Practice Makes Perfect
Don't let the meaning of Feng Shui get lost in translation
Image courtesy istockphoto
Right up there with the fortune cookie, General Tso's chicken and the art of Kung Fu, Feng Shui often gets lost in practice when it makes its ways to the Western world. Shrouded with mysticism and superstition, many people disregard this Eastern practice without knowing what it truly is. But what exactly is Feng Shui and how can it help you make sense of your home?
"For thousands of years, Chinese Feng Shui masters have studied natural and man-made environments and their impact on people," says Reiko Gomez, owner of New York City-based Reiko Feng Shui Interior Design, who can be seen in action on an episode of Kimora Lee's reality show "Life in the Fab Lane."
"Knowing that the elements of nature and the stresses of modern society affect the quality of our lives, they learned how to create harmonious environments which, by their very design, attract the best possible health, wealth and supportive relationships," she explains.
At times, the definition of Feng Shui seems vague, defined by how it is done rather than what it is, but Pam Tollefson, owner of Chicago-based Feng Shui Design, says that's what to be expected with an art that is more than 1,000 years old.
"Well, there are many ways to define it," says Tollefson, who also runs an apprenticeship program in Wisconsin, "but literally Feng Shui means 'wind' and 'water.' It's a large, complicated body of work, but its benefits are practical for everybody. It puts people at their optima and creates a supportive environment."
According to Gomez, when nature is in balance, life flourishes. Therefore, classic Feng Shui uses the five elements of nature - water, fire, earth, plants and metal - in varying forms and combinations to create a balanced, healthy environment.
"When we are in harmony with our environment, there is a natural sense of ease. Things seem to happen rather effortlessly," Gomez says. "On the other hand, when we are out of balance with our environment, we often have the feeling that we can't seem to get ahead, despite our best efforts."
Gomez, who attended the New York City-based Parson School of Design, studied with a Feng Shui Master and is certified by the American Feng Shui Institute, sees Feng Shui as a practical science and uses her expertise in it and in interior design to help people improve their way of living.
"It really is a science, but it's so old and every superstition has kind of lumped into it. That's part of the problem," Gomez says. "For example, people used to say that leaving the toilet seat up was bad Feng Shui. A couple of hundred years, it would be bad Feng Shui because an open toilet was very toxic, but then suddenly it became 'good' Feng Shui to cover your toilet. Pulling the superstition and the myth out of Feng Shui is what I try to do for clients."
Both Tollefson and Gomez have had their share of skeptics turn into Feng Shui advocates. "The ultimate goal is that you're going to be much more supported in doing what you want to do, and Feng Shui will tell you truly what a space is good for," Gomez says. "I have a lot of clients that work on Wall Street, very realistic people, mostly men, who think it couldn't hurt to try and see if it works, so why not take the advantage if it does? You don't have to be New Age-y or spiritual. In my experience, it only helps. "
Tollefson agrees.
"It's about changing practical things and the way things are placed so that if you walk into a place you feel good and claim the space as your own," Tollefson says. "The principles of Feng Shui can be applied where ever you go - at work, at home. It's something that goes with us and becomes a way of life."
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