Healthy Living FS & TCM Connections

Healthy Living
Connections Between Traditional Chinese Medicine and Feng Shui
Five main groups of study and practice, known as the Five Arts, are an integral part of Chinese philosophy, culture and tradition. These five complex Arts and their respective modalities have been a fundamental guide to Chinese life since earliest times until today. They collectively encompass the entire span of wellbeing and lifestyle practices. Each Art is complete in itself; they are however all interconnected and their commonality is the concept of Qi energetics, essentially yin and yang balance and five elements relationships.

The five Arts are: 1 Medical (Yi) ie.Traditional Chinese Medicine, includes acupuncture, herbal prescriptions and healing: 2 Observation (Xiang) includes Feng Shui, architecture, writing and appearance: 3 Philosophy (Shan) includes Inner cultivation practices and martial arts: 4 Fate (Ming) includes Bazi and Zi Wei horoscope metaphysics: 5 Prediction (Pu) includes divination and cosmic destiny.

Let us take a closer look at the fascinating similarities and inter-relationship between Feng Shui and Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), because to be healthy is to achieve a harmonious balance between your body, your heart/mind and your environment. I always think of a building as being a living organism with feelings, a heart and soul. It needs to be taken care of, nurtured and loved to be able to support its occupants.

Whilst Feng Shui focuses initially on the environment and TCM addresses the human body, they have a similar therapeutic approach to a person’s individual situation - both essentially aiming to facilitate optimum well being. Their shared holistic premise is that everyone is different and supporting each person’s unique state and needs is the absolute priority.

Methodologies used to establish what can be done to help a client also have some remarkable parallels. A Feng Shui practitioner will ask the client to describe the problem/s they are having, what they like and dislike about their surroundings, their personal and work life and so on as a brief to address and will observe whether any areas are too yin or too yang and where the qi flow has obstructions or is over-active.

When taking a client’s case history, a TCM practitioner asks questions, observes the face, skin, general appearance, temperature and tongue and reads pulses to identify what is termed ‘Patterns of Disharmony’ to provide clues about underlying causes of health problems. The three basic influences are lifestyle, emotional outlook and the environment. The five elements correlate to the five paired yin and yang organs and other parts including orifices, tissues and fluids. Different qualities of qi flow through meridian channels to reach the body’s ten organ systems.

Seasonal environmental changes naturally influence whether you keep your home warm or cool and its windows and doors closed or open. The five elements have seasonal correlations in both Feng Shui and TCM. Wood element, for example, correlates to Spring and the colour green, as well as to the liver, gall bladder and various associated body parts and functions in TCM. That is one reason why every Chinese meal has a variety of dishes and colours so that it can be well balanced and responsive to seasonal changes, prioritising yin or yang foods to adapt to the body’s condition and needs throughout the year.

So whilst Feng Shui introduces remedial solutions and physical adjustments to harmonise living spaces in order to help people thrive healthily, in parallel TCM has remedial systems to re-establish a body’s balance and release blockages so that it is better able to heal itself. If you wish to explore the nuances of TCM in far greater depth than this short article can possibly cover, I can recommend reading the hardcover book ‘Encyclopaedia of Chinese Medicine’ by Dr Duo Gao.

Warmest wishes,

Sylvia

Creating Yin and Yang Harmony in 2024

2024 the Year of the Dragon in the Chinese Calendar

From a Chinese Metaphysics perspective the yang Wood Dragon year 2024 is distinctly a year of change. Its governing annual Flying Star 3 has the trigram Zhen Thunder, which has the dual characteristics of rising freshness, new ideas and vigour interfaced by impulsive vibration and unrest. Plus the new Flying Stars Period 9 twenty years’ time cycle also commences in 2024.

It is governed by the Fire element of Li trigram, associated with transformation, action, passion and prominence, though with notoriety on its negative side. It already started to be apparent.

There are typically a few turbulent years during which a waning cycle and the incoming new period transition. So it is likely that the challenging recent times will continue for a bit longer before settling down. Change is destabilising but living with yin and yang in harmony helps to ease that discord.

The Dragon’s Role in 2024

In Chinese culture, the mythical Dragon Chen has the power to easily break through obstructions and it symbolises revolution and discarding old patterns. The Dragon’s nature is represented by both the trigram Xun - Wind and the YiJing hexagram 43 Guai with its rising yang Qi becoming stronger and meaning ‘Transform’

So this Wood Dragon will need to be kept in balance to prevent it becoming unstable or getting out of control, metaphorically speaking. Particularly with the added influence of this year’s dominant 3 star combined with the unsettling shift into period 9. However, during this year you can offset all that and transform it positively by maintaining harmony around yourself and your living environment.

What is Yin and Yang

Yin-Yang theory acknowledges the dynamic co-existence between complimentary opposites. It is essentially the binary code of life itself. The nature of yin and yang relationships are to interact in a state of ever-changing flux, take the interplay of day and night as an example. Also without light, a shadow would not exist.  Further examples of yang/yin are Positive /Negative, Active /Passive, Flow /Obstruction, Noisy/Quiet, Large /Small, Strong/ Weak, Male /Female. Undesirable imbalances caused through an excess or lack of either yin or yang features can lead to situations that undermine progress and welfare. Feng Shui adjustments aim to restore a harmonious equilibrium when imbalances arise.

Harmonising Yin and Yang in your Living Space

This year it is no coincidence that the two leading decor colour experts advise that feeling nurtured and completely at ease in the place we live or work is more important than ever in today’s complex world. Dulux ‘Sweet Embrace’ is an optimistic gentle blossom pink that adds softness and warmth. Pantone’s ‘Peach Fuzz’ is a soft peach that inspires kindness and connection as we seek a peaceful future. This year’s trend is perfect for all through Period 9. It is clearly about yin and yang being in harmonious balance!

Subdue the volatile nature of the Fire element in 2024, and during the next twenty years. As a precaution, minimise or remove items with bright yang fiery reds and flame colours. Introduce calmer yin fire element tones of lavender, fuchsia and pinks instead. Pay special attention to the entrance hall, living room and the bedroom. Aim to create an atmosphere that feels fresh, light and nurturing to generate harmonious qi that will permeate through your living space and invite success in the workplace. It is essential to remove all negativity, things that obstruct the clear flow of movement, feel overpowering or aggressive, dominate a space or induce unhappy feelings.

Some helpful decor suggestions:

- Introduce a calming water feature.

- Have a tranquil spiritual icon such as a Quan Yin or a Buddha.

- Rose quartz crystal generates affection and harmony, place it wherever you will enjoy it.

- Use soft indirect lighting additions to soothe a harsh yang area or gently illuminate dark corners.

- And ..create a space for you to start something new.

Gaining Personal Advantage in 2024

The indications are that 2024 is clearly an unprecedented year for change, starting now with a timely call-to-action for both your personal and business growth. The new era we have just entered is supposed to be a time for women to shine so it calls for re-evaluating your choices. You can maximise your positive potential and curb negativity by having vision, commitment and a balanced, open attitude to embrace change purposefully, also by practicing self-cultivation to release blockages. And the Wood Dragon gives symbolic clues about what you can do personally to create a more peaceful, enjoyable existence by resisting external disharmony. This is the era of bright new opportunities awaiting you.

Period 9 Attributes

Period 9 is controlled by the Fire element which has a yang tendency that is characterised by optimism, brightness, passion, connectivity and innovation. It also has a tendency towards rapid actions, instability and polarised extremes, all leading to undesirable situations because things can change very quickly. So calm down the Qi, optimise its quality and potential but don’t overdo anything.

The volatile nature of Fire in period 9 suggests there is opportunity for outstanding gains with a risk of spectacular losses, so it is important to guard yourself when forming connections and making decisions. This a powerful time of change, transformation and regeneration, rather like the alchemy of the mythical Phoenix.

Why Having a Consultation this Year will be Helpful to You

How you arrange your living environment will influence how you are equipped to gain advantage and protect yourself from the negative potentials. When things are in balance, life flows smoothly.

I can help you take advantage of the opportunities that might open up for you and transform concerns into effective solutions. Period 9 is the time for regeneration and having new priorities in life. And premises built or renovated during earlier periods may require new adjustments. The new period flying stars reading will be quite different to earlier period readings. What used to work before may not necessarily continue to work best for you.

This year more than ever it is worthwhile and possibly essential to have a fresh new Feng Shui consultation, or to update the Feng Shui recommendations you were given previously, either in person or remotely, so that your life and your premises are aligned harmoniously with the Qi of the new Period 9.

The subtle energy in your property may also start to feel tired or congested, indicating that it needs a restorative cleansing treatment of the subtle environment to revive and purify it so that it can support you fully. I am professionally qualified to perform this sensitive process so please ask me for further information about it or read more here fengshui-living.com/space-cleansing

Smarten Uo Your Space

Successful people are smart about what they keep around them. You will often see keepsakes of their interests and achievements, signs of projects in progress and always a well organised space. There may also be a comfortable chair to sit quietly whilst contemplating decisions. What you wont see is clutter, junk or an ailing plant, nor piles of old magazines or paperwork, dreary, uninspiring artwork or displeasing hand-me-downs.
Get your surroundings to nourish and support you to the full. It is acknowledged by behavioural psychologists that when you see things around you that uplift you, inspire you and bring you a sense of joy, you are more likely to feel well and interact positively. A tidy clear space that looks great, maybe boosted by some cheery colour accents, has a huge beneficial effect on health, mood, concentration and productivity.
When children grow up and leave home, it is an opportunity to repurpose a bedroom and create new space for yourself, for work, hobbies, exercise or tranquility; a sofa bed will suffice for occasional overnight stays. When it is time to move, it will help to sell your home faster and more successfully if you declutter all your possessions before the viewings commence. Definitely do that before moving. Taking old baggage with you will only bog you down, rather than freeing you up to enter a new phase of your life.
Here are a couple of stylish Feng Shui design solutions to manage challenging situations. Lighten up dull areas and dingy corners by placing a plant there and concealing a low-level uplighter behind it, their illuminated joint effect is magical. Turn an empty recess into a smart functional space by installing floor-to-ceiling display shelves for decor items like crystals, battery operated candles and plants or flowers, plus books and essential folders
with matching decorative covers. Placing baskets along the lower shelves is a stylish storage solution for often-used small items. Alternatively, add doors to the lower shelves to create a cupboard for toys, games and so on.
Before you give up on tarnished paintwork, try cleaning it with white spirit vinegar and washing up liquid added to warm water. Add a few drops of deodorising essential oils such as Lemon, Lemongrass, Ho leaf or Litsea to the rinse water, then buff to restore a good- as-new sparkle.
In addition to what you can see around you, this is a quick revitalising method to spruce up the unseen subtle energy in your living space. First of all open windows and remove stuck negative energy by clapping your hands or banging on a metal object whilst walking round, paying attention to the corners and beneath furniture. Then spray the air with your favourite essential oils diluted in water and have positive thoughts while you do it. Shake the spray bottle before use to blend the molecules. It can be done whenever you feel the desire or need to refresh the atmosphere.
The prime smart move is to clear your own head space by avoiding decision fatigue. Streamline your wardrobe to simplify choices. Split complex tasks into several mini-steps, making realistic achievable deadlines for each one and sticking to them. Develop the skill of delegating certain chores to give yourself spare time for doing more important things, or just use that time to relax.
An inspiring worthwhile read:
“Getting Things Done, the Art of Stress Free Productivity” by David Allen More ideas for smartening up your space: http://www.fengshui-living.com/blog/2023/4/13/innovative-clutter-clearing

Using Colour In Feng Shui design

Colour has a prominent role in aesthetic Feng Shui design and a vital influence on how our life feels.  Each colour vibrates at its own unique frequency which influences every cell of our body and arouses our senses, although for the most part we take it for granted. Every colour in existence is associated with one of the five Feng Shui elements, each of which are assigned to either one or two compass locations. But that is only the beginning of the story. There are several other considerations that we would draw on in traditional Feng Shui design to reach the most desirable and harmonious colour palette for a client.

How colour is perceived largely depends upon the quality of light it receives and, by degree, upon climate as well. For example, in the temperate Northern hemisphere, a predominance of blues or greys in a North-facing bedroom can look and feel cold, even diminishing intimacy. On the other hand, too much red in a South-facing room can transform passion into aggression. In the Southern hemisphere the reverse would happen. By contrast, the bright, clear Mediterranean light plays wonderful interactions with cool blue hues, whilst vivid warm tones dance with inspiring spirited exuberance.

Apart from orientation of a property, the window dimensions, the function of a room, its ceiling height, whether its shape is wide, long and narrow, or irregular, all play a part in how a room responds to a chosen colour scheme. So in Feng Shui design decision making, we find that the concept of assigning elemental colour choices to their corresponding compass areas is not always effective. We can be far more aesthetically aware, creative, adaptable and effective than that.

Another approach for deciding which colours would work best in a particular room is to balance its yin and yang essence. All colours have many facets, each with variations of tone and clarity, shades, hues and tints. Dynamic bright colours increase the level of yang energy in a room. Sombre, dull colours and earthy textures generate yin energy. For example fiery red is obviously yang, but a gentle pink tint is a gentler, more yin version of red. Appropriate colour balance based on yin and yang creates a space that feels calm and relaxed yet stimulating and satisfying.

Dynamic colours increase the level of yang energy in a room. Subdued colours and earthy textures generate yin energy. For instance, a touch of cheerful turquoise, orange or purple will enliven a room that feels too yin. Conversely, neutrals, taupes and greys will cool down a predominantly yang space. As a rule of thumb, active living areas and the home office space require some yang colour accents. Bedrooms and other quiet areas work better with tranquil, nurturing, more yin colour schemes.

The mood of a space can be strikingly enhanced by introducing appropriate colour accents. Wall paint choice is only one aspect that creates aesthetic colour impact. Artwork, decor accessories, soft furnishings, mood lighting, even houseplants and goldfish, can be used to bring desired colour tones into a room. This Feng Shui design approach to balancing colour energy works very effectively to help create harmonious, peaceful, welcoming and nourishing living spaces.

If you wish to learn more about Feng Shui design, “Unlocking the Key to Feng Shui” an interactive free Introduction seminar with Master Howard Choy, will be held live on Zoom on Saturday 9th September 1pm -2.30pm UK time and our six months ECOFS professional level training course commences on 20th October.

Please contact me to express interest and to join us.

More information about Howard Choy and our European College of Feng Shui courses can be found on fengshui-living.com/coursesdetails

With warm wishes

Sylvia

Sylvia BennettAccredited Feng Shui Master Practitioner

ECOFS Training Courses Coordinator

Architectural Design Consultant

Subtle Environment Surveyor

Celebrating the Qing Ming Spring Festival

The Qing Ming Festival (Remembrance of Ancestors Day or Grave-Sweeping Day) is celebrated on April 5th, the first day of the fifth solar term in the Chinese lunisolar calendar. Qing Ming literally means clear brightness. It is a day of purification, during which people deeply connect with their ancestors and with nature. One of the most ancient and significant Festivals in the Chinese year, it is similarly observed throughout Malaysia,Taiwan, Singapore, Korea and Japan.

Traditionally the most important activity at the Qing Ming Festival or just beforehand, is for people to honour deceased relatives by cleaning, weeding and beautifying their burial place (known as tomb sweeping). Then they usually place fresh flowers or food there, light incense and pray for peace, health and good luck for their family.

Qing Ming is also known as the Spring-Outing Festival. A day to take an enjoyable family trip walking and exercising in nature, tree planting and other nature associated activities. Promoting happiness and good health, it is a celebration of life after paying homage to departed ancestors. People fly kites of various bright colours during the daytime. Illuminated lanterns are attached to the kites after dark and the sky is filled with hundreds of them, all resembling twinkling stars. The kites are symbolic of good fortune.

The Qing Ming Festival day is held at the start of the Dragon month, the time when temperatures rise and nature is encountering a huge transformation. It is the sign for farmers to do their Spring planting, also a sign to do some spring cleaning at the natural transition of the seasons

Sustainable Feng Shui Design

Sustainable building construction and environmentally considerate living are at the forefront of the changes we are being encouraged to embrace into our lifestyle, and increasingly inspired by climate change precautions. Well, there is nothing new in that. It is as ancient as traditional Feng Shui, a name first found in existing texts that date back some 2000 years. However archeological evidence of its practice can be traced further back to the mid-neolithic era, the time when arable and livestock farming communities with permanent village settlements first became established in China around 7000 BC, a transition facilitated by the global climate warming that followed the last ice age.

During that prehistoric early agricultural period, people lived in constant touch with the spirit of the natural environment. Like other ancient settlements found worldwide, Chinese dwellings were built using sustainable natural materials, mostly stones, mud, reeds, leaves and wood, that could either be returned to the ground from whence they originated or recycled to construct new dwellings, a practice that lasted through millennia until being replaced by the advancement of modern living.

These days it is inconceivable to live without the creature comforts of central heating, double glazing, electronic devices and so on. But the quality of indoor living environments is being challenged and depleted by various modern building materials and furnishings, disposable items and personal life choices. This is why it is becoming more important than ever to help reunite people with the essence of natural harmony. A healthier and sustainably harmonious balance can be restored by introducing the natural Feng Shui elements of Water, Wood, Fire, Earth and Metal appropriately into your living space and by making various adjustments based on the Feng Shui principles of yin and Yang.

For example:
Open windows and doors wide to release unhealthy residues and receive a sustaining qi circulation of fresh air indoors. Refresh the atmosphere with only pure natural essential oils.
Healthy houseplants will look after you by improving indoor air quality and absorbing CO2, but plastic ones will only gather dust. Plants have a very useful role in sustaining your home and your wellbeing, their element is Wood growing in Earth and the container can be Wood, Metal or ceramic Earth, also Water or Fire can be introduced through its colour.

A moving fresh water feature will enhance the ecology of your living space and in Feng Shui the Water element is associated with potentially sustaining progress, prosperity and communication.
Conserve rainwater drain-off loss by channelling it to create a rain garden or wildlife pond that will attract and sustain biodiversity. And if you can, plant a new tree as a sustainable gesture to the planet.

Use natural materials in preference to artificial ones that are not biodegradable or cannot be recycled. Where possible too, avoid using over-packaged and throw-away disposable items: eg.use rechargeable batteries and buy unwrapped fresh produce, preferably locally grown.
Check the origin and composition of your purchases. Many well-made, locally manufactured items can be found with some investigation, quite often at a similar price to imported goods from cheaper producing countries.

If you are refurbishing a property, wool and straw both make very effective and sustainable insulation materials. Agroforestry management, sustainability and regeneration programmes highlight the advantages and durability of wood-framed buildings, whilst timber beams are a preferable solution to steel girders or concrete pillars. When redecorating, use organic and natural eco- wall paint, especially if a family member has any allergies or respiratory health conditions.

These are just a few examples of ways to apply Feng Shui principles so that your living environment and your wellbeing and health will thrive more sustainably. This ecologically significant aspect of Feng Shui is a fundamental part of its underpinning intention, which is to connect people more closely with the harmonious and supportive flow of nature.

Innovative Clutter Clearing

The Art of Tidying

Its an established cliche that clutter holds you up, bogs you down and confuses your mind. It is neither comfortable nor convenient to live with, a visible form of stagnation and an invisible weight on your shoulders. It literally gets in the way of everything.

Even in living spaces that look great, most of us have some clutter tucked away and would appreciate a helping hand to motivate action.

My own home is a neat little urban apartment for two, and we hate to live with clutter. The kitchen has only the essentials for cooking super meals. Our minimal wardrobe space precludes silly shopping sprees. Our workspace is a clever use of limited square footage. Everything has a dedicated place and our possessions are pared down to the bare minimum - or so I thought !

When a client lent me her copy of ‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying’ by Marie Kondo, I just had to read it. It certainly captured my imagination and a desire to at least experiment with some of Marie’s innovative suggestions. It is quirky, rather simplistically written, somewhat repetitive and with an evident emphasis on the lifestyle and customs of Marie’s Japanese clients.  Nevertheless it is charming, intriguing, motivating. The urge to try out some of her unusual tidying tricks is irresistible.

My scarves are rolled and stood on end in a pretty box that fits perfectly on the shelf where they belong, formerly laid flat and awkward to maintain. It looks like an exclusive boutique. Underwear revamping followed. Lots of cute touches to try out everywhere.   

The clearing mood progressed happily on to letting go of a few folders of well preserved ‘important’ papers and such in our well-organised tiny home office. It did not look much stored neatly on shelves.  imagine my shock when the security shredding firm gave me a receipt for my 44 kilos of discarded paper. Yes really. Need more encouragement - get the book and get started.

Thank you Marie Kondo for your inspiration.  No wonder the book is a best seller.

Feng Shui Decorating

A breath of Fresh Air

Decorating is a great opportunity to make a fresh impact and create a new sense of harmony and well being.  It is also a time to consider just what you paint on to your surfaces. The World Health Organisation recognises that harmful residual emissions from conventional paints undermine the air quality even years they have been applied.  What is the point of refreshing your walls, but upsetting the environment and challenging your health?

The answer is to use only a quality natural based paint and there is one that I feel comfortable about introducing to all my Feng Shui clients. Not just because it carries the Allergy UK Seal of Approval and is completely free from solvents, VOCs, toxins and odour. Lakeland Paints www.lakelandpaints.co.uk water-based range (formerly Ecos) includes two of my very favourite paint products. So I want to share them with you.   

Their Feng Shui multi-purpose paint with its stylish colour range is the ideal answer to creating a calm, coordinated feeling in any room. It can be applied to walls, doors, woodwork, window frames and radiators. The overall unified effect looks so professional and it feels really harmonious. Being washable means it also works well for kitchens and in children’s playrooms.

Their revolutionary Air Purifying paint permanently filters out and neutralises airbourne pollutants such as solvents, formaldehyde, VOCs, other chemicals and some traffic fumes. independent testing has verified its effectiveness which apparently lasts for years. It has the full colour range and is ideal for bedrooms of children or adults with respiratory sensitivities, helping them enjoy a more peaceful and healthier sleep.  Beautifully natural paint solutions.

Wind in the City

Our modern urban society is experiencing a worrying ‘new’ environmental situation that practitioners of Feng Shui have been cautioning about for thousands of years. We term it ‘Wind Sha'. When I recently conducted students’ study tours at London’s Canary Wharf, it was impossible to ignore the excessive wind that blew constantly, channeled between the awesome high rise buildings that occupy its straight East-West main streets. Many have angular corners, which accentuate thewind force.  Now it seems it is no longer only Feng Shui devotees who acknowledge the problem exists.  

Wind is funnelled between tall structures and is directed harshly towards any property that faces a T-junction. This is perceived in Feng Shui as a detrimental force that affects occupants, undermining their life situations.  

The wind speed and its pressure increase to become unpleasant, even harmful, as demonstrated in this photo of a beautiful lime tree growing in direct line with the gap between two large houses near me that was blown down during last year’s high winds. And the house facing this alleyway also sustained damage.

Read more about urban wind patterns, the downdraught effect, Venturi effect and the physics behind them responsible for escalating this disruptive phenomenon.  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-33426889