RELAX
Don’t knock it until you try
it! Ken Koh from House of
Feng Shui reveals how you
can easily apply basic feng
shui principles in your
family home to improve
your quality of life.
Many people dismiss feng shui as
an illogical pseudoscience. But,
this ancient art is based on sound
principles, and has been practiced
by a host of influential people such
as former American president Bill
Clinton, real estate mogul Li Ka Shing
and award-winning talk show host
Oprah Winfrey.
Feng shui can help to build a
harmonious home and consequentially
improve the person’s happiness as
well as the relationships he or she has
with other family members.
How? Well, people are connected to
the Trinity of Luck — Heaven, Man
and Earth. Your Earth luck depends on
your management of time and space,
which is what feng shui is about.
Simply put, feng shui is the study of
metaphysical energy, or what we call
Qi, and how it flows from one place
to another. When you understand
the principles of feng shui, you will
discover how you can manipulate this
flow of energy for your own benefit.
Feng shui is all around you, even when
you’re not aware of its principles. For
example, you might have stepped into
an office, a restaurant or a home that
does not feel right. This intuition of
yours could be your first connection to
the world of feng shui.
Qi only exists when there is a flow
of energy, which is caused by a
difference in height levels. Energy
originates from high places such as
mountains, hills and top of slopes, and
flows to low places. When there is a
flow, it must stop somewhere and the
Quick Feng Shui Tips
Here are eight indispensable feng shui tips that will nourish your home with Qi and
improves your family members’ quality of life:
around your neighborhood a strong
1Greeneryof goodblooming, you can be is findthat you
indicator
feng shui. Where you
lush
trees and flowers
sure
are in good hands.
a wide berth power stations, transmission
2Givebecausesharp tosharp objects areinto yourunsettling
towers and
features pointing
home.
This is
large,
rather
and visually unappealing, which can subconsciously affect
your outlook. If you already have one, a potted plant to
block out this view can alleviate the problems that come
with it.
sure your front
space.
3Makedisrupt or clutterdoor opens out to a clear out, as
Do not block
your entrance inside or
this will
the Qi flowing in.
4
Ensure that your stove in the kitchen is not situated in
line with any openings to prevent the nourishing Qi from
rushing out.
having the headboards of your beds
5 Avoidthewithfrom bedroominentrance. This isintoline
of sight
the
prevent
Qi
rushing
and crashing into
your head when someone opens the door. When this
happens, it might result in bad decision making and
chronic head ailments.
water or aquariums in
6Do not haveAt the water time, water,the bedroom, as
the movement of
is quite unsettling and can
disrupt sleep.
same
which is Yin, will
upset the Yin-Yang equilibrium in the room, affecting
your rest.
possible,
or eliminate work in the
7Wheneverand switchreduceelectronic devices when you
bedroom
off all
sleep. The transmissions create a disruptive flow of energy
that can upset your sleep.
area for
8 Create a comfortable and havefamily bonding where all
members can gather
fun together.
point at which the flow stops is usually
around a collection of water.
Hence, feng shui, which literally
translates to wind-water in English, is
essentially energy brought upon by the
winds and stopping at the boundaries
of water.
When you are analysing the quality of
the energy flow around the house, you
have to discern the difference between
what is external and internal, what
exists and what doesn’t. There must
be Qi flowing into your house for it to
be qualified as good.
Look around your home. Do you see a
slope, a hill or undulations? Where is
it originating from (look for the highest
point)? Is there a road or a channel that
opens up (e.g., one lane becoming two
lanes) close to your house, which looks
like it is welcoming the Qi flowing down
from a higher point?
According to feng shui, the best spot for
your abode to be at is at the bottom of
a slope with a large road situated very
close to it to take advantage of the Qi.
Once there is Qi, the three important
factors that will internally affect your
home’s feng shui are the positions of
the main entrance and the stove, and
the items in the master bedroom.
Qi enters through the main entrance
of your house and circulates around
the home. The stove in your kitchen
represents the health of you and
your family, since it is where you or
your family members cook food that
provides nourishment for the family.
Finally, the master bedroom is the
place that you rejuvenate yourself,
and having bad feng shui will interrupt
your rest.
Preparing
Feng Shui 101
Your Home
32
Family & Life • Oct 2013