When someone is "attuned" to Reiki, this gentle yet powerful energy is in essence "activated." A practitioner becomes the connection between Reiki and the recipient. Reiki practitioners are not the source of this beautiful energy, we become the path through which it flows. In doing so, we also "receive" Reiki as it travels through us to the recipient. Some practitioners feel that the Reiki energy enters their crown chakra. Others including myself invite Reiki through my heart chakra. Reiki is pure love and so I find my connection to it through my heart. This beautiful energy flows out of a practitioner's hands which is why is it sometimes referred to as a "touch therapy that promotes healing."
With the recipient's permission, the practitioner will use light touch allowing the Reiki energy to flow to the recipient. If the client prefers, the practitioner will simply float their hands above them. Direct contact is not necessary for a person to experience this beautiful energy flowing to them.
Often the recipient will notice a slight warmth generating from the practitioners hands during a session. It is found to be very soothing. Although there are standard hand positions for a Reiki session, Reiki has a wisdom of its own and goes where it is needed to restore balance. The recipient only needs to have a desire to experience Reiki in order to do so. Due to the fact that our energy is in constant motion, each time that we "share" Reiki with one another, the experience will always be unique. The state of our mental, emotional, physical, spiritual energy bodies are in a constant state of flux. This is due to the energy of the individuals, places etc. that we encounter on a daily basis. As Reiki flows through a person, imbalances in their energy are able to be resolved.
Although it is not affiliated with any religion, many people find a spiritual connection in Reiki. A gentle loving energy that assists us to let go of judgement, fear, resentment, anger etc. and feel calm and serene.