Self-Reiki. Steps Before You Start.

One of the requirements for a successful self-Reiki session is your state of mind. You need to be in a state where your mind is relaxed and at peace. When your mind goes in a hundred different directions, when you are preoccupied with a work situation or personal relationship, it can’t be effective. When your thoughts scatter, so does your energy. In this case, grounding, breathwork, meditation, tai chi, qigong, or yoga will be more beneficial. These are skills that can be learned and will help you become an open channel for Reiki energy.

A very important part of self-Reiki is preparing yourself for a successful session. Preparing your mind and body is the foundation for an effective session. A strong foundation is important not only in construction, but in every endeavor.

I prefer to conduct self-Reiki with my eyes closed, so I will not be distracted by the outside world.

So, how do you prepare yourself?

1.     Location

You can choose different places for your practice; it can be indoors or outdoors. It can take at least 15 minutes or continue for an hour or more. So, your safety during this time is a very important element.

Find a place where you will be uninterrupted and have minimal distractions. Keep in mind that every place has its own energy. The right place will enhance your practice, and the wrong one will dim it.

2.     Get Comfortable

It could be in sitting or lying positions. If you have never done it before, try different chairs or experiment with pillows. Find position where you will be not distracted by discomfort. I found that lying is more comfortable and relaxing for me. Keep in mind that it may require more practice with Boysen scanning.

3.     Center Yourself

Close your eyes and take several relaxing breaths. Focus on the rising and falling of your abdomen. Visualize it as waves of the ocean, flowing in and flowing out. Follow your breath as it directs these waves. Take a few minutes to embrace this peaceful and powerful movement. It is intended to bring you focus inward, to feel your body, to calm your mind, to slow your thoughts.

Starting Step

Gassho

We always start and finish every Reiki session with Gassho. It is one of the pillars of Reiki practice. Where we bring the past and the future together in the present. Gassho is an important element for centering ourselves, setting aside our ego, and opening ourselves as a channel to this Universal Energy. This is the time to feel and declare our gratefulness. Our CNS relaxes when we are grateful.

• Placing our hands in Gassho position at the center of our heart area.

  This is our first position where we focus on internal gratitude. We give thanks to our body for its ability to heal, for its inner wisdom. We show our appreciation for its work that keeps us alive, for the coherence and the teamwork of all the organs and systems. For example: I am grateful to you for taking care of me all these years, and I will do my best to take care of you. I will try to be a better listener to your needs, to be a better partner.

• Moving your hands to the third eye area.

  This is our second hand position where we focus on external gratitude. In this position, we thank our ancestors for their continuous support, their wisdom, and their assistance in our healing journey. Our ancestors’ strength that we carry in our genetic makeup.  We invite them to be present and assist during this session.

  We also ask the universe for assistance and guidance. Thank for the connection with this energy, the energy of love, light, and peace. We thank for this intelligent energy that powers atoms, moved galaxies, and light up the stars. We invite all these invisible forces to assist us today.

Note: You can change the wording with something that resonates with you. Most importantly, it shows gratitude and appreciation. Some teach that, during Gassho, you request that Reiki flow. It is a fundamental misunderstanding of Reiki energy. We cannot order Reiki to flow or to stop. We cannot tell the river to flow only when we need water. Reiki energy is constant like universal consciousness or cosmic radiation. What we need is to attune ourselves to this energy, connect with it. When we calm our mind with gratitude, we reach “the river; we can touch its water.”

Disclosure: This article is based on my experiences as a Reiki practitioner, teacher, and author.

With love,

Roman

August 1, 2026