| A clear understanding of Feng Shui basics will help | | | | Feng Shui strives to create a balance of yin and |
| you benefit greatly as you expand and enhance | | | | yang energies in living environments. |
| your life using this marvelous and ancient art that | | | | Feng Shui recognizes and honors the yin and yang |
| helps you create beautiful and effective living | | | | present in all things. Yin and yang can be thought |
| spaces. This article is designed to give you a solid | | | | of as breathing. You must breathe in, in order to |
| understanding of two important concepts that | | | | breathe out. They are the necessary opposites of |
| compose the heart of Feng Shui. There are more, | | | | life, and yet they are not opposing forces, rather |
| but these are a good beginning. | | | | they complement and complete one another in |
| The first concept to clearly understand is the | | | | every way. Male is yang...female is yin. Light is |
| definition of Chi, sometimes spelled Ch'i or qi. Think | | | | yang...dark is yin. Yang is warmth and heat...yin is |
| of Chi in a broad sense, as the vital life force or | | | | cool and coldness. Even the seasons of the year |
| energy that moves in and through all things. Chi | | | | embody different qualities of yin and yang, in |
| can be thought of as the energy contained within | | | | different measure. |
| your body (human), as well as the energy flowing | | | | In the minds of the ancients, there was little if |
| throughout your immediate environment (earth) | | | | any separation between the categories of human, |
| and the universe at large (heaven). This may not | | | | earth and heaven, as yin and yang qualities and |
| be the purest definition, as the word "Chi" has not | | | | energies flow continuously in and through all three |
| been successfully translated into other languages, | | | | realms. |
| but it is one that has gained in popularity and | | | | Over centuries of study and observation, the |
| acceptance in recent years, especially in the West. | | | | essential thought of Feng Shui was formed - a |
| In Chinese medicine if an imbalance occurs in one's | | | | practice born to improve the conditions and |
| body, Chi is blocked and unable to move without | | | | quality of life by recognizing the qualities of these |
| restriction, as it would in a healthy person. When | | | | energies and how to work with them for desired |
| this happens, it is likely that an illness is developing | | | | results. Results such as better health, improving |
| in the person or there may be other | | | | wealth flows, strengthening family ties and building |
| manifestations such as chronic fatigue, headache | | | | a solid reputation and career. |
| or other weakened condition. | | | | For example, if your bedroom is overly bright or |
| The ideal state is a healthy flow of Chi, both | | | | decorated predominantly with yang objects and |
| within a person and throughout one's immediate | | | | colors you may find it hard to get the rest you |
| environment. | | | | need. Perhaps the living room where you entertain |
| Feng Shui strives for balance and harmony, and is | | | | guests is filled with too much yin influence. If this |
| often referred to as the art of harmonious design. | | | | is the case, your parties may not be as lively as |
| When practiced, Feng Shui principles diligently | | | | you'd like them to be! This is where a working |
| promote and enhance the flow of Chi, which is | | | | knowledge of Feng Shui can help remedy |
| necessary for vital and healthy environments. | | | | imbalances of yin and yang in immediate living |
| The second concept to gain an understanding of | | | | spaces. |
| is yin and yang. Chi and all that exists have yin | | | | I look forward to sharing more Feng Shui basics |
| and yang qualities. In Chinese thought, there is | | | | information with you in future articles. I hope you |
| nothing that exists that does not have a portion | | | | have a clearer understanding of Feng Shui, and will |
| of yin energy, or a portion of yang energy, as | | | | continue to pursue information on the subject and |
| the famous Tai Chi symbol so clearly illustrates. | | | | put it into practice in your own life. |