Beginner reference
Reiki hand positions.A calm, complete self-practice sequence
The traditional self-treatment sequence works head to toe, holding each position about three minutes. Comfort beats precision: if a position strains your arms, adapt it. This page describes the classic sequence and the honesty about what it can and cannot do.
The sequence
Head to toe.
Head: hands over the face or cupped over the eyes; palms over the sides of the head; hands over the crown; hands at the back of the head.
Front: hands over the throat (softly, never pressing); one hand over the heart, one over the belly; both hands over the lower belly.
Back and sides: shoulder blades; lower back; one hand on each shoulder blade, then one hand on each side of the waist.
Finish: knees; feet. Many people finish at the feet, then sit quietly for a minute.
How to hold it
Tempo, comfort and honesty.
Three minutes per position is the classic rhythm; the whole sequence takes thirty to forty-five minutes. If your arms tire, rest them. If a position is impossible for your body, skip it or adapt it. The tradition values consistency more than exactness.
The honest frame: self-Reiki is a relaxation practice. It is not a treatment for any condition, and regular practice works best alongside, never instead of, your ordinary healthcare.