Fundamental to understanding our world are the constants that everything is comprised of energy, and energy is in an ongoing state of flux. This energy may be called chi (chee), prana or ki (key). As it relates to Feng Shui (fung schway), chi translates to mean the invisible and visible energies of wind and water. Whether we pay attention to energy or not, we are affected moment by moment. Seven types of chi may be identified: breath chi, food chi, original chi, internal chi, external chi, nutritive chi and protective chi. The interplay of chi, the five elements and the qualities of yin and yang represent core principles of Feng Shui. These principles suggest rules of engagement that hone awareness and support the adeptness with which one learns to balance the flow of energy in a favorable way. As an applied discipline Feng Shui offers insight into the arrangement and use of objects. How are your home, office and community arranged? Do they support the smooth flow of energy, thus promoting health and vitality? Or are there aspects creating blockages, resulting in disparity and strife? Often that which is viewed as trendy and popular constitutes poor design and presents harmful energy. This may take the form of a structure, food, clothing, furniture and a myriad of other presentations and practices. To affect change now, here are a few recommendations: • Establish a direct line of sight to any entrance; • Eliminate clutter; • Ensure the bed is offset from the entrance to a room; • Choose furniture with rounded and soft edges; • Remove or reduce electronics and mirrors in bedrooms, gyms, restaurants; • Pair objects; • Provide regular maintenance and keep everything working; • Create mixed use; • Support diversity; • Institute equitable pay for all; • Breathe clean air; • Eat vegetarian or vegan; • Build with quality to last beyond a lifetime. These general practices will create a positive flow of energy that nurtures health and good fortune for all.

Whether it is the human body, mind or spirit, an animal or a plant, a car, a residence or a business, all respond positively to mindful efforts that enhance the pranic flow of energy. Regardless of the object and its animate or inanimate nature, sustenance with pure materials represents an investment in wellbeing and longevity. In Ayurveda and yoga we learn of the concept, saucha, purity. Purity supports and enhances prana, life force. When we consider food, we are discussing the quality of all that goes into the actual meal to be consumed. This entails all that came before, from conceiving, to growing, to harvesting, to transporting, to storing, to selling, to preparing, to serving, to consuming and ultimately to digesting. All along this path there are instances where a breakdown in the quality of the prana introduces negative energy. To care for oneself attentiveness is key. Ayurveda emphasizes being mindful of what and how one eats. Mindfulness entails choosing vegetarian and vegan cuisine, selecting Non GMO foods without preservatives, consuming simple foods, selecting local and seasonal items, understanding the six tastes and the doshas, choosing herbs and spices to enhance the assimilation of nutrients, sitting in a calm environment without distractions, chewing thoroughly, eating at consistent times and only to 70-80% full and acknowledging the food and all that has gone into it. At the core of our daily lifestyle is the idea we eat to live. We don’t live to eat.

At the core of yoga is the creation of stability and balance in movement, in breathing, in emotions, in thinking and in life. All the ideas and practices that comprise yoga exist to bring focus to our dharma, to remove karmic seeds, to eliminate selfishness and to broaden our minds in ever expanding ways. Yoga establishes a path to achieve true freedom, liberation, moksha, in the midst of the world where we live, not separate from it, but immersed in it in all its messiness. Through the dedicated and daily practice of yoga we develop awareness, understanding and acceptance that leads to an internal peace and joy that manifests outwardly as an unrelenting desire and practice to share unconditional love with society. By way of our inward exploration we learn to let go, to be without worry about success or failure, becoming living models awakened to True Consciousness. “The principle of hatha yoga and tantra is ‘practice and realize’ rather than talk and philosophize” (HYP, p. 603). “A yogi [yogini] lives it, his [or her life] is [their] teaching” (HYP, p. 603). This is how we succeed. Each day begins with Ayurvedic and yoga practices that create, balance and further understanding of one’s potential. These routines affect change in the physiological, mental, emotional and spiritual planes. The care taken in the daily rituals are integral to the deep exploration of the Self.  “Be careful my dear, you are dealing with Prana!”