Hand Positions

Balancing the Brain Hemispheres

This grounding technique is called, balancing the brain hemispheres.  Many of my clients and I practice this exercise because it is so relaxing. 

Place both hands on the sides of your head so the palms are resting on the temples and the fingers cradle (wrap around) the crown of your head.  The fingers from both hands will possibly touch at the top of the head.  Hold firmly but not too tight. 

Close your eyes and take several deep breaths.  This  is an opportunity to become aware of what your body needs regarding how many seconds it takes before you feel grounded and balanced.

Source: Balanced Woman’s Blog

Dr. Usui’s Original Hand Positions

Usui Shiki Ryoho is the most common form of Reiki in the world. This was Reiki in the Hayashi-Takata line. The 12 positions that Takata taught (varies slightly from system to system) are the set that most practitioners know. You can find them here: Hand Positions ~ Healing Others.

Hands on Healing is the common element to all versions of Reiki. In Japanese this is called “Te-ate” (pronounced “tay-ah-tay”). It would appear in Hayashi’s practices that he had several sets of hand positions at different points in the development of his interpretation of Reiki.

Hayashi Reiki Ryoho appears to have had 7 positions initially. It is a powerful set and follows the large intestine meridian in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It also appears that the set that Mrs. Takata taught was the one used for group treatment with several practitioners in Hayashi’s clinic.

It would appear that Usui either used Reiji and treated where indicated, or used a set of 5 hand positions and then used Reiji. Reiji is the ability of the Reiki practitioner to allow their hands to move or be drawn to the area of that body that needs healing.

Mrs. Takata also taught this technique of Reiji, teaching that we must notice the sensations in the hands and let them move. This happens as the hands become more sensitive with practice and as intuition develops. (Read how to do it here: Reiji-Ho and Chiryo.)

Reiji and Byosen Reikian-ho (focused healing method) were skills that were expected to be developed at Shoden (level I) before Okuden (level II) would be offered to the student.

Usui’s five position set is based solidly on Traditional Chinese Medicine. The head and thorax are the 5 positions treated followed by Reiji. The body is considered to be the head and torso, and all major meridians pass through the head, thus by treating the head all areas of the body and mind are treated.

Here are the five positions:

Have the person sit. They are not laying down. These 5 positions were held for about 5 to 6 minutes each.

  • 1. Zento-bu

This position is at the top forward part of the head. It is specifically at the hairline. You can use the technique of Nentatsu-ho to aid in the healing by using affirmations while you use this position.

  • 2. Sokuto-bu

This is the standard hand position on the side of the head. The hands are on the sides of the head (i.e., one hand on either side).

  • 3. Koutou-bu

This position is where both of the hands are placed on the upper part of the back of the head. This is the area between the base of the skull (bulb) and the top of the head.

  • 4. Enzui-bu

In this position, both hands are placed on the bulb of the head. This area is the occiputal area commonly taught in Takata’s teaching.

  • 5. Toucho-bu

In this position, both hands are placed on the top of the head.

After these 5 are performed for about 5 minutes each (or as needed) you follow this by performing Byosen Reikian ho (focused scanning healing technique) or Reiji. Using Byosen or Reiji guides you to know where to treat next for focused healing

For my sources seeRecommended Reading

Exploring The Hand Positions

The following is based on the Chakra system, and gives guidelines as to what areas you might want to treat for specific issues.

Back of the Head:

  • Physical: Improves coordination and receptivity, both in waking and sleeping.
  • Emotional: Relaxes and decreases worry, fear, and irritations.
  • Mental: Aids in retaining the memory of dreams.
  • Spiritual: Increases the sense of “wholeness” and “oneness.”

Crown or Top of the Head:

  • Physical: Opens your Crown Chakra. Aids headaches and hangovers. Balances the Pineal and Pituitary glands.
  • Emotional: Reduces worry, depression, and hysteria. Produces calm and serenity.
  • Mental: Improves memory, clarity, and creativity.
  • Spiritual: Increases awareness and expands consciousness.

Eyes:

  • Physical: Aids eyes, sinus, teeth, jaws, Pineal and Pituitary glands.
  • Emotional: Relaxes and reduces stress and anxiety.
  • Mental: Reduces confusion. Enhances Psychic abilities.
  • Spiritual: Tunes you into your higher self and stimulates intuition.

Throat:

  • Physical: Improves blood pressure. Aids with larynx and thyroid.
  • Emotional: Removes anger, resentment, hostility, and negativity.
  • Mental: Produces a sense of well being and contentment.
  • Spiritual: Spiritual power of expression.

Heart:

  • Physical: Aids heart, lungs, thymus, and immune system.
  • Emotional: Increases ability to love and trust. Soothes nerves and removes stress.
  • Mental: Refreshes and produces serenity. Aids in reasoning ability.
  • Spiritual: Increases joy and unconditional love.

Solar Plexus:

  • Physical: Pancreas, liver and solar plexus.
  • Emotional: Produces strength, relaxation, self-control and confidence. Reduces stress and anxiety.
  • Mental: Reduces mental confusion.
  • Spiritual: Increases personal and spiritual power.

Sacral:

  • Physical: Spleen. Reduces stress and aids in relaxation.
  • Emotional: Produces silent confidence and reduces confusion.
  • Mental: Inspires and awakens the mind.
  • Spiritual: Provides inner strength.

Root:

  • Physical: Intestines, prostate, bladder, and ovaries.
  • Emotional: Restores mental health concerning sexual issues.
  • Mental: Decreases rigid attitudes and thinking.
  • Spiritual: Expands consciousness.

For my sources seeRecommended Reading

Hand Positions ~ Healing Others

Here are basic visual guidelines for the hand positions when doing a full Reiki treatment. Remember these are guidelines only. Always follow your intuition, your heart, and your inner guidance when giving Reiki.

Your hands should be lightly cupped. Remember to keep your fingers together.

Start with the head area and then move down to the chest and arms.

The next area is the abdomen, solar plexus and hips. Remember to never put your hands on or near the genital area. Then move on to the legs, knees, ankles and feet.

When you have finished with the feet, do a vertical sweep of the aura three times before having the client turn over.

Once the client has turned over and is lying on their stomach, begin again with the head area.

Move from the head area to the upper shoulders and then the spine, thighs and knees.

Finish up with the calves, ankles and feet.

When the treatment is complete, sweep or smooth the aura. If desired, you can also add the following extra steps.

Now seal the energy.

With your right hand, palm down, make a spiral over the small of the client’s back, as you do this silently affirm: “I seal this healing with love and light.”

And then cut the connection.

Swipe both of your hands together in a wiping motion, three times. This cuts the etheric connection between you and the client, and also works to turn off the Reiki.

The treatment is now complete. Instruct the client to sit up SLOWLY, give whatever assistance seems appropriate.

For my sources seeRecommended Reading

Hand Positions – Self Treatment

The hand positions on this post are taught by William Rand. You can vary them according to your own needs, although you should give yourself a full treatment as often as possible.

reiki self treatment

Position 1. Place the hands over the face with the fingers at the top of the forehead and the hands touching.

reiki self treatment

Position 2: Place the hands on the top of the head with the fingers touching, but not over-lapping. Palms are close to the top of the ears.

reiki self treatment

Position 3: Place the hands on the sides of the head over the ears.

reiki self treatment

Position 4: Place the hands on the back of the head with the base of the palms at the base of the skull.

reiki self treatment

Position 5: Place the right hand over the throat and the left hand over the heart.

reiki self treatment

Position 6: Place both hands over the shoulders close to the neck.

reiki self treatment

Position 7: Place the hands with the fingers touching over the upper stomach just below the lowest rib.

reiki self treatment

Position 8: Place the hands over the middle of the stomach with the fingers touching at the navel.

reiki self treatment

Position 9: Place the hands on the lower stomach with the base of the hands near or on the hip bones and the finger tips over the pubic bone.

reiki self treatment

Position 10: Place the hands in the middle of the back, fingers touching.

reiki self treatment

Position 11: Place the hands on the lower back with the finger tips over the sacrum.

reiki self treatment

Positions 12: Hold the left foot with both hands in a way that is comfortable.

reiki self treatment

Positions 13: Hold the right foot with both hands in a way that is comfortable.

reiki self treatment

Position 14: Hold the right foot with the right hand and the left foot with the left hand in a way that is comfortable.

reiki self treatment

Position 14 – Alternate: Hold the right foot with the left hand and the left foot with the right hand in a way that is comfortable.

For my sources see: Recommended Reading

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