This page describes one school's version of Hatsurei-ho; other lineages teach slightly different versions, so check the details against your own teacher's guidance. When treating clients, many practitioners do a full Hatsurei-ho before and after a session, and use a short cleansing technique between sessions. The steps below can also be practised on their own.
What Is Hatsurei-Ho?
Hatsurei-ho is a Japanese Reiki practice: a cleansing and meditation exercise that the tradition describes as supporting spiritual practice and deepening the Reiki "channel". It can be a pleasant way to begin or end the day, or to settle before practising. The description looks long, but the practice is simple, and it can take about ten minutes or longer. Its main elements are Joshin Kokyu Ho (cleansing breath) and Seishin Toitsu (concentration or meditation).
1. Kihon Shisei—Standard Posture
Make yourself comfortable on the floor or in a chair, close your eyes and settle into a relaxed state. The Tan-dien is a point traditionally located about an inch or two below the navel; rest your attention there. Breathe deeply and steadily to centre yourself before beginning, with your hands on your lap, palms facing downward.
2. Kenyoku-Ho—Dry Bathing Or Brushing
The brushing can be done with a light touch or with the hand held about 5 cm (2 in) away from the body. Each movement is brisk, and you exhale as you brush, making a soft "haaah" sound. Keep the breath comfortable.
- Lay your right hand flat on the area where your collarbone meets your left shoulder, with the fingers and thumb together.
- Draw the flat hand diagonally across your chest, from your left shoulder to your right hip, exhaling gently with a soft "haaah" sound.
- Sweep from your right shoulder down to your left hip, exhaling gently.
- Return your right hand to your left shoulder and repeat the diagonal motion once more.
- Then brush along the arms rather than across the torso. Place your right hand on your left shoulder, fingertips pointing slightly outward.
- Sweep your right hand down the outside of your left arm to the fingertips, exhaling gently.
- Repeat on the other side, with your left hand on your right shoulder, brushing down to the fingertips of your right hand.
3. Connect To Reiki
Hold your hands 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) apart above your head, palms facing each other. Picture the Reiki light between your hands. Move on whenever you are ready; there is no sensation you need to wait for.
4. Joshin Kokyu Ho—Cleansing Breath
- Now lower your arms, palms upward, and breathe naturally and steadily through your nostrils. Allow your body to relax and rest your attention on the Hara line, the tradition's name for an energy line said to connect the major chakras from root to crown. This is a visualization, not an anatomical structure.
- Focus on your breathing, and imagine Reiki as white light coming into your Reiki channel and down the Hara line to your major chakras. Imagine Reiki growing to fill your entire body, from head to toes, shoulders to fingertips, melting away all tensions.
- As you exhale, imagine the Reiki light going through your skin, filling your aura, and then flowing in all directions to infinity.
- Breathe Reiki in and out for a few minutes, or as long as you like.
5. Gassho
Whenever you're ready, place your hands together in front of your heart chakra in the Gassho (praying) position.
6. Seishin Toitsu—Concentration Or Meditation
- Imagine breathing through your hands while keeping your hands in the Gassho position.
- Imagine Reiki energy streaming into your hands and then into your heart centre as you inhale. It fills the heart before flowing into the Hara line, pictured as white light moving up and down.
- Then, as you exhale, envision the light filling your Hara line radiating out through your hands, spreading Reiki all around the world and into the Universe.
- Then let your thoughts settle for a few minutes or as long as you wish. If your teacher is offering a Rei-Ju empowerment, follow their instructions for that. On your own, the self-practice can simply end when you are ready, with no attunement required.
7. Gokai Sansho
Traditional Japanese Reiki students would now speak the Reiki Principles three times aloud. You may wish to follow suit.
8. Mokunen
- Return your hands to your lap, palms downward, and aim to finish the Hatsurei-ho.
- When ready, open your eyes and gently shake your hands up and down, then left to right for a few seconds to re-establish bodily awareness.
Many people find this a settling way to clear the mind before continuing the day or beginning a Reiki session. Continue at your own pace, and enjoy the practice.
Related topic: Treatment and hand positions, 10-day treatment with acupressure, Advanced techniques, Alternative techniques in treatment, Alternative ways to use the hands.