Have you completed Reiki Level 2 but never heard of Gyoshi-Ho or Koki-Ho? You are not alone. Even as a Reiki Master Teacher, there are techniques and Japanese names you may encounter later in your Reiki journey.
Gyoshi-Ho and Koki-Ho are methods of offering Reiki through the gaze and the breath. Discovering them can be an opportunity to explore your practice further.
Why Do different Reiki Lineages Teach Slightly Differently?
A Reiki lineage traces the succession of teachers through whom your training has been passed down.
Many Usui Reiki lineages share familiar foundations: the Reiki principles, self-treatment, offering Reiki to others and attunements.
However, the techniques included, the emphasis placed on them and the organisation of the levels can vary. It is more accurate to describe these as shared foundations than to say every lineage has an identical syllabus.
My own lineage comes through Mikao Usui, Chujiro Hayashi, Hawayo Takata and Phyllis Lei Furumoto. Learning about the practices shared in other branches is one way to continue exploring Reiki while respecting the training we have already received.
How Reiki Travelled and Developed
Hawayo Takata studied with Chujiro Hayashi and became a Reiki Master in 1938. Her teaching in Hawaii and subsequently North America played a central role in Reiki’s spread beyond Japan. Hayashi’s wife, Chie, also practised and taught Reiki, continuing his work after his death.
Mikao Usui wrote a student manual that has been preserved and is still used in Japan. There were techniques contained within it, that Hawayo Takata did not teach. It was from people researching it that these additional techniques came to light in the West at in the late 1990s.
In his manual he demonstrated how to use different techniques including the eyes and breath to treat people.
What is Gyoshi-Ho?
Gyoshi-Ho is commonly described within Reiki teaching as offering Reiki through the eyes. The practice uses a gentle, relaxed gaze directed towards yourself or a consenting recipient. You do not need to look into someone’s eyes.
Here is a simple introduction, based on William Lee Rand’s published instructions:
1. At first try sitting across from the person you want to help through Reiki. You can send Reiki to the whole person or a specific area with your eyes
2. Relax your eyes. Allow your focus to soften rather than staring intensely. Blink naturally. You are aiming to let your eyes slightly defocus.
3. Bring your attention to Reiki. Hold the intention of offering Reiki through your gaze towards the chosen area.
4. Return gently when distracted. If thoughts arise, bring your attention back without forcing concentration.
5. Finish when comfortable. Release the focus and notice how you feel.
Within the Reiki tradition, the intention is to allow Reiki to flow through the gaze.
Different Variations: You could work with another Reiki qualified person and both sit opposite each other sending it to each others hearts. You could also just look into each other’s eyes and send the Reiki.
Expert Tip: Expert Tip: Start with yourself for example by looking in a mirror
Expert Tip: Rather like distance healing, some find it harder to detach from the healing session if you are too involved in the outcome of the other person getting better, such as a family member. With a face to face healing session, you are saying goodbye in person and often closing a physical door of a room or building, which means it can be easier to energetically disconnect and carry on with your day.
Start off with someone you are not too attached to the healing outcome before building up onto a loved one or significant other.
What is Koki-Ho?
Koki-Ho is commonly described as offering Reiki through the breath. Some versions incorporate a Reiki symbol, which helps explain why teachers may introduce it after students have learnt symbol work.
Koki-Ho instructions:
- You need to work with a person who is wanting Reiki healing for example low energy, a condition or pain. You could have found the area from working with them previously doing a traditional Reiki treatment or they tell you the specific area.
- Draw in a large breath down all the way to near the navel
- If you have your Reiki Level 2 do this ( if not move onto 4) Hold your breathe and using your tongue draw the power symbol onto the roof of your mouth using your tongue. If you are intuitively guided to draw any other symbols then do
- Then place your mouth a few inches above the area in need of Reiki and blow out strongly onto the area.
- As you exhale, imagine you are sending via the breath Reiki and the associated symbol(s) to the place where the healing is desired.
- If you feel the need you can keep repeating for several times
- Then give Reiki via the hands over or around the place where you have exhaled.
When working with someone else, explain the technique and obtain consent. Never blow towards another person’s face, broken skin or wounds, and keep hygiene and personal comfort central to your practice.
Expert Tip: Explore this on yourself first.
Does Learning These Techniques Make Your Reiki More advanced?
You do not have to include every technique you encounter. Reiki, is a bit like a muscle, the more you use it, the stronger the energy seems to become. Like going to the gym you could just stay with the same way of doing things or try new techniques.
Even though I have been teaching and had my own Reiki healing practice for over a decade, I am still reading articles and books on Reiki and attending courses.
Keep curious to learning more Reiki, beyond what you were taught. For me, doing this is when it makes Reiki truly come alive and exciting. I find it helps to develop my Reiki knowledge, healing gift and Reiki teaching ability.
Continue Your Reiki Learning
At Culcheth Healing, I teach Reiki in a small, supportive setting in Culcheth, Warrington, Cheshire, welcoming students from Manchester and across the North West. Whether you are considering Reiki Level 2 or wondering about your next step, you are welcome to ask questions about the training and what it includes.
Visit my website’s Training and Events page for forthcoming dates, or call me on 07931 337941 if you would like to talk it through. Also, have a chat if you feel nervous about learning Reiki.
Together, we can help your Reiki flourish
Julia
Proud member of the UK Reiki Federation
Executive Training Provider for the IPHM
A leading Cheshire Reiki teacher and North West Reiki Expert
