Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series: “Staying Clear of Electromagnetic Fields.”

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Apr 252012
 

By Alice Inoue

Is your cellphone charging nearby when you sleep?  Is your electrical or digital clock close to your bed?  Is the location of your bedroom near your wireless router, or is your computer in your bedroom and on 24/7?

If so, no matter how optimally your bed and furniture are placed, or how elementally balanced your feng shui is, you have not considered an important environmental factor that can adversely affect you – EMF’s, or electromagnetic fields.

What are EMF’s?

EMF’s are physical fields produced by moving electrically charged particles.  EMF’s are a combination of electrical fields and magnetic fields.  You will find these fields in your house wiring, televisions, radios, cell phones, hair dryers, microwaves, and even digital or electric clocks.

Due to the proliferation of electronics in recent years, EMF’s of various frequencies fill our homes, workplaces and public spaces. They are considered by many to be harmful to our bodies and almost every new invention adds to the electromagnetic pollution that already exists.

Why do we want to avoid them?

For over forty years, electrobiologists have studied the effects of EMF exposure on the human body.  Although we are electrical beings, and our bodies are made up of various electromagnetic frequencies, the external EMF’s are far from being harmonious with the frequencies in our bodies.

Although earth’s electromagnetic field is beneficial to our body and supports optimal functioning, most of us do not get outdoors enough to counter balance the constant exposure we have to other electromagnetic frequencies.

How much is too much?

Virtually all scientists agree that 2.5 Mg (milligauss) is the generally accepted limit of EMF exposure.  To give you an idea of what that means, an electric clock generates an electromagnetic field of about 5-10 Mg, and the average hair dryer or vacuum cleaner generates 300Mg or more.  If you have ever experienced fatigue after a long session on the computer or had a sensation of heat or buzzing in your ear after using your cell phone, you may have experienced strong EMF exposure.

Our bodies are sensitive to high external EMF emissions.  Our skin, DNA, blood vessels, vital organs, and even our cell membranes are affected.  Plus, the effect of exposure is cumulative, so the sooner you can reduce your exposure the better.
Tips to reduce your EMF exposure

•    If a television, refrigerator, computer or other office equipment is on the other side of the bedroom wall behind your head, consider moving your bed, as EMF’s penetrate all building materials.

•    Place electrical equipment as far away from your bed as possible, especially cell phones and computers.  The further away you are from the electrical item, the less impact it has on your body.

•    Switch to a wind up clock or use a battery operated one.

•    Turn your television off manually, instead of with the remote.

•    Replace your wireless with a corded home phone, or at the very least, use the speakerphone function when using the cordless phone.

•    Avoid prolonged fluorescent light exposure. (Yes, that is one of the reasons why you feel drained after a long day under fluorescent lighting.)

•    If you are not ready to get rid of your microwave, move far away from it when it is on.

•    Turn off your wireless routers at night, especially if your home office is near your bedroom.

EMF’s were not an issue even fifty years ago, but today addressing them is an essential component of feng shui practice.  Although you cannot fully control your exposure to EMF’s while you are away from home, you can control your family’s exposure while you are at home, especially at night when the body is regenerating and needs its rest.

Reduce your exposure at home and see if you don’t sleep better. What do you have to lose, except perhaps some wrinkles and stress?

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

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Alice Inoue Clearing Out The Closet

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Apr 182012
 

By Alice Inoue

Each area of your home correlates to an area of your life:  Your kitchen represents how your family is nurtured.  Your bedroom represents your ability to renew and refresh your life.  Your garage represents your independence and mobility, and your bathroom represents your ability to deal with change and transitions. Can you guess what your closets represent?  They represent your subconscious mind and what is happening beneath the facade you present to the world.

Imagine your bedroom closet in its present state.  Is it neat and organized, or messy and over-stuffed? Does your closet contain items that have nothing to do with your apparel? Can you see how the state of your closet correlates to what is happening in your life and in your mind?

A clear closet fosters a clear mind and supports clearing from the inside out.  Here are some tips to help you “cure” your closet of whatever ails it.  I follow these tips religiously.

  • Let go of clothing you have not worn in a year or two.

Statistics show that we wear 20 percent of our clothes 80 percent of the time.  If you have something in your closet that you never wear, you intuitively know that it no longer aligns with who you are.  Ask yourself, “What does this item do for me? Do I feel uplifted when I see it or does my energy drop?”  If your energy drops, drop the item.

  • Can we tell how old you are by looking in your closet?

If you haven’t worn an item in a year or two, check to see just how outdated it is.  Discard clothing that anchors you to past memories and emotional associations.  Let go of the wide lapel jackets, the blouses with shoulder pads and the clothes that are two sizes too small. Just as you check expiration dates on food to clear out your refrigerator, look through your closet to see if anything has expired.  If it doesn’t flatter you or is worn out, donate it.  Keep your closet reflective of who you are now.  The best way to move forward is to embrace the present.

  • Saving items you never wear sends a negative message.

It is natural to want to save things, but saving anything you never wear, do not love, or that does not fit sends a negative message when you open the closet.  It shows scarcity thinking rather than abundance thinking.  Moreover, the items take up valuable real estate in your closet and in your head.  Let go of scarcity thinking and trust that life will always bring you what you need.

  • In with the new and out with the old!

From time to time you may purchase new clothes.  For every new item you put in your closet, remove an unused item and donate it. This will help keep your closet uncluttered and looking abundant.  Moving clothing in and out keeps the energy flowing in your closet and in your life.  The more you have in your closet, the more your energy is tied up in mundane matters.

  • How much clothing do you really need?

Purchasing a bargain for a bargain’s sake creates clutter. If you think you can’t afford not to buy something just because it’s on sale, think again.  Never let price overrule usefulness.  Don’t just buy to buy.

  • Closet Awareness

Practicing closet awareness helps you realize just how much of your energy is tied up in your closets.  Look at your closets with a new consciousness.  Look at what you are keeping through a new perspective. Clear your closet to clear your mind!

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

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Change Is Gonna Do Your Home Good

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Mar 222012
 

By Alice Inoue

When people ask me what feng shui is, I usually tell them it is consciously creating an environment that energetically supports rather than drains the individual.

These days we give energy to so much in our lives (work, family, pets, worries, friends in distress, etc.) that it makes sense to invest some effort into creating a supportive environment.  After all, no one wants to come home to be energetically drained by the environment.

An Interesting Question

Many people tell me they feel the positive effects of the adjustments they have made to improve the energy of their home.  The other day a woman with whom I was having a casual conversation asked an interesting question:  Does feng shui last forever?

At first, I wasn’t exactly sure what she meant but after questioning her a bit, I understood why she was asking.  About five years ago, she had hired a feng shui consultant to come to her home.  She made the changes he suggested, and though she was pleased with the results at the time, she felt that the feng shui “wasn’t working” anymore.

The Essence of Nature

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

I explained to her that in addition to creating a supportive environment, feng shui is based on the principles of nature, so it is important to bring nature’s essence into our homes to keep things flowing energetically.

Nature is always changing. Summer turns to fall, fall turns to winter and so forth.  Your feng shui and the energy of your home can get stale if things remain the same season after season, year after year.  When your home feels stagnant and as if it has lost its luster, keep these things in mind:

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

•    Nature is alive and expresses itself through the natural order of change.  Your home is living space; so keep it “alive” by refreshing things from time to time to match nature’s essence.

•    When you do make changes in your home, set an intention as to the direction you want change to happen.  We become more “seasoned” with the passing of each year, so the changes we make should reflect who we are today.  For example, choose new, more comfortable furniture, select new towel sets that offer a fresher look, position items for increased convenience, and hang new, more inspirational pictures.

•    The basic premise in feng shui is that our life is reflected in the space in which we live.  When we make changes in our lives, we should make corresponding changes in our space, otherwise it can feel limiting.  By adjusting our space, we feel a greater connection to it and can tap into its supportive energy with greater ease.

We, as human beings, are constantly changing – physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually.  You neither look at nor see things the way you did ten years ago.  You have different clothes, thoughts, feelings and perspectives.  If something in your life or in your environment feels stagnant, perhaps it is time to make a change in your space.

As long as we are alive, we are never done with change.  Along with our belief systems and our style, our feng shui must be updated from time to time to continually reflect the reality of who we are.  Where can you make changes in your home to match who you are today?

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD’s. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

 

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Holistic Maven Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series: Relationship Feng Shui

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Mar 142012
 

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By Alice Inoue

Doris, one of my readers, approached me as I was getting in my car last week.  She asked me when I was going to write about feng shui in regards to relationships.  She shared that she and her friends could certainly use some insight in this arena.

What about you? Are you lacking a significant other and desire one? Do you feel as though your current relationship is draining you or has lost the luster of its early years?  If so, you may want to try some of these feng shui suggestions and set a new intent for your relationships.

The Bagua
In feng shui, every area of life and everything that happens in life can be placed into nine categories that are spatially represented by areas in your home. These nine categories make up an energetic map of your home called the bagua (pronounced bah-gwah).

The “relationship area” is in one of these nine categories. By knowing where it is, and what you can do, you are empowered with knowledge that can support what you desire. The bagua is one of the most fundamental tools of feng shui and an excellent way to apply feng shui concepts to your environment.

Where is my relationship area?
When standing at the front door facing in, the relationship area is in the back right corner. Your relationship area may be the garage, an unused room in the house, such as a storage room or even the bathroom.  Don’t jump to any inaccurate conclusions and judge the location as “bad.”  You can improve the energy of any space in your home no matter where it is.

If your layout is unique and you are uncertain if you have located “right” area, simply apply this information to your bedroom, regardless of where it is in the bagua.  In feng shui, the bedroom also symbolically represents relationships.

Use the color and feel of love
The colors of the relationship area are “romantic” colors, such as pink, red, mauve, coral, burgundy, etc., and the feel you want to go for is soft, sensual, smooth, satiny, and fresh. Anything that reminds you of romance and love is ideal. If these colors are not your style, use an accent piece or place one thing in this area that links you to what you want to manifest in a relationship.

Use symbols of romance and pairs of items
Use mirrors, figurines, candles, fresh flowers, and anything that reminds you of love to boost the energy of this area. Put a lot of focus on pairs, and remove anything that looks lonely. Pairs can come in the form of sculptures, paintings, and other images, matching nightstands, two candles, two lamps, matching pillows, salt-and-pepper shakers, and so forth.

What to avoid
Keep photos of in-laws and children and anyone not related to the primary relationship out of this area and keep the focus on the primary relationship. (If you are not looking for a partner, however, then it is all right to keep photos of you and your friends here to strengthen existing relationships.)

Avoid anything that is strongly related to past relationships so that you can “let go of the old and bring in the new.” While it is not always feasible to get rid of your bed when a relationship ends, do what you can to make it look fresh and new. Purchase new sheets and pillows, use new accent pieces, and so on.

Do not store anything under the bed that holds energy of the past, such as photos or mementos or clothes from past relationships. These are best moved out of your home. If you must keep some things under the bed, place neutral items there, such as extra bedding and pillows—things that are geared towards rest.

Avoid fountains in the marriage area or the bedroom, because they tend to move emotions excessively. If you really must have one here, make sure to place ample plants around it so that the water energetically “feeds” the plants to create stability.

What can I expect?
By setting your intention and enhancing the relationship areas of your home, you may experience an enhanced primary relationship, gain a better understanding with everyone you have a relationship with, find Mr. or Ms. Right or a see new level of commitment in your existing relationship.  Isn’t that enough incentive to give it a try?

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

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Holistic Maven Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series; Welcome to Hotel Feng Shui

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Mar 072012
 

By Alice Inoue

While going through security at the airport last week I was asked by the woman me behind me if there is such a thing as “hotel feng shui.” She said that she travels often for work and although she has applied many of the feng shui suggestions I have given for the home, was there something she could do when she was away from home and staying in a hotel?

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

The answer is yes! Creating a home sanctuary in your hotel room that allows for an easy flow of positive energy is easier than you may think. Applying feng shui principles to a hotel room is simple. If you travel, here are some basic guidelines that you can use when you go on your next trip.

What to bring

Pack a few framed photos of your family, pets, and loved ones; some scarves; a few tea lights or travel candles; your favorite music on a CD or iPod, and some lavender soap.

When you first arrive

• If you notice any unpleasant odors when you walk in, do not hesitate to request another room. Smoke, old food smells, backed-up sewer smells, and so forth, will linger no matter how much you change the visual appearance of the room.
• Open all the windows to exchange the existing air with fresh air. This will remove anything left over by a previous occupant.
• Light some candles to clear the atmosphere of anything that isn’t serving your needs.
• Place the photos you brought with you on the nightstand or place them around the room to keep your energy connected to your loved ones and to give your room a homier feel.
• Make sure you unpack fully and put your clothes in the closet or in the dresser drawers immediately. Don’t live out of your suitcase, even if you are there for only one night. It is unsettling.
• Take a hot shower, being aware that the movement of the water is helping to “cleanse” and promote the flow of good energy into your hotel room. Use your lavender soap, which will help you let go of the traveling stress and tension.
When you leave the room
• Many hotel rooms have large windows that let in a lot of light. They also have large mirrors over the dressers to reflect the sun and make the room look bigger. These features create a lot of “yang” energy, which is great for stimulation, but not for sleeping. When you are away, pull the shades and darken the room to prepare it for “sleep.”
• Keep the bathroom door closed so as hold in the “good energy” you created in the room.

While you are in the room

• Burn the candles when you are relaxing in the room at the end of the day.
• Play the music that you brought.
• Cover the large mirrors and the TV with a scarf before you sleep to calm the energy even further.

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

The next time you travel, apply some of these basic guidelines and notice the positive shift in energy that you can create by just doing a few simple things.
While we all know that there is nowhere like home, by making the effort to create the best possible energy at your temporary home away from home, you will create a better template of energy to support you while you are there.

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

Holistic Maven Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series: Stay Positive by Staying Away from These Energy Sappers

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Feb 292012
 

by Alice Inoue

I received an email the other day asking me for suggestions about what to avoid for better feng shui in the home.  What a great question!  Even in well feng shui-ed homes, things in the background can work to undermine success and bring down the energy of the home.  The following are some important things to avoid whenever possible.

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

•    Avoid mindless television playing

Leave the television off when you are not watching it.  If you do leave it on without watching it, be mindful of what is playing.  The television has become the centerpiece and focus of many homes, treated almost as a member of the family, so it is often left on even though no one is watching it.  Keep in mind that everything that is broadcast on the TV is energy and effectively “spills” into your home and contaminates it.  From soap operas and the wacky guests on the Jerry Springer Show to negative news reports – it all streams into your home when the TV is on.

•    Avoid always entering through the garage

In feng shui, the architectural front door of your home is where all the energy enters. The front door governs your career and life path, and if you constantly enter through the back door or the garage, it can contribute to losing sight of your purpose and path in life.  Always enter your home through the front door, and if you prefer not to, make a habit of entering through your front door at least once a day, even if you have to go out of your way to do so.

•    Avoid overstuffing your closets

Your closets represent your capacity to receive.  Even if no clutter is visible in your open environment, what is unseen has an impact.  Closets jammed to overflowing with equipment, clothing, basic junk, and unused items can contribute to burdens and overwhelm. When you clear your closets to about one third empty, you will soon feel some burdens in your life start to lift.

•    Avoid keeping unwanted gifts and heirlooms

Your auntie gave you her favorite paintings and your sister gave you a vase that clashes with everything you own.  Whether these things are on display or stored in a box, they keep you tied to the past and to unwanted things in your life.  Donate them to help you move on.

Many people feel “guilty” or “bad” about disposing of things that were given to them by friends or loved ones, but by keeping them, you allow what others want for you to be more important than what you want for yourself.

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

•    Avoid having “active” energy in the bedroom

The bedroom represents renewal, relationship and relaxation.  Avoid placing water fountains or an excess of water images and symbolism in the bedroom.  Moving water is “active” and the bedroom is “inactive”, so the less active energy, the more restful your sleep.  Water also represents emotions, and too much water tends to disrupt your emotional energy, taking you away from peace and restfulness.

Remove photos of children, parents, in-laws, friends, and past events and relationships from your bedroom and replace them with photos of your partner, or other symbols of love and partnership.

Remove exercise equipment, irons, strewn laundry, computers, and anything else that does not promote rest, renewal and relaxation.

•    Avoid kitchen “no no’s”

The kitchen is considered the heart of your home, so if you do not use your kitchen, it affects all areas of your life.  The less you use your burners the lower the energy of your home.  To generate warmth and vitality, use your kitchen often, even if it’s just to boil water.

Avoid displaying anything sharp, such as knives and scissors, as they create cutting energy that symbolizes conflict and anxiety.  Store knives in a wooden knife block, or better yet, out of sight in a drawer.

•    Avoid a “single-spaced” home

As my former teacher, Mary Swick, says, “You want your home to read like a double-spaced letter rather than a single spaced one.”  It is easier to read a double-spaced letter because the white space between the lines gives your eyes freedom and “breathing space”, allowing them to absorb and move over the content more efficiently.  Use this analogy in your home.  Too many things in a space create an energy traffic jam.  Open space avoids stagnation and allows movement and flow.  Dispose of pieces of furniture or items that make your home look single-spaced.

It’s that simple! You don’t have to “do anything” to improve your feng shui! Just make a conscious effort to avoid a few of the things I mentioned and you will increase the positive energy in your home.

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

Holistic Maven Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series; Feng Shui Flow

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Jan 252012
 

by Alice Inoue

Feng shui, a word that still has people guessing as to the correct pronunciation, has practically become a household word.  What is it?  It is simply a body of knowledge that can be used as a tool to “manage” the energies of your environment.  By consciously placing yourself within your environment to your best possible advantage, you create a space for your life to unfold in the highest possible way.

 

When you are supported by your environment, you feel more energetic, you are more productive, things seem to flow better, the people in the environment get along better, and you won’t have as many distractions.  Are you financing your environment with your precious life force, or are you gaining energy by being there?

The following are some simple concepts used in feng shui that you can put into practice immediately to create more positive energy in your life.

ENERGY MUST FLOW:  Reduce your clutter. Clutter creates stagnant energy and prohibits energy flow leading to fatigue and lack of motivation. Your energy is tied up in the clutter of the environment and it not only weighs you down, it keeps you stuck in the energy of the past while subtly contributing to obstacles and frustrations.  Clear out things that are no longer relevant to your life.  Remember how good it feels after you’ve cleared out your closet!

©istockphoto.comaliceinoue

 

HAVE ONLY WHAT YOU LOVE AROUND YOU: Every single thing in your environment holds an energy – an energy that either supports you, or drains you.  Take away that which you do not absolutely love and what you have left will support you 100%.  If there’s something that you don’t like, honor the intent and get rid of it, even if it was a gift.  Surround yourself with things you love to bring more harmony into your life.

 

PAY ATTENTION TO THE PICTURES ON YOUR WALL:  The pictures on your wall are “speaking” to you on a constant basis.  What are they saying to you?  Do you have pictures that denote desolation, emptiness, loneliness, turbulence and fatigue, or do you have images that speak of life force, abundance, vitality, peace and harmony?  It’s important to have pictures that speak positively to you.

 

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

LOOK AT YOUR ENTRY OBJECTIVELY:  Imagine yourself a visitor to your home or business.  What impression would you get from your own entrance?  The entrance affects a lot about what happens inside.  Make sure it is inviting, “entrancing” and a welcoming transition from the outside.  Clear anything that is in the way that would prohibit a smooth entry.  Place life force in the form of plants by the doors to attract energy.

 

By taking the time to incorporate just these few basic concepts into your lifestyle, you will be on the road to using one of the most effective methods available to create a new flow of energy for yourself, your family and your business.

 

***

 

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

OTHER FENG SHUI TIPS FROM ALICE:

  • When searching for “good” Feng Shui colors, when in doubt, if you choose a color you can find in nature you will find support from the energy of the color.
  • Use water features near the entrance and position them so they flow inwards.  Keep water features out of the bedroom.
  •  The door is the entry point for all energy.  Make sure the key doesn’t stick, it opens effortlessly, there are no squeaky hinges and there is no clutter stacked behind the door.
  • Use plants to add life force and to round out corners and chose plants (real or artificial) that are “soft” and rounded vs. “spiky”.
  • Choose furniture without sharp corners whenever possible to enhance flow of energy.
  • Angle furniture to break up linear energy to promote movement and ease.
  • The hallways of a home or business are like the arteries of a house.  Make sure they are not cluttered, and if they are dark, make sure there is adequate lighting.
  • Keep your bedroom sacred and maintain balance and serenity in this area since we spend approximately one third of our lives here.
  • Do not place your bed against the wall of a bathroom.  Bathrooms are considered draining energy and this position will drain vital life force from you when sleeping.
  • Use pairs of items or pictures of pairs in the bedroom to symbolize healthy partnerships, happiness and fulfillment in relationships.

Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series; Feng Shui Burglary Protection

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Jan 182012
 

by Alice Inoue

I received an email from Gordon, asking how to best protect a home from burglary using feng shui.  He shared that in the past three months, 163 burglaries of homes and cars has occurred in a two-mile radius in his neighborhood.  Gordon, this is an excellent question! Let’s look at how one can best energetically protect a home from unwanted intruders.

 

Ultimate Balance

Although much of feng shui is about creating a “welcoming” feel and increased energy flow into your home, it is important to diminish vulnerability by ensuring that your home is not too open energetically.  You must strike a balance between being welcoming or being too vulnerable.

 

Stand back and take a new look

Start at the entrance by circling your home and objectively analyzing it in terms of welcoming versus vulnerable spaces.  Take note of where you want to make some changes to “protect” the interior view from unwanted eyes.  How much can you see of the interior of the home? Does your door have a window that allows you to see in?  Can you peek in and see things of value? Are your windows missing shades or have curtains with holes in them?  Does your sliding glass door have a view to the interior of your home?  Could applying frosted film be a simple solution?

 

Think “teenage daughter”

To help you understand the energetic concept behind being welcoming and being too vulnerable, imagine that you have a teenage daughter who is going out on her first date.  You would likely pay attention to what she wears because her choice of clothing will make her either discreetly appealing or vulnerable to unwanted advances.

 

Similarly, when your home is too enticing or too open, it could be an invitation to burglars. It is important that your home is welcoming, but appropriately discreet.  When you take steps to create balance between “welcoming” and “vulnerable” energy, your home will send out the right signal.

 

Feng Shui Protective Items

At the grocery store the other day, Edith asked me what kind of feng shui items she could use in her home for protection.  Sometimes placing items in and around the home can add a tangible source of helpful visual support.

 

Bagua Mirror

The bagua mirror, a popular symbol in feng shui, is round and encased in a hexagonal frame.  It is usually placed above the main entrance facing out to welcome harmony into the home while blocking out “negative” energy.  You can purchase bagua mirrors in Chinatown, online and in all feng shui stores.

 

Protective Animals

 

Animal statues and imagery can be used to provide protection and peace of mind.  For example, bat symbols, figurines, or pictures can be used to energetically deter “negative” energy while dragons at the front entrance can be used to boost energetic protection to your home and family.  When placed inside your home facing the entrance, lions, owls, tigers, rhinos and elephants can provide protection from violence and burglary.  Fu Dogs are another protective symbol (a combination of lion and dragon).  They come in pairs and can be placed facing out near your front door or your gate.  The male should be on the left and the female on the right as you look out from inside.

 

How to view protection

 

The desire for protection should not come from fear, but from the basic understanding that a wide variety of energies surround us, and some are better left outside of our own energy field.

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series; Position Your Bed For Power

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series  No Responses »
Jan 112012
 

by Alice Inoue

What if I told you that the position of your bed and where you sleep each night has a great effect on your life, your health and your disposition?  Would you believe me?  I didn’t believe it until I started this line of work and witnessed hundreds of cases of “proof” that there is something to it.

Bed positioning is extremely important in feng shui. No matter what school of feng shui you follow, it’s a foundational aspect of the philosophy, as it has a relationship to how you position yourself in life, which in turn has an effect on how empowered you are and, to a degree, how successful you are.

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Gangsters and animals know positioning

The next time you watch a movie that shows a head mob guy sitting in a restaurant, notice that he’s always sitting in what is known in feng shui as the “power position”. He is far from the door, usually in the far corner, facing the door, so that no one can surprise attack him from behind, and he can see who comes in the door.

In the same way, animals position themselves to face the door so that all they need to do is open one eye to see who is approaching.

Empowered Bed Positioning

Feng shui uses the same concept in bed positioning.  If you put yourself in an empowering position you create a better energy for you to be empowered.  Here are the “power position” guidelines:

  • Be Able to See the Door from the Bed.

This means that when you are lying in bed, you need only open your eyes to see the door; you don’t have to turn your head or crane your neck. At our deepest level, we feel most secure in this position.

  • Be as far from the door as possible.

There is likely more than one place to put your bed, and if you have a choice and it is aesthetically pleasing to you, place your bed as far from the door as possible. The best position for your head is in the corner farthest from the door.

The further from the door you are, the more empowered the position is. In the gangster example, the further he is from the door, the safer he is. He has more time to prepare himself to fight any “enemies” who might walk through the door.

  • Avoid situating your bed in the direct path of the doorway. 

Stand at the entrance of your bedroom and imagine a light the width of the door shining into the room. Anywhere the light hits is considered the “path of the doorway”. This path is like a strong windy tunnel of unseen, fast-moving energy. When you sleep in the path of the doorway, you have to work to “fend off” this strong flow, thereby losing personal energy while you’re sleeping. It’s energetically calmer to sleep anywhere in the room other than in this pathway.

A common misconception is that sleeping with your feet pointing at the door is “bad”. This is a problem only if your feet are pointing at the door while you are sleeping in the path of the door.

If you have no choice but to position yourself in the path of the door, with feet pointing at the door, place a small table at the foot of your bed with a plant or large crystal that will buffer some of the energy so you don’t have to process it all.

  • Avoid having the wall to the bathroom behind your head.

The bathroom consists of many drains, so the energy of the bathroom is draining. When you sleep with your head against the wall of the bathroom, it “pulls away” some of your body’s energy. The most energetically draining wall is the one with the toilet attached to it.

If you have no other choice but to keep your bed in this position, place a small mirror on the headboard, or on the wall just below the top of the mattress, in the approximate area where you lay your head, with the mirror side facing the bathroom. You can purchase a four to six inch diameter mirror at a craft store and use double-stick mirror tape to attach it.

This will energetically serve to deflect the draining energy of the bathroom. Hold this as your intention when you are installing the mirror.

  • Consider the bigger picture

Some people position their beds against a solid wall because they have read that it is “bad” feng shui to have your head under a window. Although having your head under a window is not as favorable as a solid wall, it’s far better than to sleep in a position where you cannot see the door.  If you have a window above your head, close the curtains or shades at night to cover up the “hole” in the wall to be energetically protected.

  • Use your down time for support

            By sleeping in an empowered position, you can use the “down” time while you are sleeping to your utmost advantage – not only get more peaceful rest but to give yourself an opportunity to be your best self each day!

©istockphoto.com/aliceinoue

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

 

Holistic Maven Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series: Entrance Your Entrance

 Alice Inoue Feng Shui Series, Lavish Life(style)  No Responses »
Jan 042012
 

By Alice Inoue

When is the last time you took a good objective look at your entrance?  In feng shui, the entrance is a vital key to bringing positive energy flow into your home.  The entrance is considered the “mouth” of the property from which life force enters allowing those living in the home to thrive with new opportunities.

Basic entrance feng shui

Basic Feng Shui says that an entrance should be inviting, attractive, comfortable and unobstructed.  It’s often advised that you have a welcome mat and portray life force in the form of color or plants. Items that block energy flow and create obstacles such as shoes and dead plants should be removed.

In addition, it is important to have your address in plain view, and your home easy to find.  Having your name and address in multiple locations is favorable – on the building, the door, the mailbox, etc.  The easier it is to find your home, the better of a job you are doing to direct the flow of energy to your entrance.

All of these are basic “entrance rules” and can be found in any simple feng shui book.  However, I’d like to go one step further and explain why symbolically and energetically it is so important to pay attention to our entrances.

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The entrance marks a threshold

The entrance of a property (the entrance is considered the architectural front door versus the garage door entrance) denotes the threshold between the outer world and the inner world.  It marks the transition from that which is considered public, to that which is private and unknown.  Making the entrance comfortable eases the subtle, yet very real discomfort in transition on a subconscious level.

Entryways that are stark and empty create discomfort.  Mystery at the entrance does not invite positive inward energy flow.  The items and furnishings you place at the entrance need to create a link to the people within in order to establish comfort and familiarity. By taking steps to do so you will “entrance” the energy to more easily cross the threshold.

©istockphoto.comaliceinoue

Create an entrance identity

Since the entrance is the first clue a visitor has of what lies beyond the door, it is important to create a clearly-defined identity.  You can do this by using items that hint about the personality and uniqueness of those living within.  It can be a distinctive welcome plaque, a unique fixture, blooming plants, or friendly figurines of items that represent you or your family – be creative!

Supportive entryway

Use hip-height items around the entryway to offer stable energetic support.  Why? Because hip-high items energetically represent “cane” energy – what people use when they are unsteady on their feet to support them as they move from one location to another.

Items and furnishings at hip height promote stability and offer a subtle sense of safety.  Entrance ways that have the feeling of support are less stressful to cross.

Make changes to invite energy

If you follow these concepts when creating your entrance, you are not only establishing a sense of safety and connectivity for those who walk through it, you are issuing an invitation for beneficial energy to enter.

Imagine yourself in the shoes of a first-time visitor when you look at your entrance.  What do they feel as they are walking towards your front door – like they can’t wait to go in or like they feel like running away?

Brainstorm for ways to create an inviting entrance so everyone in your home can benefit from the positive energy. It’s worth it!

Alice Inoue is a life guide that uses the modalities of feng shui, astrology and spirituality in her work. Her offerings include award-winning, mind-body-spirit themed books, as well as a series of feng shui instructional DVD's. For more information visit www.aliceinspired.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive monthly articles on feng shui, astrology and life wisdom.

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