Energy and Balance:
Together In Your Workspace
Feng Shui literally means wind and water and it’s based on the views of poet Po Kwok about 1,700 years ago. The popularity of the ancient Chinese art of Feng Shui (pronounced fung shway) is on the rise as a way to bring our lives into harmony and balance with our surroundings. Our environment should be balanced by ensuring a flow of wind (feng) and water (shui). It has also been described as the process of balancing the yin (female traits) and the yang (male traits).
Feng Shui Tips For Your Office
Fresh Air
Money flows in and out of your life like the wind, touching everything as it passes by. That’s why it’s important to make sure that this wind is a healing and strengthening force, not a destructive power that causes harm. It is equally important to ensure that the wind blows constantly, at least as a breeze, and that there is never stagnant, foul air. According to Feng Shui, foul air would symbolize stagnant finances.
Remove Clutter
Your office must be organized and arranged efficiently. Clutter stimulates negative Chi (energy) and should be kept to a minimum. Clutter is trapped energy that has a far-reaching effect physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Clutter makes you feel disorganized and confused, keeps you in the past, congests your body, makes you feel lethargic and tired. Remove whatever extraneous materials are lying around your office. By clearing away the physical clutter you feel light, cheerful and optimistic.
With Feng Shui, less is definitely more. Always keep energy flow in mind when decorating and locating furniture. Use lighter coloured woods and fabrics.
Position Your Desk
Keep your desk in the commanding position, a position of power, where you have a direct view of the door, a view out a window and a wall behind for stability. This position of the desk, according to the Feng Shui office, offers you the
maximum control.
The Shape of Your Desk
The shape of your desk can affect your mood and level of productivity. Rounded curves are flowing, encouraging the flow of creativity. A kidney-shaped desk follows the natural curves of the human body and is said to give you a subconscious feeling of inner alignment.
Plants
Plants in your workspace help you stay connected to the natural world. In Feng Shui practice, keeping plants helps to have positive Chi flow in corners which otherwise are neglected spaces, devoid of any energy. Green plants also act as a filtering system, reducing toxins and circulating stagnant air.
Live objects such as plants, flowers and pets have their own life force. Plants and flowers are healthy for the environment, encourage growth and new opportunities, soften harsh angles and fill in empty spaces. (Dead or dying plants are not good Feng Shui!)
Choose the Correct Light
The best light is natural daylight, so move your desk close to a window but never have your desk directly in front of a window or fluorescent lights. You may improve your mood and energy by replacing fluorescent lights with warm lights.
Use Feng Shui Colours
Making use of Feng Shui colours can help you achieve balance in your office. Blues, purples or reds, for example, are supposed to enhance the wealth and prosperity area of your office.
Blue: Blue is said to have “yin” energy. It is calm and soothing. Blue creates a feeling of peace and trust. Since it is the colour of the sea and sky, Feng Shui associates it with adventure and exploration. Navy blue is the colour of intellect and wisdom.
Black: Black symbolizes money and income and is considered great for careers, especially when combined with metal. It is the Feng Shui colour of emotional protection and power.
Purple: Purple is excellent for physical and mental healing and Feng Shui associates it with spiritual awareness.
White: White represents poise, confidence and purity. Because of its yin energy, Feng Shui uses this colour in combination with gold or silver to generate a calm atmosphere.
Yang colours, according to Feng Shui, tend to be fire and wood elements. Feng Shui believes that these are the colours that provide enthusiasm or the positive energy required to do something or be motivated.
Yellow: Yellow represents sunbeams, warmth, motion, cheerfulness and friendliness.
Orange: Orange strengthens concentration. Orange is used to give a sense of purpose or organization.
The other yang colours of Feng Shui are tan/beige, brown, red, mauve, maroon, lavender and gold. Each colour has its significance such as money, luck or romance. These colours can be used in different combinations with Feng Shui.
Though the individual properties of Feng Shui elements are important, what is more important is the positive or negative effect that each element can have on one another.
Feng Shui and Your Home Office
Feng Shui practices can be used in any office environment, even home offices. For example, if your home office is full of creative and dream-inducing objects, get rid of some of them and introduce more logical, work-oriented elements.
Your environment affects you, how you feel, think and function. A few small changes, based on the Feng Shui design ideas, and you will start to sense a better energy and balance in your work environment.
An Introduction to Five Feng Shui Elements
Feng Shui uses symbolic representations of the creative and regenerative cycles of the five elements.
Water, as in a trickling fountain, can signal networking, communication, professional opportunities and wealth; while a leaky sink may signal a loss of money or poor health. Water – Black, Focus: clear, clarity, sensitivity, emotions.
Wood promotes development and creative energies. Use wooden objects to promote motivation, inspiration and passion. Wood – Green, Growth: beginnings, freshness, nurturing, activity.
Metal elements are transmitters or conduct energy; metal can generate attention and transmit energy to that area. Metal – White, Reflection: vision, riches, abundance, finances.
Earth has solidity and permanence to it and represents qualities of stability, permanence and home. This can be necessary in a space that is too full of movement. Earth –
Yellow, Grounded: stability, grounding, security, home.
Fire is considered the most powerful of all five elements and represents energy and passion. Fire – Red, Getting Started: action, activity, motivation, passion, spontaneity.
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