SELF HEALING GUIDE
Reiki Self Healing Techniques: A Step-by-Step Guide to All 18 Hand Positions
Learn how to give yourself a full Reiki self-treatment at home with these Reiki self healing techniques. The complete sequence of 18 hand positions, a daily practice routine, and answers to every beginner question.
What Are Reiki Self Healing Techniques?
Quick answer: Reiki self healing is a daily practice of placing your hands in 18 specific positions on your own body to channel Reiki energy. The sequence starts at the head, moves down the front and back of the body, and ends at the feet. A full session takes about 30 minutes.
Reiki is a Japanese energy healing practice founded by Mikao Usui in the early 20th century. The word comes from two Japanese words: Rei (universal wisdom) and Ki (life force energy). Together it means “universally guided life force energy.”
Once you receive your Reiki Level 1 attunement, you carry Reiki energy in your hands. From that point on, you can give yourself a full self-treatment every day, simply by placing your hands on your body in the traditional 18-position sequence.
Self-healing is the foundation of Reiki practice. Every Reiki teaching, from Mikao Usui forward, has placed self-treatment first. The teaching is simple: heal yourself before you offer healing to others. New to Reiki entirely? Start with our complete Reiki for beginners guide first.
The Benefits of Reiki Self-Treatment
A consistent self-Reiki practice supports your body, mind, and energy in lasting ways.
Deep Relaxation
Calms the nervous system and shifts your body into rest-and-repair mode. The most consistently reported benefit.
Centers and Energizes
Self-Reiki brings you back to your own center. You feel grounded yet alive, ready for the day ahead.
Pain Relief
Reiki is widely used to ease physical pain. The relaxation response helps the body's natural healing.
Emotional Release
Clears emotional blockages and helps you process stress, grief, and anxiety gently.
Higher Vibration
Raises your vibrational frequency and shifts old patterns of negative conditioning over time.
Detox and Cleanse
Supports the body's natural detoxification on a physical and energetic level.
Before You Begin Your Self-Treatment
A few simple steps to set yourself up for a deeper practice.
Set the Space
Choose a quiet spot where you will not be interrupted. Dim the lights. Turn off your phone. Light a candle if you like.
Set the Time
Set aside 30 minutes for a full treatment. Sit comfortably or lie on your back. Loosen tight clothing.
Set the Intention
Take three slow breaths. Set a simple intention like “I am open to healing.” Trust your intuition.
Tip for new practitioners: Choose the same time each day. Morning or evening both work well. Consistency matters more than the clock. Pair your practice with the 5 Reiki principles for a deeper daily ritual.
Starting Position: Gassho
Place your hands together in the Gassho position, in the middle of your chest, just below your chin.
Hold for a couple of minutes. Focus on your breath. Let your nervous system settle before you begin.
The 18 Reiki Hand Positions for Self-Healing
Move from the head down to the feet, then around to the back, ending at the soles. Hold each position until your hands feel a shift, or for two to three minutes.
Positions 1 to 7: Head and Front of Body
Eyes & Third Eye
Cup your hands and gently rest them over your eyes, cheekbones, and forehead. Covers the third eye chakra.
Crown
Hands on the top of your head, fingertips touching. Covers the crown chakra.
Temples
Hands on either side of your head, fingers covering your temples.
Back of Head
Place your hands on the back of your head covering the occipital ridge.
Shoulders & Neck
Hands covering the top of the shoulders and the bottom of the neck.
Throat
Place your hands around the neck with the heels covering the throat (throat chakra).
Heart & Thymus
Move your hands down and place the left hand covering the heart chakra and the right hand over the thymus gland forming a T.
Positions 8 to 11: Front Torso Flow
The next four positions form a flow down the front of the body. Move slowly from one to the next.
Top of Torso Flow
Hands are positioned horizontally at the top of the torso with fingertips touching.
Upper Stomach & Solar Plexus Flow
Move your hands one hand-width down from your breast line, gently placing them over the upper stomach and in the solar plexus area.
Sacral Flow
Move hands down further and rest them over the sacral area for a few moments.
11
Hip V Flow
Finally move hands down until ending in a V inside the hip bone
Positions 12 to 13: The Knees
Front of Knees
Place hands over the front of the knees. Keep focusing on your breath and taking deep in and out breaths.
.Back of Knees
Place hands behind the back of the knees.
Positions 14 to 17: Back Flow
Reach behind to give Reiki to your back. These four positions move from the shoulders down to the base of the spine.
Shoulders / Top of Back Flow
Hands are positioned first at the shoulders/top of the back.
Back Solar Plexus Flow
Move hands down resting them on the back where the solar plexus sits.
Small of Back Flow
Move your hands to the small of your back and leave the hands there for a few moments.
Base of Spine V Flow
Finally move hands down until finally ending in a V at the base of the spine.
Position 18: Grounding the Treatment
The feet position grounds and completes the treatment. The soles contain reflex points connected to every other part of the body, so this final hold integrates the work you have done.
Stay with your feet for two to three minutes. Notice the difference in your body compared to when you started.
Note: Hand positions are a guide, not a rule. Use your intuition. If you feel called to stay longer on a particular position, do so. Reiki goes where it is needed.
After Your Self-Treatment & What You Might Feel
How to close the practice well and what sensations are normal during a session.
After Your Self-Treatment
- Continue to work on a specific area if your body asks
- Feel free to vary the routine
- Wash your hands
- Drink water or herbal tea
- Rest for a few minutes before returning to your day
What You Might Feel
- Warmth or tingling in your palms
- Cool air moving over your skin
- Pulsing or vibration under your hands
- Emotional waves, tears or laughter
- Deep relaxation or sleep
- Nothing at all (still effective)
Important: Energy does not require a feeling to work. Trust the practice. Many beginners feel nothing for weeks while still experiencing the benefits of calmer mornings, better sleep, and reduced stress.
A Simple Daily Routine
You do not need a full session every day. Pick the version that fits your schedule.
Morning Mini
Gassho, Position 1 (Eyes), Position 7 (Heart and Thymus), Position 18 (Feet). A gentle start to your day.
Midday Reset
Position 3 (Temples) and Position 7 (Heart and Thymus). Use between meetings or after a stressful task.
Evening Full Session
Move through all 18 positions in order. Best for deep sleep and full-body recovery.
Weekly Deep Practice
Once a week, slow down. Hold each position 3 to 5 minutes. Add gentle breathwork. Journal afterward.
Ready to Learn Reiki Properly?
Get free access to our complete Reiki Level 1 course. 12 modules, the attunement, all 18 hand positions on video, and your certificate. No cost. No catch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything beginners ask about Reiki self healing.
What are Reiki self healing techniques?
A sequence of 18 hand positions you place on your own body to channel Reiki energy. Starting at the head and moving down to the feet, then the back, the technique supports relaxation, emotional release, and physical recovery.
How often should I practice Reiki self healing?
Daily is ideal. Even 5 minutes counts. Consistency matters more than length. A full 18-position self-treatment takes about 30 minutes.
Do I need a Reiki attunement to practice self healing?
Yes, for traditional Reiki energy work. Attunement is a ceremony performed by a Reiki Master that opens your energy channels. You can receive a free Level 1 attunement through our free Reiki course.
How long does a Reiki self healing session take?
A full session through all 18 hand positions takes about 30 minutes. Shorter routines of 5 to 10 minutes are effective for daily practice.
I feel nothing during self-Reiki. Am I doing it wrong?
No. Many beginners feel nothing for weeks. Your nervous system still benefits from the stillness, the breath, and the touch. Keep going.
Can I do Reiki lying down or only sitting?
Both work. Lying down often feels more relaxing. Sitting helps if you tend to fall asleep.
Is Reiki self healing safe during pregnancy or illness?
Reiki is gentle and complementary. It does not replace medical care. Talk to your doctor before starting any new practice during pregnancy or active illness.
Can I do Reiki on others after self-treatment?
Yes, once you feel confident. Start with family and friends who give clear consent. For professional practice, learn how to become a Reiki practitioner.
Continue Your Reiki Journey
Three guides to read next.
Reiki for Beginners
What Reiki is, how it works, the benefits, and how to start learning today. The complete beginner’s guide.
The 5 Reiki Principles
Mikao Usui’s five guiding principles and how to use them as a daily foundation for healing and inner peace.
How to Become a Reiki Practitioner
Ready to practise Reiki professionally? The complete guide to levels, training, costs, and building a practice.