Basic Reiki Hand Positions

In Usui Reiki, the "original" Japanese healing system of Reiki, there are 12 basic hand positions. These are learned in Level I and are a guideline for treating yourself and others. For people who don't sense the Reiki energy, using the hand positions insures that all the Chakras--or major energy centers--are covered during a treatment. Below is a guide to the 12 basic Reiki hand positions, broken up into easier steps. These steps make it look like many more hand positions! But they're simple and easy to use. When you learn them, you can modify them to suit your Reiki practice.

About Posture

Stand with your knees bent slightly, not locked. Let your shoulders relax, and make sure your weight is balanced over both feet. Your back should be straight, and your butt and hips tucked in.

Reiki Hands

Throughout the treatment hold your hands cupped, as if you're holding water in your hands. These are "reiki hands." When you move your hands, don't slide them along the body. Either move one hand, and then the other to meet it, or move both hands together, keeping them in the aura an inch or two from the body.

Before a Reiki Treatment

Before you start the treatment, hold your hands in front of you as if you're praying. This is the gassho position, or praying hands. Activate your Reiki now by intending it to run.

Treating the Head and Throat with Reiki

We now begin with the hand positions on the head and throat. For treating someone else, you should stand behind the person. Leave your hands in each position until the energy tapers off. Or, if you can't feel the Reiki, stay in each position for 3-5 minutes. This is for a full treatment. If you don't have time for this, whatever time you can spend on each position is good.

1. Top of the head. This treats the crown Chakra. This is the 7th Chakra, which connects the person to the divine when it's open and balanced. Treating this Chakra also calms the mind. To do this, place your hands gently on top of the person's head. Put your hands next to each other, leaving them cupped.

2. Over the eyes. This balances the 6th Chakra at the brow, the Third Eye. It brings intuitive information to the mind and body, relaxes the eyes, and treats the sinuses. It's important to treat here, because when the eyes are relaxed, the body is, too. Place your palms over the eyes, your fingertips on the person's cheekbones, and rest the heels of your hands on their forehead.

3. Sides of face, palms covering temples. This reduces stress and headaches.

4. Back of head. Place your fingertips where the skull and neck join. This relaxes the brain stem, promotes serenity and balance, and reduces stress. It also helps with past life recall.

5. To reduce TMJ, cover the person's jaw with your palms, with your thumbs at the corners of their mouth. This also treats tension in the jaw, helps with tooth trouble, and can reduce the grinding of teeth.

6. Choose from the following positions to treat the 5th Chakra at the throat:
a. Hands in V formation in front.
b. One hand in front of the throat and one behind.
c. Hands on the throat in front, one under the other.
d. Both hands on the throat from behind, i.e. on the back of the neck.

This position, no matter which you choose, treats the 5th Chakra at the throat. It enhances communication, improves airflow, helps the lymphatic system work properly, and treats the thyroid gland--regulating metabolism and blood pressure. It also increases the amount of energy that flows to the whole body.

Treating the Torso with Reiki

Now move to the side of the person for the hand positions on the torso. You can do these positions with your hands either next to each other, or one on top and the other beneath. It also doesn't matter which hand is the far hand; just do what's most comfortable for you.

7. Over chest, just below collar bones. This treats the thymus, which regulates the immune system, as well as the lungs and diaphragm. It also activates unconditional love for oneself and others, so it's another important Reiki hand position.

8. Hands at the center of the chest. This enhances the fourth Chakra, including the heart, lungs, and diaphragm.

9. Solar plexus. This is the area just below the rib cage. This position is important for treating the liver, stomach, and other digestive organs. It also generates feelings of support and vitality.

10. Two inches below the waist. This regulates the bladder and kidneys and also encourages connecting with the emotions. In addition, it circulates energy throughout the entire body.

11. Both hands, first on one side of the pubic area and then on the other. You may leave out this position or do it without physical contact, i.e. in the aura a few inches from the body. This treats the root Chakra, releases fear and anxiety, promotes centering and grounding, and relaxes the intestines, bladder, prostate and ovaries.

12. Ankles and feet. Treating the ankles and feet individually by placing both hands on one ankle, then the other, and then one foot after the other, also helps with grounding. In addition, it releases tension in the joints. If you don't have a lot of time, you can treat the parts of each foot individually, intending to treat the entire body.

Some people also treat the back of the body, other joints, and the aura. Additional hand positions are added sometimes, too. However, Reiki goes where it is needed, so these positions aren't necessary. No hand positions are strictly necessary in giving Reiki treatments. They're just a guideline. In the end, Reiki always works, and you need to do what feels right for you and the Reiki recipient.