This page is dedicated to teaching those who are truly interested in learning Reiki. Before I go any further, I must point out that I am not a Reiki Master. The information that I will post down below is in fact copied from another site and even I have not read it, in it's entirety. A link to the Web site that I got this info from is posted at the bottom of this page.

With that being said, I would also like to add that if at any time, the person who copyrighted this information asks me to take it down, I will.

Reiki Level 1 Training In Reiki I, you learn the basics of Reiki, the hand positions and how mind/body/spirit effects the body. You will learn how to recognize the causes and predict the effects they will have on the body.

Reiki concentrates on the spiritual lessons, pulling them up to the surface to be dealt with. The energy from the Divine will help the person identify, address and even modify their pattern, which will also aid in removing the cause of the illness. Reiki will also enhance the effectiveness of traditional medical practices to heal the areas affected. You learn how to scan a body for illness, how to give a Reiki treatment on yourself or on others and the ideals behind Reiki.

Learning the Reiki Methods ~ Hand Patterns Level 1 Usui Reiki is transferred from Divine energy into a person, or any living subject. This is called channeling energy. The healing power does not come from the individual Reiki practitioner, but rather from the God source (what ever your "word" for God is). The Reiki channel, as they are often called, simply directs this energy into their subject. This is accomplished through using three different patterns or sections of the physical body with specific hand positions.

The Usui Reiki level 1 patterns are: The first pattern covers the front of the torso. The second pattern is applied to the head and neck. The third pattern covers the back.

Each pattern contains a various number of hand positions across a particular area of the body. It is important to follow these patterns and positions in the order they are given, unless this is an emergency situation. In which case the area of the body that requires immediate attention can be treated first. But during an average healing session, deviation from the pattern could reduce the effectiveness of the energy transfer. Moving from one position to another should be done very gently so as not to disturb the recipient.

Once the first hand is placed on the body, contact should not be broken. This can be accomplished by moving your hands one at a time, so that the practitioner is always in contact with the recipient. The Reiki channel moves from one position to another, by slowly raising one hand, and placing it gently in the next position. Next, the second hand is moved and placed alongside the first hand in the appropriate spot. This way the energy is always flowing to the recipient. To move from one pattern to another, the practitioner should constantly maintain contact with the recipient For instance, moving from the bottom of pattern 1 (which is at the top of the legs) to the first position in pattern 2 (which is over the eyes), the practitioner can simply use their hands to "walk" across the recipient's body and move to the top of the head (i.e.: place the right hand on the stomach, as you move, place the left hand on the stomach then move the right hand to the shoulder, and so on). When you have completed a session, gently raise your hands from the body, or slowly brush your hands outward and across the recipient's body. If you take your hands away quickly, you may notice the client jump because the energy was broken to quickly. Take care and be courteous.

Moving from one Pattern to the Next When do you move from one position to the next? Use a clock until you can tell by your hands when you should move. Each position should take about 5-10 minutes. However, if there are problem areas, spend more time in that area. This is why it's important to pay attention to your hands. Most people describe feelings of heat as they're working in one area. When the hands feel as if they're cooling off, the practitioner knows to move to the next position.

Finding Problem Areas How do you know where a problem area is? Before you place your hands in the first position, scan the recipient's body. Scanning is done by moving your hand back and forth across the Chakra centers. If a Chakra is strong, you may feel your hand being pushed away from the body. If the Chakra is weak, your hand may feel as if it's being pulled toward that point. Get confirmation from the patient by asking them about their problems, physical and emotional. Sympathize, but don't empathize! Reiki is a one way flow of energy, you are the conduit to the recipient. However, empathy is the "taking on" of emotions in order to understand another's position. It's better for a practitioner simply to listen for the "hidden" cause of the recipient's problem. (i.e.: A bruised right rib is a symptom that the person feels as if they have been wounded by a male force, like someone has taken the air out of their sails and they're upset about it. So the body produces a physical symptom that matches that emotional thought pattern.) People hold emotions and memories in their muscles. Therefore treatments such as massage and Reiki can help release those patterns.

Sometimes, deep seeded emotions can be brought to the surface during or after a treatment. Practitioners should be cognoscente of this and should be prepared to deal with any emotions that may arise. One way to help is to meditate, before and after a session. The mediation or prayer before will help align your energies with the Creator and prepares you to be the conduit. It can also raise your conscious state to higher plains of universally stored information. If a problem arises, you can simply "tap" into that "universal database" for help. By the same token, you need to shut down this energy and return to this plain of existence. Therefore, perform a closing prayer or meditation.

Concentration also helps to focus and increase the treatment. Talking is a distraction to both you and the recipient. Instead, ask them if they'd like a soft towel to lay across their eyes or if they'd like to hear some soft inspirational music. Set the mood for peace and serenity.

Recipient Position What position is best for the recipient? Lying down is the best position. This enables the recipient to be totally relaxed and better able to receive the energy. However, if they are totally opposed to the idea or if they're physically uncomfortable, have the recipient sit in a chair. Some people with bad backs can not lay on their back for long periods of time. You may want to have a stack of pillows ready to elevate their legs and take some of the stress off their backs.

Concluding a Session Once you have gently removed your hands from the recipient, smooth their energy from head to toe. As negative energy is released from the physical body, it can rise and get stuck in the auric field. Smoothing the aura clears this energy and can help seal the Reiki energy inside the body. Cup your hands, keeping your fingers together; start at the head, palms pointing toward the toes (not down toward the body, but sideways toward the toes). Move your hands from head to toe three times, or until you feel comfortable that everything has been cleared away. You may choose to use some form of a tool that can help clear the auric field, such as a small oriental hand fan or a native American feather fan.

---

Level 1 Hand Positions

Pattern 1: The Torso The first pattern contains 6 hand positions. It's best to stand on the left side of the recipient. Once the first hand is placed on the body, contact should not be broken. To move from one position to another, the practitioner should raise one hand and place it in the next position, then pick up the other hand and move it to the next appropriate spot. This way the energy is always flowing to the recipient, the contact is never broken. If the client is tall or has a long torso, you can add positions in order to cover the entire area.

It will look like this.

Position 1 is on the left side of the body, adjacent to the solar plexus. This position covers the Stomach - (for food and enzymes), the Spleen (for blood and antibodies that eat bad cells), part of the pancreas (for sugar, oxygen and to help the insulin break down sugar into energy).

Position 2 is on the right side of the body, opposite position 1. This position covers the rest of the pancreas, the liver (to help pull toxins out of the blood stream. The liver also produces alkaline "bile" and sends it to the gall bladder to break down fats and oils. This is the final conversion point of carbohydrates to nutrients). For

Position 3, one hand is placed on the left, the other on the right side, just below the 2nd position. (If moving to position 4 will leave an area of the stomach uncovered (if the torso is long), create a position 3a/b to cover that area.) This position covers the small intestines (to help the additional "garbage" which travels to the colon) and the top part of the large intestine.

Position 4 is angled from the hipbones down toward the center of the lower torso. This position covers the Bladder (for urine), the prostate (for men, to provide proper fluid flow for ejaculation), the Ascending/Descending Colon, (for women:) the Ovaries, fallopian tubes, uterus and vagina.

Position 5 is angled across the hip flexors, just below position 4. This position covers the leg hinges, the lymph nodes (for assisting the lymphatic system to take toxins from each cell and dumps into the bloodstream.)

Position 6 makes a "T" across the center of chest. Use the right hand to make the top of the "T" just below the collar bones, the left hand makes the center line between the breastplates. This position covers the heart and lungs.

Optional:

Position 7 requires the use of a heavy sweater or towel to cover the breasts. This covers the breast bones, the breast tissue, additional contact for the lungs, heart and arteries.

Position 8, requires the practitioner to stand at the head of the recipient. Place both hands over (or in) the armpits. This covers the additional lymph glands (for assistance in combating lung problems, T.B., emphysema, the flu, breast and lymphatic cancers).

---

Pattern 2: The Head The second pattern contains 4 hand positions. It's best to stand at the head side of the recipient. As with the first pattern, once the first hand is placed on the body, contact should not be broken. Be careful when moving from the first pattern to the second. Even a light touch on the shoulder while you are moving around the recipients body is enough for the energy to continue to flow.

It will look like this.

Position 1 requires that you use a Kleenex or a small soft cloth over the eyes. Place the hands over both eyes, with the index fingers along side the nose and even with the nostrils. The heel of the practitioners hands should be resting comfortably over the forehead area. This position covers the brain (for emotions, increases information storage and retrieval), the pituitary gland, the pineal gland (for women, this helps to regulate ministration cycles)(for peace, serenity and dealing with daily routines), the eyes and the sinuses (this position helps fight off infections, muscle problems, sinusitis and stress headaches).

Position 2 moves to the top of the ears on each side of the head, just below position 1, aligning the fingers with the ear lobes. The thumbs should now be in the same position the little fingers were in from position 1. This position covers the temporal lobes, inner ear (for hearing and balance) and the cranial nerves (also for stress and anxiety).

Position 3 requires the practitioner to gently rock the recipients head from one side to the other. Move one hand to the back of the head, gently rock the head as if cradling it with that one hand, then move the free hand to the back of the head and gently balance the head in both hands. Position 3 should be in the same place as position 1, except in the back.. Make sure the little fingers are touching and keep them tightly together. This position covers the rest of the brain (for memories of sight, emotions are also created here, and controlling functions (such as: sleep, mood swings, hunger and temper). This is also the area that helps to regulate the bodies temperature.

Position 4 covers the throat and lower jaw with one hand slightly covering the finger tips of the other hand. Do not touch the throat, simply cup the hands and rest them gently on the collar bones or chin. This position covers the airway, the food way, the voice box and the thyroid gland (for regulating metabolism). This position helps the parathyroid (which mediates calcium absorption and phosphorus).

Optional: Position 5 covers the ears entirely, cupping the hand around the ear itself. This position covers the ears (for hearing and balance), the neck muscles (where most people store stress), the coratid artery (for high/low blood pressure and control over smaller glands).

Position 6 covers the top of the head, either by placing the heels of the hands together with the fingers pointing toward the ears, or facing the fingers toward each other and placing them side by side (right thumb touching left little finger.) This position covers the portions of the brain that deal with motor muscle neurons (helps ease the effects of cerebral palsy, stroke, muscular dystrophy, etc.)

---

Pattern 3: The Back Pattern 3 has 8 positions It's best to stand on the right side of the recipient. As with the first pattern, once the first hand is placed on the body, contact should not be broken. Be careful when moving from the second pattern to the third. Even a light touch on the shoulder while the recipient is turning over onto their stomach will be enough for the energy to continue to flow.

It will look like this.

Position 1 places both hands on the right side of the spine, over the shoulders. This position covers the lungs, arteries and breast.

Position 2 places both hands on the left side of the spine, opposite position 1. This position covers the lungs, heart, and breast.

Position 3 places both hands on the right side of the spine, below the first position over the adrenal glands. This position covers the kidneys and adrenal gland.

Position 4 places both hands on the left side of the spine, over the spleen. This position covers the stomach, spleen, pancreas, liver gallbladder and adrenal gland.

Position 5 place one hand on the left side, the other on the right side of the spine. This position covers the syatic stem (for feeding the legs with nerve energy).

Position 6 is a "T" across the coccyx. Place the right hand to make the top of the "T" at the top of the buttocks, the left hand makes the center line along the coccyx. This position covers the rectum and anus (for helping to release old patterns)

Position 7 places one hand behind each knee. This position covers the knees, and nerve connections to the feet.

Position 8 places one hand on the bottom of each foot. This area covers the souls of the feet.