What to Wear for Reiki, Explained

As we learned in “What is Reiki,” the Japanese form of gentle touch relaxation called Reiki is traditionally done while fully clothed. This leads to the key question: What to wear for Reiki sessions to get the most benefit from your energy work chakra balancing?

The Reiki clothing advice in this article is drawn from my years of experience as a Boston Reiki practitioner, doing hands-on work with hundreds of clients since 2018. Though energy work can be done around any attire, there are certain outfits that work best — and some that don’t. Let’s explore them in depth.

What to Wear for Reiki

Shirts for Chakra Balancing

As I explained in our chakra colors article, the seven classic energy centers of the body are chiefly located along the spine, and thus one’s choice of shirt is a key factor in providing access to them. Given this, wear a thin, closely-fitting shirt to your Reiki session.

Why is this? Place your hand on your upper belly now (the Third Chakra, associated with a yellow aura and self-love). If you’re wearing a thick sweater, or shirt with sequins on it, or loose sweatshirt, it’s harder to feel the heat and energy coming off your body, right? Thin, closely-fitting shirts give much better access to clearing chakra blocks.

Second, I recommend you wear layers of a short-sleeved shirt under a thin, closely fitting long-sleeved shirt. Though it’s fine to make requests about thermostat adjustment, a layered outfit gives you options to adjust your own temperature, without having a thick cardigan getting in the way of hand placements.

Best Pants and Shorts for Energy Work

Because the First Chakra (associated with a red aura and feelings of safety) is located at the base of the spine (aka, the where your legs meet), it’s very helpful to the Reiki practitioner if you wear pants that are closely fitting enough that we can see the lines of your waist and legs and thus avoid sensitive areas when doing hand placements. Meanwhile, for the same reasons of energy transfer explained in the “Shirts” section of this article, choose pants for Reiki that are as thin and soft as possible.

Yoga pants, leggings, thin joggers, wind pants, or not-too-baggy pajama pants being FAR preferable to jeans or thick cargo pants. Please try not to wear jeans or other heavy bottoms to energy work sessions — I find they block optimal energy flow.

Also, pay special attention to the waistband of the pants you pick. Since the Second Chakra (associated with an orange aura and creativity) is located just below the navel, do not wear pants that have thick or complicated waistbands which could block hand placements and energy transfer. Smooth, thin, flat waistbands (with no belt, and only a minimal drawstring, if any) are best.

What to Wear for Reiki Socks and Footwear

As there are some wonderful Reiki hand placements involving the feet (see my article about the fabulous black aura and chakra for more), it is important to think about your footwear. Reiki is usually done with shoes removed, so either wear or pack fresh, clean socks — again, not too thick, because you want the practitioner to be able to feel as much of your energy as possible through the cloth.

Scents and Bodywork

Since Reiki practitioners, as well as subsequent clients, may have scent sensitivities, don’t wear cologne or perfume to a Reiki session, and in general, keep fragrances to a minimum. On that note, it’s nice to be showered and have personal scents cleansed, so you don’t have to worry about being overly sweaty or having heavy garlic breath during Reiki breathing!

Reiki and Accessories

As for accessories, wear as few as possible, since necklaces can get in the way of hand placements for the Throat Chakra, associated with a blue aura and speaking one’s truth. Though practitioners can work around rings, watches, earrings, and bracelets, I find giving Reiki easier without them.

Any smartwatches should be turned off and removed, because random buzzing sensations are not conducive to relaxation and chakra balancing! Some clients like to have energetic crystals on pendants, and if it helps focus their energy, that’s fine — just communicate with the practitioner about best placements.

What to Wear for Reiki, in Sum

I hope this tutorial on what to wear for Reiki has been useful. A Reiki session cost is usually not trivial, so it’s worth taking the time to make sure that your clothing supports the energy work as much as possible. Do add your experiences and questions to the comment section below, as I’d love to hear your perspective.