complicated. Trust your instincts and let your hands rest where they are needed. Some powerful starting points are:
- Hands over the heart and solar plexus. Soothing grief and fear. Breathe deeply here.
- Hands on the lower abdomen. Connecting with emotional strength and creative energy.
- Hands resting gently on the shoulders or hugging yourself. Offering comfort, grounding, and a feeling of being held.
- Hands lightly over the forehead (third eye chakra). Calming racing thoughts and emotional overwhelm.
Hold each position for a few minutes, or as long as it feels right. Breathe into each space and trust that the energy will flow exactly where it needs to go.
Allowing the Emotions to Surface
Sometimes, when you begin working with Reiki, emotions that have been buried may rise to the surface. You might cry, laugh, or feel a rush of memories or unexpected physical sensations.
This is not a setback. This is an invitation.
Rather than resisting, try to experience whatever comes with an open heart. Healing is not about fixing yourself. It is about allowing yourself to be fully seen, even by your own heart.
Closing Your Self-Reiki Session
When you feel ready to end your session, take a few gentle closing steps to help ground and seal your energy.
- Thank your angels, ancestors, spirit guides, and the Divine for their presence and support. Even a simple “thank you” whispered in your heart is enough.
- Imagine a soft golden light wrapping around you, protecting and nourishing the healing you have received.
- Place your hands together in prayer position at your heart. Bow your head slightly, honoring yourself for showing up with such bravery and care.
- Take a few deep, grounding breaths. Feel your body. Wiggle your fingers and toes. Know that you are safe and supported.
Carry this energy with you into the rest of your day, knowing that healing is not something you have to chase. It is already living inside you.
You are your own best healer. – Dr Nicole LePera
You are your own safe place. Reiki simply helps you remember.
Be gentle with yourself. You are doing sacred work.
