Reiki is a special method of channeling ki, or universal, subtle energy to relax the body and recharge our natural energy centers or chakras. Reiki hails from Japan and, today, thousands of people are turning to reiki to speed up physical, emotional and mental recovery.

Reiki has a special place in the annals of complementary medicine, because it gives a person the ability to attune himself to the Source and channel pure ki directly from it. Another interesting fact about reiki is that you can use it for self-healing.

This means that you can use this method to clear blocked chakras and improve your overall wellbeing at home, without having to drive to a reiki practitionerís clinic or office.

Reiki can also be used synergistically with other modes of natural healing, such as acupuncture and massage. It is a gentle, non-invasive way to introduce pure, healing energy into the five energetic bodies (physical, mental, emotional, spirit/soul, etheric).

Do you want to try reiki self-healing yourself? Follow these simple steps:

1. Learn how to write the Four Symbols of reiki on the palm of your hand or in the air using the tip of your finger. The Four Symbols are Cho Ku Rei (Power), Sei He Ki (Mental-Emotional), Hon Sha Ze Sho Nen (Distance Healing) and Dai Ko Myo (Master). There are many resources on the Web that will teach you the strokes of the Four Symbols.

2. After attuning to the Source by drawing the symbols that you need prior to self-healing, perform gassho (palms in prayer position) and meditate. Meditation can take five to ten minutes. You will know when you are done meditating when you feel itís time to arise from the meditation.

3. Visualize yourself connecting to the Source. Imagine a pure stream of energy connecting to the top of your head (crown chakra), streaming down to all the other chakras (third eye chakra, throat chakra, heart chakra, solar plexus chakra and root chakra).

4. Place both hands on your face with the middle of the palms covering your eyes. Feel the ki streaming in through your hands. You are now channeling universal subtle energy!

5. Now put your hands on top of the head. Your middle fingertips should meet at the apex of the head (crown chakra). Try to feel if you are going to get any feedback or energy transmission from this part of the body.

Changes in temperature, or even the feeling buzzing energy are all good signs. When you get feedback, try to interpret the feedback. Does this part of the body require more ki? Is it balanced? Is there impending sickness?

6. Change the position of your hands and place them at the back of your head. Your wrists should be near your nape. Repeat the energy scanning process described in step five.

7. Now move to your ears and cheeks. Cover the part of your cheeks that are nearest your ears. The tip of your index fingers should lightly touch the upper curve of the ear.

8. Lastly, move your hands on your chest and visualize energy streaming through the heart, lungs and all your other organs, bringing balance and healing.