Reiki is a therapy often described as palm healing or hands-on-body healing in which a practitioner places hands lightly on or over a patient's body to facilitate the patient's process of healing. Reiki combines the Japanese and Chinese word-characters of "rei" (spiritual or supernatural) and "ki" (vital energy). One of the basic ideas held by those who practice Reiki is that this vital energy can be channeled to support the body's natural ability to heal itself. 

Reiki, as it is practiced in the U.S. today, dates back to the teachings of Mikao Usui in Japan in the early 1920's. Usui was a lifelong spiritual aspirant, a lay monk with a wife and two children. In Usui's time, various lineages of Buddhist, Taoist, and Shinto practices coexisted as the dominant themes in Japanese spirituality and culture.

How Reiki Works
Reiki treatment helps lessen the impact of stress, releasing tension from the entire system. Not only does the person move toward his or her own unique balance in body, mind and spirit, but also, depending on the level of physical health when Reiki begins, the body's own healing mechanisms often begin functioning more effectively. There is research evidence documenting the effects of Reiki (such as lowered heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormones; increased immune strength), and there are many theories as to what causes these effects or the pathways through which the healing occurs. Rapid response to Reiki suggests a complex process that engages many body systems, simultaneously or in quick succession, shifting the body from domination by the "fight or flight" (stress) response to the relaxation response, and supporting the body's own healing mechanisms. 

During a Reiki therapy session, a patient typically lies down on a massage table. The Reiki practitioner places his or her hands over (or directly on top of) the patient's body in various positions, starting at the crown of the head. The Reiki energy flows through the practitioner, out of [his or her] hands to the person who's lying on the table.

People use Reiki to relax and strengthen their wellbeing; reduce pain, anxiety, and fatigue; help manage symptoms; reduce side effects of medications; and support recovery after injuries or surgery.  Reiki is a good integrative therapy to try because people generally start feeling better very quickly with Reiki. As anxiety and pain lessen, and people feel hopeful about regaining their health, they feel more able to incorporate other needed health interventions or make needed lifestyle changes.

Reiki can be received from someone else (either a friend, healthcare provider, or Reiki professional), or it can be learned by all who want to practice Reiki on themselves.

How To Practice Self Reiki
Self-Healing Program
In developing your personal Reiki self healing program it is important to take the time to try different techniques. As you do so, be aware of the results and if the technique seems to be moving you toward your goal. If it is, continue with it, if it is not, try something else. In this way, you will develop a personal system of healing that is exactly right for you. This will greatly improve your results. There are many ways to use Reiki and I would like to present a few ideas and techniques that are powerful and effective.

Self-Treatments
Use of self-treatments is an important part of any Reiki healing program. Set aside 15 to 30 minutes each day to give yourself a Reiki treatment. This can be a complete treatment using all the hand positions or you could treat only those areas you are guided to. While giving yourself Reiki, your vibration will go up and as this happens allow yourself to contemplate the various activities taking place in your life. As you do this, it is likely that you will find healthy new attitudes developing about issues in your life, as well as receive creative ideas on how to deal with them. 

Reiki Meditations and Techniques - The Japanese Art of Reiki
Reiki meditations and techniques are one of the five main elements of the system of Reiki.

Here are excerpts from The Japanese Art of Reiki.
"There are three major techniques taught in the first level of the system that lie at its foundation. The first of these is a cleansing technique called Kenyoku Hô. Following that is Jôshin Kokyû Hô: a meditation to focus the mind using breath and; finally, Seishin Toitsu: a unifying the mind meditation. These are taught in traditional forms of the system of Reiki."


First sit down and try to concentrate (unify) the mind and body. Choose a quiet place or somewhere comfortable where you can relax. Included in the text are 2 different readings of the word seiza. One means to sit still and is the first part of the technique the other relates to the physical action of sitting in seiza.

1. Seiza (lit. Japanese) [to sit still]
Sit in the seiza position and gassho with the objective to gather/concentrate the energy from the heart into the palms of the hands. Hold the hands together without using force from the arms or the shoulders. Drop the shoulders and clasp the hands, joining the fingers lightly and feel the alignment of the posture. Close your eyes.

2. Joshin ho (Mind purification method)
The aim of Joshin-ho is to unify and purify the mind. Once the sitting upright is achieved, recite (in your head) some waka poetry and feel at One with its meaning.

Here is an example of the Meiji Emperor's waka 1 waka is a form of poem used by Usui Mikao that can be used for joshin ho.
Asamidori sumiwataritaru ohzorano
hiroki onoga kokoro to mogana

As a great sky in clear light green
I wish my heart would be as vast.

​3. Hatsurei Ho 
If you have followed the previous steps and stayed focused on the palms of your hands they start to become warm. This is what Tomita ryu calls reiha (wave of rei). It describes the tingling sensation that is comparable to an electrical current. The heat created and the wave of rei are what constitute spiritual energy. Even if the sensations are weak at first, they should become stronger as you keep concentrating.

​4. 5 Day plan
Repeat the above steps for 5 consecutive days, and concentrate for at least 30 minutes (progressively increasing eventually reaching an hour).

Kenyoku Hô
​Kenyoku Hô is a Japanese Shinto practice that purifies the body, heart and spirit. It is generally used before and after the practice of any energy work. On each out breath the hands sweep across the body, as if you are washing yourself clean.

1. Sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down and across to your right hip.
2. Sweep with your left hand from your right shoulder down and across to your left hip.
3. Sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down and across to your right hip.
4. With your left elbow against your side and your left forearm horizontal to the ground, sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down the arm and out along the upturned palm to the fingertips.
5. With your right elbow against your side and your right forearm horizontal to the ground, sweep with your left hand from your right shoulder down the arm and out along the upturned palm to the fingertips.
6. With your left elbow against your side and your left forearm horizontal to the ground, sweep with your right hand from your left shoulder down the arm and out along the upturned palm to the fingertips.

For a full Reiki self-treatment, place your hands on these areas of your body, in this order:

1. Crown of head.
2. Face.
3. Throat.
4. Back of head.
5. Upper chest.
6. Lower ribs.
7. Navel.
8. Lower abdomen.