Friday, December 30, 2011

Year of the Dragon Strategy for you!


As We Say Goodbye to the Rabbit, the Year of the

Dragon is Most Welcome

This teleseminar will help you create the year that YOU want for 2012.



During this teleseminar Yvonne will go over each animal sign and characteristics that will be helpful to you as you plan your next year.



When: January 19, 2012

Time: 7pm-8pmEST

Price: $9.99





Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Next Teleconferences

Please join me on these calls to help you
shift from 2011 to 2012 easily


Part 1 November 17, 2011 $9.99 7-8:30pm

Part II December 8, 2011 $9.99 7-8:30pm

Sign up for 2 classes for $15.00

Click Here to Register for both classes

All classes will be recorded.


Part I November 17
You will learn what it takes to move and shift your prosperity quickly and easily. The change will start you to focus on your next year’s goals.

Click Here to Register for November 17th class only

Part II December 8
You will learn to decorate for the holidays to support 2012. Who would believe that your decorations can shift and change energy for you very quickly.
Click Here to Register December 8th class only

Sunday, October 30, 2011

FENG SHUI FOR THE OFFICE:



FENG SHUI FOR THE OFFICE:
How to write ROCK YOUR WORLD at work and maximize flow and harmony in your professional life

As the rock classic by Queen reminds, Feng Shui can ROCK YOU… through good times and rocky times, alike. Feng Shui can energize you and fill your being and your world with the flow and movement of the best rock ballads or the slowest slow dances. Whatever energy you desire to be amplified can be through Feng Shui. This is a good point to remember and apply when looking to make shifts in your life and in your space. Let’s look at Feng Shui’s potentials in the workplace.

In times that are rocky for so many of us, both regarding personal and economic security, we turn to a number of resolutions and tactics in order to ground ourselves on the shifting sands of a fickle, fast and ever-changing terrain. The grounding approaches we try often leave us with only temporary or incomplete satisfaction and peace of mind in that we have responded to a problem with a potential solution. These responses, however, may not be as effective as what the situation requires and often can add to the loads we already bear by increasing our outlay of the finite resources of time and energy.

Feng Shui offers a way by which we can counteract negative trends and rebalance our lives in such a way that our outer world reflects the inner flow and harmony we so deeply desire. So as without, within… so as above, below. Whether it’s a lifestyle overhaul involving a promotion, career change or relocation, or off-setting a difficult office dynamic such as troubles with a manager or colleague, Feng Shui offers the key to flow and resolution.

Let’s start with your purse or wallet…

REMOVE all that is:
• unnecessary
• broken
• empty
• old
• torn
• weathered

This is fundamental to Feng Shui, in that anything that resonates with deficit or negativity is eliminated, creating room for abundant, positive flow.

ADD:
• RED wallet or money clip
• THREE Chinese gold coins
• REAL cash

These are important components as RED accelerates and amplifies energy surrounding your money stream and THREE is an auspicious symbol of positivity and good luck; add gold coins and, well, you get the picture. Always carry real money. It’s a representation of personal power and its feel and smell also reinforce the feeling of wealth, which is the underlying magic of Feng Shui feeling.

Which brings us to your desk top… don’t groan… someone has to say it. You must consider your work top, as it’s the environment that literally and figuratively supports your work. The energy and flow, or lack thereof, can easily be influenced by the location of items in that space.

REMOVE:
• What is unnecessary to the task
• Anything expired
• Food
• Clutter
• Stressful images and sounds

A bagua map, www.creativecolordesigninc.com, translates easily to your desk top. Remember to place items such as pens or flower in pairs to enhance relationships. The fame area at mid-back can accommodate awards and a desk lamp to energize your recognition for accomplishments. Keep your calculator in the upper left with fresh bamboo or an image of such to amplify and enliven your money corner. Refer to the “desk bagua” which can assist you in redesigning your desktop.



Helpful pointers for the Feng Shui of your office;
● Do not have a cluttered desk
● Avoid poison arrows such as sharp corners of a desk by using plants to soften those areas
● Don’t have windows at your back
● Don’t put your desk in line with a door
● Avoid facing a blank wall
● Don’t put your back to the door
● Wooden desks and medium tones work best in a work environment
● Green is soothing and supports concentration

Grounding your space also is important. Rocks, stones and crystals are grounding elements in Feng Shui. Add red-hued rocks, wear garnet or ruby-colored gemstones, or decorate with geodes or polished stones. Always remember to ground yourself as well as your space by walking (preferably barefoot where possible) through grass, incorporating live plants or prints of plants in your home and showcasing greens in earthen pottery.

To counter and soothe rocky office relationships as well as support career advancement, employ the popular Feng Shui symbol of the rooster. Roosters are up early, dispelling darkness and countering the negative impacts of hostile or demanding energies. When it comes to communication, think of the crystal clarity of glass, clear objects, and crystal objects.

Rock out at work, or before or after your day. Whether you take a Tai Chi class, do karate or dance, remember to move, preferably in nature, in a group to amplify good vibrations, or to uplifting or soothing music, depending on your desired state-of-mind or mood.

Always remember that it’s how your space and world feel that matters and you can impact your career and life experience with just a few of these pointers and a little attention to your space. 

Friday, September 16, 2011

Our Next Art of Prosperity Class


Fall Shifts and Changes with Energy

You will learn how to bring in that shift with ease in your home and office.

Simple, easy to unde
rstand tools to make your home and office shine!

Bring a first time visitor for FREE

When: Thursday, October 6th
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Shady Side Academy
423 Fox Chapel Road
(McCune Dining Hall
)
Pittsburgh, PA 15238

Cost: $25.00 Gourmet meal included







Thursday, September 15, 2011

FENG SHUI FOR THE VIRTUAL INBOX: How to write emails that generate desired feedback and flow in your personal and professional life


How to write emails that generate desired feedback and flow in your personal and professional life

Feng Shui is about feeling good. These positive vibrations are generated through the strategic placement of items, colors and shapes within space. What we call “positive flow” and “energizing” also created. Positive vibrations of color, shape and symbolic images or items are placed in areas that represent as well as actually hold the energies associated with different aspects of our lives, i.e. wealth, career, reputation, knowledge, partnerships, family, health, and offspring. There always are ways by which we can enhance or detract from these areas of our lives in a conscious or unconscious way. FS supports the enhancement of flow, and thereby, the enhancement of the positive.

FS is meant to simplify your life, so say what needs to be said to get your point across without cluttering the topic or the reader’s mind and leave it at that. Use bullets or indentations to streamline items or points, thinking about tone, but never overlooking the overall look of the email. Congestion and crowding is never good in FS and certainly an obstacle in any written material: think negative space. Allow for flow of thought and meaning by creating white space between lines, in margins and surrounding important details and thoughts. Consider the effectiveness and power in a well-placed pause; a moment to land and rest or punctuate a particularly important point. This dramatic effect also can be achieved through well-placed white space within an electronic communication.

Break up the monotony of a dense email or imbue an otherwise uninspired message with an interesting image easily found in online clip art or a search engine such as Google Images. When including a link or email address and phone number, double check for accuracy.

Make your subject header reflect the content of your message without being wordy or negative. Directive and warnings, although in rare circumstances of emergency necessary, are inappropriate in written correspondence headers. They can be interpreted as unnecessarily brash or commanding, which is out of place in an increasingly lateral workplace which no longer aligns with blatantly hierarchical approaches to management or information dissemination.

It’s important to be impactful without sounding dictatorial or one-sided. After all, the essence of FS is simplicity and positive flow; effective communication is never one-directional and neither is effective FS. It’s ebb and flow, to and fro’, that enlivens a message as well as a space. This approach engages the reader shift focus and tempo, thereby stimulating greater attention toward subject matter, temporarily relieving and refreshing the eye and mind-- important facets of FS-- freshness and focal points.

In FS we discipline ourselves to the items necessary and those that offer symbolic value in areas we wish represented and energized. The same goes for writing. Less is always more and being concise without being terse or blunt is the goal for good writing. Hold in mind your goal, both in content as well as audience. Although you may be separated by miles or dramatically differ in perspective, you must remember your intention as well as your reader. For any communication, despite the theme, your fundamental goal is to share an idea, request, requirement or support. Ask yourself once you have read aloud your message-- and always read aloud your messages before sending-- have I

• communicated clearly

• communicated respectfully

• communicated positively

• underscored the most important aspect(s) with effective language, symbols or, yes, an underscore

• invited a confirmation of understanding; an opportunity for questions; and further communication

• thanked the reader for his or her time, consideration and involvement

• “de-cluttered” my message to offer simplicity and conciseness while not sacrificing communicative tone

• created a message that will inspire the response required in the time frame necessary

• considered the bigger, long-term picture and allowed opportunity for future discourse

• truly represented yourself and your intentions through word choice, tone and appearance of message?

This last bullet is just as important as those which preceded it because it indicates the necessity of authenticity, and FS is about representing self in the clearest ways possible, creating goals and consciously shifting energies in a direction that supports who you really are and what you most want to enhance and offset to ensure your personal vision for your life is optimally achieved. In your communication, be authentic as well as appropriate, and watch how alignment to your truth serves not only your impact in written communications, but your entire life. Nothing on earth vibrates as perfectly as truth.

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Feng Shui for the Spouse or Partner in a Military Family

The constant worry, separation anxiety and practical challenges of running a home that may be moved several times during the deployment of a military spouse is a chronic and cumbersome circumstance that befalls many of the millions of US armed service families. Transience, separation and loneliness compound the daily rigors of running a household in unstable economic times and fulfilling the overwhelming role of both mother and father to children who often worry about the safety of their parent serving and contend with the complexities of adjusting to multiple schools and living environments. All of these factors contribute to much of what cannot be controlled, yet influenced through optimization of environment and focusing awareness to space and the flow, or lack thereof, created within the home.

The head of the household will want to bring harmony and positive flow to the dining area where family members gather for mealtimes. Place a mirror on a wall above the table, being careful not cut off the heads of those seated there, in order to reflect togetherness and connection. Enhance the table with green accents, such as a tablecloth to inspire a sense of family as well as community. Use a circular mat, round bowl, or circular mirror holding candles in the middle to trigger health chi. The circle is a most auspicious form in Feng Shui and can be used in the center of a room in the form of a rug beneath the table.

For a calming retreat from stress, both the bath and bedroom are sanctuaries for escape and relaxation. Avoid blue tile or paint in the bathroom, as water can “drown” positive chi flow in a room that already contains an abundance of this element. Close the lid of the commode, add bamboo or framed images of such, or purchase some very inexpensive bamboo rods to offset the water element. Light some pink candles to energize relationships that may be challenged by distance or the strain of tours of duty and relax in a warm tub of bubbles.

In the bedroom, avoid all water elements, including fountains. De-clutter frequently and compensate for any sharp corners on dressers or tables with plants. Remove photos of children and family to another space in the home, pair similar objects, such as candlesticks and knick knacks together on dressing tables and night stands to reinforce partnerships and balance. See other ideas at www.creativecolordesign.com to lift energies and encourage flow and calm in the home.

Friday, September 9, 2011

Feng Shui for the Children in a Military Family


In the year of the tenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks on the United States, the loved ones of all victims are brought to mind, as well as the military and their families, for whom sacrifice is a way of life.
According to the National Military Family Association, “There are nearly 1.8 million children of active duty, National Guard, and Reserve parents. Deployments are not new to military families, but since 9/11 many parents have been deploying, sometimes on multiple tours, to combat zones for months or more than a year at a time. Service members also frequently go on Temporary Duty (TDY), which can range from a few days to six months. Separation has become a way of life for these families.”

Feng Shui’s healing and supportive impacts create an atmosphere of calm and positive feeling regardless of whether the living space represents a familiar place or an entirely new living environment. Enhance grounding for young people who initially may struggle with a sense of belonging by considering the Earth element by using colors such as tan, brown, green or yellow. To activate stability, such items as rocks, nature art, sand and crystals add a dash of interest and texture.

Cultivating a helpful relationships at school and within the community and household by using the bagua map which can be found at www.creativecolordesign.com to find the right front corner of a room or house and using black, white or silver accents in that area to ignite supportive bonds and integrated experiences. Find the back middle of your space and add splashes of red to enhance reputation in the outer worlds of school and community, employing the critical fire element of Feng Shui practice. A lamp and items representing achievement, such as certificates and photos will further enhance positive flow in the areas of public profile and reputation.

Children of military families shoulder greater responsibilities, often sacrificing activities and study time to assist in the duties of running a household. They possess a unique life perspective of great breadth and depth. Creating a space for them that feels like their own while offering comfort, calm and stability can be accomplished through simple intention and the easy and accessible help of Feng Shui.

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Our next Art of Prosperity Class


Where is MY piece of the puzzle?

This class will inspire you to move forward with thoughtful insight to make your way through your piece of the puzzle.

You will learn:
How to
use your sub-conscious mind efficiently to guide you through the day. You will see by practicing the ancient art of Feng Shui, you will get the inspiration to move your goals quicker and easier.
You will learn how to Upload new thought patterns to inspire you.

A Gourmet meal will be served.

When: Thursday, September 8th
Time: 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Where: Shady Side Academy, 423 Fox Chapel Rd. Pittsburgh PA 15238
Cost: $25.00

Click the Buy Now Button to Reserve Your Seat today!



Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Feng Shui for the Military Family


It is said that the only things that stay the same for military families are family and furniture.

Those serving in the nation’s armed forces, their families and loved ones make sacrifices beyond the conceivable concerns of the average person, enduring many shifts and changes which bring to bear stressors that can take a toll on the most resilient of family members, both young and grown.

The template offered by a simple-to-do Feng Shui practice gives those acclimating to a new environment while coping with separation anxieties of a spouse or parent on duty the opportunity of following an easy blueprint for enhancing calm, reinforcing supportive relationships, and enhancing positive feelings and prosperity.

Home furniture is not only of obvious practical importance for military families, it is an all-important anchor of familiarity and consistency for a lifestyle requiring uprooting and regular adjustments to new communities, schools, and friendships. Using a bagua, as found at www.creativecolordesigninc.com, find the upper Northeast corner of your living room and place a table with a lamp to generate energy and add a vibrant red potted plant or framed art. If seating is used in that corner, place a red throw over the back, use red pillows or a red rug beneath it. These steps will assist in attracting supportive relationships within the neighborhood, community, your work, and your children’s school.

To anchor each room and attract good health and wellbeing, display a round bowl of oranges, capitalizing on both the enlivening component of fresh citrus and the powerful shape of the circle. This is an easy and affordable way to refresh a kitchen, dining or living area, and it will draw good luck and prosperity (not to mention, tempt the kids toward a very healthy snack). To that same end, mind the central areas of rooms, particularly tables and beds, are free of clutter and extraneous items. The fewer the items, the smoother and better the flow of energy. You will be pleased with how quickly this positively impacts the state of your mind and that of your household.

Clutter-free surfaces, fresh plants and fruits all work to enhance flow, generate positive chi and disperse negative chi energies within a space, allowing all those who enter it to acclimate quickly and smoothly.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Creating CALM… How Attention to Detail Improves Your Dog’s Life


Creating CALM…
Feng Shui expert Yvonne Phillips tells how attention to detail improves your dog’s life

For thousands of years, people have employed the principles of Feng Shui to ensure they live the happiest, healthiest lives possible. The ancient Chinese practice aims to generate positive chi—or energy flow—through the strategic placement of furniture and other objects in both homes and offices. But can Feng Shui improve the lives of pets, as well? Yvonne Phillips, one of America’s leading Feng Shui experts, says the answer is a resounding yes. Here, she explains. How, exactly, do dogs fit into a home’s Feng Shui ?

Pets bring an uplifting and loving life for force to the home environment. For an owner, simply having a pet is a Feng Shui cure in itself. It can significantly impact the quality of a person’s life and, as research has shown, improve health and happiness. Because pets can enhance the Feng Shui in any home, ensure you’re doing your part to provide an uplifting environment for them as treasured members of the family.

So you’re saying that just having a dog is a Feng Shui plus?

Caring for pets brings an increased sense of stability, grounding, and daily order. Along with the health benefits of taking dogs for walks or playing with them, they remind us to just be in a fast-paced world. The positive chi life force radiates off happy, well-cared-for pets, and their movement throughout the home helps to circulate that energy. Feng Shui recognizes the symbology of animals—the reason many Chinese restaurants have aquariums is that fish represent success. Similarly, dogs symbolize protective energy and teach us unconditional love.

Can I use Feng Shui to make my dog happier and healthier?

Feng Shui honors the interconnectedness of all things, so, much like a neglected plant or pile of clutter, a neglected pet affects the energy of the entire home. And just as your pet can uplift your home, you, in turn, can strengthen your pet by uplifting his surroundings. Animals are naturally drawn to the best energy in a room or a house, so you’ll see by watching them where the chi is already flowing. By replicating that energy throughout your space, you’ll enhance your pet’s overall health and happiness.

What is the first change to make?

The most important Feng Shui consideration is cleanliness. People need a clean home environment, and so do pets, which means their spaces should be fresh and sanitized. A pet should feel safe, secure, and comfortable in the areas where he eats or sleeps. Provide fresh water daily, and be sure soap residue is thoroughly washed from his bowls. For easy access, keep doorways and window sills clear of debris; you want to minimize the danger of your pet knocking anything over. Whenever possible, use eco-friendly products to ensure your pet’s safety and your own.

Do the colors we decorate with have any effect on our animals?

To create a sense of calm, choose a pet bed that blends with your color scheme, or one in a neutral shade, rather than something loud and busy. And try to select bowls and plates in yellows or reds. If you have a finicky eater, red can energize him, while yellow is known to evoke a happy mood.

Our animals are even more sensitive than we are to what’s around them.

What’s the best place to set up an eating or sleeping area?

Choosing a quiet eating area for your pet—one that’s removed from noise and activity—allows him to eat more calmly. Eating and sleeping areas should be out of the traffic path of humans.

Does air flow affect the flow of energy?

Clean air is vital for good Feng Shui; avoid staleness and pet odors by letting as much fresh air as possible circulate throughout the house.

What about the lighting in your house?

Pets are attracted to natural light and warmth and will always gravitate toward sunny spots near windows. On cloudy days, salt lamps—large salt crystals with light bulbs inside—or candles simulate natural light and they purify the air by releasing negative ions that counteract emissions from computers, TVs, and other electronic devices.

Can clutter actually increase a dog’s anxiety?

If you remember that our animals are even more sensitive than we are to what’s around them, it’s easier to understand their feelings. When your dog is eating and drinking, that’s his most vulnerable time, and he’s extremely aware of his surroundings. If you’ve located his food and water in an area beside a big stack of boxes that should have been in storage, he’ll feel as though someone is watching him, or even feel a little afraid: Is that pile of boxes coming after me?

How do you make sure your dog doesn’t upset the balance of energy in the house?

I’ve been in homes where young families are trying their best to handle to handle it all. Mom and Dad are working, they have small children, and they want to have the pleasure of an animal’s company. But here’s what I see when I enter their home: The parents are hollering at the dog to keep him from jumping on me, and that makes the children upset. The whole home’s vibe becomes negative, creating a ripple effect that isn’t good for anyone, including the dog. It’s only when the dog is conditioned to live in harmony with his human family that the home will emanate completely positive energy.

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

Feng Shui for Healthy Work-Life Balance

We’re all striving for more balance in our lives, as the alternative leads to stress, anxiety and disease. An unbalanced life is an unhealthy life. Whether you’re a recent grad or a seasoned professional, maintaining equilibrium between your working life and personal time is critical to maintaining balance.

Feng Shui is all about balance and intentionally creating it in your own everyday reality. Ancient yet innovative, this 5,000 year old practice from the east provides tools to allow healthy energy to flow through all areas of your life. By taking command of your space, your surroundings won’t take command of you, freeing up energy, focus and time in subtle and obvious ways. Simply being organized at both the office and home, and establishing clear boundaries will help you feel less scattered and stressed.

Feng Shui Your Lifestyle
Are you living to work, or working to live? Excessive hours spent at the office takes away precious time from your personal life, relationships, exercise and play, and deep relaxation of body and mind. Setting clear boundaries to avoid your work life creeping into your home life is the first step to establishing balance. The art of disengaging from the workplace is different for everyone depending on your profession, but leveraging your personal “me” time is the first step. For example, disabling your work email on your smart phone when you get home, signing up for recreational activities that get you outdoors and exercising, or saying “no” more often to unrealistic demands.

Feng Shui Your Office
A relaxing, calming and orderly work environment is not only easier on the nerves, but a pleasure to spend time in. Be sure your work space is supporting you, not draining you!

• Clearing clutter is essential to the healthy flow of energy, as excessive piles of papers and debris are disorderly and scattering. Cleaning out your work space will allow fresh chi to flow smoothly;

• Invest in organizational tools and workplace practices that promote efficiency and time management;

• Replace glaring fluorescent lights with softer lighting, full-spectrum lights, sun lamps or crystal salt lamps;

• If possible, lighten up any dark and drab wall colours with brighter tones such as yellow, green or blue, which boost happiness, creativity and calmness;

• Place inspirational pictures of happy occasions, which promote self confidence and empowerment;

• Healthy potted plants will disperse negative chi, as well as playing soft and uplifting music.

Feng Shui Your Home
Although invisible, the energy that flows around your home greatly impacts the quality of your well being, and if energy becomes blocked or stagnant, this imbalance can lead to symptoms such as lethargy, irritability, depression and poor sleep.

Applying the Feng Shui Bagua Map to your home, (as pictured below), the front entrance represents your Career area, so be sure this is clear of all clutter, allowing fresh energy to flow. Having a healthy family and/or friends is vital to a happy and balanced life also, so be sure to pay attention to these areas of the home, by placing positive pictures, crystals and other intentional objects to promote health in your personal life.

Along with a good cleaning of your home of old and useless objects and fresh paint with bright, calming colors, there are five elements to incorporate into your environment to promote balance:

• Earth – Stones, plants and healthy soil to enhance the grounding balance of the earth element. Colors representing earth include brown or yellow.

• Wood – Wooden planting boxes, or decorative wooden pieces such as a carving, bench or bamboo pieces. The color representing wood is green.

• Metal - Wind chimes, planters or copper decorative pieces. Colors representing metal are white, gold or silver.

• Water - Still or slow flowing water such as an indoor fountain, bird bath, pond or pooled water from a stream. Colors representing water are black or blue.

• Fire – Candles, lanterns, fireplaces or an outdoor fire pit. The color red represents fire.

Applying a few changes to your work space, home and overall lifestyle choices will naturally promote more work-life balance and uplift your energy and well being.

Thursday, July 21, 2011

How Feng Shui Can Help in Tough Economic Times

With living amidst a challenged economy, everyone is looking for innovative ways to either increase or just maintain a steady income. The question so many are now asking is what can be done at a personal level to create our “own economy” and thrive?

Solutions can arrive from thinking outside the box and stretching into new territory, such as meditation, visualization and positive affirmations to supplement our efforts. An increasingly popular practice here in the west is the 5,000 year old science of Feng Shui, which is gaining new appreciation as an effective tool for attracting abundance.

Two areas that need attention for increased prosperity include good Feng Shui in your home and office, and harnessing the power of your mind and thoughts.

Feng Shui Cures for Prosperity

Your state of being is strongly linked to your everyday environment. Feng Shui is about working with the energy of your surroundings, and the intentional clearing and arrangement of objects to allow the circulation of positive chi, which directly affects and uplifts your own energy field; setting into motion the law of attraction.

An essential first step for kick-starting positive energy flow is clearing the clutter, which blocks the flow of chi. Embark on a thorough cleaning of your home and workspace. This means not just piling things into the corner, but clearing out home cupboards and closets, office filing cabinets, computer hard drives, organizing business cards and if possible, changing the color of paint and the artwork from depressing to uplifting, to shift the energies.

The next step is to work with the Bagua map in your home and workspace. When applying this map to your own space; the far left corner of a house and each individual room is the Wealth/Prosperity area, and this area in both your home and office deserves special consideration to power up the Feng Shui energy to attract abundance.

In analyzing this area of each room in your home or office to attract prosperity, consider the following:

• Ensure the area is clear of clutter, well maintained and has the color purple somewhere.

• Place crystals, lights or candles, and healthy flowers or plants there.

• Write down your intention(s) for more money and place this piece of paper in the area, which doesn’t have to be seen, but can be placed underneath or behind an object.

• Your office or workspace should have some type of action going on in the Prosperity corner, and along with being clean and orderly, have uplifting pictures, crystals or a lamp, and functioning equipment like a fax machine or computer is very good, generating a lot of energy happening in that area.

• Spruce up your book shelf to allow more prosperous energy to flow, with books about building wealth such as “Rich Dad Poor Dad” or other positive topics.

• To compliment the above mentioned Feng Shui cures in your Prosperity corner, another area to apply the same cures to is the corner of Helpful People, which is directly opposite the Prosperity corner. For example; from the entrance to a room, the Prosperity area is the far left corner and the Helpful People area is the corner directly to your right, forming a diagonal line across the room between the two corners.

The Power of the Subconscious Mind

When you want more money to come into your life, you need to be clearly focused to encourage the Laws of Attraction. Your conscious mind needs to see what your needs are very clearly, and the next step is to integrate those thoughts into your subconscious mind. Think of your mind like a magnet and know that your thoughts can help bring your goal to you faster.

An example of a positive, affirming statement is “I am happy that I now have additional wealth brought into my life.” Or “All of my needs are met, and more money comes to me every day.” A plan of action would then be writing down this positive statement or focus seventeen (17) times before you go to sleep, and again seventeen times when you get up in the morning. These times of day is when your mind is in the Alpha state, allowing your conscious thoughts to take root in your subconscious more easily. It takes twenty-one (21) days of repeated writing to shift your thoughts or habits.

The powerful combination of good Feng Shui and harnessing the power of your thoughts will boost your “own economy”. Try it and see for yourself!

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Feng Shui and Better Sleep

Along with proper nutrition, air and water, restorative sleep is essential to health and well-being. Without a good night’s sleep, we function below our capacity to handle the demands of life, with varying consequences.

The effects of prolonged sleep deprivation cannot be underestimated, and leads to premature aging, hormone imbalances, an increased risk of developing diabetes and high blood pressure. According to Mark Mahowald, a professor of neurology at the University of Minnesota Medical School, any amount of sleep deprivation reduces mental performance, and "one complete night of sleep deprivation is as impairing in simulated driving tests as a legally intoxicating blood-alcohol level."

Can you harness the power of Feng Shui to improve your sleep? The answer is a resounding “yes”. If you’re tired of not getting your zzz’s, Feng Shui expert Yvonne Phillips can tell you how simple adjustments to your bedroom will make a major difference. With over 20 years of experience in the ancient art of Feng Shui and the author of “Feng Shui ABC: Project for a Weekend”, Yvonne understands how the energy or “chi” that flows around us impacts the quality of our well-being. If energy is blocked in our environment, this imbalance and disharmony will inevitably lead to discomfort, irritability, and prevent restful sleep.

This ancient Chinese practice is increasingly in demand here in the west for all areas of life, and Yvonne offers practical Feng Shui tips that anyone can immediately apply to their bedrooms to promote deep sleep that is so needed.

Q. How can “good” or “bad” Feng Shui affect my sleep?
A. The relationship between your environment and sleep quality is closely linked. Feng Shui is about working with energy, and the intentional clearing and arrangement of objects to allow the healthy flow of positive energy, and the dissipation of the negative. For better sleep, it focuses on purposefully working with the proper energy flow in your bedroom, which although invisible to the naked eye, directly impacts your own energy field, the quality of your sleep and overall health.

Q. What are the items in a bedroom that disrupt sleep the most?
A. Any electrical appliance or tech gadget that emits electromagnetic fields (EMFs), such as a plugged-in or wireless device. I recommend moving your alarm clock as far away from your bed as possible, if not out of the room entirely, along with removing your cell phone, computer, electric blanket, and TV. Studies show that EMFs impact the cells in your body, and deplete normal melatonin levels, with low melatonin being a major factor in poor sleep and other health problems. Excessive exposure to EMFs can disrupt normal circadian rhythms, and simply clearing out these devices from your bedroom may be the most important factor to achieve proper sleep.

Q. Once I remove EMFs, then what?
A. The next step would be to clear out any clutter and excess furniture and items which not only gather dust, but block the flow of positive chi. A bedroom filled with clutter causes energy to stagnant and creates a busy and distracting environment. Be sure to clear items from under the bed, the corners and the closet. Healthy energy flow does not follow the motto, “out of sight, out of mind”, and useless clutter piled up anywhere will throw off the energy of the entire room. Achieving a clear “Zen” space is ideal for peaceful sleep.

After the clutter and dust is cleared, consider the lighting in your bedroom. Are your window coverings keeping it dark enough at night? Melatonin production, which is essential to sleep, naturally rises in the dark and is affected by your exposure to light. To ensure proper melatonin levels which make you sleepy, block out any outside light and keep the room as dark as possible.

Q. Does the color of my bedroom matter for getting better sleep?
A. Absolutely; the proper use of color is a major factor in Feng Shui, and will dramatically impact the energy of your room and your ability to sleep. Avoid painting your bedroom red or bright orange, as it is too energizing a color to allow adequate rest. Instead, opt for soothing pastel colors such as green or blue which promotes healing and calmness, or soft cream or beige.

Q. Do you have any advice about my bedroom furniture?
A. Keep the space around your bed clear, with no objects or furniture with sharp corners jutting in. To best support your personal energy, position your bed so you can see the door while in bed, but far enough away so you’re not in alignment with it. Solid headboards made from wood are good Feng Shui, to support the chi around the head, and have a bed with a mattress raised off the floor to allow the flow of chi.

If possible, avoid sleeping under heavy ceiling beams or a slanted roof, which press down on the energy in the room. Remove any sad or depressing art or busy pictures with a lot of people, pulling on your attention. The aim is to keep the energy of the room as clear and relaxing as possible.

Q. Any final thoughts on how to sleep better?
A. Along with cool, fresh air, aromatherapy diffusers are a wonderful Feng Shui tool for improved air quality and clearer breathing, such as eucalyptus, pine or tea tree oil. Soft lighting such as salt lamps is also recommended. Keep all the doors closed at night, including the bedroom door, closet, and the en-suite bathroom door.

Your bedroom should be treated as your sanctuary where you are at your most vulnerable while recharging your energies. Feng Shui for better sleep is about balance, and creating a calm and peaceful bedroom without distraction, while also promoting a good circulation of chi.

[1] http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/sleep.html

[2] http://drmurphree.blogspot.com/2010/10/electromagnetic-fields-and-poor-sleep.html

Monday, May 23, 2011

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Schools Out-Feng Shui's In

With school out, longer days and the adjustment to summer schedules, this season brings its own joys, and stresses. Keeping things balanced and harmonized in your home might be a challenge, especially those with children and company visiting, as the well oiled routines of the school year are tossed out the window.

The wisdom of a Feng Shui can be applied to all surroundings, in all seasons and any situation or occasion. Its application helps establish a flow of calm, positive energy in the environment. For indoors and the outdoor yard and patio, here are some considerations to keep organized and maintain equilibrium on the home front with this summer season.

• Pack into storage any winter clothes, coats, boots, shovels and other clutter that are lying around the house and yard. Clear out old school papers and supplies that are piling up on the countertops, fridge and corners. The key here is to simplify the space with less stuff lying around the rooms, causing congested and depleted energy flow.

• With more people coming in and out of the house from the yard, keep all the entrances clear of clutter to trip on. Shoe racks tucked neatly to the side and non-slip mats are ideal.

• Use un-breakable dishes for outdoor meals and snacks.

• Keep tripping hazards to a minimum by always folding up the hose, hanging up the dog leash, and clearing the yard of debris.

• Clean out and rearrange the fridge to allow easy access to snacks for hungry kids. Easier grab-and-go snacks and drinks will mean less spills and breaks from knocking over items from the fridge.

• Dispose of old and broken down garden equipment or toys, such as old swing sets, retired lawn mowers and outgrown bicycles.

• Inspect fences and outdoor furniture for nails or splinters which could cause injury, and check the lawn or patio daily for sharp objects on bare feet.

• Stock up on healthy snacks and drinks, such as home-made popsicles and fruit to cool you down from the heat.

• Establish clear rules and boundaries for children playing in the yard and house, such as not leaving the area unattended, no shoes in the house, or food and drink in the living room.

All of these changes will help ensure a better energy in the home and less chaos. If you are proactive, the days will flow much easier for adults and children, and bringing a Feng Shui balance to your surroundings will help you make the most of summer.

Monday, April 11, 2011

The Art of Prosperity Continues


Living the Healthy Life with Feng Shui



This class will teach you how to live in your spaces to support the good health
that is required for the rest of your life.

Happiness is yours for the taking!

When: April 28th
Time: 6:00 PM
Where: Shady Side Academy 423 Fox Chapel Road (McCune Dining Hall) Pittsburgh, PA 15238 Price: $25.00 (Bring a first time guest for free. Guest must have never attended one of our classes)

A Gourmet meal will be served.


Thursday, April 7, 2011

Feng Shui for a Beautiful Wedding

Applying its Practical Wisdom for a Balanced and Harmonized Ceremony



With another wedding season upon us, the eyes of the world will be watching the most spectacular ceremony in a long time with the royal wedding of William and Kate. It`s a reminder of how lavish an occasion the exchanging of vows can be.

As a most welcome opportunity to celebrate the joining of two hearts, it’s imperative that the positive energy be encouraged to flow freely, uplifting the bride and groom and everyone in attendance and working behind the scenes.

With all the details and things to check off the list in planning a flawless day, there are important considerations that should not be left to chance. With some knowledge and intention of how to best support a positive and joyous wedding, the best possible atmosphere can be created. Feng Shui harmony is about colors, elements, shapes and numbers to all support one another in a beneficial way.

There are some ancient Feng Shui guidelines that will help you with the harmony and balance of the ceremony as well as with the reception.

  • Selecting the luckiest date - According to Feng Shui traditions, the number 8 is auspicious for love and 9 represents eternity, so try to choose a wedding date that contains these numbers or at least adds up to them.
  • The colour of the wedding dress and tuxedo – The most beneficial color pairing is based on the Chinese tai chi symbol of yin and yang (black and white). Black represents female (yin) while white is male (yang), so adorning the colors of the opposite sex balances the female and male energy of each person. For the bride’s dress, opt for a softer more relaxing tone such as light beige or cream colour, off-white or pearl, rather than stark white.
  • The colours of the groom and wedding party - Earthy colors like cocoa, olive, honey or dusty rose are ideal shades for the bridesmaid’s dresses.
  • Enhancements for the wedding dress – Sparkle with the energy of the metal element by wearing a glittering necklace, earrings or crystals woven into the dress material to catch the light and dazzle. Avoid overdoing it however as a little goes a long way.
  • Flowers – Healthy and colorful flowers increase the flow of positive chi to any environment. Choose pink roses which symbolize love, lilies for abundance, chrysanthemums for happiness, or peonies for longevity.
  • Lighting - For both the ceremony and reception, place soft crystal salt lamps and candles around the space for livening up the energy with the fire element. Be sure to leave no dark corners.
  • Scents – Pleasurable smells have a powerful affect, and can subtly enhance the energy of any room. With either essential oil diffusers or scented candles, choose scents to enliven the mood such as rosemary, ylang ylang, lemon or rose.
  • Crystals – Bring along two Rose Quartz crystals, (representing the bride and groom), and place them in the relationship area of the ceremony and reception space, which is the farthest right hand corner. Rose Quartz is auspicious for romance and represents beauty and love.
  • Furniture – The shapes of the reception tables are important, and can make a big difference on the quality of everyone’s experience of the evening. Avoid square or rectangular tables with sharp jutting edges, which attract conflict. Rather, choose round or oval shaped tables which encourage harmony and inclusiveness, leaving no one sitting alone at the far end.

The goal of Feng Shui is to create a nurturing, uplifting environment that supports people, and incorporating this ancient wisdom into your wedding day will contribute to a loving energy that can have a positive effect on your marriage for years.