Basic Reiki Hand Placements for Self Treatment

Alternative therapy session, three adults lying side by side, holding hands while therapist puts hands over man's head
ZenShui/Alix Minde / Getty Images

There are twelve basic hand placements generally used when giving yourself a Reiki treatment.These hand placements are not set in stone, but rather, serve as a guideline for new students conducting self treatments. They are also helpful in using to conduct a one hour healing session. Apply five minutes for each placement.

About these images: The Reiki hand placements in this step-by-step pictorial are the same pictures in my book, ​The Everything Reiki Book, originally published in 2004. The artwork was adapted from photos of my daughter demonstrating Reiki hand positions. The same art was used in a revised edition, The Everything Guide to Reiki published in January 2012.

01
of 12

Face

Reiki Hand Placements
First Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

First position: Palms of your hands are placed against your face, cupping your hands over your eyes lightly and fingers upon your forehead. No pressure needed - touch lightly!

02
of 12

Crown and Top of the Head

Reiki Hand Placements
Second Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Place your hands on both sides of your head, heels of your hands resting near your ears, fingertips touching at the crown.

Place your hands on both sides of your head, heels of your hands resting near your ears, fingertips touching at the crown.

03
of 12

Back of the Head

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Third Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Crossing your arms behind your head place one hand on the back of your head and the rest the other hand directly above the nape of your neck.

Crossing your arms behind your head place one hand on the back of your head and the rest the other hand directly above the nape of your neck.

04
of 12

Chin and Jawline

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Fourth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Rest your chin inside the palms of your cupped hands, allow your hands to wrap themselves along your jawline.

Rest your chin inside the palms of your cupped hands, allow your hands to wrap themselves along your jawline.

05
of 12

Neck Collarbone and Heart

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Fifth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Grasp your neck comfortably inside the V formed by your thumb and fingers. Lower your other hand and rest it between your collarbone and heart center.

Grasp your neck comfortably inside the V formed by your thumb and fingers. Lower your other hand and rest it between your collarbone and heart center.

06
of 12

Ribs and Rib Cage

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Sixth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Place your hands on your upper rib cage directly below the breasts. Relax your bent elbows.

Place your hands on your upper rib cage directly below the breasts. Relax your bent elbows.

07
of 12

Abdomen

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Seventh Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Place your hands on the tummy (solar plexus area) above our navel, allowing your fingertips to touch.

Place your hands on the tummy (solar plexus area) above our navel, allowing your fingertips to touch.

08
of 12

Pelvic Bones

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Eighth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Place one hand over each pelvic bone, again, allowing your fingertips to touch.

Place one hand over each pelvic bone, again, allowing your fingertips to touch.

09
of 12

Shoulder Blades

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Ninth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Reach your arms over your head, bending your elbows and placing your hands on your shoulder blades. Alternatively, place your hands on top of your shoulders if you cannot reach your shoulder blades comfortably.

Reach your arms over your head, bending your elbows and placing your hands on your shoulder blades. Alternatively, place your hands on top of your shoulders if you cannot reach your shoulder blades comfortably.

10
of 12

Midback

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Tenth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

For the midback placement, reach behind your back with elbows bent and place your hands on the center of your back.

For the midback placement, reach behind your back with elbows bent and place your hands on the center of your back.

11
of 12

Lower Back

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Eleventh Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Next hands placements are the on the lower back. Reach behind your back, elbows bent and place your hands on your lower back region.

Next hands placements are the on the lower back. Reach behind your back, elbows bent and place your hands on your lower back region.

12
of 12

Sacrum

Reiki Hand Placement Pictures
Twelfth Reiki Hand Placement. The Everything Guide to Reiki / Adams Media / Norma Medley

Twelfth position: The final hands placement is the sacrum. Lower your arms and place your hands on your sacral region.
Reiki hand placement artwork adapted from photography by Joe Desy

More Healing Hands Techniques

Disclaimer: The information contained on this site is intended for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for advice, diagnosis or treatment by a licensed physician. You should seek prompt medical care for any health issues and consult your doctor before using alternative medicine or making a change to your regimen.

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Your Citation
Desy, Phylameana lila. "Basic Reiki Hand Placements for Self Treatment." Learn Religions, Sep. 9, 2021, learnreligions.com/reiki-hand-placements-for-self-treatment-1731723. Desy, Phylameana lila. (2021, September 9). Basic Reiki Hand Placements for Self Treatment. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/reiki-hand-placements-for-self-treatment-1731723 Desy, Phylameana lila. "Basic Reiki Hand Placements for Self Treatment." Learn Religions. https://www.learnreligions.com/reiki-hand-placements-for-self-treatment-1731723 (accessed March 28, 2023).

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