Self-practice (自己療法) is Reiki given to yourself. It asks for no partner, no equipment, and no special place — only a few quiet minutes and your own two hands — which is why it is the most common way people keep a daily rhythm.
Reiki for yourself
The idea is the same as treating another person: the hands rest lightly, moving slowly through a set of positions, while you breathe and relax. Many people practice in bed, morning or night, and some drift toward sleep — that is perfectly fine.
A simple routine
A short self-session might move like this:
Sit or lie down comfortably and take a few slow breaths in gassho.
Rest the hands gently over the eyes, then the back of the head.
Move to the chest, then the stomach, staying a few minutes at each.
Return the hands to the heart, thank yourself, and rest a moment.
Keeping it steady
Consistency matters more than length. Even ten minutes a day, anchored to a fixed time and often paired with the five principles, does more to deepen the practice than an occasional long session. Let it be easy, and let it be yours.
The heart of the practice
It is easy to think of Reiki as something done to other people, but for most practitioners the daily centre of it is self-practice. It asks for no partner, no appointment, and no particular occasion — only the willingness to give yourself a little quiet attention.
Paired with the five principles, a short self-session becomes a small daily ritual: a few minutes to settle, to set down the day’s worries, and to return to something steady. Kept up over months, this ordinary habit tends to matter far more than any single dramatic experience.
Take the practices with you: Reiki Practices — a guide for self-practice (PDF, 20 pages).