Reiki is a profound healing practice that taps into universal energy, providing a pathway for personal and spiritual transformation. One of the most significant aspects of learning Reiki is the attunement process, where the Reiki Master transfers the ability to channel this healing energy to the student.

I’ve had the privilege of offering many students attunements, and it’s always incredible to see how the process initiates profound changes in their lives.

What is a Reiki attunement and how does this energy healing session open doors to healing and transformation? I’ll share insights from my experience as a Reiki Master. If you are new to Reiki and want to learn more, you may first want to read “What’s Reiki and How Does It Work?” 

What is a Reiki Attunement?

A Reiki attunement is the process in which the "Rei," or spiritual consciousness, is passed from the Reiki Master to their student or client. During this process, the "Rei" moves through the recipient's energy centers and pathways, deeply into their consciousness. Once the attunement is complete, the student can channel "Ki," or life force energy, to themselves and others.

The attunement opens a channel for the flow of universal life force energy, allowing the recipient to access and use this healing energy. This transfer is one of the key elements that sets Reiki apart from other forms of energy healing. The attunement empowers you with the ability to heal and grow—not just temporarily, but for a lifetime.

Reasons for Attunements

Reiki attunements are generally done at three levels: Reiki Level 1, 2, and Master Level 3. With each level, the student's capacity to channel Reiki energy deepens. Attunement (also known as Reiju) is the only thing you need to be able to channel Reiki energy at each level, and once you’ve received the attunement, it stays with you for life. That said, many students find it beneficial to receive additional attunements, as this can enhance their connection to the energy and strengthen their healing abilities.

While attunements are primarily given to students learning Reiki at Level 1, 2, and Master Level 3, they can also be used in other cases. Attunements can help individuals re-establish or deepen their connection to Reiki energy after a period of non-practice or significant life transitions. They also can be used to strengthen a practitioner’s capacity to work with specific aspects of healing or to help someone overcome energetic blockages.

Reiki Attunements for Personal Healing

I’ve worked with people who received attunements as part of their personal healing journey, even though they weren’t focused on becoming Reiki practitioners. Some were going through challenging transitions in their lives—such as grief, career changes or relationship issues—and found that receiving an attunement provided the energetic support they needed to navigate those changes with more grace and clarity.

Preparing for Reiki Attunement

It’s essential for students to be mindful of their physical and emotional state before and after the attunement. Like any other form of healing, taking care of your body by eating well, sleeping well and avoiding alcohol can help this energy healing settle more gently. Attunements create a space for energy to flow freely through your system, and it’s best to support that process with self-care.

What to Expect During and After a Reiki Attunement

During a Reiki Attunement

The attunement process is relaxing and gentle. While some students may feel immediate effects, for others, the impact of the attunement unfolds gradually. It’s common not to fully realize the shift until after you've had some time to practice using Reiki, both on yourself and others. Or in the case that you are not interested in becoming a Reiki practitioner, until you have worked through meditation and other forms of self-care.

After a Reiki attunement you may notice a cleansing of stored toxins, restored energy blockages and releasing emotional baggage. This energetic detox can manifest in different ways, including physical sensations, emotional releases and mental clarity and enhanced intuition. In my practice, I’ve often seen students experience profound shifts in the days and weeks following their attunement.

After Reiki Attunement

Typically, the most significant changes happen over the course of 21 days after an attunement. During this time, you’ll likely feel an intense purification process occurring in your body and mind. The first few days after attunement can be intense for some, so I always recommend setting aside some “me” time to reflect, rest and listen to your body.

One of the best things you can do post-attunement is to work on yourself. The more you practice Reiki on yourself, practice breathwork and meditation or receive professional sessions, the more you’ll clear away any residual blockages, making the process both gentler and more profound. I’ve seen students who practice self-Reiki consistently experience deep healing and greater ease in channeling energy over time.

The Detoxification Process

Many students report detoxification symptoms after attunement. These can range from blissful moments of energy and clarity to periods of fatigue, mood swings or a deep sense of needing to change something in life. These experiences are similar to what some practitioners feel during Kundalini awakenings in yoga, where stored energy rises to the surface to be released. It’s all part of the process, and these symptoms, though sometimes challenging, ultimately lead to growth and healing.

Real-Life Attunement Stories: Reiki and Transformation

One of the things I absolutely love most about Reiki is seeing the real-life transformations that take place after a student receives their attunement. It’s incredible how Reiki helps usher in change, often in ways that people don’t expect.

I once had a student who received attunement and felt a sudden pull to make a big move to a new country. She had been contemplating the move for years but always felt uncertain and stuck. After her attunement, she felt more grounded, more confident in her intuition, and within a few weeks, she was ready to take that leap. Reiki not only helped her clear the energetic blockages that were holding her back but also gave her the clarity and courage she needed to trust her path.

Another student I worked with experienced an intense period of emotional release after her attunement. For years, she had been carrying the weight of unresolved grief from a significant loss. Through her Reiki practice, she was able to confront and release those emotions, allowing her to heal and move forward in her life. Watching her move through her healing journey reminds me how powerful Reiki can be in helping us release what no longer serves us.

Honoring the Reiki Lineage

Reiki attunements also are beautiful because they are a direct passing of Reiki energy through the Reiki  lineage. In my case, like many other Reiki Masters, my lineage traces back to Mikao Usui, who rediscovered Reiki in the 1920s after a profound awakening. It's incredible to know that through just a few generations, the attunement process has been passed down to me. I also deeply honor and appreciate my own Reiki Master who taught and attuned me. There’s a peaceful sense of connection knowing we share this energy through such a special attunement ceremony, linking my karma directly to this Reiki lineage.

Embracing the Transformation Reiki Offers

Reiki attunements are much more than just a transfer of energy—they’re gateways to personal and spiritual growth. Whether you’re looking to learn Reiki for yourself or others, the attunement process will initiate profound shifts in your life. From detoxification to emotional release and life changes, Reiki opens the door to healing on every level.

If you are considering a Reiki attunement, do so when you can embrace the process fully. Listen to your body, give yourself time to adjust and trust that whatever changes come your way are for your highest good. I am available to offer Reiki and Reiki Attunements via the Aura Health app, and you can also find additional qualified professionals to help you on Aura.  Schedule a free discovery call with an Aura coach via the app to learn more.