Reiki Un-Do

REIKI UN-DO / KATSUGEN UNDO
(Oon-Doh)
Copyright © 2003 James Deacon

The practice referred to as Reiki Undo, while not being an original Usui technique, is said to have been introduced to the Gakkai by former president Koyama-san. Apparently instruction in the practice of Undo was discontinued after a Gakkai member was injured as a result of practicing the exercise.

Undo, or more properly Katsugen Undo, is originally a practice developed by renowned healer Haruchika Noguchi (1911 - 1976), as a way of augmenting his healing practice - referred to as Noguchi Setai.

Essentially, Noguchi believed that we all tend to hold on to excess energies that inhibit our self-balancing and self-regulating systems, thus impairing our physical, mental, and emotional functions.

Katsugen Undo is a dynamic exercise intended to relieve stress, detoxify the system and bring the body's energies into natural, healthy balance.

It aims to achieve this by giving free rein to the autonomic nervous system's involuntary movements. Katsugen Undo takes the body beyond conscious exercise into the realms of primal expressive movement arising from the ancient core of our being. It is about going beyond the illusion of intellect and connecting with the body's natural wisdom.

Practice of Katsugen Undo is said to bring many benefits including:

Relief from stress
Enhanced self-healing and resistance to illness & depression
Increased physical co-ordination, stamina, suppleness/flexibility
Increased self-confidence, happiness and sense of well-being
Greater mental flexibility and openmindedness
Greater ability for self expression/creativity
A deepening of spiritual values & sense of inner strength

What was generally taught as Reiki Undo is a simplified form of the original Katsugen Undo practice.

However, I have decided to present the full Katsugen Undo here.

It must be stressed that safety of the practitioner(s) and others in close proximity to the practitioner(s) is an important consideration in undertaking Undo

Undo is best performed in an expansive and uncluttered space [thick matting on the floor would also be of benefit]

Katsugen Undo

Sit on a chair, on the front half of the seat.
Begin by loosening up with some simple twists and stretches, e.g.:
- tense and relax your muscles
- roll your neck and head in a circle, clockwise and anti-clockwise
- move your arms up and back behind you in a wide arc
- twist at the waist and bend backwards

When you feel sufficiently loose and flexible, place your hands palms-up on your lap.

Imagine that your head is gently being raised up, your neck and your spine are expanding/elongating upwards towards the ceiling.

Be conscious of all your senses and what you are experiencing through them. Be aware of your breath - feel your lungs expanding and contracting - and take notice of your feelings.

And as you exhale, (putting aside any sense of self-consciousness) vocalise some sounds - what sounds ever you feel inclined to in the moment

[The main Katsugen Undo exercise process is divided into five parts purely for tuition purposes]

Part A:

With the index, middle, and ring fingers of both hands pressing gently on a point just below your solar plexus (- the solar plexus is an area approximately mid way between the base of the sternum and your navel), inhale deeply through your nose, taking the breath all the way down into your abdomen.

Exhale slowly through your mouth, making a 'haaa' sound as you do so.

At the same time as you exhale, bend forward, pressing your fingers deeply into the area just beneath your solar plexus.

Match your movement and breathing so that you complete your exhalation just as you reach the lowest point you can comfortably bend forward to.

At this point, suddenly relax your entire body (including your finger pressure) while remaining bent over.

Remaining in this position for fifteen to twenty seconds, breathe easily, then return to an upright position.

Repeat the process about four or five times:
fingers pressing gently below the solar plexus, inhale deeply through the nose into the abdomen. Exhale through the mouth with a 'haaa' sound - bending forward and pressing firmly into the point below your solar plexus. Remaining bent forward, suddenly relax - breathing easily for fifteen to twenty seconds, then sit upright again....

It is frequently the case that many people feel the desire to yawn at some point during this process - if you do, just let it happen - you should also find that your diaphragm will begin to feel somewhat softer.

Place your hands on your lap again - palms upwards - and inhale. Then, in an attempt to see directly behind your spine, slowly twist your, head and upper body as far as you can to your left as you exhale. Actually look behind you - stretching your eye-muscles

Match your movement and breathing so that you complete your exhalation just as you reach the point of maximum twist.

At the point of maximum twist, suddenly relax your entire body while returning to a forward-facing position, letting the air flood back into your lungs.

Next, slowly twist your head and upper body as far as you can to your right, again, at the point of maximum twist, suddenly relax your entire body while returning to a forward-facing position.

Breathing easily for fifteen to twenty seconds, be aware of what you are experiencing through your senses.

Repeat this entire process to both sides, four or five times.

Relax, feel your breath, and be aware of what you are experiencing through your senses.

C.

You repeat the twisting movement from the previous exercise.

As you do so this time, do it with a slight bouncing motion and swing both arms in the direction you are twisting.

At the point of maximum twist, suddenly relax your entire body while returning to a forward-facing position, letting the air flood back into your lungs.

Then immediately bounce and twist to the other side, again, at the point of maximum twist, suddenly relax your entire body while returning to a forward-facing position, letting the air flood back into your lungs.

Facing forward again, inhale strongly through your nose and exhale through your mouth three or four times, then after a few second's pause, repeat the entire process four or five times.

Relax, feel your breath, and be aware of what you are experiencing through your senses.

[It is commonly this and the following section of Katsuden Undo - plus some initial loosening-up stretches and twists - that is taught as Reiki Undo

When practiced as Reiki Undo, one begins by performing 'gassho' and making a statement of intent (much as one does prior to starting hatsureiho) - something to the effect of: "Reiki Undo begin", or " I start Reiki Undo now", and asking that you receive a Reiki treatment through whatever spontaneous body-movement is of most benefit to you.]

Fold your thumb onto your palm and fold your fingers over the thumb (making a fist but with the thumb on the inside)

Inhale through your nose, as you do so bending your arms at right-angles and raising both arms out to the sides. Your elbows are at shoulder height, fists facing forward.

Exhale slowly through your mouth, making a 'haaa' sound as you do so.
At the same time, with the exception of your throat and chest, tense your entire body ( - head, neck, face, torso, limbs, buttocks - even your perineum) , throw back your head, and thrust your shoulders vigourously back as if to make your shoulder blades touch.

At the point of maximum tension, suddenly relax your entire body - yet remain upright, letting the air flood back into your lungs.

Relax, feel your breath, and be aware of what you are experiencing through your senses.

Repeat this whole process four or five times.

Next, (and for this part you can remain seated on the chair, sit in seiza, recline, or stand - if standing, let your arms hang by your sides, if seated hands rest palms up on your lap) close your eyes, and let your thoughts fall away.

Simply feel - feel what you are experiencing through your senses - feel your body, your breath, your blood circulating in your arteries and veins and the life energy flowing within.

Without expectation, without attempt to control it, allow the sensations of your body to intensify - simply 'let go' - lead you into whatever movement your body's wisdom might desire.

Refrain from 'doing'. Do not make or intend any conscious movement.

Withdraw the mind from 'seeking after outcomes' - let it happen naturally, of its own accord.

Let the Reiki flow and let yourself flow with it - simply follow the energy.

As well as movement, many people experience spontaneous vocalisations - frequently guttural noises or other sounds.

These spontaneous expressions of sound, movement, etc. may last only a few moments or may continue for some time.

The phenomena may be mild, or may become very energetic and intense. If at any time you feel the movement becomes too great, too intense, or you become concerned, simply stop, take a centering breath, and begin again.

Each individual's experience is unique, depending on their needs, and on how much they are willing to 'let go' and give in to the process.

If allowed to flow freely, the movements will eventually fade into stillness of their own accord. However if for any reason you choose to limit the time you are willing to commit to Katsugen Undo, the following 'closure' is suggested:

With eyes still closed, inhale deeply into your abdomen. Holding the breath for a moment, exhale forcefully and suddenly by tensing the abdomen, making a sharp 'hmmh' sound from deep within as you do so.

Keep the abdomen contracted as, one at a time, you open your eyes and refocus.

[When practiced as Reiki Undo, one ends as one began by performing gassho and making a statement of intent - something to the effect of: "Reiki Undo finish", or " I end Reiki Undo now".]

The effects of Undo are cumulative, and it is not unheard of for the practice to be carried out daily for many months in succession.

While some people feel comfortable practicing Undo in a group setting, it is essentially a private practice in which the individual communes with the primal wisdom of the body.