Alumni Speak Archives | Page 2 of 5 | Western School of Feng Shui

Home » Alumni Speak

Workshop: Feng Shui Staging for Home Sellers

Posted by Amy Chini on Jan 14, 2016 in Alumni Speak | Comments Off on Workshop: Feng Shui Staging for Home Sellers

THRIVING SPACES WORKSHOP ALERT!

Feng Shui Staging for Home Sellers

Saturday, April 9, 2016 from 1 – 2:30 PM.

Mindfully prepare your home for the market and attract the right buyers at “Hello”!

“You had me at hello.”

Do you remember Renée Zellweger saying that to Tom Cruise in the movie Jerry Maguire when he finishes his lengthy proposal? You can create that same initial gut reaction – Yes! — when potential buyers drive up to your home. Realtors call it curb appeal; feng shui practitioners recognize it as energy looking for your front door — the “mouth of chi.” Will energy in the form of potential buyers be welcomed or rebuffed? Feng shui staging starts at the front entrance.

In today’s “seller’s” market in Denver — low inventory and a plethora of homebuyers — you may not think you’ll need to do anything to prepare your home for sale. However, according to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), staged homes sell 72% faster than unstaged homes and often attract multiple offers, usually resulting in a higher sales price.

Feng Shui Staging for Home Sellers

Let’s assume you’d like to get the most value for your home with the least disruption to your life (e.g., not holding a lot of showings while attracting the right buyers within a set time frame). Feng shui staging can help you achieve that goal, while making the entire selling and moving process a lot less stressful.

In “Feng Shui Staging for Home Sellers,” you’ll learn how to:

Prepare your home and your family — mindfully — for the transition.
See your home through “feng shui eyes” and make adjustments using the “Golden Rule.”
Use feng shui tools like the Bagua, the Five Elements, and Yin/Yang balance to energize the spaces in your home and help potential buyers experience that “just right” feeling.
Make your home memorable in the field of competition.

Questions?

Saturday, April 9, 2016 @ Schlessman Family Branch Library in Lowry, Denver CO from 1 – 2:30 PM

Cost is $25/person, $40/couple. Workshop attendees will leave with a feng shui staging checklist, a gratitude/farewell ceremony outline, and feng shui tool handouts with instructions for use.

The $25 workshop fee will be waived for attendees who schedule a follow-up feng shui staging consult with Lorrie.

If you’re interested in participating, email me at lwgrillo@thrivingspaces.com today!

Lorrie Webb Grillo | Thriving Spaces Feng Shui

lwgrillo@thrivingspaces.com | www.thrivingspaces.com

If These Walls Could Talk by Alumna Laura Carrillo

Posted by Amy Chini on Dec 31, 2015 in Alumni Speak, Ch'i, Your Home, Your Life | Comments Off on If These Walls Could Talk by Alumna Laura Carrillo

If these walls could talk, they would tell you the story. My Feng Shui practice, Narrative Space, is based on the premise that your home, business, or any physical space has an energetic narrative that can be interpreted and edited through Feng Shui.

Art & Alchemy is my specialized area of Feng Shui. What is the story? Look around, it’s all there. The writing is on the wall, so to speak. People assume art is merely a picture or a painting or a photograph.

What a physical space is communicating via its narrative is obvious to me, though it may not be to most people. Not everyone sees life through the same lens, so in some small way I can bring clarity and light to this subject. Universal consciousness aside, not everyone is paying attention to the signs or knows how to interpret them. I genuinely believe we all have this ability on a subconscious level, but that doesn’t mean it is reaching the conscious or mundane level. Feng Shui is a physical language which helps interpret those signs.

Even if you don’t know anything about Feng Shui, you can look at an image and interpret it on a gut level. You can see what it is communicating and ascertain whether it is positive or negative. Think of art in terms of the narrative or story, then decide if that is what you want your story to be. Some people like dark imagery because they think it’s cool or profound. Since my goal is to help people create a positive setting and narrative, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend such art.

Art provides your space with visual cues that create a narrative. The walls are figuratively telling your story. What do you want that story to be? If you curate the art from a Feng Shui perspective, there are specific areas of a space that pertain to specific areas of life, such as your career or love life. It helps to know the area of life in which you are placing a piece of art, because context is important.

The Bagua is an energetic map in Feng Shui that represents nine life sectors called “guas.” These include Prosperity, Fame, Love, Family, Health, Children & Creativity, Skills & Knowledge, Career & Travel, and Helpful People. The Bagua is the most important tool in Feng Shui for curating and interpreting the narrative.

If you place romantic art in your Skills & Knowledge area, you may not be making the best use of the art. It could be better placed in your love area. That said, at least it is positive imagery, and there is still benefit from having Skills & Knowledge in the love department. It is preferable to curate for maximum benefits, though. That’s where a consultant can really help.

When I wanted greater success in my career, I thought about what kind of imagery would help. Water is the element associated with the career gua and it also represents abundance in Feng Shui. With this in mind, I painted a waterfall and placed it above my desk in my career gua. Suddenly, I had more Feng Shui gigs than ever, and my cash flow increased significantly. This is an example of the way art supported my intentions and served me in a positive way.

Think about art as a way of foreshadowing your story. You can play a conscious role in how your story plays out. It’s very empowering! It not only works from an energetic perspective, but from a psychological one. Visual cues feed your subconscious mind. Your mind processes the information and works diligently to manifest the story being told. That said, be conscious of the fact the story serves as a mantra that will ultimately manifest itself.

I once worked for a business that sold art. Some of the art was positive and beautiful, while some was dark and depressing. A series of pieces depicted the tragedy of the Twin Towers. I lived in New York during 9/11, and know first-hand the impact that it had on business and the lives of New Yorkers. It was one of the most depressing chapters of my life. I couldn’t understand why these pieces were so prominently featured. One of these pieces was placed in the career gua of the business. I told the owner what it represented symbolically and how it wasn’t good for business, but my words fell on deaf ears.

That series of paintings was not only bad Feng Shui for the business, it served as a powerful alchemy that depicted a less than positive outcome. Additionally, that business displayed a picture of a dead whale carcass decomposing, and another of a capsized ship. While there were some positive images, the overall story being told did not have a happy ending. From a Feng Shui perspective, the way the art was curated was disastrous.

The business had a number of other Feng Shui issues. Most notably, the bathrooms were located in the Prosperity gua, representing money going down the drain. There are cures for this. I tried to offset the energetic loss by hanging crystals above the toilets, but the owner removed them. Crystals alone cannot compensate for every ill, but they can help remedy an energetic loss. They were a tiny edit in a space that needed a big rewrite. When I discovered the crystals had been removed, I also decided to leave. Very shortly after this, the business quickly and dramatically imploded.

I learned a lot from that experience. I was able to see first-hand how powerfully the imagery and narrative of a space can become its own self-fulfilling prophecy. The impact and power of art on the narrative of a space, and the people who inhabit it, is an area of Feng Shui on which I am particularly focused.

Art possesses what I like to call magical properties. These properties can be used for good or ill, and I have highlighted examples of both. When you choose art, you will be drawn to certain pieces. Take stock of how a piece makes you feel and whether it is a feeling you want to bathe in every day. You may be drawn to darker pieces because there is something relatable in them. We can all relate to pain and suffering, but that doesn’t mean we need to live immersed in it.
They say happiness is a choice. Choose to tell your story with visually inspiring and triumphant imagery. To learn more about my work with Feng Shui, Art & Alchemy visit Narrative Space.

Written by Laura Carrillo

Photos by Sonja Reed

Hello October – A Shui Checklist

Posted by Amy Chini on Oct 17, 2015 in Alumni Speak, Ch'i, Clutter, Eliminating Clutter, Essential Feng Shui Tips | Comments Off on Hello October – A Shui Checklist

by Amanda Gibby Peters, Graduate and Practitioner

october is always a happy month. fall takes the spotlight, standing + delivering the magical abundance of this season’s holiday glitterati. so, before we nestle into our nooks for the sheer delight of it all, how about a few shui tips + tricks to mobilize these good vibes + keep the marvel of it all uninterrupted?

LIGHT UP.

replace burned out bulbs + stock up on light bulbs for the long nights ahead. when lights are left burned out, we lose our own spark. and, honey, that spark matters. light is majorly symbolic of life force — which fuels our ability to connect with others, keeps our courage simmering, and encourages us to live with an open heart. so, step into the light + brighten up your space. illuminated rooms + homes draw real power. how’s that for easy magic?

ATTACK THE ATTIC.

it’s the time of year where we can quickly feel weighed down from the additional pressures of seasonal gatherings + shopping + daily upkeep. at that same crossroads, we often find ourselves in the attic hauling out boxes of seasonal decor. so, let’s power shui. revisit the attic’s contents while you’re up there + release what you can. a few mindful edits – do i want this? do i need this? – will have good cheer swirling around in a snap. trust me, this one endeavor knows how to shift the holiday frenzy into a season that is more at your leisure + less on your back.

CLEAR THE GUTTERS.

house maintenance is never fun, but these pesky chores can become serious scene stealers if left unattended. so, clean the gutters of debris + dead leaves. leftover foliage represents dead energy sitting on a house — and metaphorically, that is two thumbs down. it’s an afternoon well-spent to clear this space, making sure everything is aligned properly and water can flow easily. oh, did you hear that? your house is exhaling at the thought of hollow gutters. and a happy house equals a better life for you.

WEAR A SMILE.

you know all those photos on your phone + Instagram? how about a quick rearrangement of familiar framed photos with a few of your latest snapshots? your sweet family + friends’ faces on display will tell the story of good times, and that fresh vitality will get happy-gather-round-vibes bouncing in your home. plus, it gives company + guests a glance at your adventures + celebrations throughout the year. talk about delicious conversation!

REVEL IN COZY.

while fall is undressing everything outside, it’s all a go-go for feathering our nests inside. look for textures and colors that suggest cozy embraces + comfy gatherings. and while you’re at it, rotate the couch cushions. doing this once a year adds life to your linens + furniture, keeping you from feeling stretched thin and saggy.

BONUS : as fall starts ushering us indoors, take a quick inventory of your wall space. are they empty or filled to the brim? maybe a few walls would LOVE a new layer of paint, or even a cheeky splash of color. whatever is happening at eye level represents RIGHT NOW. so, if the walls are empty, this might suggest a fear of commitment. do you feel a resistance about moving forward in life? hang something that speaks to the life you want. and if the walls are suffocating, you might benefit from a few clear breaths. take everything down, and leave the walls bare for a week. only hang back what you LOVE. in shui, a little here + a little there always adds up to a life you LOVE.

You can reach Amanda at www.simpleshui.com

Photo credits: Amanda Gibby Peters, simpleshui.com

Feng Shui Your Purse

Posted by Amy Chini on Oct 17, 2015 in Alumni Speak, Eliminating Clutter, Essential Feng Shui Tips | Comments Off on Feng Shui Your Purse

How do you take care of your money?

Enjoy this article “Feng Shui Your Purse” from Alumni Rosanne Rusnock! Visit her at elementsandenergy.com

When we take care of something, we lovingly nurture its energy. We give it our attention and care. In our Western world we usually take physical objects for granted, forgetting they embody a spiritual essence that someone else created out of matter. Matter is energy manifested. The #1 Feng Shui Principle is “Everything is alive with energy.”

Feng Shui Your Purse Your purse, for example, how you maintain it is connected to how you take care of your money. There is an energetic correlation between the overall condition of your purse, where you keep your day-to-day money, and your overall finances: the microcosm of the macrocosm. Keep your purse tidy and well maintained, and expect your finances to improve.

Want to boost your prosperity and abundance in just a few minutes? Try these 5 quick and easy steps to energetically revitalize your purse and wallet.

1. Elevate your money. Keep your purse off the floor.

In many cultures it is viewed as very inauspicious to place your purse on the floor. Think about it? Watch those who have money and those who do not. There is a definite difference between the relationship the rich have with money and the poor have with money. Are you treating your purse or wallet with respect? See your purse as the recipient of your larger money picture and place it with honor on a chair, counter or favorite niche, never on the floor.

2. Keep your purse and wallet streamlined and immaculate. An orderly purse equals orderly finances. (Habits flow into other habits)

Remove receipts immediately and store them elsewhere. Receipts represent money going out so keep a few deposit slips in your purse, which represent money flowing in.

3. Where do you keep your keys in your purse?

Keys open doors symbolically. You want easy access to your keys, and access to opportunities that come your way. Keep your keys in the same place each time to ensure ease in your life, allowing the most amazing opportunities to come to you.

4. When your purse starts to show signs of wearing out, its time for a new beautiful purse to house your wealth.

This could symbolically transfer to you feeling a drag in your money situation. Buy a new purse before your current one shows much wear and tear.

5. Keep a few million dollar bills in your wallet and ALWAYS at least one real $100.00 dollar bill.

Each time you open up your wallet you will see wealth and abundance, reminding you that you are wealthy. Keep your large bills in the forefront so every time you open your wallet you see BIG bills. Imagine all the items you could by at this moment if you chose to use your big bills. You have to feel abundant in order to attract abundance. This energetically keeps you in the flow for more abundance to come in because you are practicing the feeling of financial security and well being.

Author Rosanne Rusnock: Elements and Energy Feng Shui Consultation

The Power of Dressing with Intention

Posted by Amy Chini on Sep 11, 2015 in Alumni Speak, Essential Feng Shui Tips, Five Elements, Inner Feng Shui | Comments Off on The Power of Dressing with Intention

by Andrea Dupont

In Fashion Feng Shui^®, we talk about attracting what you want through your clothing, your body’s most intimate environment. We work to dress the whole person that you are, including your essence, your appearance and your intention. Visually affirming your goals in your attire fortifies you to achieve them. Through the use of color, shape or texture, you can express all you desire to attract. How can you dress to realize your goals?

Essential Feng Shui Alumni Authors

Posted by Liv Kellgren on Apr 22, 2015 in Alumni Speak, Community Voice, Essential Feng Shui Rock Stars, Essential Stories, Feng Shui Resources | Comments Off on Essential Feng Shui Alumni Authors

WSFS Alumni Are Making Their Mark!

Spring, dressed in Nature’s lush new finery, is a great time to ask the question: ‘Do I store my creative spirit like formal wear in the back of my closet, or do I wear it every day like a favorite shirt? Essential Feng Shui recognizes the immense importance of wearing your creativity on your sleeve and teaches you how to cultivate it. When you open yourself to the depth of your uniqueness and the wild beauty of your personal genius, you can imagine your very own personal paradise into being.

Many of our alumni are lighting up the world in their own wonderful way. May the extraordinary brilliance of their unique creations inspire your own illuminated strings of words, fanciful flights of colors, or any imaginative play that wishes to whoosh through you. Put all formalities aside and step fully into your creative spirit. It’s like going home.

– Terah Kathryn Collins, Founder, Western School of Feng Shui