You may wonder what Feng Shui has to do with Tai Chi and/or Qigong. Actually, the concept is very similar. Tai Chi and Qigong help to move the Qi throughout your body, opening blockages and stagnation. Feng Shui does the same. Instead of moving Qi through your body, it moves Qi energy throughout your home and/or office space. In other words, it helps improve the balance and harmony between you and your environment
Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is an architectural style, also known as Chinese Geomancy, developed by the Chinese thousands of years ago. Feng Shui means “wind and water” and is based on the belief that Qi (life energy) flows through all things. By balancing the universal force (wind) with the earth force (water), optimum health and fortune is said to result. Because Feng Shui affects the way energy moves through your home or business, it makes sense that clutter or bad design would have a negative effect or blockage.
Have you noticed that some restaurants, particularly Asian, have fish tanks. Designers, particularly in the Western world, often use water for decorative purposes. However, scientists are now finding that water in architecture is functional as well because running water produces negative ions, which balance out the positive ions. Positive ions often cause allergies, as well as some physical and/or psychological discomfort..
Just like in your body, Qi can get stuck and blocked. In a home or office, it can accumulate on objects, or flow in through a door and then out through a window. The goal here (like in your body) is to gently keep the Qi flowing. In a home, Qi flow can be blocked by messy spaces and clutter. We are even talking about garages, closets, foyers, bathrooms, and more. Removing clutter and straightening messy areas should be one of your first priorities. It’s a simple solution.
According to famous fine art photographer, Gray Malin, the three most important rooms in your house are the bedroom, kitchen, and bathroom. They are the most connected to your health and internal energy. So these would be a good starting place. The idea here is to design your space and your possessions and furniture to be in harmony and balance with natural energy flow.
Although the philosophies of the several schools differ, Feng Shui practitioners usually use Bagua (areas of your life) energy maps to analyze your environment. They also typically use the Five Elements to balance interior environments. Some of the tools used by Feng Shui practitioners(which you can use yourself) are:
Color: Color balances the Five Elements, it also adds content to our cultural, emotional, and physiological lives. Contrasts in color in a room can help to balance Yin and Yang. While some colors are soothing, others are energizing.
Sound: Sounds, particularly music, reduce stress and soothes. Sound connects us to others in our home or office. Relaxing sounds could be as easy as adding an indoor water fountain.
Lighting: Lighting, particularly natural or full spectrum bulbs increases Qi in our home or office, as does open windows, candles, and fireplaces. Sunlight is energizing.
Art: Art placement is important. While all art enhances Qi, it should be positive and reflect positive feelings. Depressive art will not generate positive Qi.
Things That Grow: Plants and flowers are part of our natural world, although silk plants can be used where light is limited. With plants or flowers, colors and shapes should correspond to particular elements. This is another way to combine both live plants and color to your environment.
Water: As stated earlier, aquariums, fountains, etc. stimulate Qi flow. They also bring sound into your environment.
Wind Objects: Flags, chimes, mobiles, etc. attract Qi. Again these do double duty by adding sound.
Mirrors/Crystals: Mirrors, crystals, shiny and metal accents can be used, especially if there are structural issues or lack of light in a particular area.
Some think that Feng Shui is just another type of interior design. There are those who call Feng Shui a pseudoscience, think it is only for the rich who can afford interior designers, and/or a scheme for designers to get rich. It is actually much more than that. Plus, there is much that you can do to improve the energy flow in your home on your own.
We’ve all heard that a “cluttered desk means a cluttered mind”. Recently, a campaign to de-clutter your home has spawned numerous books and videos. People are urged to only surround themselves with things they love. Fits very well with the concepts of Feng Shui, doesn’t it?
As we face more time at home because of the pandemic and eagerly look forward to a new year, we have a perfect opportunity to re-think the placement of objects in our home and environment. Do a little or do a lot. It’s up to you.
Feng Shui may just be what you need to smooth your journey, during these turbulent times and economic downturns!