Japanese Reiki Techniques

Japanese Reiki techniques (or "Reiji-ho") are traditional methods developed in Japan, many of which were taught by Mikao Usui. These techniques go beyond hands-on healing and help deepen a practitioner's connection to Reiki energy. They focus on intuition, energetic sensitivity, and spiritual development. Below are some key Japanese Reiki techniques you might find valuable in your practice.

The Reiki Precepts

Mikao Usui, founder of Reiki Ryoho, taught that the Gokai or the Five Reiki Precepts should be recited daily, ideally in the morning and evening, as a form of meditation and self-reflection. He instructed practitioners to place their hands in Gassho at the heart center while reciting the precepts.

Usui-sense gave specific instructions on the practice of the traditional Gokai recitation stating,

“Every morning and evening, join your hands in prayer, keep these in your mind, and chant them out loud.”

Just for today, do not worry

Just for today, do not anger

Just for today, be grateful

Just for today, do your work honestly

Just for today, be kind to every living being

Mikao Usui-sensei, Founder of Reiki

Aug 15, 1865 -. Mar 29, 1926

Mikao Usui-sensi Memorial Stone

Sahoji Temple in the Suginami district of Tokyo

Gassho

Gassho is a foundational practice in Reiki and involves placing the hands together at the heart center (as in prayer).

Gassho helps cultivate focus gratitude, and alignment with Reiki energy. Reiki practitioners often use Gassho during meditation and before/after a Reiki session.

Kenyoku-Ho

Kenyoku-Ho, translates to "dry-bathing" and is a Japanese Reiki technique used for energetic cleansing and grounding. It is often performed before and after a Reiki session, meditation, or any spiritual practice to clear unwanted energy and restore balance.

Steps for Kenyoku-Ho

Do a short Gassho meditation.
Place your right hand on your left shoulder.
Stroke down your chest, across your stomach and end at the right hip.
Do the same on the other side.
Repeat step #2.
Extend your left arm.
Place our right hand on your left shoulder.
Stroke down your arm all the way to the hand and finger tips. Then fling your right hand out into the air as though you are throwing away any negative energy.
Do the same with the right arm.
Repeat the stroke down the left arm again.
You can also add a short Gassho at the end

Joshin Kokyu-Ho

Joshin Kokyu Ho is a powerful breathwork technique used in traditional Japanese Reiki to purify the mind and body while deepening one's connection to Reiki energy. It enhances focus, relaxation, and energetic flow, making it an excellent daily practice for self-healing and spiritual development.

Steps for Joshin-Kokyu-Ho: Purifying Breath Method

Find a Quiet Space
- Sit comfortably with a straight spine (cross-legged or in a chair).
- Place your hands in Gassho, (prayer position) or on your lap.
- Close your eyes and take a deep breath.
Focus on the Hara (Tanden)
- Bring your awareness to the Hara/Tanden, located about two inches below the navel.
- This is your body's energy center, where Reiki energy is stored.
Inhale Reiki Energy
- Breathe in deeply through your nose, visualizing Reiki energy entering with the breath.
- Imagine this energy as pure white light flowing down to your Tanden.
- Feel your lower abdomen expanding gently as you fill yourself with Reiki.
Hold for a Moment
- Allow the energy to settle in your Tanden.
- Feel it accumulating, purifying, and strengthening your body.
Exhale & Expand Reiki
- Slowly exhale through your mouth, releasing any tension, negativity, or blocked energy.
- As you breathe out, visualize Reiki energy expanding throughout your entire body.
- With each exhale, feel yourself becoming lighter, more open, and more connected to Reiki.
Repeat for 5-10 Minutes
- Maintain a slow, steady breathing rhythm.
- Let go of thoughts and simply focus on the flow of breath and energy.
- Over time, you may feel a deep sense of peace, warmth, or tingling sensations.
Close with Gratitude
- When ready, gently open your eyes.
- Place your hands in Gassho and give thanks for the energy received.
- Carry the sense of calm and clarity with you throughout your day.

Seishin Toitsu

Seishin Toitsu translates to "unification of mind and spirit" in Japanese and is a key meditative practice in Reiki and other spiritual disciplines. It is designed to cultivate inner stillness, strengthen intuition, and align one's energy with the flow of Reiki.

Step-by-Step Guide to Seishin Toitsu:

Find a Quiet Space
- Sit comfortably in seiza (kneeling) or zazen (cross-legged) on the floor. If needed, sit in a chair with your feet flat on the ground.
- Keep your back straight but relaxed. Hands can rest on your lap or in Gassho (palms together at heart center).
Set an Intention
- Silently or aloud, affirm your intention to unify your mind and spirit.
- Example: "I allow my mind and spirit to become one, in harmony with the universal flow of Reiki."
Begin Deep Abdominal Breathing (Joshin Kokyu Ho)
- Inhale deeply through your nose, drawing breath down into your tanden or hara (about two inches below the navel).
- Exhale gently through your mouth, visualizing Reiki filling your entire body.
- Allow each breath to lengthen naturally.
Focus on the Breath & Energy Flow
- As you inhale, visualize pure Reiki light entering through the crown of your head (Sahasrara).
- As you exhale, feel the energy settling into your hara, creating a steady, grounded presence.
- Maintain awareness of your breath and energy, letting thoughts pass like clouds.
Merge into Oneness (Seishin Toitsu State)
- As your breathing deepens and your mind quiets, begin to feel a sense of oneness with Reiki, with your surroundings, and with the universe.
- The concept of separation dissolves, leaving only presence, flow, and unity.
- This state of deep concentration and unity is Seishin Toitsu.
Close with Gratitude
- When ready, slowly bring awareness back to the present.
- Place hands in Gassho and give thanks.
- Take a moment to feel the effects before moving on with your day.

Practicing Seishin Toitsu daily—even for 5-10 minutes—can significantly enhance your Reiki practice, intuition, and inner harmony. Would you like guidance on integrating it into your Reiki sessions?

The Reiki Shower

A Reiki Shower is a simple yet powerful energetic cleansing practice that mimics the effect of taking a physical shower but uses Reiki energy instead of water. It helps clear stagnant or negative energy, refresh the aura, and promote a sense of balance and renewal.

Steps to performing a Reiki Shower

Stand or Sit Comfortably
- Find a quiet space where you won’t be disturbed.
- Stand with feet shoulder-width apart or sit comfortably.
- Close your eyes, take a few deep breaths, and relax.
Activate Reiki Energy
- If attuned, place your hands in Gassho (prayer position) and set the intention for cleansing.
- If you use symbols, you can mentally or physically draw Cho Ku Rei (CKR) to amplify the energy.
Visualize Reiki Flowing Like Water
- Imagine a stream of pure white or golden Reiki light flowing down from the Universe, entering through the crown chakra (top of the head).
- Picture this energy cascading over your entire body, just like a shower of cleansing light.
- As it flows, feel it washing away any stress, negativity, or stagnant energy.
Use Your Hands to Sweep Away Residual Energy
- Raise your hands above your head and slowly sweep them down over your body, as if brushing off anything unwanted.
- Move from head to shoulders, chest, arms, abdomen, legs, and feet.
- Repeat this sweeping motion a few times, shaking off any lingering energy from your hands after each pass.
Ground & Seal Your Energy
- Imagine the Reiki light settling into your body, filling you with peace and balance.
- Place your hands on your Tanden (Hara, lower abdomen) to ground and stabilize your energy.
- If you use symbols, you can seal your energy with CKR.
Express Gratitude & Close
- Take a deep breath, place your hands in Gassho, and thank Reiki for the cleansing.
- Open your eyes and carry this renewed energy into your day.

Reiji-Ho

Reiji-ho (Invocation of Reiki): This practice entails raising the hands to the third eye in prayer position and asking Reiki to guide your intuition, allowing the energy to flow where it's needed for the recipient's well-being.

Chiryo

This involves placing the hands in various positions along the body or beaming energy to the recipient, facilitating the flow of healing energy.

The Three Pillars of Reiki are foundational practices that enhance the effectiveness of Reiki sessions and work together to prepare the practitioner, enhance the flow of Reiki energy, and ensure that the session is conducted in a mindful, healing state.

Byosen Scanning

Byosen scanning is a fundamental Reiki technique used to detect energetic imbalances in the body. It is based on the practitioner's ability to sense areas of energetic disharmony or blockages within the recipient’s energy field. The word "Byosen" means "accumulation of illness" in Japanese, and this method is particularly useful for identifying where Reiki is most needed.

Steps to performing Byosen scanning

Ground and Center Yourself – Before scanning, take a few deep breaths, ground yourself, and set your intention to be open to energetic sensations.
Position Your Hands – Hold your dominant hand a few inches above the recipient’s body, starting from the head and slowly moving down toward the feet. Your non-dominant hand can rest at your side or remain in a receptive position.
Scan with Awareness – Move your hand slowly and mindfully, paying attention to any subtle sensations, such as:
- Heat or warmth
- Cold or coolness
- Tingling, buzzing, or static-like energy
- Heaviness or a dense feeling
- Pulsing or movement
- A feeling of being "stuck" in certain areas
Identify Areas of Imbalance – Where you feel the strongest sensations, there may be an accumulation of stagnant or unbalanced energy. These areas are where Reiki may be most needed.
Channel Reiki Energy – Once you identify an area that requires attention, allow Reiki to flow into that space. You can hold your hand over the area for a few moments or move into a hands-on healing position.
Complete the Scan and Treat as Needed – Continue scanning the rest of the body and providing Reiki where necessary. Once the session is complete, gently sweep your hands through the aura to clear any residual energy.

Enhances intuition and sensitivity to energy
Helps locate energetic imbalances before they manifest physically
Allows for a more focused Reiki session
Can be used for self-scanning to assess one’s own energy field

Byosen scanning is a valuable skill that improves with practice. Over time, you may develop an even stronger sensitivity to energy fluctuations, deepening your connection to Reiki and your ability to facilitate healing.

Nentatsu-Ho

Nentatsu-ho is a powerful Reiki technique that focuses on releasing blocked energy or negative emotions in the body through hands-on healing. It's often used to clear the mind and release stress, anxiety, and emotional tension.

Steps to performing Nentatsu Ho

1. Prepare the Space

Ensure you have a quiet, peaceful space where you won’t be interrupted.
Cleanse the space with Reiki symbols or a clearing method that resonates with you to set the intention for healing.

2. Set Your Intention

Before starting, take a moment to center yourself. Breathe deeply and focus on your intention for the session. This could be to release tension, negative energy, or emotional blocks from your client or yourself.
If you're practicing Nentatsu-ho on a client, make sure to ask them if they have any specific areas they want to work on or any emotional baggage they feel might need attention.

3. Activate the Energy

Begin by placing your hands in the Gassho position (palms together in front of your chest) to center yourself and activate the Reiki energy.
Use your Reiki symbols if needed, and say a prayer or affirmation to invoke the highest healing energy.

4. Hand Positioning

Nentatsu-ho is a method of using a light, tapping motion with your fingertips to release energy. You’ll use your hands to tap or lightly touch the body, usually on areas that feel blocked or tense. The energy will flow into the client or your own body where it’s needed.
Start by placing your hands lightly on the client's body (or on yourself if practicing solo), focusing on areas where energy is stagnant or heavy. Areas like the shoulders, chest, or solar plexus are common spots.

5. Begin Tapping or Light Touching

Gently tap with your fingertips over the client’s body in a rhythmic, circular motion. The tapping should be light, not forceful, and it’s done to stimulate the energy flow and release any emotional blockages.
If you are using light touches instead of tapping, gently place your hands on areas like the head, neck, or shoulders, allowing the energy to work naturally.

6. Focus on the Areas of Blockage

As you tap, you may sense areas where the energy is dense or stagnant. Pay attention to these spots, as they will likely require more attention.
It’s important to stay in tune with the energy flow and be open to intuitive guidance about where to place your hands or where to focus more on the tapping.

7. Release and Relax

Allow the energy to flow freely and trust the process. Continue the tapping or light touches for several minutes, paying attention to the sensations in your hands and your intuition.
As you progress, you may feel a shift in the energy, such as a decrease in tension or a sense of relaxation in your client or yourself. You might also feel emotional shifts or sensations of heat or coolness.

8. Close the Session

After working on the areas of tension or emotional blockage, slowly bring your hands back to the Gassho position to close the session and ground the energy.
Offer a moment of gratitude and healing prayers for your client or for yourself, ensuring that the healing is complete.

9. Follow-Up

If you are working with a client, ask them how they feel after the session. Nentatsu-ho can bring up emotions or physical sensations that might need further processing, so provide a space for them to share if needed.
Encourage them to drink water to support the energy flow.

Tips

Trust your intuition—Nentatsu-ho is subtle, and each person’s experience will be unique. Some may experience deep emotional releases, while others may feel more relaxed or light.
Keep your own energy clear and balanced while doing this practice, as it can require a strong presence of calmness and awareness.
Practice self-care after performing Nentatsu-ho, especially if you’ve been doing it for others, as it can be energetically intensive.

This practice is about creating a gentle, healing environment that allows negative energy to be released in a way that promotes overall well-being.

Reiki Chalice Meditation

This meditation can be a powerful tool for both healing and spiritual growth, helping you stay grounded in the flow of Reiki energy while maintaining a sense of peace and connection.

Reiki Chalice Meditation

Steps:

Sit comfortably and close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to center yourself.
Visualize a beautiful, sacred chalice (or cup) sitting in front of you. This chalice represents your body and your energy field.
Imagine the chalice filling up with bright, healing Reiki energy. See the energy flowing into the chalice, filling it to the brim.
Feel the energy becoming a part of you. As the chalice fills, your body becomes a vessel for the Reiki energy.
When you are ready, imagine the energy overflowing from the chalice, sending healing energy to the world around you.
Sit with this visualization for a few minutes, letting the Reiki energy flow through you and into your surroundings. Allow yourself to absorb the energy and become one with it.