The new "old" practice that is starting to have an impact on the North American workplace is the ancient Chinese art of feng shui (pronounced Feng Shway), or "placement." At its root, feng shui is based upon nature and natural elements.

Essentially, it is the belief that the environment, in which we live and work, should be balanced by ensuring a flow of wind (feng) and water (shui) throughout. "This means that it is the study of how to prevent good energy from being dispersed by wind and to have the good energy retained by water," says practitioner, Joseph Yu. It has also been described as the process of balancing the yin (female traits) and the yang (male traits).

Dyan Grant-Francis, of the Victoria-based Subtle Energy Solutions, calls feng shui "the study of chi (energy), how it moves through the landscape and built environment, and how it affects the life and livelihood of people who live there."

While this may seem somewhat mystic or "New Age," feng shui has been a practice in China for centuries, and is according to Judy Larsen, of the Barrie-based Larsen Feng Shui, not an art or a science, but "a mixture of beliefs, traditions, science, common sense/and good discernment." Helen Williams of Toronto's PlaceRight adds that feng shui, "touches on how we arrange space, build buildings and arrange what we put inside buildings: finishes, furniture, artwork, objects, piles of paper. All have an affect on us."

Over the centuries, feng shui has developed into various schools or disciplines. Larsen identifies over 30 disciplines. "The three main schools are the Form or Land Form, the Compass and the Black Hat Tantric Sect or Western School."

The form school began when geomancers of the day would search for the best locations to site a village or a grave. This was common in southern China. They would walk the mountains looking for a place where the air was clean and fresh, the water pure and abundant, and the vegetation green and lush. Such a place would have good feng shui because the chi or "life's breath" would be close to the surface and flowing well. The compass school began in the north of China, where the landscape was not quite as dramatic as the south. Without the landscape for clues, the geomancers or masters developed a compass, to read the environment."

The third, and most popular in North America, type is Black Hat Tantric Sect. Developed in the mid '80s by Professor Thomas Lin Yun, this school focuses on "the relationship between the human, the structure and the flow of chi," says Wendover from the Feng Shui Emporium Online and The Feng Shui Directory of Consultants Online.


Tools of the trade

All three schools use a mapping device called the bagua. Ba means 8 (the luckiest number in Chinese culture) and gua means areas, thus the bagua is essentially an eight-sided compass which is used to determine various traits. Each gua on the compass reflects a different aspect of life. South, which is considered the most important direction and as such always rests at the top of the bagua, focuses on your fame and fortune. It also deals with your reputation and the way others perceive you. South's colour is red, and 9 is its number. East deals with health, while west concerns your dependences (including pets). North focuses on your career.

However, like any compass, feng shui also deals with the areas in between. So, northwest looks to travel and your friends, be they near or far, and southwest embraces marriage, love and sex. Northeast is synonymous with knowledge and improving your credentials, while southeast is concerned with financial security.


In the office

"In a workplace environment, feng shui can achieve two goals. The first is to enhance the energy for business success. The second is to bring harmony to people working there," says Yu. Larsen puts it this way: "feng shui can enhance and stimulate a work environment. It can speed up the chi thereby making the environment more productive. It can also slow down the chi in an environment that desires a more relaxed approach, such as a spa. It can draw customers in. Feng shui can help to make the work atmosphere more comfortable for the employees. They will feel confident, resourceful, and needed. The environment can be balanced so that employees feel good about each other, instead of working against each other. With the correct balance of feng shui applied to an office, cubicle or entire office complex, a shift can be accomplished toward financial success, improved relationships, and creativity."

"The bagua can be placed on a cubicle or a desk. The location of the areas is a key factor. In a cubicle, for instance, the wealth area can be identified and adjusted. It is not a good place to keep your garbage, or a droopy plant. It is a good location for a new upward growing plant to stimulate new business or a wind chime to increase cash flow. In a larger complex, such as an investment firm. certain employees may work better when positioned with the bagua in mind. A creative person, responsible for bringing new ideas to the company, may thrive in the creativity area."

Williams suggests other ways to improve the workplace, such the introduction of natural elements (plants, water and/or aroma), full spectrum lighting, use of curved lines, and protection from electro-magnetic energies. Even a cubicle space can be improved if a mirror is placed in the cubicle "to protect from being caught off guard by someone approaching from behind."


Seeing the results

The cost of getting a professional feng shui assessment done varies based upon size of environment, number of hours spent and the level of expertise of the practitioner. "Masters can be expensive," warns Larsen. Charges can range from $100 per hour to as much as $3000 for a full consultation.

Still, many companies are starting to use it as a tool for improvement. Larsen says that most of the companies she has seen were people who worked out of their home, however, others such as "banks and investment companies, trucking firms, and retail environments" are also using it.


And the results?

"For financial gains," Yu says he has seen, "results in two weeks. For health and human relationships it may take longer."

Larsen states that "I have seen changes within days and up to nine months later," but does caution that "you will not win the lottery if your wealth area is adjusted, unless it was your destiny and feng shui removed the blockages that held you back. You must put the work into it to benefit from it. It will help you to be in touch with what is good for you, what environment will nourish your growth, and how to stimulate or reduce stress in these areas according to your wants and desires. Feng shui can give you the tools to assist you in changing your life, you must do the work."

Grant-Francis concurs. "Feng shui is not a quick fix or a band-aid solution. People seem to think that they can put a wind chime in a certain place and feng shui will make all their troubles vanish. To have profound effect, it requires deep insight. The results are subtle."

Positive Energy The following are some simple things that may help increase the positive energy in your workplace: The entrance to the workplace must be neat and tidy. Looking out from the entrance, there must not be any ugly objects at sight. This includes sharp edges of other buildings pointing towards the door. If these are found, plant some trees to screen them off. The carpet must be clean as this gives one a good feeling when entering. The reception hall must be spacious and the receptionist must be cheerful. A door chime that gives the sound of metal is helpful. Healthy plants can be used to enhance the good energy. "Open concept" is good as the energy can flow more freely. The workplace must be bright. All pathways must be not obstructed. Remove any clutter from the office as it blocks the flow of chi. Bring in something that inspires you; that reminds you of why you are there. Thanks to Joseph Yu and Dyan Grant-Francis

For More Info Looking for more information about feng shui? These are some suggested books: Feng Shui Handbook, Master Lam Kam Chuen Feng Shui at Work: Arranging your Work Space for Peak Performance and Maximum Profit, Kirsten M. Lagatree The Modern Book of Feng Shui: Vitality and Harmony for the Home and Office, Stephen Post Feng Shui Design, Sarah Rossbach and Master Lin Yun Feng Shui: Harmony by Design, Nancy SantoPietro The Living Earth Manual of Feng Shui, Stephen Skinner The Complete Illustrated Guide to Feng Shui, Lillian Too You may also want to visit one of the following websites: Canada www.larsenfengshui.com www.placeright.com www.astro-fengshui.com www.islandnet.com/~energy www.windwatrcanada.com International www.fengshuidirectory.com www.3dglobe.com/fs

About the author:

Katherine Came is the Manager of Communications at HRPAO. She has put several red objects in the south area of her office, and is trying to figure out whether memos, with black type, qualify for anything in the north area.

Also of Interest:

• More articles at the Feng Shui Directory.