The implementation of reiki is highly ritualized and ceremonious. Many practitioners undertake a particular routine before commencing a regime of whole-body treatment. The main elements are briefly described below. Many of these will attract energies that may interfere with the life energy of reiki. Items such as watches create a closed circuit that reduce the flow of life energy.
Earrings are especially a problem.
The pierced ears interfere with the flow of energy. The ears are very important in many therapies such as acupuncture that utilize meridians and must be kept unencumbered. There are two reasons for washing hands. First, there is the physical effect of cleaning. It makes the hands pleasant to feel for the recipient of reiki.