Self Reiki

Unlocking Self-Healing: Essential Techniques for Performing Reiki on Yourself

By Dennis Bluthardt at Namaste Studios

Reiki is a Japanese relaxation and stress reduction technique that is also said to trigger natural healing processes within the body. It has become a ubiquitous practice in the self-care and wellness scene. Based on the “life force energy” principle, which suggests that an unseen energy force flows through all of us and that the phenomenon of life cannot be established without it, Reiki is a practice that speaks to that part of us that knows that energy is where it’s at.

Self-Reiki is wonderfully empowering: taking responsibility for your health and well-being, changing your relationship with your body and (probably) your past, and being prepared to love yourself every day.

Below, you can discover the often-used techniques, practices, and hand positions and learn more about self-Reiki fundamentals. We’ll also give you some wonderfully tender tips for delivering yourself the most effective healing experience.

Reiki, which is administered to focus intention, can be denied as nothing less than a meditation practice. In truth, the most effective delivery can only be served through a calm and relaxed body. Setting the scene for seduction can never hurt the experience, nor can the diligent practice of ritual raiment.

Understanding Reiki and Self-Reiki

Reiki is a type of healing that calls upon the so-called universal lifeforce energy. It’s a practice of energy healing that originated in Japan. Its name comes from “Rei,” meaning “universal,” and “ki,” meaning “life force energy.” Like how you might use acupuncture to balance the flow of chi, a Reiki practitioner will manipulate the energy field around your body to restore balance.

Self-reiki is just as it sounds and is the practice of performing Reiki on yourself. Doing so gives you a greater connection to your energy and a greater sense of empowerment over your well-being.

Some benefits of self-reiki may include the following:

Mental and emotional health is improved by how you might do breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation if you’re stressed or anxious. You can take 15 minutes out of your day to have a self-Reiki session. The difference with self-reiki is that you can do more deep and transformative energy work.

Like other mindfulness practices, Reiki offers you the ability to quiet your discharge muscle tension. That way, you can reduce pain and symptoms of fatigue.

Performing self-Reiki also allows you to get to know your body, your energy, and your patterns entirely differently. Nothing helps you develop a more mindful lifestyle than learning to build your self-Reiki practice personally.

Essential Reiki Techniques for Self-Treatment

The common Reiki hand positions for self-treatment include the head, heart, and abdomen. Each hand position corresponds to key points on the body known to be centers of energy or what is known in traditional Chinese medicine as meridians, where lifeforce energy can often become excessive or deficient.

Some practitioners interpret these common hand positions as coinciding with the areas of the body that denote the seven chakras.

Typically, the Reiki practitioner will hold their hands in a specific hand position for approximately 3-5 minutes before moving on to the next position. Some practitioners can lay their hands on each position and fall asleep to be awakened once the energy begins to surge back through the areas that have established balance in the body’s lifeforce energy. Moreover, some practitioners fall asleep as their hands lay in one position, and they awaken anywhere from 1 to 2 hours later to reveal that lifeforce energy lay dormant in one area before surging back through the body to awaken the practitioner from their slumber.

If there are blocks and imbalances in the practitioner’s spiritual, mental, or emotional body, this can often become a cyclical process that happens nightly for weeks.

Creating a Self-Reiki Practice

Setting the scene for relaxation is key. Choose a quiet area where you won’t be distracted. Consider turning off the lights. Some people use soft music to drown out any external noise that might interrupt their session. Finally, deep breathing exercises at the start of your session can guide you into a deep, meditative state when you’re in the right atmosphere.

Choosing an intention for the session is an essential part of preparing yourself. Like goal setting, defining your purpose can help you focus on your achievable outcome. Once you’re tucked away, jot yourself a quick reminder in the form of a pen and paper note to keep in front of you. It can remind you to breathe or stay focused on the task. Alternatively, it can be a complex affirmation you’ll wish to repeat throughout your session.

Skirting or pinning in patterns that form on your mood board will help you achieve your desired aesthetic. How is this? Over time, seeing what you’ve defined as some goal you need to converge to will eventually cause just that. And, before you know it, you’ll have achieved your desired aesthetic.

What you’re left with is truly something that can help you build a better brand. A defined aesthetic goes miles to set the mood, whether for a living space or something as complex as the look and feel of the entire brand of your business. A cohesive aesthetic can add credibility to your brand, define consumer expectations for your business, and create an outwardly professional look. Put it to good use!

Overcoming Challenges in Self-Reiki

People often encounter the same two obstacles when practicing self-reiki. These are distractions from the outside world, like noise and interruptions, or from inside their heads, in the form of their thoughts. The other common obstacle is wondering if they’re actually “doing it right” or even “doing it”! These challenges prevent them from fully experiencing the beauty and totality of self-Reiki, yet they are the most common.

To combat distractions, create a dedicated Reiki space for yourself. Find a nook, corner, room, or outdoor space shielded from interruptions and general mayhem. With tiny exceptions, I practice Reiki first thing in the morning before anyone else awakens. Is it during your sacred lunchtime in your car with the seat reclined or last thing at night before bed? Where can you squeeze in 30 minutes of peace? Add soft lights, headphones with soothing music or nature sounds, and a calming essential oil to enhance the mood and drown out any remaining distractions. Like Pavlov’s dog, after you create this ritual a few times, your mind and body will be conked out in a Zen-like state at the first sight of your Reiki blanket.

Practicing visualizations or affirmations before and during a Reiki session can extinguish evil thoughts, replacing them with the good ones you choose to focus on. Confidence-building visualizations where you see yourself eagerly starting an independent Reiki business are compelling motivators. Affirmations are another great tool. Try clearing your mind while holding a unique rock on which you’ve written a single keyword. Use that rock to magnify and envision yourself, void of all fears and self-doubts.

Self-Reiki is a way to tap into your lifeforce energy to relax, center, and balance yourself and create more peace and well-being. You can use this process to start your day, end your day on an encouraging note, or as a happy hour replacement! You could do self-Reiki all day! But remember: Please have some official training before you start laying your hands in specific positions on clients (and drinking alcohol on the job is typically not recommended).

Learning self-reiki has three main components: two-strand breath, visualization, and simple hand placements.

This listing is for an energetic product that will help you develop your life force, prana, and ability to manifest your life. Remember: Your emotional and physical health is in your hands. 

You already have this energy within you. Take control of it! Please share it with others on this path. This is not “go sit behind that clapboard and meditate.” It is a directive. Go out and do something! Take action to improve your life (and the lives of others).

To learn more, visit Reiki at Namaste Studios to book a Reiki session. Additionally, you can find more of our Reiki Blogs here.

You can also get a copy of your 2025 New Moon Journal at Amazon here. 

Bonus for blog readers: Interested in learning how AI automation can transform your Reiki Business? Click here to register for a FREE WEBINAR that can change your life!