The Indalo or Rainbow Man Exercise is also very helpful when done before the treatment or anytime for that matter.  The exercise opens the Rainbow Bridge and the Circle of Light. The Circle of Light is the gathering of Ascended Friends, Angels, Guides, Light Beings and Ascended Masters and Our Creator who work together with the Practitioner during the treatment. The Circle of Light is always open for anyone who wishes to enter. The Light within comes from the Creator down the Main Chord and all the way through all the chakras and grounds the energy so that there is deeper healing.

1. We ask to be received into the Circle of Light.       2. Breathe the breath of the Elohim (or if you don't know it, just a deep even breath).     3. Visualize the White Light coming down into the Crown- Breathe the Breath of the Elohim.     4. As you open your arms up to shoulder length- visualize the rainbow forming between your hands. Breathe Here. Palms face up.     5. Palms face down- to ground the rainbow into the earth. Breathe again.     6. Brings hands back to Namaste and bow to that light that dwells within us all.

Once you have opened the Reiki energy you can just let your hands be guided as to where they need to be placed. This is called the Intuitive Approach. It takes practice but it is well worth the little bit of willingness it takes to be guided from within. Just trust what you feel in your hands and heart let your hands move to where they are needed.

It asks that we free ourselves of the rules. Rules are meant to give us support. The moment that they begin to hinder us, they no longer fulfill their purpose. (p.8- The Original Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui-by Dr. Mikao Usui and Frank Arjava Petter). 

Even though you are not actually touching the physical body while sweeping the aura fields, Reiki energy is flowing through you and out of your hands. Sweeping the aura fields heals and balances the aura fields which directly affect physical health. After sweeping then proceed with the hands-on treatment. 

A full treatment may also be given by using the full treatment hand positions held a few inches above the body. This is a very advanced technique. You should use your intuition to help you feel how far away from the body to hold your hands. It can vary from a few inches to several feet depending on which layer of aura you need to access with the Reiki hand positions. Trust your intuition. Spot treatments may also be given in this way. 
 

For instance when moving from the shoulder to the elbow one hand is under the shoulder and the other is on top of the elbow. The energy jumpers between your hands through the arm between your hands. Similar to jumper cables and a battery. 

After the basic hand positions have been mastered your intuition will have probably begun to develop. The Reiki hand positions and the order of the rounds may be changed according to your guidance from within. Reiki is an intuitive healing art. 

Some practitioners prefer to start with round two positions starting at the solar plexus. This again is about using your intuition. Then Round One positions are done second, starting at the head. Make sure you wash your hands after working on the feet in this order because your hands will be near the nose when you do the head positions. Then Round Three positions are done. 

The laying aside of a little more of the ego for the Reiki practitioner is also accomplished by the simple act of breathing complete breaths with the intent to heal during a Reiki treatment. By doing this, a much greater amount of ki is pumped through you and guided by the Reiki Source into the healee. You lend your hands to the Reiki Source, and you lend your breath to the Reiki Source. Learning how to breathe The Complete Breath is easy, and working with it during a treatment will help deepen the flow of energy.

In this way your consciousness or "acting body" becomes linked with the Rei-ki current flowing through you. This linking is called "field coupling". By linking your consciousness with the Reiki current, the Reiki Source can better guide you as to where and how long to leave your hands during a treatment. 

The Original Handbook of Dr. Mikao Usui--by Dr. Mikao Usui and Frank Arjava Petter

Besides books on Reiki a highly recommended book for the first degree student is "Creating Affluence" by Deepak Chopra, M.D. 

Introduction

• Reiki's Ancient Past

Right View

• Depths of Field
• The Five principles of Reiki
• Affirmations
• The I AM Presence
• The Ascension Reiki Affirmation

The Reiki Treatment

• The Golden Rule
• The Reiki Room
• The Full Treatment Hand Positions
• The Spot Treatment
• The Self Treatment

Advanced Techniques

• Opening the Energy
• Sweeping the Aura
• Changing Hand Positions
• The Universe
• Ki
• Laying aside the Ego

Further Study