What are the main hand positions in Reiki

Reiki hand positions form a guide for conducting the application over different areas of the body. They help the practitioner organize the session, distribute time, and maintain sufficient attention on important areas such as the head, chest, abdomen, back, legs, and feet.

In this article, you will understand the function of hand positions during a session and how they are organized on the head and face, the back of the neck, neck and shoulders, the chest and heart area, the solar plexus, abdomen, and back.

Continue reading to follow this sequence and conduct the application more safely.

The Function of Hand Positions During a Session

Hand positions help the Reiki practitioner move through the body in an organized way. Instead of concentrating the entire session only on the location of a complaint, the practitioner distributes the application across different areas, offering broader support to the energetic field.

This guide is especially important for beginners. Students are still developing sensitivity and may not clearly perceive which areas need greater attention. The positions offer a safe foundation while this perception is trained.

In the early Western forms of the method spread by Hawayo Takata, it was common to use a basic treatment with approximately eight positions, mainly over the abdomen, shoulders, and head. Later, different schools expanded or adapted this sequence.

Hand Positions on the Head and Face

The application usually begins at the head because this area is directly related to mental activity, perception, and the functioning of the senses. The Reiki practitioner can sit behind the person or position themselves beside the table, avoiding uncomfortable postures.

One common position consists of keeping the hands gently over the closed eyes or a few inches above them. Another possibility is to place one hand near the forehead and the other at the back of the head, creating an application between the front and back areas.

The hands can also be placed on the sides of the head near the temples and ears without pressing. These positions need to be comfortable, especially for people who are sensitive to touch on the face. If there is any discomfort, the application should be performed without physical contact.

Hand Positions on the Back of the Neck, Neck, and Shoulders

After the head, the Reiki practitioner can work with the back of the neck and the neck. One position consists of gently supporting the hands beneath the back of the head without lifting it or straining the cervical spine.

Another approach is to place the hands on the sides of the neck or hold them above this area. The touch needs to be very light because the neck is sensitive and should not receive pressure, squeezing, or any type of manipulation.

The shoulders are also positions used frequently. The Reiki practitioner can place one hand on each shoulder, working behind a seated person or from the head of the table. There are also specific techniques for the head and neck, but they should be learned and practiced carefully.

Hand Positions on the Chest and Heart Area

On the upper torso, the hands can be positioned on the chest near its center. This application should always preserve personal boundaries and avoid any contact that could be considered intimate or inappropriate.

When the person is not comfortable with touch in this area, the Reiki practitioner keeps their hands above the body. They can also position them on the upper chest near the collarbones without directly touching the breasts.

One alternative is to place one hand near the center of the chest and the other over the upper abdomen, creating a position that integrates the heart and respiratory areas. Reiki does not require physical contact to be applied, and respect must remain more important than any learned sequence.

Hand Positions on the Solar Plexus and Abdomen

The abdomen occupies an important place in traditional Reiki sequences. In a complete application, the Reiki practitioner can divide this area into upper, central, and lower positions, allowing different areas to receive attention.

In the upper area, the hands can be placed below the ribs near the solar plexus. Next, they can move down to the central abdomen, remaining side by side or forming a comfortable position according to the size of the body.

In the lower area, the hands remain below the navel, always respecting the person's boundaries. The practitioner should not approach intimate areas or maintain positions that cause embarrassment. The basic Reiki sequence generally includes the head, shoulders, abdomen, and feet, but it can be adapted to the conditions of the session.

Hand Positions on the Back

When the person can lie face down comfortably, the Reiki practitioner can perform a sequence on the back. The application can begin on the upper part, with the hands near the shoulder blades or over the shoulders.

Next, the hands gradually move down to the middle area of the back. They can remain on either side of the spine without pressing the vertebrae or performing massage movements.

The final position can be performed on the lower back, with the hands held above or beside this area. If the person cannot lie face down, these areas can be worked with while they are seated or through positions performed from the front of the body.

Hand Positions on the Hips, Legs, and Knees

In the hip area, the hands can be placed on the sides of the body without touching intimate areas. This position needs to be explained before the application, allowing the person to consent or choose to receive Reiki with the hands held at a distance.

On the legs, the practitioner can work with the thighs and calves, placing one hand on either side or keeping both over the same area. Touch should be light and should not place pressure on muscles, joints, or painful areas.

The knees can also receive a specific position. The Reiki practitioner can place one hand on each knee or surround a single joint with both hands, provided there is no discomfort. On sensitive, injured, or painful areas, the application can be performed without contact.

Hand Positions on the Ankles and Feet

The feet commonly conclude the sequence because they represent the lowest part of the body and help complete the path followed during the session. The Reiki practitioner can gently place one hand on each foot or remain close to the soles.

Another position consists of lightly holding the ankles without squeezing or moving the joints. This approach can be used when directly touching the feet is uncomfortable for the person or the practitioner.

It is also possible to place the hands near the heels or at the end of the table, maintaining a distance of a few inches. Foot positions are part of many complete sequences and can help finish the session in an organized way.

Adapting Positions During the Session

The basic positions should not be treated as a rigid sequence that must always be performed in the same way. Each person has different physical, emotional, and personal conditions, and the session needs to adapt to this reality.

The Reiki practitioner may remain longer in a position when they perceive a stronger energetic flow or when the person reports a need in that area. An initial period of approximately three minutes can be used as a reference, but some positions can be maintained for longer periods.

In addition to the guide, the practitioner can use perception and intuition to choose complementary positions. Techniques such as Reiji-ho and Byosen are used in some schools to guide the hands, but they do not eliminate the importance of a complete and well-organized application.

Consent and Care with Touch

Before the session, the Reiki practitioner needs to explain that they may work with their hands resting on the body or held at a distance. The person should be free to choose the form of application and request changes at any time.

Intimate areas are not part of touch in Reiki. Areas such as the chest, lower abdomen, hips, and inner legs need to be treated carefully, using alternative positions or keeping the hands above the body.

Respect is more important than faithfully following a guide. A position does not stop working within the practice merely because it was performed without contact. The session needs to preserve safety, comfort, privacy, and trust throughout.

How to Use the Positions Responsibly

Hand positions serve to organize the session, not to replace care, listening, and common sense. A well-learned guide gives practitioners confidence, but it needs to remain flexible in response to the person receiving Reiki.

When Reiki practitioners understand the function of each area, they can apply Reiki with greater presence and less automatic repetition. The sequence stops being merely a list of movements and begins to function as a way of following the energetic field attentively.

Therefore, the best use of the positions combines technique, respect, and perception. The application becomes safer when the practitioner knows where to place their hands, when to move them away, and when to adapt the session to preserve comfort and trust.

About the author

Prof. Tibério Z has more than 30 years of experience teaching spirituality, metaphysics, holistic therapies and consciousness development.