Agreeing and closing a session.

Partner practice workshop

Watch the decisions, not a performance

This is an original course exercise. This demonstration follows two fictional adults, Alex and Sam. Alex is learning; Sam has agreed to hear an invitation but has not yet agreed to take part. You can read the dialogue aloud or simply follow the choices. The important details are what gets explained, what gets agreed, and how a change is respected. There is no special script to memorize and no need to sound like a professional practitioner.

Alex chooses a short, hands-off practice near the shoulders. Sam will sit in a familiar chair, fully clothed, with room to move. Alex checks that their own position will also be comfortable. Neither person is expected to hold an awkward pose. Before anyone raises a hand, they have a conversation about what the exercise is and whether Sam wants it.

A clear invitation

Alex says: “I am learning Reiki and would like to try a short practice. I would sit beside you and keep my hands near your shoulders without touching. We could try three minutes. It is a learning exercise, not treatment for a health problem. Would you like to try it?” Sam asks: “Do I have to close my eyes?” Alex answers: “No. You can keep them open, talk, change position, or stop.”

Sam says: “All right, but please stay beside me rather than behind me.” Alex replies: “Yes, beside you. No touching, and only near your shoulders. If you say stop, I will move my hands away straight away. You do not need to explain. Is that what you want?” Sam says yes. Notice that the agreement includes position, area, touch choice, duration, and a way to end.

Check once, then leave room for ordinary conversation

Alex sits beside Sam and asks, “Are you comfortable for me to begin?” After Sam agrees, Alex brings their hands to the agreed area at a comfortable distance. Alex keeps their own shoulders relaxed and avoids reaching across Sam. There is no pressure to maintain silence or make the room feel ceremonial. A quiet atmosphere is useful only if both people find it comfortable.

After a short while, Sam says: “I thought I would be happy with that, but I would rather your hands were farther away.” Alex lowers their hands and replies: “Of course. Shall we finish, or would you like to agree a different position?” Sam says they would prefer to finish. Alex answers: “That is fine. We have finished.” The agreed three minutes were a maximum plan, not an obligation to continue.

What the response protects

Alex does not ask Sam to endure the rest, persuade them that nothing can be wrong, or call the changed preference an energetic reaction. Alex also does not become offended. A person’s comfort is information that guides the exercise. By stopping promptly, Alex makes it possible for Sam’s permission to remain a real choice rather than a promise they cannot take back.

If Sam had instead asked to continue with a new position, Alex would need a clear new agreement before resuming. Permission cannot be inferred from a shrug or from the fact that Sam said yes earlier. If Alex was uncertain how to keep the position comfortable, finishing would be sensible. There is no need to improvise an unfamiliar technique to rescue a short learning attempt.

Close and review

Alex leaves their hands resting away from Sam and says, “Take your time. Was the chair comfortable?” Sam answers, “Yes, I just preferred to stop.” Alex thanks Sam for saying so. They do not need to decide whether anything happened energetically. There is no request for a positive review, no claim about Sam’s health, and no suggestion that stopping prevented a promised result.

Later, Alex privately notes: “I explained the plan and stopped when asked. Next time I will check distance preferences more clearly before beginning.” This is useful learning even though the session ended early. Read the dialogue once more and identify the sentence that made stopping easy. You can borrow its plainness for your own words, or rehearse it during self-practice if you prefer to learn without a partner.