What are the hand chakras?
The hand chakras, also called the palm chakras, are small energy centers said to sit in the center of each palm. They are part of what traditions call the minor chakras, the smaller centers beyond the seven main ones along the spine.
In the Usui Reiki training I received, they were handed down along with the figure of seven major and twenty-one minor chakras. They were taught as something to meditate on, feel for in your own self Reiki, and test when working with someone, and not as established fact. That is how I share them here, as an experience to try. For the bigger picture, see the minor chakras.
At a glance
| Also called | Palm chakras, hand centers |
|---|---|
| Location | The center of each palm |
| Associated with | Giving and receiving, touch, sensing energy, Reiki and healing work |
| Connected to | The heart chakra, through the arms |
| What people feel | Warmth, tingling, pulsing, weight or a gentle pull |
| Part of | The twenty-one minor chakras in my Usui training |
Why the palms matter
in Reiki
In Reiki, the hands are where it is given. When I place my hands on someone, or hold them near, the energy moves through the palms. Many people describe the sensation as warmth, tingling or a gentle pulse, and it is often the first thing new students notice.
In my Sovereign Light Reiki II class, the first attunement works with the heart and the palms together, the heart as the bridge between the lower and upper chakras and the palms as the instruments the work moves through. The hands are also how the traditional hand positions are done, though Reiki goes where it is needed and the positions aren't what make it work.
You don't need to be a practitioner to feel them. Many people notice their palms during meditation, healing work or simply holding a loved one's hand.
What people feel
in the palms
These are the sensations people describe most. You may notice one, several or none.
Warmth or heat
The most common one. It can be mild or surprisingly strong, and it often shows up when you place your hands on yourself or someone else.
Tingling
A light buzz or pins and needles in the palms or fingertips.
Pulsing
A gentle rhythm or heartbeat-like throb in the hands.
Weight
The hands feel heavy, full or magnetized.
A pull or magnetic push
A sense of attraction or resistance when you hold your palms near each other, or near a body.
Coolness
Some people feel cool as often as warm. Both are normal, and neither is better.
These are descriptions of experience, and not medical symptoms. If you have persistent numbness, pain or swelling in your hands, talk with a doctor.
Feel for them:
a simple self Reiki practice
Five to ten minutes. You don't need any experience.
- Warm your hands. Rub your palms together briskly for ten seconds, then stop and notice the sensation.
- Hold them apart. Lift your hands in front of your chest, palms facing each other about four inches apart, and breathe slowly.
- Notice. Feel for warmth, tingling, pulsing, weight or a gentle push between your palms. There is no right answer, and nothing is also fine.
- Play with distance. Slowly move your hands closer and farther apart, and see where the sensation grows or fades.
- Place your hands. Rest one hand on your heart and one on your belly, or wherever you like, and breathe as the sensation settles. This is simple self Reiki.
- Close. Shake your hands out, rinse them under cool water if you can, and press your feet into the floor for three slow breaths.
Nothing needs to happen for this to be worthwhile. Many people feel little the first time and more with a few days of gentle practice.
Caring for your hands
Tap a card to open it.
CareAfter a sessionShake out and cool down
Shake your hands out, then rinse them under cool water and take a few slow breaths. Drink some water, and press your feet into the floor. This signals to your body that the work is done and that your energy is your own again.
CareTired or sore handsRest is part of the practice
Reiki shouldn't take effort. If your hands feel tired, stop, stretch your fingers and wrists, and rest. Some people find that gentle self-massage or warm water helps. Pain, numbness or weakness in the hands is a reason to see a doctor or hand therapist, and not something to push through.
CareWhen they feel too sensitiveSlow down and ground
Sometimes the palms feel buzzy or raw after a lot of practice or a lot of people. Give them a day off, spend time outdoors, and touch ordinary, solid things, like wood, soil or a warm mug. Sensitivity usually settles when you rest.
CareEveryday careSmall things add up
Keep your hands warm, moisturize them, and notice how you use them. A few moments of hands-on-heart breathing during the day is a simple way to stay connected to the palms without doing anything special.
The heart and the hands
In many traditions the heart chakra connects to the arms and hands. That is why a hand on the heart can feel so settling, and why giving and receiving, comforting and healing are so often done with the hands. When the heart feels closed or guarded, the palms can feel flat or distant. When it opens, they often feel warmer.
A simple practice is to rest one hand on your heart and the other on your belly, breathe slowly, and notice the warmth under your palms. Read more about the heart chakra or try a longer chakra meditation.
A free activation
for the heart
Heart Chakra Activation to Open & Receive Love is a Reiki activation I recorded for the heart. It is free on my YouTube channel. Rest a hand over your heart as you listen, and notice what your palms feel.
Valentine's Day Reiki · Heart Chakra Activation to Open & Receive Love
You can listen any time, and if you drift off along the way, let yourself.
More to listen to
Three more to settle into.
Heart Coherence Reiki
A Mercury retrograde in Pisces activation for heart coherence and Venus healing.
Listen on YouTube
Morning Meditation for Positive Energy
A gentle morning meditation to begin the day settled.
Listen on YouTubeKeep exploring
Where to go next from here.
Frequently asked questions
What are the hand chakras?
The hand chakras, also called palm chakras, are small energy centers said to sit in the center of each palm. In the Usui Reiki training I received, they are taught as part of the minor chakras. Many people describe feeling warmth, tingling or pulsing there, especially during Reiki.
Where are the hand chakras located?
In the center of each palm, roughly where the lines of the hand cross. Some traditions also mention points at the fingertips. They are ideas from energy traditions and not physical organs.
What does it mean when your palms tingle or feel warm?
Tingling or warmth in the palms is one of the most common things people notice during Reiki, meditation or while holding their hands near someone. In energy traditions it is read as sensing the flow of energy. It can also simply be circulation or temperature, so I don't read too much into any single sensation. If you have persistent numbness, pain or swelling, please see a doctor.
How do you open your hand chakras?
Most people don't need to open them. The palms are already sensitive, and gentle practice helps you notice. The warm-up on this page, rubbing the palms, holding them apart and noticing, is a simple way to start. Go slowly and don't force a sensation.
Do I need a Reiki attunement to feel my hand chakras?
No. Anyone can feel warmth or tingling in their palms. In my lineage, the Reiki I attunements open the channel, and the first Reiki II attunement works with the heart and the palms together. But you don't need an attunement to try the practice here.
How are the hand chakras connected to the heart chakra?
In many traditions the heart chakra connects to the arms and hands, which is why giving and receiving, touching and comforting are tied to the heart. A hand on the heart is a simple way to feel the connection. See the heart chakra.
Are the hand chakras one of the seven chakras?
No. The seven main chakras run along the spine. The hand chakras are among the minor chakras, which my Usui training describes as twenty-one smaller centers. I explain more on the minor chakras page.
Can I do a hand chakra meditation?
Yes. Sit comfortably, rest your hands on your lap with the palms up, and bring attention to the center of each palm. Breathe slowly and notice any sensation. Five minutes is plenty. Finish by shaking your hands out and grounding.
Guided by Carissa Andrews, Reiki Master and lineage holder.
Reiki is a complementary practice and not a substitute for medical or mental health care. No specific outcomes are promised or guaranteed. This page is educational and is not therapy or clinical advice.