By Kristine McKenzie – So. NV Real Estate Journal Staff Writer

Feng Shui, which literally means wind and water, is becoming a popular way to create ideal work and home environments.

Pronounced Feng Shway, Fung Shui or Fung Shuway, depending on whether you are Mandarin, Cantonese or American, Feng Shui is the study of the natural and “built” environment that has been practiced for thousands of years. The environment can be a home, office or real property. Feng Shui can determine the best location for anyone and help people avoid their worst location in any environment.

Feng Shui is not a religious belief system – it is based on a set of calculations and a mathematical system that ancient Chinese scholars developed. It incorporates elements of astronomy, geography, interior design, environment, magnetic fields and physics.

Feng Shui is also based on the principle of Yin and Yang, and the balancing of five elements, including fire, earth, metal, water and wood.

A Feng Shui analysis of a building examines the surrounding environment, the building and how the people inside interact with the building, and it also looks at time-related factors such as the birthdates of occupants and the year the building was completed. Based on these factors, recommendations can be made on how to improve the relationship with the environment using the elements as remedies. The recommendations can improve the lives of the occupants of the property.

To do a Feng Shui reading, a practitioner uses a compass called a Lo-pan to determine the energy characteristics of a building. Calculations are done and remedies are prescribed in order to balance the energy.

Sophia Tang Shaul, co-founder of 168 Feng Shui Advisors, which is based in California, specializes in the detailed analysis of homes, land and businesses. She learned the art of Feng Shui from her mentor, Master Larry Sang, founder of the American Feng Shui Institute.

Shaul works with many clients in the real estate industry and got started in Feng Shui because of her interest in real estate.

“I have clients who say they want to buy a house,” she said. “I tell them to look a lot, narrow it down to two or three and then I go out and take a look and pick out the best one for them. Every house is like a person – every house has its own nature.”

According to Shaul, there are four types of houses: those that are good for people (health and relationships) and prosperity; those that are good for people, but not prosperity; those that are good for prosperity and not people; and those that are not favorable for either.

Shaul cites an example from her own life as a testament to the powers of Feng Shui. “My husband and I had a house that drained our energy as soon as we walked in,” she said. “We would argue about things that we had never argued about before and our careers were stagnant,” she said. “The house we have now has good energy – now we have a good relationship and our careers are going well. It really makes a big difference,” Shaul said.

Not only does Shaul work with homeowners, she also does seminars for Realtors.

“If I was in the business and wanted to be ahead of the game, I’d want to know Feng Shui,” she said.

Shaul also has clients who build custom homes. She analyzes raw land and determines the best orientation for homes. She can also work with architects and even commercial real estate agents. She analyzes strip malls and office buildings to help improve occupancy. “And I’ve seen results,” she said.

Shaul said doing a Feng Shui analysis and having a properly balanced home is very important. “I truly believe your home is where you rejuvenate,” she said. “Sometimes people have good homes but they’re still not balanced.”

According to Shaul, if a home has problems, it is better to balance the energy than to do nothing at all.

The five elements are the foundation theory for Feng Shui balance. When the elements are in a balanced state, there is harmony in the home. Each element can strengthen or weaken the other elements in a variety of beneficial and detrimental ways – the interactions provide the key to correcting issues within a property.

Wood – People mistakenly use wood furniture as a Feng Shui solution, but the problem is that wood is lifeless. Shrubs or bushy plants are ideal since they are alive.

Fire – Candles or the color red can be used as a remedy. The red color is even better if it is hot, such as with a red night light or table lamp with red shade.

Earth – This is recommended for some of the larger environmental solutions. Granite boulders, clay statues and terracotta pots with soil can all be used as earth elements.

Metal – This is the most common solution. Metals can include copper, silver, gold and bronze. Iron weighlifter plates, dumbells and brass pots can all be used as remedies.

Water – Water must be open, clean and circulating. Do not use ceramic or earthen fountains because the earth element blocks water.

Shaul said when doing remedies, focus on the areas of the home that are used most frequently – don’t worry about storage areas or bathrooms.

“When you do remedies, don’t think that you have to spend a lot of money – just so you have the element,” she said.

Once the home has been analyzed by a Feng Shui practitioner, there are other things to keep in mind, according to Shaul.

A home office should be located within a good area of the home to help increase prosperity.

If an area is not so great, a homeowner may want to make it a storage or laundry area that is not used very often.

A homeowner should spend the most time and spend their productive time in a good section of the home.

If an area is too dark, you may want to brighten it, if it is too cold, you want to warm it up.

“These are very basic things – because it’s all about balance and harmony,” Shaul said.

The front door of a building is also very important. “The entrance is very important because you bring in energy,” Shaul said. “You want it to be free – you don’t want any blockage.”

Shaul said homeowners who do a Feng Shui analysis and make remedies to their homes may see results in three to four months. She said she has also seen results in as little as 24 hours.

Shaul’s Feng Shui consultation prices vary with the size of the property, travel time involved and depth of the analysis.

Article Copyright © by Kristine McKenzie