Relax With Feng Shui

“Mrs. McCullough, can I paint my classroom green?”  

That’s how I got into Feng Shui over 20 years ago. When I was an elementary principal, one of my teachers asked me this question because she wanted a color that would calm her students. 

The purpose of Feng Shui is to bring peace, harmony, a sense of serenity, and restfulness to you, your home and your life. The serenity you create in your home has a great deal of influence on your outlook. 

There are numerous ways to enhance your home. The most common Feng Shui Ch’i enhancers are:

Colors, art, mirrors, crystals, sound makers, natural objects, animals, flowers, lighting, plants, sound makers, water features and wind dancers.

Of all of these, I always feel that colors make the most difference in a person’s environment. In Feng Shui colors are powerful Ch’i enhancers and add strong healing quality to your home. 

“Color is a power which directly influences the soul.” Wassily Kadinski

                                        

There are areas in your home that lend themselves nicely to peace and rest; the left front section of the structure is particularly related to stillness, while the middle left side is related to health and healthy relationships.  

In the Feng Shui Bagua , represented  as a grid of nine sectors, these areas  are referred to as the “Knowledge and Self Cultivation Area”, and “Health Family and Friends.” They operate under the premise that good health and clarity of mind come from acquiring a peaceful lifestyle.  This can be accomplished through meditation, contemplation, and introspection.  Knowledge is viewed as the seed of wisdom, therefore when we spend time resting, our field of knowledge will be lush and productive.   

                                             

 “One cannot see one’s reflection in running water, but only in still water.” Chaung Tzu

The colors in these two areas, are of course the calming colors, shades of blues and greens. The beauty of adding color to your home is that it can be done in a myriad of ways. Painting walls, replacing carpeting and new furniture is the most powerful and striking, but can also be the most expensive solution. If these options are prohibitive now, accents of colors can be introduced through flowers, candles, fabrics, and art. Your choices are endless!  Consider your home a blank canvas and you the artist.

Why green and blue?

Green - Some scientists believe that our eyes are at the peak of perception to detect the wavelengths corresponding to green, the shade then calms us down. With less strain to perceive the colors, our nervous system can relax.  It also symbolizes nature and attracts harmonious feelings that can diffuse anxiety. It has been proven that walking in a green environment can induce a significant reduction in heart rate. 

Blue – Psychologists believe that blue is the color of the mind and is essentially soothing.  It is known to lower blood pressure, slow down heart rate, and believed to have a cooling and astringent effect.

                                         

In the Knowledge and Self Cultivation area consider blues, greens, and art representing calm wooded scenes. Remember the calming effect nature has on you. 

                                                     

In the Health/Family/Friends area use blues, greens and bring in art representing floral scenes, or add fresh cut flowers, or flowering plants in all colors. Flowers have a healing property. 

                                                        

When my teacher painted her classroom green, her students felt the calming quality, and it strengthened their learning community.  This can happen to you! Use the power of color and calm your world.

Breathe!