Reiki Self-Treatment · 12 Positions
12 Reiki Hand Positions: Ten Minutes of Daily Self-Practice
Usui's five head positions · Full-body hand positions · Complete and 10-minute routines
Self-healing is the most practical part of the Usui Reiki Level 1 course: after attunement, each day place your hands lightly on different body positions to give yourself a quiet and relaxing time.
This teaching introduces 12 self-hand positions: positions 1 to 5 are based on the head five points of Mikao Usui's 'Reiki Healing Essential', while positions 6 to 12 are common body positions in the West. It includes a full version and a daily 10-minute simplified version, making it easy to choose according to time.
⚠️ Note: This teaching is suitable for students who have completed the Level 1 attunement of Usui Reiki. Self-Reiki is a practice of relaxation and self-care, and it cannot diagnose or treat any disease; if you have any physical discomfort, please consult a registered doctor.
At a glance
Full version of 12 hand positions, each about 3–5 minutes, total about 40–60 minutes; if time is limited, you can choose 5 positions, each for 2 minutes, i.e., 10 minutes per day. Begin with the Five Reiki Principles by clasping your hands and ending with a thank you gesture.
In this article
- Where Do the Hand Positions Come From? Usui, Chujiro Hayashi and Takata
- Preparing to Begin
- Three Basic Principles
- Positions 1–5: Usui's Five Head Positions
- Positions 6–9: Front of the Body
- Positions 10–12: Shoulders and Back
- The 12 Hand Positions at a Glance
- A Simplified Daily 10-Minute Practice
- Practice Tips and Points to Consider
- Learning Self-Healing
- Frequently asked questions
Origin
I. Where Do the Hand Positions Come From? Usui, Chujiro Hayashi and Takata
| Lineage | Features of the hand positions |
|---|---|
| Mikao Usui | The Reiki Ryoho Hikkei states, “Whatever part of the body has a problem, first treat the head.” Its five head positions are the forehead at the hairline, both temples, the back of the head, the back of the neck at the medulla, and the crown, taking around thirty to forty minutes in total, alongside sensing with the palms. |
| Chujiro Hayashi | In the clinic, the hand position is organized into a manual and corresponds to the body's organs. |
| Hawayo Takata | To make it easier for Western students to learn, the hand position is simplified into 7 to 8 'basic procedures'. |
| Modern Western teaching | It gradually develops into a fixed sequence of the whole-body hand position, commonly about 12, and is corresponded to the chakra positions. |
In other words, '12 hand positions' are a practical version that was later organized, and are not the only standard. Different teachers may have different hand positions and sequences, and please follow your instructor's teaching. The history of Usui Reiki is seen in the above. What Is Usui Reiki? and Mikao Usui 。
Prepare
2. Preparing to Begin
Environment
- Choose a quiet place where you will not be disturbed.
- Turn off phone notifications.
- You may sit in a chair or lie on a bed.
Gassho and the Five Principles
Mikao Usui's memorial inscription states that he taught his students to 'sit in seated meditation with hands folded and palms together, reciting the Five Reiki Principles.' Before beginning, students can fold their hands together in front of their chest and recite:
Just for today, do not be angry, do not worry, be grateful, work diligently and be kind to others.
Then breathe slowly for three times, bringing your attention back to your body.
Principles
3. Three Basic Principles
Principle One: Rest the Hands Gently, Without Pressure
Fold your hands together, with fingers naturally closed, and place them lightly or suspended above your body, without pressing or massaging.
Principle Two: Adjust the Duration
Each position generally takes around 3–5 minutes, although some teachers suggest 3–10 minutes. Reiki tradition recommends staying longer where you feel more Reiki flowing.
Principle Three: Do Not Chase Special Sensations
Some people feel warmth or prickling, while others do not feel anything special. These are subjective experiences, and there is no right or wrong. The key is to continue practicing. Student experiences see: Student Testimonials 。
Positions 1–5 · Head
4. Positions 1–5: Usui's Five Head Positions
These five positions are based on the order of the head in 'The Essential Reiki Handbook.' The corresponding chakra column is a reference in modern teachings.
Position 1: Forehead (Hairline)
Fold your hands together, with the palm lightly placed on the hairline at the forehead; you may place it slightly lower, covering the eyes and forehead, but do not press on the eyes. This corresponds to the third-eye chakra.
Position 2: Both Temples
Rest one hand gently on each temple, with fingers pointing upwards.
Position 3: Back of the Head
Hold the hands behind the head (at the position of the occiput), and when lying down, the hands can be placed below the head.
Position 4: Back of the Neck
Rest one or both hands gently just below the hairline at the back of the neck, where the head and neck meet.
Position 5: Crown of the Head
Place the hands overlapped or folded together lightly on the top of the head. This corresponds to the crown chakra.
Positions 6–9 · Front
5. Positions 6–9: Front of the Body
Position 6: Front of the Throat or Collarbone
The throat is a sensitive area, so the hands should be placed in front of the throat, or alternatively placed below the clavicle. Do not press on it. This corresponds to the throat chakra.
Position 7: Chest
Place the hands overlapped together lightly on the chest, in the central area. This corresponds to the heart chakra.
Position 8: Upper Abdomen
Place the hands on the lower part of the ribcage, at the upper abdominal area, with both hands placed side by side. This corresponds to the solar plexus chakra.
Position 9: Lower Abdomen (Dantian)
Place your hands below the navel. The Reiki Ryoho Hikkei describes a Tanden treatment with one hand on the lower abdomen and the other behind the back. This corresponds to the sacral chakra.
Positions 10–12 · Back
6. Positions 10–12: Shoulders and Back
Position 10: Shoulders
Cross the hands and place them lightly on both sides of the shoulders; if it's difficult, alternate sides one at a time.
Position 11: Lower Back
Place both hands behind the back, with the palms lightly placed on the sides of the waist. When practicing seated meditation, you can lean back against the chair and place the hands behind the back.
Position 12: Sacrum
Place both hands at the bottom of the back, near the sacrum, with the fingers pointing downward. This position is often associated with the root chakra.
Optional: Knees and Feet
When time is ample, you can also place both hands on the knees or on the backs of the feet as a grounding position before finishing.
Closing: Bring Your Palms Together in Thanks
After completing, place the hands together in front of the chest and sit quietly for a while, thanking yourself for giving yourself this time, then slowly move your hands and feet.
A Thought from the I Ching: Keeping the Back Still
The I Ching's Gen (Keeping Still) hexagram says, “Keeping the back still, one no longer feels the body; walking in the courtyard, one does not see the people. No blame.” Gen means stopping: stillness at the back represents remaining unmoved by external distractions. Placing your hands behind your back can remind you to set outside matters aside and become quiet. For more connections between the I Ching and Reiki, see The connection between I Ching Philosophy and Reiki Healing 。
Overview
7. The 12 Hand Positions at a Glance
| Hand positions | Location | Source | Corresponding chakra (modern teaching) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Forehead (hairline) | Usui's five head positions | third-eye chakra |
| 2 | Both temples | Usui's five head positions | — |
| 3 | Back of the head | Usui's five head positions | — |
| 4 | Back of the neck | Usui's five head positions | — |
| 5 | Crown of the head | Usui's five head positions | crown chakra |
| 6 | Front of the throat or collarbone | Common in Western practice | throat chakra |
| 7 | Chest | Common in Western practice | heart chakra |
| 8 | Upper abdomen | Common in Western practice | Solar plexus chakra |
| 9 | Lower abdomen (dantian) | Common in Western practice; the Hikkei includes a dantian treatment method | sacral chakra |
| 10 | Shoulders | Common in Western practice | — |
| 11 | Lower back | Common in Western practice | — |
| 12 | Sacrum | Common in Western practice | root chakra |
For a comparison of the chakras and the I Ching's Five Elements, see The Five Elements and Seven Chakras: An I Ching Perspective 。
10-Minute Version
8. A Simplified Daily 10-Minute Practice
| Sequence | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Start | Bring your palms together and recite the Five Principles | About 30 seconds |
| 1 | Forehead (position 1) | 2 minutes |
| 2 | Back of the head (position 3) | 2 minutes |
| 3 | Chest (position 7) | 2 minutes |
| 4 | Upper abdomen (position 8) | 2 minutes |
| 5 | Lower abdominal dantian (position 9) | 1.5 minutes |
| Finish | Bring your palms together in thanks | About 30 seconds |
Can be arranged after waking up or before sleeping. Practicing before bed can be done while lying down; if you have long-term insomnia, please consult a doctor. The first-line treatment for chronic insomnia is CBT-I (Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia), see more details. Can Reiki help with insomnia, anxiety, and emotions? 。
A 21-Day Practice
Many Western Reiki lineages recommend practicing self-Reiki for 21 days after attunement, generally considered to be in response to the story of Mikao Usui's practice at Mount Kurama. This is a traditional recommendation, which can start with a 10-minute version. The introduction to attunement is available. What is Reiki attunement like? 。
Tips
9. Practice Tips and Points to Consider
Tips
- Practising at a regular time makes it easier to build a habit.
- Breathe slowly at each position.
- When the arms are tired, you can use a pillow or switch to a lying practice.
- Use a journal to record daily feelings and observations.
Things to note
- Sensitive areas such as the throat and eyes should be suspended or gently placed, and pressure should not be applied.
- For areas with wounds, after surgery, or discomfort, please consult a doctor before suspending or skipping the practice.
- If you are pregnant, consult a healthcare professional first.
- If you experience persistent or severe physical discomfort, please seek medical help and do not consider it as a 'energy reaction'.
A Reasoned Perspective
The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that Reiki has not been clearly proven effective for any health purpose, but no harmful effects have been found. We consider self-Reiki as daily relaxation and self-care, see detailed information in Is Reiki Healing Effective? Scientific Perspective on Energy Healing . To combine this with sitting meditation, see Comparison of Meditation, Seated Meditation, and Reiki 。
Learn
10. Learning Self-Healing
Soul Love Center's Usui Reiki beginner course covers full-body self-practice positions, full-body positions for others and local Reiki practice, taught by IARP-registered Reiki Master Cathy Wong.
| Courses | Content related to hand positions | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Usui Reiki Level 1 | Two attunements; full-body hand positions for yourself and others; local Reiki practice; the chakra energy system | HK$900 |
| Usui Reiki Level 2 | Three Reiki symbols and distant Reiki | HK$1,380 |
| Advanced Usui Reiki | Subtle-energy touchpoints along 14 meridians; the twelve meridians and meridian time cycle | HK$1,880 |
For a day at Level 1, see A Day at a Reiki Level 1 Certificate Workshop ; for practice with babies and pets, see Reiki for Babies, Pets and Plants ; for integration of body, mind and spirit, see What is the integration of body, mind, and spirit? ; for all courses, see Our services ; for the teacher's explanatory videos, see Videos 。
FAQ
Self-Healing Hand Positions: Frequently Asked Questions
Are the 12 hand positions originally taught by Mikao Usui?
Not entirely. The Usui Reiki Ryoho Gakkai's Reiki Ryoho Hikkei says to begin with the head regardless of where the problem lies, using five positions: forehead hairline, temples, back of the head, back of the neck and crown. Hawayo Takata later simplified hand positions into a basic treatment of 7–8 positions, while fixed full-body sequences developed gradually in the West. Positions 1–5 here follow Usui's head positions; positions 6–12 follow common Western practice.
How Long Should I Stay at Each Hand Position?
Usually 3–5 minutes, although some teachers suggest 3–10 minutes. The Reiki Ryoho Hikkei describes around thirty to forty minutes for all five head positions. Adjust to your available time and experience; consistency matters most.
Can I Use These Hand Positions Without Having Learnt Reiki?
In the traditional Usui Reiki practice, students must first be attuned by a teacher before they can begin self-healing. Non-students can also place their hands lightly on these points and perform relaxation exercises with slow breathing, but this does not equate to Reiki.
Must My Hands Touch My Body?
It is not always the case. The hands can be lightly placed or suspended above the body. The throat, eyes, and other sensitive areas should be suspended or lightly placed, and pressure should not be applied.
Can Self-Reiki Treat Physical Symptoms?
Do not. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) states that Reiki has not been clearly proven effective for any health purpose, but no harmful effects have been found. Self-Reiki can be used as a daily practice for relaxation and self-care; if you have physical discomfort, please consult a registered doctor.
What Can I Do If I Have Only 10 Minutes a Day?
You can choose 5 locations, each about 2 minutes: forehead, back of the head, chest, upper abdomen, and lower abdomen (dan tian). At the beginning, make a hand gesture and recite the Five Reiki Principles, and at the end, make a hand gesture and express gratitude.
For more questions, see Frequently asked questions ; for all articles, see Article library ; for enquiries, see Contact us 。
Important disclaimer: This content is part of holistic wellness education and is not medical advice. The actual hand positions are based on the instructor's class.
Ten Minutes a Day: Quiet Time for Yourself
To learn Usui Reiki self-practice hand positions formally and receive two individual attunements, join the beginner course taught personally by Cathy.
