Reiki for Grief & Emotional Release: What it is and What to Expect.
If you are carrying grief, disappointment, or an experience that still lives in your body, you may be wondering whether Reiki can help.
Many of my clients describe feeling lighter, calmer, and more able to exhale after a session. I'm Angela, a Master Reiki Teacher offering in-person sessions in Edmonton and virtual sessions across Canada. I also know this path personally, because I have been on both sides of the table.
How grief shows up in the body
Grief does not always look like tears. It can show up as tension, fatigue, restless sleep, a tight chest, or a feeling of being constantly on guard. Many healing traditions teach that the body holds onto emotional experiences long after the mind has moved on, and that physical symptoms can be messages guiding us toward what needs care.
Resilience is often misunderstood. It is not about being unaffected. It is about adapting, surviving, and eventually learning how to soften again.
What Reiki is, and what a session feels like
Reiki is a gentle energy healing practice. You stay fully clothed and rest comfortably while I use light touch or hands hovering just above the body. You do not have to relive your pain, explain it, or justify it. Most people describe deep relaxation, warmth, or a sense of quiet safety.
Sessions with me are typically 60 or 90 minutes and available in person in Edmonton or virtually from wherever you are in Canada.
Whatever you need, Reiki can help.
My story: Why I do this work
In 1998, I was ready to test for my first black belt in karate. I had trained four days a week for years, and I knew I was ready to achieve the goal I had set as a young student. After the assessment, I was told I had failed, despite strong feedback and technical praise, while two male peers who had trained far less consistently passed and earned black belt status. When I asked why, the answer was simple and devastating: because I was a girl.
It gutted me and was my first embodied experience of injustice and gender discrimination. That same season, someone I loved deeply was taken suddenly in a car crash. Loss piled on top of disappointment, and I stood at the edge of adulthood carrying far more than I knew how to process. I kept going, stayed busy, and pushed forward. For several years I was lost, turning to alcohol, overworking, and other coping habits that took me further away from myself.
In 2024, I decided to accept a higher power into my life and made significant changes to live a healthy and sober life. Unfortunately, unprocessed grief does not disappear, and after years of studying the mind-body-spirit connection, I came to understand that the body can carry trauma in the form of stress, pain, depression or other ailments. After years of working closely with crystals, meditation and binaural beats, I was introduced to Reiki. Through attaining Reiki Levels 1 &2, I was able to find a way to reclaim parts of myself that had been lost, not through force, but through presence, stillness, unconditional love and by allowing energy to flow where it had once felt blocked.
Today I see those early experiences not as failures, but as initiations that deepened my empathy and my commitment to creating safe, respectful healing spaces where all bodies are honoured.
As I continue to learn and teach the traditional aspects of Reiki, I can adapt the early teachings of karate that genuinely shaped how I understand the world. Although I did not receive black belt status, I continue to use the principles of karate: discipline, breath, humility, and respect for every person who steps in my space. Those lessons never needed a belt to be real. Today I carry them into my Reiki practice, where everyone is welcomed, and no one is turned away for who they are.
Please note:
Reiki is a complementary practice. It can support relaxation and emotional well-being, and it is not a replacement for medical care, therapy, or grief counselling. If you are struggling, I encourage you to reach out to a doctor or mental health professional alongside your Reiki sessions.
Frequently asked questions
What does a Reiki session for grief feel like?
Most people feel deeply relaxed. Grief can come with tears, and that is simply energy being released. Others notice warmth, tingling, or a quiet calm they have not felt in a long time. There is no right or wrong way to feel, and whatever comes up is welcome.
Do I have to talk about what I have been through?
No. Talking is completely optional. Reiki offers a gentle space to be supported without having to explain, relive, or justify anything.
Can Reiki be done virtually?
Yes. Virtual distant sessions are available, and many clients find a deeper level of healing from the comfort of their own home. Energy is not limited by distance, so you can receive a session from wherever you feel most safe.
How many sessions will I need?
It depends on how much has been stored in the body and how open you are to healing. Some people feel a shift after one session, while others benefit from a series. To better serve you, I offer bundle sessions for those who want continued support, and Reiki training for those ready for a deeper, more transformational experience.
Ready for support?
If you are carrying grief, disappointment, or an experience that still lives in your body, you do not have to move through it alone. Healing does not have to be forced. It can unfold with care, compassion, and balance.
Start with a single session. Experience Reiki for yourself in person in Edmonton or virtually anywhere in Canada. [Book a Reiki Session]
Ready to go deeper? Healing looks different for everyone, and it depends on how much has been stored and how open you are to release. My bundle sessions offer continued support as your healing unfolds. [Explore Bundle Sessions]
Called to learn Reiki? If you are ready for a deeply transformational experience, my Reiki training will teach you to work with this energy for yourself and others. [Explore Reiki Training]
Not ready to book? That is okay. Download my free guide, [guide name], or join my newsletter for gentle reminders and healing practices. [Get the Free Guide]
