The Reiki Foundation Workbook

Guided Practice: A Consent + Boundary “Check-In” Before Any Hands-On Reiki

Time required: 10-15 minutes Materials needed: a notebook or journal, pen, and (optional) a small timer on your phone

For this exercise, you’ll practice a short routine you can use before self-reiki or when you’re supporting another person. You’re training your nervous system to be steady and clear - because safety starts with your words.

1. Pick your setting. Sit or stand somewhere quiet. Keep your hands relaxed at your sides for now. 2. Write your consent line. In one sentence, write what you would say to ask permission. Use plain language. Example structure: “Would you like Reiki support for your [back/shoulders/hands], and is it okay if I use [hands-on/hands-near]?” 3. Write your boundary line. In one sentence, write what you will not do (for example, you won’t promise outcomes or replace medical care). Keep it simple. 4. Do a self-check (60 seconds). Ask yourself: - “Am I calm enough to be gentle?” - “Do I feel pressured or rushed?” - “Am I able to stop immediately if asked?” 5. Practice the check-in with yourself. Say your consent line out loud (even if it’s just for you). Then say your boundary line. If you’re doing self-reiki, your “consent” can be: “Yes, I want Reiki for my [area], and I’m choosing this gently.” 6. Do one placement only. Place one hand over a comfortable area on yourself (for example, your heart center over the upper chest, or your hands together). Keep it there for 2 minutes. Don’t chase sensations - just notice what’s true. 7. Complete the safety record. In your notebook, write: - Date/time - Area you placed your hand on - What you asked/confirmed (consent + boundaries) - One sentence: “I felt ___.”

Completed example (what yours can look like)

> Date/time: July 29, 2026, 7:10 pm > Area: Hands together on lap > Consent + boundaries said: “I’m choosing Reiki support for my hands. I’m not replacing medical care - this is gentle support.” > Self-check: Calm, not rushed, able to stop. > Noticing: “I felt a soft warmth and slow breathing.”

Your Turn (Safety Script Worksheet) Write your consent line and boundary line below. Keep them short enough that you could actually say them in real life.

Consent line (your words): ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Boundary line (your words): ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

When you feel unsure, your “stop” plan is: ________________________________________________ ________________________________________________

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Real-World Application: Sessions, Sensations, and Clear Boundaries in Daily Life

Reiki sessions can be surprisingly ordinary. You might feel warmth, coolness, tingling, pulsing, or nothing obvious. Sometimes the mind feels calmer before the body does. Other times your body settles first and the mind follows. All of that is normal. What matters most is that the experience stays respectful, comfortable, and safe.

Here are two everyday scenarios to practice the safety mindset (with expected outcomes). Read them, then use the prompts that follow.

Scenario A: Self-reiki after a stressful moment (10 minutes). You sit down, do your consent check for yourself, and place your hands on a chosen area (like your chest or hands). Expected outcome: you’ll likely notice slower breathing, a quieter mind, or a body sensation that feels “settled.” Even if you feel nothing special, you still completed a safe, conscious practice because you offered gentle attention on purpose.

Scenario B: Reiki for a friend who’s unsure (with consent + hands-near). You ask permission first, then offer hands-near (about a hand’s width away) instead of immediate hands-on. Expected outcome: your friend should feel more in control. If they say “too close” or “not comfortable,” you adjust distance, switch to hands-near fully, or stop - no debate.

A core safety boundary is avoiding promises. Instead of saying, “This will fix your pain,” you can say something like, “Reiki support can help you feel calmer and more grounded.” That keeps Reiki honest and keeps you out of medical territory.

Apply It (Two Quick Scenario Prompts) For each scenario, write what you would say and what you would do if the other person felt uncomfortable.

1) Scenario A (self): What area would you choose, and what would you notice in your body or breath within 10 minutes? ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________

2) Scenario B (friend): What would you ask first, and what would you do if they said “please back up”? ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________

Expected outcome check (fill in one line each): - If they’re uncomfortable, your outcome is: ______________________________ - If they’re comfortable, your outcome is: ______________________________

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Reflection: Your Consent Practice, Your Comfort Signals, Your Next Step

You don’t need “perfect” sensations to practice safely. You do need clear boundaries and a reliable way to stop. Reflection helps you notice your personal comfort signals - what tells you, “Yes, this feels safe,” and what tells you, “Pause.”

Think about a time you’ve felt calm and a time you’ve felt tense. When you’re tense, your body may tighten, your breath may shorten, and your attention may rush. During Reiki, safety means you slow down enough to stay kind and present. (And yes, it’s okay to stop early if something doesn’t feel right.)

Your Turn (Comfort Signals Checklist) Check the boxes that match what helps you feel safe during Reiki.

• [ ] My breathing slows naturally - [ ] My shoulders drop or soften - [ ] I feel steady enough to stop instantly - [ ] I can clearly explain what I’m doing - [ ] I feel comfortable asking for consent - [ ] I feel okay offering hands-near instead of hands-on - [ ] Other: ______________________________________

Reflect (Answer with specifics) 1) When you imagine offering Reiki to another person, what exact words will you use for consent? (Write them like you’ll say them out loud.) ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________

2) What is your personal “stop signal”? (Example: “If I feel rushed,” “If they ask me to stop,” “If I feel dizzy.”) ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________

3) Choose one self-reiki boundary you will follow this week. Example: “No promises,” “No hands-on if I’m not calm,” “Hands-near only if I’m unsure.” What will you do? ________________________________________________ ______________________________________________ ________________________________________________

A good Reiki foundation feels grounded: consent first, comfort always, and no pressure to “perform” sensations. If you can hold that steady, you’re already practicing safely - and your future Reiki skills will have a solid home to grow in.

End of chapter one. 6 more chapters in the full book.