Feng shui, the ancient Chinese philosophy that governs the way the Chinese arranged their homes, workplaces, graves and other structures. It is optimized for the most ideal flow of Chi, the positive energy. All the various schools of feng shui all work towards the same goal which is increasing the flow of chi. The simple yet effective practices have won the heart of millions all over the world and inspired them to try unlocking the secrets of feng shui.

Feng shui is Chinese for wind and water, though it is hardly ever used in that sense. It is the study of the interaction between the various elements and the flow of energy. The yin and yang are the two opposing kinds of energy that try to overpower a space. The aim of the science is to make sure that the positive energy ‘chi’ is dominantly present.

Some scholars believe that feng shui practiced with a compass may be quite accurate in predicting the state of the environment. When used to align buildings and big structures, the ancient practitioners might have been orienting the building according to magnetic fields and hence probably achieved the miraculous effects. Even so, more often than not, it is impossible to build our houses according to the principles of feng shui. And sometimes the ideal alignment may involve knocking of a couple of walls or altering the functionality of a room. Not everybody may have the luxury to follow through. But, a few tips can be followed to avoid stagnant negative energy and to keep the chi flowing.

What ever space you are working with, allow it to be well- ventilated. A free flow of oxygen is necessary to get good energy Chi into the house. Keep the space well-lit with ample natural light. Do up the walls in pleasing light shades unless you want to evoke strong reactions every time you enter it.

For the living room, a few basic rules must be followed. The couch or seating area should never be facing away from the main door. The main door must always be visible from the couch, even if at an angle. The living room should be well-lit. If there are any dark corners, strategic placement of mirrors and lamps will help you fix that.

You should use soft lighting for the bedroom or at least, use light fixtures with a dimming option. The bedroom must excite and calm you at the same time. That is a tricky balance to achieve. Get a bed frame with a sturdy headboard. This affords mental stability and protects you even in your sleep. Avoid getting huge mirrors for the bedroom and definitely not for the head board. Neither should you face a mirror when you sleep.

Electronic gadgets harbor some negative energy and must be avoided in the bedroom. If you must have them, keep them away from your sleeping area. The bigger machines like treadmills and even televisions must be avoided at all costs. If you have storage space below the bed, try not to use it. The clutter there will stagnate the chi. Avoid putting the bed up against a wall except the head. If you have a sleeping partner, both of you should have space to get off on your side of the bed.

Basic feng shui is to de-clutter. The chi cannot flow in tightly packed spaces. The more airy and spacious the place, the more chi flow. This promotes well-being.

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Some people have all the luck is something we have all heard from many people. The Chinese believe a person creates their own luck by using the basic elements of Feng Shui. They believe that people can achieve prosperity, health and happiness by using this simple philosophy.

The words Feng Shui mean wind and water. So the principles behind the philosophy involve movement like water and wind. It includes the principle of harmonious rhythm of natural energies and that all life is interconnected. Therefore, people who practice this art attempt to live in harmony with universal energies that surround everyone.

The Chinese believe a vital energy called chi animates all life. This energy flows through the earth, heavens and everyone’s body. In health acupuncture is used to unblock the chi in the body creating the proper flow to create a whole person. Chi flows through our homes, workplaces, communities, our planet and the universe. If the energy is blocked these places become ill and no longer function in a positive way.

Feng Shui is a method that is used to balance the energies or the flow of energy around and through us. If the energy is blocked severely enough it can actually cause sickness in a person’s body and sometimes death. In China, cities, palaces, parks, highways and cemeteries are designed according to the principles of this mystical art.

Most people are in agreement that life in general is dualistic. So are Feng Shui philosophies. The two basic main beliefs are called Yin and Yang. Yang is masculine and is active, assertive, outer-directed and is associated with thinking, fire and vibrant colors. Yin is the opposite. It is feminine, receptive, yielding and directed inward. Its element is water and is associated with the color green.

Western civilization recognizes four elements. They are earth, air, water and fire. In the Chinese philosophy there are five elements: earth, fire, water, wood and metal. They are considered to be the energetic forces that pervade the universe. The elements are linked to colors, organs in the human body as well as the directions of the compass, the seasons and everything that has to do with living.

Each element is also dualistic, as the saying goes a double-edged sword. Fire creates the earth but it also melts metal. Earth creates metal or minerals but destroys water. Metal creates water through condensation but can cut down wood. Water creates wood by nurturing trees but extinguishes or destroys fire. Wood creates or fuels fire but destroys earth as the tree pushes up through the soil.

An Octagonal chart named a Ba-gua is used to adjust the energies of areas in a person’s home. Gua means area or a sphere of activity. Activities like marriage, family, health, career, and luck are represented in each of these guas with each having a specific color attached. Fortune or misfortune is connected to the areas that are weak and are reinforced with the proper color to make it more advantageous to good luck and prosperity as well as wellness.

The basic elements of Feng Shui have been used for a very long time by successful corporations and have been used by the Chinese people for centuries. It could be possible that these principles could improve anyone’s health, wealth and happiness. It wouldn’t hurt to give it a try.

Find out more about chinese feng shui and feng shui living at the author’s website www.101fengshuitips.com . Copyright 2010 101FengShuiTips.com . This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact and the links live.