Joshin Kokyu Ho

In the practice of Reiki, much emphasis is placed on presence, stillness, and connection with one’s inner essence. Among the traditional Japanese techniques used to deepen this presence is Joshin Kokyu Ho, a meditative breathing practice that brings the mind into clarity and the body into energetic alignment. Translated roughly as “Breathing Method for Purifying the Spirit,” Joshin Kokyu Ho is a foundational technique in Reiki. Rather than focusing on external energies or concepts of healing others, this practice turns our attention inward toward cultivating a clear, strong, and stable inner state.

The Essence of Joshin Kokyu Ho

At its core, Joshin Kokyu Ho is a breathing meditation. It is not complex, yet it is deeply profound. The practitioner sits comfortably, spine upright, hands resting lightly often in the gassho position (palms together at the heart) or on the lap. Eyes are gently closed or lowered, and attention is placed on the breath. But more than simply “watching” the breath, Joshin Kokyu Ho invites us to breathe with intent. Inhale slowly and deeply through the nose, allowing the breath to drop into the tanden, the energetic center just below the navel. With each inhale, imagine the breath as light, or as a subtle energy, flowing into the tanden, collecting and settling there. Exhale naturally through the nose, allowing any mental tension to dissolve, and a sense of inner spaciousness to emerge.

A Practice of Centering

This technique is not about controlling or manipulating the breath, nor is it about “cleansing” in the sense of ridding ourselves of something bad. Rather, Joshin Kokyu Ho is a return to the present moment. It draws the awareness into the body and cultivates the conditions where Reiki - universal life energy - can flow more freely. The practice can be done as a daily meditation, or as a way to begin or end a Reiki session. Many practitioners find that spending even five to ten minutes in Joshin Kokyu Ho before giving Reiki brings them into a deeply aligned state, where the mind is quiet and the breath becomes a bridge between physical sensation and spiritual awareness.

Beyond Technique: A Way of Being

In the West, Reiki is often taught as a hands-on healing method. But in its traditional roots, Reiki is a path a way of embodying certain principles and cultivating a particular quality of presence. Practices like Joshin Kokyu Ho are not just “add-ons” they are the heart of that path. With consistent practice, this simple breathing method becomes a way of life. It teaches us to move more slowly, to become less reactive, and to return again and again to the wisdom of the body and breath.  As the breath deepens, so does our capacity to be with ourselves and others in a non-grasping, open-hearted way. And in that openness, Reiki flows naturally, effortlessly, and with great clarity.

Inviting the Breath In

If you’re new to Joshin Kokyu Ho, begin simply:

1. Sit quietly for 5–10 minutes.
2. Place your hands in gassho or rest them on your lap.
3. Inhale deeply and gently through your nose, visualizing light or energy entering your body.
4. Let that breath settle into your lower belly.
5. Exhale slowly, allowing your body to soften and your mind to clear.
6. Repeat, with awareness, allowing yourself to become still and centered.

With time, this practice becomes more than just a breathing exercise. It becomes a gateway to the essence of Reiki itself: a return to harmony, to simplicity, to presence.

Closing Thoughts 

Joshin Kokyu Ho reminds us that Reiki is not something we “do” it is something we embody. Through the breath, we cultivate spaciousness. Through spaciousness, we open to the flow of Reiki. And through that flow, we return to our true nature: clear, grounded, and luminous. Whether you are a new student or a long-time practitioner, returning to the breath through Joshin Kokyu Ho can deepen your practice in subtle yet powerful ways. It is a reminder that Reiki begins within and the breath is the doorway.