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 (ARA)
- You've probably heard of feng shui, the ancient Chinese art
that says the way your home is arranged can affect your life
energy and well-being. According to feng shui principles, different
areas of your home affect different areas of your life. The bagua,
a feng shui map, divides your home into nine sections called
guas. Perhaps no gua is more important than the health gua, which
is located in the center, or heart, of your home. It is the only
gua that touches the other eight on the bagua, meaning it influences
every other part of your life.
If you're looking to improve your health gua, there are a few
simple steps you can take. First, add a plant, which can improve
your energies for health and balance. Paint the area in your
home that corresponds to your health gua in yellow or earth tones
to improve your health ch'i (energy). Add something that tickles
your funny bone in the center of your space to hold a light-hearted
energy for your health. Remove wooden objects, anything tall
and columnar, and the color green (with the exception of plants)
from this space.
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You may be skeptical, but feng shui
for the home has caught on rapidly over the past few years. Karen
Rauch Carter, a feng shui consultant and author of the best-selling
book "Move Your Stuff, Change Your Life," says there
is a good reason for the popularity of this ancient Chinese art.
"Feng shui is a way to mindfully organize your environment
so that it fully supports you in life," she explains. "It
brings harmony into people's lives, and in today's hectic world,
we can all benefit from that." |
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Nature plays an important role in
the five elements of feng shui (wood, earth, metal, fire and
water). "Patterns found in nature have a positive influence
on human general well being," says Carter. "At a minimum,
we respond to them on a cellular and unconscious level. At most,
it could consciously and visibly change our whole attitude, state
of health and physical well-being. By simply looking at and admiring
a leaf or a flower, you have helped yourself whether you know
it or not."
Whether we spend the bulk of our day in an office or at home,
we live in rooms with four square walls. "Most homes and
offices are built with 90 degree corners and slick, hard surfaces,"
says Carter. "These forms and surfaces would be considered
a rare find in nature," she says ironically. She notes that
by simply offsetting these stark forms with natural shapes and
symbols, people can start to bring balance to these spaces.
Environmental Graphics has helped bridge the gap between nature
and modern architecture by creating wall murals that bring these
natural patterns inside. "From an energetic standpoint,
their influence will resonate throughout the home," says
Carter. "For optimal results my advice is to place a mural
that supports both you and your home by following feng shui rules."
"We are finding that people are growing more concerned about
their well being as it relates to their homes," says Todd
Imholte, president of the mural company. "Murals are providing
a way to bring nature indoors and peace and harmony to any room
without spending a fortune."
The murals, at more than 13 feet by 8 feet, transform a room
into an oasis of serenity for about $100. Whether you opt for
a garden scene, a beautiful forest or a crystalline lake, your
room will promote relaxation and a calmer state of mind. Best
of all, the murals are easy to install and won't damage your
walls -- a great feature especially for those living in apartments. |
