Reiki Self-Treatment Guide - Learn to Practice Positions, Relaxation Techniques, and Symbols

Reiki Self-Treatment: A Complete Guide

Reiki is an ancient Japanese healing technique that involves the transfer of universal energy to promote balance and well-being. While professional Reiki treatments offer great benefit, you can also learn to practice Reiki on yourself as part of a self-care routine.

What is Reiki?

Reiki (pronounced RAY-key) is based on the idea that a life force energy flows within all living things. This energy is known as "ki" in Japanese. Reiki practitioners learn to detect and utilize this energy through light touch or placement of hands on or above the body.

The purpose of Reiki is to promote the proper flow of ki to restore health and vitality. It helps strengthen the body's ability to heal itself and enhances general well-being. Reiki does not involve manipulation or massage of tissues.

History of Reiki

The Reiki system was developed in 1922 by Mikao Usui, a Japanese Buddhist. Usui studied ancient Tibetan healing methods and incorporated spiritual practices to formulate Reiki techniques. The tradition was passed down through various Reiki masters.

Reiki was introduced outside of Japan in the mid-1900s. A Hawaiian woman named Hawayo Takata learned Reiki from Japanese teachers and brought the practice to the western world. Reiki techniques continued to evolve and spread globally.

How Does Reiki Work?

The mechanisms behind Reiki have not been fully verified scientifically. However, proponents believe that universal energy is channeled through the hands of the Reiki practitioner into the recipient's body and energy field.

This is said to break up energy blockages and activate healing in the areas needed. The flow of ki is redirected to restore optimal functioning of the mind and body holistically.

According to Reiki teachings, illness is the result of imbalances or blockages in a person's ki flow. Reiki seeks to remedy these disturbances to support the body's natural ability to heal itself.

Benefits of Reiki

Clinical research continues to explore the effectiveness of Reiki for various health conditions. Thus far, studies suggest that Reiki may provide benefits such as:

• Lowering stress, anxiety and depression
• Easing chronic pain
• Reducing side effects of cancer treatments
• Improving quality of life
• Aiding post-surgical recovery
• Enhancing mental clarity
• Promoting relaxation and sleep

For many people, Reiki produces deep relaxation and an overall sense of well-being. Regular sessions may help support general health and healing.

Reiki Self-Treatment Basics

With some training, you can learn to perform Reiki on yourself. This allows you to benefit from Reiki's healing properties anytime. Some key things to know about self-Reiki:

• No complex tools are required, just your hands
• It is very gentle with no adverse effects
• It complements other treatments and medication
• Daily practice provides stress relief and promotes health
• It helps tune into your body's energy and needs

While professional practitioners offer valuable guidance and customized sessions, self-Reiki is worthwhile for reinforcement between appointments or if you don't have regular access to a practitioner.

Learning Reiki

To perform Reiki on yourself, you first need to undergo attunement from a Reiki Master. Attunement opens you up to channel universal energy through your hands to wherever healing is needed.

Training involves:

• Learning the history and ethical principles
• Understanding energy and how Reiki works
• Receiving attunements to access Reiki energy
• Practicing hand positions and self-treatment techniques

While some masters offer intensive "Reiki I" courses over a single weekend, spacing out the material over several weeks allows more time for development. Expect to pay $100 to $300 for attunement and instruction.

Hand Positions for Self-Reiki

Reiki involves very light touch or placement of the practitioner's hands in specific spots on the body. Common hand positions for self-Reiki include:

• Head - top of head, forehead, temples, sides of face
• Torso - front and back of neck, shoulders, chest, stomach, lower back
• Arms - palms, wrists, forearms, elbows, upper arms
• Hands - palms, tops, fingers
• Legs - thighs, knees, shins, ankles, tops of feet, soles

During self-treatment, you can sit or lie down and use whichever hand positions allow you to best cover key areas. There is no exactly prescribed method.

Self-Reiki Step-by-Step

With practice, self-Reiki sessions can become intuitive. However, those new to the technique will benefit from a structured approach:

1. Ground and center yourself - Sit comfortably and take a few deep breaths. Visualize excess energy releasing from your body down through your legs and feet into the floor.
2. Set your intention - Focus your mind on your purpose for this self-Reiki session, such as relaxation, healing a certain condition, or overall wellness.
3. Scan your body - Start by quickly checking in with each area of your body. Notice any tension, discomfort or energetic imbalances.
4. Treat upper body - Place your hands on your head, face, neck, shoulders, arms, and torso in positions that feel right. Breathe deeply as you share healing energy with each placement.
5. Treat lower body - Move to your legs, feet, and anywhere else needing attention. Send Reiki energy to areas of pain or imbalance.
6. Finish - Reiki typically flows where it needs to go on its own. Conclude the session by holding your palms together over your heart in prayer position.

Aim for sessions of at least 15-30 minutes daily, though even 5 minutes can be beneficial when you are pressed for time.

Using Reiki on Specific Conditions

In addition to overall wellness sessions, you can use self-Reiki to target specific health issues. Techniques may include:

• Placing hands on areas of pain or injury to reduce inflammation, promote healing
• Holding hands on the temples, forehead or back of neck to ease headaches
• Massaging the stomach to aid digestion
• Focusing on the throat for relief from sore throats or coughs
• Directing energy to the solar plexus and sacral chakras to reduce anxiety

Be guided by your intuition during self-treatment. Notice where your hands are drawn to naturally, and allow Reiki to flow there.

Self-Reiki Positions for Relaxation

Regular self-Reiki encourages deep relaxation and counters the effects of stress. Useful hand placements for relaxation include:

• Crown of head - calms the mind
• Forehead - eases worry, depression
• Eyes - relieves eye strain, supports restful sleep
• Neck and shoulders - melts away tension
• Solar plexus - alleviates nervous butterflies
• Sacral chakra - helps emotional balance

Focus on your breathing as you hold these relaxation positions. Let stress and tension dissolve away.

Using Reiki Symbols

Reiki symbols are visualizations

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.