Even if you don’t know exactly what it is or how to practise it, you have probably heard of feng shui. The Chinese art seemed to enter the Western mainstream at some point in the ’80s, with yuppie business types claiming to find benefit in facing their desks a certain way, or adding a plant pot or two at different angles. There is a lot more to it than this, however, and although the phrase has been bandied about over the years, there is a lot more to its meaning than you might think. ‘The practise of feng shui in simple terms is to identify and locate good and bad Qi – or you can call it energy,’ says Janet Chua of 8 Mansions, located in Country Mall. ‘It’s about making sure the flow of Qi is not obstructed and finding ways to receive and contain good Qi.’

So are we right in thinking that sorting out your physical furniture is just the ticket for reshuffling your mental furniture and wellbeing as wel? ‘Houses completed at different times and facing different directions
receive different sets of energy,’ explains Janet. ‘Feng shui can also be fine tuned to find each individual’s favourable element and directions to enable one to receive good Qi at all times; that inevitably improves one’s health, relationship – in personal life and at work – as well as career, business and financial status.’

Janet and her team are happy to visit your home, and suggest colours, furniture and accessories to help maximise your Qi. But it doesn’t mean your home has to look as Zen-like as a spa interior. If you want to see if feng shui is the way forward for you, Janet suggests trying the following to see if you can feel a difference in your life:

1 If you live in a house that was built between 1984 and 2004, you should have an opening in the northwest; be it a door or window to receive the good Qi of this current period to revitalise the Qi in the house.

2 Houses completed after Feb 2004 should have a water feature in the southwest part of the home to activate the good Qi of this current period that ends 2024. There should also be an opening in the southwest to receive this good Qi inside.

3 A garden in the east with healthy growing plants will boost the health of the family members. Generally this is a good sector for someone who is recovering from illness. Also a good place for meditation.

4The general good place to locate a gym inside the house is the west. Churning up the Qi with exercise machines and taking the energy into your body through your breath is known to help in living a good and healthy long life.

5 For those looking to have children and expand their family, it is advisable to activate the Qi of the west. Powerful symbols like the elephant with trunks down, the famous Chinese 100 children picture and the Shiva Lingam stone are great enhancers for fertility luck.

6 The northeast is known to hold Qi that is conducive to good study. Well tested symbols like the crystal globe and world map can boost and activate the Qi here to help students or anyone working from home to achieve good and better results.

7 The centre of the house is known to be the heart of the family in feng shui. This part of the house should not be a courtyard, or exposed with no roof. The Qi here needs to be contained within the house to keep the family strongly bonded. This is in fact the ideal place for a family room, where everyone gathers and spends time together.

8 Modern architecture favours the use of glass all over the house. This sort of house is not able to contain the Qi that comes through the main door, as Qi can travel through glass. Avoid staying in such houses, as it will lead to family members staying apart. Such houses cause a loss of bonding between family members, and also a loss of wealth. The principles of feng shui are the same as the principles of life; there has to be a balance in all things we do, and even in the design of the house.
To find out more about feng shui, talk to 8 Mansions, Country Mall, Budaiya (17 594 575; janetat-bahrain@hotmail.com). Feng shui jewellery and jewellery-making workshops also available.