I learn new energy work concepts every day since becoming a Reiki Master years ago. The most recent is the surprising significance of coughing during Reiki when you’re not sick!
Clarifying Kinds of Coughs
First, an important disclaimer: I’m NOT talking here about the kind of coughing that comes from illness. Someone who is sick with a germy cough or cold should reschedule their energy work session, as I explain in my Reiki intake form.
This is also not about coughing when there are allergies or air pollutants. Rather, the topic here is a spontaneous, random burst of coughing or sneezing that is NOT associated with illness — it just erupts suddenly during a Reiki chakra balancing session. (See “What is Reiki?” for more background.) That kind of coughing can indeed be analyzed interestingly.
Coughing During Reiki
So, what is the meaning of coughing during Reiki when you’re truly not ill? Just like crying during Reiki, this body reaction is all about releasing pent-up blocks to help energy start flowing vibrantly again!
To get even deeper, pay special attention to which chakra the Reiki practitioner is touching when the coughing is triggered. Here’s a story from this week to illustrate.
An Example of the Release
Yesterday, a woman came in to my Reiki studio stating the intention that she’d like to enhance her spirituality and be closer with the universal energy around us. As I began my hand placements, I noticed that not once but twice when I was at her Crown Chakra (the area at the top of the head associated with a purple aura), she coughed!
“That’s so odd,” she said apologetically — “I’m not sick at all — I just felt the urge to expel air when you were up there.”
“Don’t worry,” I reassured her, “The Crown Chakra is connected with universal energy, so those coughs could be your body clearing out the energy blocks that have stood in your way for greater spiritual connection!”
Coughing During Reiki, in Sum
In conclusion, as long as you’re not actually sick (in which case you should be home resting, not spreading germs!), coughing during Reiki can be an indication of expelling energetic blockages during chakra balancing. Pay special attention to which areas of the body are triggering the urge to expel air, and analyze the association of that chakra accordingly.
Have you experienced something similar to this urge to cough paired with Reiki breathing? How do you interpret it? Do share…
Want more? Check out this exploration of Reiki and menstruation.
The creator of this site, Lillie Marshall, is a Reiki practitioner who is certified in three different kind of energy work, including Usui and Kundalini Reiki. She began her formal training in 2018, and now runs Healing Touch “L” Reiki in Boston, where she has become one of the top-rated practitioners in Massachusetts, conducting hundreds of sessions with clients. Having been a public school teacher for many years, Lillie is passionate about writing articles to educate people far and wide about the wonderful, natural benefits of Reiki for wellbeing and balance. Find her on social media at @HealingTouchL.
Ashley
Monday 15th of July 2024
Hi Lillie, I've been curious if someone administering Reiki (or placing hands over charka centers on another person's body) can trigger coughing.
A few years ago I started to feel energies within my chakras, starting with crystals, and then being able to tune into others and natural elements that create sensations within my chakras. I don't know what this means but have been trying to search for answers so I can use it to benefit others potentially.
Anyway, I decided to test some family members by moving my hands slowly over their charka centers to see if I could also feel that energy within my chakras, but found that certain energy centers made me cough.
I had to be sure it wasn't a fluke so I tried a few times with each person and every time I would cough in certain areas of the body.
I'd love for your insight on what I experienced, and possibly any guidance you can give on the energy that I feel and how to guide it/develop it. Thank you!!!
Lillie Marshall
Thursday 18th of July 2024
Hi Ashley, Thanks for taking the time to share this experience! Here are some thoughts:
1. Each Reiki practitioner has a unique way of sensing energetic blocks, and this could be yours! (For some practitioners, they sense blocks by feeling nauseous; for others it's feeling sleepy, for others it's feeling dizzy, and so on -- so coughing isn't so far outside that realm.) With this interpretation, we could categorize areas that make you cough as energetic blockages -- so do the normal things you'd do to help unblock the energy (symbols, visualizations, talking with the recipient, etc.) for that chakra and that person.
2. It's also important to examine biological and environmental factors. For example, for the former, it's possible that you are subconsciously changing your breathing in ways that spur on coughing spells. Pay special attention to your breath-work, and aim to breathe through your nose. For the latter possibility (environmental causes), there's a small possibility that you could have an allergy to something -- for example, if the person you're doing Reiki on has cat hair on them and you're allergic to cats, that could be a culprit. This leads us to...
3. Masks! Though I don't require my clients to wear masks, I always do, myself. I would recommend you experiment with wearing one, first because it could block any potential allergens (and thus help you assess if that's the cause), and second because if coughing is your way of sensing energetic blocks, a mask (and explanation) will help clients feel more comfortable.
I hope this helps! Feel free to reach out with any further questions, and best of luck.
Kerry
Friday 7th of June 2024
Yes had a treatment today definitely occurred whilst working through throat to crown chakras
Lillie Marshall
Friday 7th of June 2024
So interesting! Thanks for sharing your experience!