The twelve positions below are one sequence taught in some Reiki schools, moving from the front to the back of the body. Schools and practitioners use different sequences; you do not have to complete every position or practice in a particular order. This is a spiritual self-practice, not a health treatment. Reiki has not been clearly shown effective for health purposes, and its proposed energy field has not been scientifically demonstrated (NCCIH).
Choose whether to rest a hand on your clothed body, hover without touching, or skip a position. One hand, both hands, or hands kept in your lap are all options; there is no result that depends on using both hands. Keep your eyes open or closed as you prefer, and let your breathing remain natural. Do not press on your eyes, throat, or any place that feels sensitive. Stop whenever you wish.
Hand Positions For The Front Of The Body
1. The Back Of The Head
a. If comfortable, rest your fingertips at the base of your skull, pointing down toward the back of your head. You can hover instead.
b. Alternatively, rest your hands together at the back of your head, fingertips toward the crown and heels near the skull's base.
c. Another option is one hand near the crown and one near the back of the head. This is an optional variation; use only if comfortable.
2. The Eyes
You may rest the heels of your hands on your cheekbones and fingertips on your brow, without pressing on the eyes. Hover or skip this position if it feels uncomfortable.
3. The Ears
You may rest each hand below the earlobe, fingers pointing toward the crown. Keep any hand cupped loosely without pressing or blocking the ears; skip if uncomfortable.
4. The Throat
a. You may hover above the throat or place a hand on the upper chest instead. Do not press on the front or sides of the neck.
b. Another option is one hand on the upper chest and the other resting in your lap.
c. You can skip the sides-of-neck position; it is not needed to complete a self-practice.
5. The Chest
a. If welcome, rest crossed hands on your clothed chest. Hover or keep your hands in your lap if you prefer.
b. Alternatively, rest one hand on each side of the clothed chest, only if that feels comfortable. This area may be sensitive; skipping it is always fine.
6. The Solar Plexus
If comfortable, rest or hover your hands on either side of the midriff, fingers toward or apart from each other.
7. The Waist
You may rest one hand on either side of your waist with fingers facing each other, or hover instead.
8. The Pelvic Area
This is a sensitive area. If you choose this position, use only a touch you are comfortable with over clothing, or hover; you can also skip it.
Hand Positions For The Back Of The Body
Reaching the back can be uncomfortable, especially with limited wrist or shoulder movement. You can use the back of your hand, hover, keep your hands in your lap, or skip these positions. Some Reiki teachings describe energy through the palm or back of the hand; this is a spiritual belief, not a physical effect you need to produce.
9. The Shoulders
a. If comfortable, rest one hand on each shoulder, or hover above them.
b. Alternatively, cross your arms in front of your chest and rest each hand near a shoulder. Do not stretch to reach.
10. The Back
a. If it is comfortable to reach, rest one hand on each side of your back around midway between the shoulders and waist. Hover or skip this position if reaching is difficult.
b. Or rest the backs of your hands near your shoulders only as far as you can comfortably reach.
11. The Waist
a. If comfortable, rest your hands on your back with fingers toward each other; no hand placement is required.
b. You may instead use the backs of your hands with fingertips toward each other.
c. A third option is to place the heels of your hands near the waist with fingers angled downward. Choose only a position you can reach without strain.
12. The Buttocks
This is a sensitive area. You may rest your hands over clothing, hover, or skip this position entirely; no one needs to touch this area to complete a self-practice.
Some Reiki teachers describe these positions as a way to offer attention to the whole person. That is a spiritual interpretation; the positions do not show that energy travels through meridians or guarantee mental, emotional, or physical balance.
How long to stay
There is no required number of minutes. A common starting point is one to three minutes at each position, or simply a few slow breaths. Staying longer is fine if you are comfortable and have the time; moving on sooner is equally fine. The practice is not measured by duration, and a short sequence done regularly is more useful than a long one attempted once.
You do not need to wait for a sensation before moving on. Warmth, tingling, pulsing or nothing at all are all ordinary experiences. If you notice a strong sensation that concerns you, take your hands away and treat it as information about your body rather than as a message about energy.
A shorter sequence
If twelve positions feel like too much, choose five or six and treat it as a complete practice:
- Back of the head
- Eyes or ears
- Chest or throat
- Solar plexus
- Waist
- One hand on the heart and one on the belly, to close
You can also practise only the positions you can reach comfortably. Taggart King's Shoden: Reiki First Degree Manual (Pinchbeck Press) describes self-treatment as a range that includes a fuller sequence, a short informal practice, and attention to a comfortable or relevant area (see its self-treatment section, printed pp. 80–91); other teachers organise it differently. The point is to have a shape you will actually use.
Adapting the sequence
You can do the whole practice seated in a chair, in bed, or on the floor. Rest your elbows on a cushion if your arms tire, and use the back of your hand where a palm is awkward. If reaching behind you is difficult, skip the back positions or imagine them without moving your arms. A blanket, warm room and loose clothing make more difference to comfort than a perfect posture.
If you are unwell or recovering from surgery, follow your medical team's guidance about movement and pressure. This practice does not require you to touch any area that is painful, numb, bandaged or sensitive.
Questions about self-treatment
Do I have to do all twelve positions? No. The sequence is a learning structure, not a requirement. Many practitioners use a shorter set most days.
Should my eyes be closed? Either is fine. Closed eyes may help some people settle; open eyes may suit others better, especially if closing them makes you sleepy or uneasy.
What if my arms ache? Use fewer positions, support your elbows, or hover rather than rest. Do not hold a position that strains your shoulders or wrists.
Can I do this lying down? Yes, as long as you can rest your hands comfortably. Avoid falling asleep with your hands in an awkward position, and simply stop when you are ready.
For a daily routine that includes these positions, see A Daily Reiki Self-Treatment Routine. The introduction to hand positions explains how the front, back and limb sequences fit together.
Related topic: Treatment and hand positions, 10-day treatment with acupressure, Advanced techniques, Alternative techniques in treatment, Alternative ways to use the hands.