A Beginner’s Guide · Power Living Manly
Sometimes, the most valuable part of a practice is the opportunity to pause. Discover what Reiki is, how it fits into a restorative yoga experience, and what to know before trying it for yourself.
If you have come across Reiki in a yoga studio, meditation space or wellness workshop, you may have wondered what it actually involves. Is it a type of massage? Does it require a particular belief? And what happens when Reiki is combined with Yin Yoga and live sound?
Reiki is a complementary practice that originated in Japan and is commonly associated with gentle touch, stillness and the intention of supporting wellbeing.
For some people, Reiki is a spiritual practice. For others, it is an unfamiliar experience they are curious to explore. Understanding what it involves can help you approach it with an open mind.
At Power Living, the upcoming Yin Sound + Reiki experience in Manly brings Reiki together with long-held Yin postures and live soundscapes, offering an opportunity to slow down and experience these different practices in one session.
01 — The Basics
What Is Reiki?
Reiki is a complementary practice in which a practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above a person’s body. Practitioners traditionally describe the practice as directing energy to support the body’s natural healing response.
The practice is rooted in an Eastern belief in a form of energy associated with life and wellbeing. Its name comes from two Japanese words, “rei” and “ki”, and its modern form, Usui Reiki Ryoho, was developed by Mikao Usui in 1922.
What a session means is personal. Many people simply value the chance to rest, be still and receive quiet, attentive care. Others connect with Reiki’s spiritual traditions. Both are welcome.
You do not need any experience or particular belief to be curious about what a session involves.
02 — The Session
What Happens During a Reiki Session?
A Reiki session is generally quiet and does not require strenuous movement. You usually remain fully clothed while the practitioner places their hands lightly on or just above different areas of your body.
Fully clothed
Sit or lie comfortably as you are.
Light or no touch
Hands rest lightly on or just above the body.
Nothing to perform
No speaking, chanting or technique required.
The approach can vary depending on the practitioner and setting. Some sessions involve gentle physical contact, while others use hands-off positioning. You may be invited to sit or lie comfortably and allow the session to unfold without needing to perform a sequence of movements. There is generally no requirement to speak, chant or follow a complicated technique.
People’s experiences differ. Many find the quiet setting relaxing, while others simply enjoy the novelty of something new. There is no single sensation you need to experience for your participation to be valid.
Your comfort comes first
If you prefer not to be touched, let the practitioner know before the session begins and ask whether a hands-off approach is available. You should feel comfortable communicating your boundaries throughout the experience.
03 — A Natural Pairing
How Does Reiki Fit with Yin Yoga?
Yin Yoga and Reiki are distinct practices, but they share a slower pace and a focus on stillness, which makes them a natural pairing in a shared setting.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga typically involves settling into seated and lying postures held for three to five minutes, with an emphasis on stillness, individual positioning and deep breathing. Unlike more dynamic styles, it usually involves fewer transitions between poses.
The intention is not to force the body into a deeper shape. Instead, practitioners are encouraged to work within an appropriate range, use props when helpful and pay attention to their individual response.
Yin + Reiki Together
In a combined Yin and Reiki session, the practitioner may offer Reiki while participants remain in supported postures. This creates a quieter environment in which the physical practice and the Reiki experience occur alongside one another.
The combination may appeal to people who enjoy slower yoga classes and want to explore an unfamiliar wellness practice in a guided, welcoming setting.
04 — The Atmosphere
Why Add Live Sound?
Sound is another element that can shape the atmosphere of a restorative class. Live sound may involve instruments and soundscapes that fill the room while participants remain in supported postures. Rather than following a sequence of movements or responding to spoken instructions throughout, you may have more space to listen and notice your experience.
Sound can become part of the environment in which you practise, drawing your attention to what you hear and how you respond to it.
In a Yin Sound + Reiki session, the three elements offer different points of focus:
Yin Yoga
Settling into postures and exploring stillness within an appropriate physical range.
Reiki
Experiencing a practitioner’s hands placed lightly on or just above the body.
Live Sound
Listening to an immersive soundscape as part of the class environment.
Together, they create a different experience from a conventional flowing yoga class. The emphasis is less on moving through a sequence and more on giving yourself time to pause, receive and observe your own response.
05 — Before You Go
Is Yin Sound + Reiki Right for You?
A combined session may appeal to you if you enjoy slower yoga practices, live music or guided experiences that give you time away from your usual routine. It can also be an opportunity to explore something new without needing to master a technique or perform for anyone else.
Before attending, consider a few practical points:
- →You do not need previous Reiki experience. If it is your first time, you can ask the practitioner or host what to expect before the session begins.
- →You can communicate your boundaries. Ask about touch, positioning and any available modifications. You should never feel pressured to accept physical contact or participate in a way that makes you uncomfortable.
- →You can adapt your Yin practice. Use suitable props, change positions when necessary and come out of a posture if you experience pain or uncomfortable pressure.
- →There is no right way to feel. You might enjoy the sounds, appreciate the stillness or simply find the session different from your usual class. Whatever you experience is valid.
- →Come with an open mind. Treat the session as an opportunity to explore complementary practices and give yourself time to pause.
Arrive curious. Understand what the session involves.
Give yourself permission to engage in a way that feels appropriate for you.
06 — Join Us
Experience Yin Sound + Reiki at Power Living Manly
If you are ready to explore a slower, more restorative style of practice, Power Living’s Yin Sound + Reiki session brings together three distinct elements in one guided experience.
Led by Rafael Ribeiro, the 75-minute session combines long-held Yin Yoga postures with Reiki from Cibeli and immersive live soundscapes by Yasco. The class is designed to offer time to pause, settle into supported postures and experience the combination of movement, stillness and sound.
It is suitable for all levels, making it an option for both regular practitioners and those who are curious about trying a different kind of class.
Manly · All Levels · 75 Minutes
Yin Sound + Reiki
6:15 pm – 7:30 pm AEDT
Host: Rafael Ribeiro
Reiki: Cibeli
Live sound: Yasco
Location: Power Living Manly
Come as you are, ask questions if you need to, and allow yourself to explore the experience without pressure to feel or achieve anything in particular.
Make Space for a Different Kind of Practice
Not every yoga class needs to be dynamic, and not every wellness experience needs to be familiar before you try it.
Yin
invites you to explore stillness through physical postures.
Live sound
offers an opportunity to listen and notice your surroundings.
Reiki
introduces a complementary practice with its own traditions and beliefs.
Understanding what each element involves allows you to approach the experience with curiosity and confidence.
You do not need to know everything before you arrive.
Sometimes, the first step is simply learning what to expect, asking the right questions and deciding whether the experience feels right for you.
A gentle note: Reiki is a complementary practice and is not a substitute for medical care. Research into its health effects is still limited and mixed, so we invite you to enjoy it as a personal experience alongside, not instead of, advice from a qualified healthcare professional.
Sources
- National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. (2018). Reiki. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health.
- Newman, T. (2017, updated 2024). Reiki: What it is, techniques, benefits, risks, and more. Medical News Today.
- Daukantaitė, D., Tellhed, U., Maddux, R. E., Svensson, T., & Melander, O. (2018). Five-week yin yoga-based interventions decreased plasma adrenomedullin and increased psychological health in stressed adults: A randomized controlled trial. PLoS One, 13(7), e0200518.
