Vermont Reiki Association-Clarity, Integrity, Compassion

Guidelines for VRA Clinics

Thank you for volunteering.

The Vermont Reiki Association (VRA) has given hundreds of complimentary Reiki sessions at events in Vermont. Generally, the hosts and
participants want us to return the following year. Rarely have we had complaints, but occasionally something comes up. The following guidelines for giving Reiki at clinics are meant to avoid problems.

The purpose of VRA public clinics is to introduce people to Reiki by giving them a free sample. They are not our clients and may be brand new to Reiki. We are guests of the organization sponsoring the event. We want to insure that the people receiving Reiki, the hosts of the events, and colleagues are satisfied with how we give Reiki. With this in mind we have listed some guidelines for our clinics. All VRA members are expected to follow the VRA Code of Ethics whenever they give Reiki.

Do’s:

Do have a designated greeter for each event. The designated greeter should help schedule sessions and briefly explain that the person receiving Reiki will be fully clothed, sitting on a chair or laying on a table with shoes off; and that the practitioner’s hands will be placed lightly on the individual’s body. The hands will be held above any sensitive areas. They will explain that Reiki is intended for relaxation, stress reduction and an increase of energy. If the greeter is not available, then it is the responsibility of the practitioner to explain the procedure.

Listen. If appropriate, distribute your business card, VRA brochure, or other information.

Do stand next to the person receiving Reiki as they get on and off the Reiki table. Assist as necessary. Make them comfortable on the Reiki table by offering a pillow, cushion under knees, sheet and /or blanket, etc.

Do have the person sit in a chair for a few minutes if he or she doesn’t seem to be grounded after a session. Offer them water, if appropriate. Do finish the session on time. This is important so that we can fit in everyone who wants to experience Reiki. Usually, we have a sign up sheet with people scheduled every 15 minutes. We have found this to be a sufficient amount of time to experience Reiki.

Do take breaks as you need them or tell the VRA coordinator you need a break. We want all of our VRA volunteers to have a fulfilling experience.


Don’ts:

Don’t use new age words. (For example: aura, chakra, channeling, spirit guides, etc.)

Don’t draw the Reiki symbols or say them out loud. If you are using symbols, draw them in your mind or say the name of the symbol to yourself silently.

Don’t use anything except Reiki. No chanting, blowing air, intuiting, sound healing, massage, channeling, praying out loud, etc. Although all of these procedures are valid healing modalities, we are at the event representing the Vermont Reiki Association.

Don’t use scanning with your hands at the beginning of the session or sweeping movements at the end of the session. If you feel a need to smooth the energy field or close the session, do so in your mind.

Don’t say anything that might be construed as advice or diagnosis. Aside from imparting incorrect information, we could also run into legal difficulties in this area.

Don’t engage in therapeutic talk. If asked at the end of a session what you felt, turn the question around and ask them what they felt.

Don’t say:

“I felt you drawing a lot of Reiki in your stomach…” or any other part of the body. Move the conversation to the person receiving the Reiki…”if you felt warmth or any other sensation, this was how your body received Reiki” or say something like “Everyone feels something different and sometimes people don’t feel anything at all. What was your experience?” If they say heat, tingling, etc., you can say: “That is caused by the Reiki energy entering your body.” At most say: “I felt energy entering your body. That is normal, and a good thing.” Never, ever say anything that would upset or frighten the person! For example: DON’T say, “I felt something in your heart area.” or “I felt something going on in your head”, etc.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO IF YOU SEE ONE OF OUR PRACTITIONERS DOING SOMETHING ON THE DON’T LIST?

If you feel comfortable, mention it to them after they complete their session. If you feel you need to tell them immediately, quietly ask them if you could talk to them away from the Reiki table. If you are uncomfortable with intervening, then tell the VRA person(s) who is designated as coordinator of the event.

We are grateful to you for volunteering! Please help us to assure the future of the VRA’s outreach program.