Archive for the Feng Shui Articles Category

Back to School – Feng Shui Style

On September 13, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: back to school, desks, Feng Shui, kids, kids rooms, school

By Lisa Janusz

I remember at the end of summer excitedly checking off my list of school supplies. Yes, the Trapper Keeper with the fun design and a backpack in my favorite color! After all, who knew what adventures the new school year would bring?

Each year brings with it new opportunities and challenges. The subject matter becomes more thought-provoking, interpersonal relationships become more complex and time management becomes a more necessary skill. But with each year, something does not change – that each child needs the loving care of their parents.

From a Feng Shui perspective, you can help them create a supportive environment at home, where they begin and end each day. Here are a few things you can do.

Start in their room by clearing clutter. Every item (toys, furniture, clothes) holds energy. Reduce the “noise” by clearing out clothes that no longer fit, toys that are no longer relevant and furniture that is no longer needed.
Revisit their room décor. Is it age appropriate? Does it meet their needs? (For example, adding a desk for an older child.) Whatever changes do occur, be sure that they have significant input. It’s their world and needs to appeal to them.
Get a system. With all the details of getting out the door, mornings can be hectic. This can be challenging energy to begin the day. Create a place for things to go. Give each child a bin for homework and permission slips, for example. Make sure everyone has their own place for hanging a backpack, coat, corralling shoes and anything else they need to get out the door. Whatever system you design should work for your family. This will enable you all to start the day with a more relaxed, focused energy.
Have a proper place for school work. If it’s in their room: bonus points if you can make it so they can see the door (they can both literally and metaphorically see what’s coming). Too often it’s left to a kitchen table and must be cleared to make way for dinner. This disruption in concentration can linger. Designate a space that is quiet and has enough room to spread out. Also make it a daily habit to clear off that space (put homework in folders, books in backpacks) so that they can have clear vision in the morning and each night as they sit down to work.

There is usually so much enthusiasm at the beginning of the school year that this is a perfect time to create a space that supports their endeavors and is open for growth and possibilities.

Join us for a FREE Teleseminar Wednesday, September 25 at 7 p.m. – Back to School Feng Shui: Tips for a Supportive Space. Register Here

The Black Hole: How to Have Good TV Feng Shui

On September 3, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: bedrooms, Feng Shui, sleep, television, TV feng shui

By Lisa Janusz

According to Nielsen, more than 54% of households have 3 or more televisions. Does that surprise you? It did me.

Recently Dr. Andrew Weil (an integrative medicine expert) was asked about having a television in a child’s bedroom. He recommended against it and cited some research about how a TV in a bedroom correlated with unhealthy children. From a Feng Shui perspective, we couldn’t agree more! And not just for kids’ rooms – for any bedroom.

Bedrooms should be a sanctuary; a place of rest and rejuvenation. Televisions are big black holes (think of the comparison when they are off). They suck energy. That’s why you don’t want one where you are sleeping. I know, I know – some people say they need them to fall asleep. Often though, those same proponents tell me their sleep isn’t that “restful”.

Try to break the habit if you can. TVs are not conducive to peaceful sleep or dreams. By their nature, TVs are meant to be stimulating and engaging. That is why they are best suited for an “active” room, like a family room.

Follow these other tips to have #goodtvfengshui:

Do not keep a television in a bedroom (or kitchen or bathroom for that matter). Think of the function of the room.
If you can’t break the habit just yet of a TV in a bedroom…at least put it behind closed doors (like an armoire) or drape it with fabric to minimize its impact.
Scale the television to the room. Don’t let it “own” the room.
Put it behind closed doors (or drape it) if it’s in a room that does “double-duty”. Do not give your TV prominence in a room that is also used for family gatherings and entertaining.

Think of the message you are sending with your TV. Do you really need that distraction in every room? At least prioritize where you sleep.

Trust me, I get it. Admittedly, I couldn’t live without a TV either. But in our family we do limit the where and when. How about you? Have you had to break the habit? Tell us your success stories!

A Feng Shui garden and a surprise around the corner

On August 9, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / 1 Comment

Tags: Feng Shui classes, Feng Shui garden

By Carole Hyder

There are nine features that a traditional Feng Shui garden should have. A water element is one obvious feature, a fence, a curving path, just to name a few. My gardener husband has made sure that his magnificent expression of flowers and herbs follows those Feng Shui garden directives as closely as possible. Last year, he expanded the path idea by creating an additional one that connects our steep back hill with the rest of the garden. Now we take a few steps up to the mid-point of the hill and can easily and comfortably meander the full width of our yard, giving us a new perspective on our home and our property. (Also, our garden is often the topic of discussion in our Feng Shui classes so it’s important in both my personal life and my professional one!)

A gnome home is a surprise in Carole’s Feng Shui garden

Another Feng Shui element is that there should be a “surprise” in the garden. The Feng Shui garden should not tell its whole story on first glance, but rather reveal itself little by little. This means you might tuck a little troll behind a tree, seen only when someone walks up close to the tree. There might be a small chair or bench located under a lilac bush that isn’t noticed until you get to the lilacs. A garden ornament could delight someone unexpectedly when they come around some tall irises.

The prime force behind a Feng Shui garden that relies on these elements is the intention of the garden. What are some possible intentions for a garden? Read more →

Feng Shui for the Garage: A Space You Don’t Want to Overlook

On July 30, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Clutter, Feng Shui, Feng Shui for the garage, garage

Although often treated as though it has little impact on a family’s life, in Feng Shui the garage can have an enormous influence. From money and relationships, to health and well-being, the garage may affect in positive or negative ways. Even if the garage is detached from the house, it can still be instrumental in making a person or family feel welcome or feel disconnected.

Feng Shui is based on the principle that your space reflects your life. Since the garage is typically the first place you see when you come home, its condition can significantly influence how you feel about your home in general and correspondingly about your life.

It goes without saying that the condition of the garage and the experience you have driving into it can influence how you feel overall. Even if your garage is detached from the house, it can still be critical in making you feel welcome or making you feel discouraged.

The first step is removing clutter. This is especially important if you aren’t using the garage its intended purpose – to park your car.

Here are some additional tips for enhancing your experience with your garage. . .

Deal with the floor. At the very least, sweep out the garage once a year. Hosing it down is better. It may be time to consider painting the floor or adding an epoxy coating for a nicer, cleaner look – not to mention it will make sweeping it out a whole lot easier.
Have a system for storage. The garage can certainly be used for storage but there should be a system. Shelving works; cupboards work; plastic bins with covers are also an option. Make sure you know what it is you’re storing and that it doesn’t impede the experience of getting out of your car.
Be inspired. Have something fun in the garage to lift your spirits when you come home. This might be a banner or a poster. Change it up from time to time to keep your interest level high.

Your goal is to make the garage the best garage that it can be. You don’t have to convert it to an office or a bedroom – that is never an easy conversion anyway. You don’t have to wallpaper or carpet the floor. You only need to make it an enjoyable experience. Pretend you were your car – would you want to live there?

By Carole Hyder

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Founder, Faculty and International Feng Shui Expert

Getting to Sold! Feng Shui Tips for Selling Your Home

On June 25, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Clutter, Feng Shui, Selling a Home

This is a busy time of year for real estate agents. The weather is nice and the timing is right for house buying and selling.

I bought my first house during late summer and years later would sell it to buy another (with my husband) during the same time period. I pulled out all the feng shui tools I had to sell. And even though the market wasn’t “favorable” at the time, we sold both our houses in a short time frame.

Here are three tips that you can use if you are selling your house, or share with someone else on the market:

Depersonalize. Real estate agents will tell you the same thing. It helps people see themselves in your space. It also helps you begin to detach energetically from the space and open up to someone new.
Declutter. More advice we share with agents. The space shows better when it is clutter free, in addition to feeling larger. From our perspective it also calms the space. Too much clutter creates a feeling of being overwhelmed for both seller and buyer.
Detach. Hopefully if you are selling your house it has been your decision. Otherwise this becomes more challenging. Either way, you will want to start separating yourself from the space. Start with depersonalizing. Then think about writing your house a “thank you” letter to provide the closure you need.

Some houses sit on the market for months while others sell within hours. Even though I hear “location, location, location!,” I also believe energy has a big impact. If a house has been loved and people are moving for positive reasons (better job, bigger family), the house can’t help but project that type of energy. It welcomes a new owner with that sense of supporting them and their dreams.

By Lisa Janusz

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Registrar and Faculty

How Does Your Garden Flow? Feng Shui Tips to Create an Intentional Garden

On May 28, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: Feng Shui, gardens, intention

Whether gardening in a large space or a small patio, there are some elements to consider if you want to be able to call it a Feng Shui garden. Size does not matter, but intention and layout does. The first consideration in a Feng Shui garden is to determine the overall feeling or theme you want to express. Do you want to use the garden for quiet-time or to be inspired? Is it your intention to create an outdoor space where friends and family can gather? Even if your gardening efforts are confined to a very small spot on the deck, think about what you want to create. Fairy gardens are intended to be small but that doesn’t make them less engaging.

Here are some additional elements to consider whether you’re designing a large back-yard or a small pot.

Water. In line with the concept of “wind and water,” having water in a garden is a natural. If a pond doesn’t seem like the right fit or feels like it would be too much work, a fountain could be integrated into your garden or a bird-bath. If having water is out of the question, then a dry bed may be the right answer.
Place to sit. The point of having a place to sit is so you can absorb the energy of the garden, relish the view and assess the next leg of the journey. A rock or tree stump could provide this element or a bench or hammock would also work.
Curvy Path. In your Feng Shui garden you should provide an effortless and enticing indication of where to go. A path of flagstones, chips, or round pavers will work as will a foot-worn path. Making it curvy implies a slower pace where ambling and lingering are appropriate. If your garden is small, you can still create a path that the eye will follow.

These photos are all from our garden. Its exquisite beauty and strength come solely from the labor of my husband Tom who is a master gardener. His efforts have paid off since he was selected to be part of the Hennepin Co. Master Gardener Tour on July 13. If you want to come see his masterwork and the work of others, register here.

By Carole Hyder

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Founder, Faculty and International Feng Shui Expert

5 Elements for Weddings

On April 30, 2013 / Feng Shui Articles / Leave a comment

Tags: 5 Elements, Balance, Chi, Feng Shui, Flowers, Weddings

“Wedding season” is quickly approaching. There is something about the summer that makes it a prime time for saying vows. It could be that travel plans are more flexible with kids out of school. Or that the warmer weather is a nice background for strapless dresses and beautiful flowers. Whatever it is that brings that energy, it totally encapsulates us for months at a time.

With all the razzle-dazzle, it can necessitate a yearning for balance. In Feng Shui, one of the ways we try to capture that feeling is through the Chinese five elements – water, wood, fire, earth and metal. Look outside and you will see how one element does not exist without the others. This is why people feel so peaceful in a natural setting.

Whether you are planning on getting married or attending a wedding, you can use the five elements to keep your personal chi (energy) or the event chi balanced.

3 Ways to Incorporate the 5 Elements

Color: black for water, green for wood, red for fire, brown for earth and silver or gold for metal.
Shape: wavy for water, columnar for wood, triangular for fire, square for earth and circular for metal.
Themselves: water, wood (trees, plants, flowers), fire (fireplace, candle, heat lamp), earth (soil, ceramic vases or pots) and metal (jewelry, vases).

For my own wedding several years ago, the five elements were subtly – yet significantly – present. There were a few of us who knew, but for most people they were just added details. I wore all 5 elements that day – from the wave of my hair, to the metal of jewelry and the structure of my dress. Each bouquet and boutonniere included all five elements through flower colors and added ribbons.

Even the centerpieces comprised all five elements with their nourishing water, wood plants, bird cutouts (animals are traditionally “fire” energy), earthy soil and metal ribbon.

You can use them as a mix – a black ribbon here (color representing water), a candle there (fire itself)…whatever works for you! Use as much or as little as you like. I used them quite a bit – incorporating in several details for the day. But you could also just concentrate on a presence – like your flowers. Or if you are a guest – colors in your outfit. Even carrying a purse with colored ribbons tucked inside will do.

No matter how you decide to surround yourself with the 5 elements, you will experience their harmonious and comforting balance.

By Lisa Janusz

Wind & Water School of Feng Shui Registrar and Faculty

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