Reiki and the Chakra System
An exploration of how Reiki practice relates to the chakra system — the traditional map of energy centres used in many Eastern healing and spiritual traditions.
What Are Chakras?
The word "chakra" comes from Sanskrit and means "wheel" or "circle." In many Eastern spiritual and healing traditions — including Ayurveda, yoga, and certain schools of Buddhism — the body is understood to have a subtle energy anatomy alongside its physical one. The chakra system is one map of this subtle anatomy, describing seven primary energy centres arranged along the central axis of the body from the base of the spine to the crown of the head.
The Seven Primary Chakras
Each chakra is associated with particular qualities, colours, and areas of life experience:
- Root Chakra (Muladhara) — base of the spine; associated with grounding, safety, and physical vitality
- Sacral Chakra (Svadhisthana) — lower abdomen; associated with creativity, emotion, and connection
- Solar Plexus Chakra (Manipura) — upper abdomen; associated with personal power, confidence, and will
- Heart Chakra (Anahata) — centre of the chest; associated with love, compassion, and openness
- Throat Chakra (Vishuddha) — throat; associated with communication, expression, and truth
- Third Eye Chakra (Ajna) — between the eyebrows; associated with intuition, clarity, and inner vision
- Crown Chakra (Sahasrara) — top of the head; associated with spiritual connection and expanded awareness
How Reiki Relates to the Chakras
Many Western Reiki practitioners incorporate the chakra system into their understanding of the practice. The standard hand positions used in a Reiki session correspond roughly to the locations of the seven chakras, and some practitioners pay particular attention to areas where they sense a need for greater ease or flow.
It is important to note that working with chakras in a Reiki session is a framework for focused attention and intention — not a medical assessment or diagnosis. A practitioner who says they are "working with your heart chakra" is describing where they are placing their hands and their intention, not making a claim about your cardiovascular health.
A Map, Not a Territory
The chakra system is best understood as a map — a useful way of organising experience and attention rather than a literal description of anatomy. Different traditions describe the chakras differently, and there is no scientific consensus on their physical existence. What matters in practice is whether the framework helps the practitioner bring focused, caring attention to the recipient — and whether the recipient finds the experience of a session supportive and restorative.