Feng Shui Element
Incline Village, Nevada
Serving Lake Tahoe since 2007
Owner says business can help residential and commercial properties
The practice of Feng Shui is not just about moving furniture or entry ways, it’s about helping people live more productive happy lives according to Gail Hill, owner of Incline’s own Feng Shui element.In fact, it was Hill’s own experience with the Chinese art and science of balancing environmental chi' (energy or life force) that motivated her to start her own business in 2007.
“I had always had an interest in Feng Shui and I hired a local consultant,” Hill said. “I liked the results I saw.”
A local mother, Hill began buying books about the topic to further her interest.
“You start buying books and you realize there are different styles of Feng Shui,” she said.
In 2006 Hill enrolled in the Golden Gate School of Feng Shui and began her own year-long study to become a Feng Shui consultant.
“I learned what is called Classical Feng Shui and my main tool is a compass,” she said. “I align things. It’s a little more analytical and it’s the type of Feng Shui that aligns energies.”
Now, Hill brings her knowledge to clients. She said her business can help residential and commercial properties.
She said her services focus on enhancing the subtle energies around a home or workplace to create the most beneficial conditions.
It can help maximize potential for relationships, business success, good health, prosperity and peace of mind, she said.
One area she focuses on is the entry to home or business.
“The door is the mouth,” she said. “This is where the energy comes in so it feeds the house. Another important location is the stove, because this is where you energize and feed your body. The placement of the bed is also important because this is where you replenish your body.”
Hill works with clients in sessions and teaches them principles that apply to their current location and could be applied to future locations. She said the best time to get a consultation is while buying or building a new home.
“You can start before construction even begins and do a land blessing,” she said. “And if you’ve ever had your house Feng Shuied then you know what to look for in the future.”
During her process Hill helps clients understand how they relate to the space they are in and makes recommendations based on the client’s individual needs.
She can also help businesses assess how their employees interact and how that affects the workplace chi.
For homes that are being sold, Hill offers staging, clearing clutter, and rituals for moving into and out of a home.
Information about Hill’s services and business can be found at www.thefengshuielement.com.
“Business Feature” is a regular story that looks at local businesses in the Incline Village area. If you would like your business to be profiled, please call the Bonanza at (775) 831-4666.
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza Real Estate
October 10, 2008
What is Feng Shui?
Feng Shui, pronounced “fung schway,” is based on an ancient Chinese practice or principle of the flow of ch’i (energy or life source) through your home or environment. Feng Shui translates as “wind and water,” elements associated in the Chinese culture with good harvest and good health. Wind is the carrier of ch’i and water is the containment of ch’i. Sometimes called “The Art of Placement,” its goal is to create balance, abundance and tranquility in areas such as family, health, career, inner development, wealth and relationships.
The history of feng shui goes back more than 4,000 years, but it wasn’t until the mid-1980’s that feng shui was introduced to the West. Originally, feng shui was used to determine the most auspicious location for graves. The Chinese believe that if one’s ancestors were resting peacefully and happily in an ideal location, they would grant good fortune and blessings on their earthly family.
Special efforts and considerations were made to find the perfect location. They examined the landscape to determine where the forces of nature were in harmony. They looked for lush plant life, abundant wildlife, clear water, rich soil and cool breezes. The Chinese observed that some surroundings were better than others. They realized that a site halfway up a hill on the north side of a river or lake received optimal sun, was protected from harsh winds and would avoid flooding. (This concept would be reversed in the southern hemisphere.) Through time Emperors and Dynasties contributed to the development and understanding of feng shui, as these same principles were applied to agriculture, dwellings, buildings, towns and cities.
There are many schools of feng shui, and the methods of applying these principles are more complex in some than in others. Here is a brief look at the three main schools of feng shui.
Black Sect Tantric Buddhism (BTB) or Black Hat School of Feng Shui was brought to the West by Grand Master Professor Thomas Lin Yun from
BTB is a blend of Taoism, the I Ching and Tibetan Tantric Buddhism. BTB uses transcendental and earthly cures to diminish or soften negative conditions and enhance positive ones and places an emphasis on intention. It aligns the front door or entrance of a home or building with a bagua (eight sided energy template) and is applied over the floor plan, building, room or even a desk top.
I would like to point out that BTB or Black Hat Feng Shui is not about the exercise of magical powers, but simply the color of the hats the Buddhist’s wear. The Dali Lama is a Yellow Hat Buddhist. The colors of their hats determine what sect or region the Buddhist is from.
Many Westerners have used Feng Shui in their lives and organizations and they include Oprah Winfrey, CNN, Hyatt, Donald Trump, Whole Foods, NBC News, The Aspen Institute and the City of
Gail F. Hill
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Feng Shui Element
(775) 832-0789
thefengshuielement.com
fengshuielement@gmail.com
North Lake Tahoe Bonanza Real Estate
November 7, 2008 & July 16, 2009
Sell your home using Feng Shui
With the market slow down and the drop in housing prices, can Feng Shui help you sell your home in today’s economy? It can be a challenge but applying Feng Shui principles can give you an advantage in selling your home.
The goal of the seller is to give the buyer a feeling of being at home. A place where they feel very comfortable, where they will want to spend more time, giving the buyer a chance to relax and envision their furniture in this new space. They imagine placing their bed in the master bedroom, having meals at the dinning room table, watching their kids play in the yard and entertaining with their friends.
First, clear the clutter, stuff that you no longer need or want to take with you. Recycle and reduce. It’s a great time for a garage sale, or if you don’t have the time take your stuff to your local thrift store. Your home will feel fresh and lighter and so will you. Collections and collectibles that bring you joy may distract the buyer from paying close attention to the home. Putting these items hidden away or renting a space to store them will allow the buyer to focus on the main features of the home.
What do buyers look at first when buying a home: the kitchen. When a cook loves the kitchen you are halfway to hanging that sold sign on your front lawn. Clear the counters tops, remove most everything, except what is essential, like coffeepot, and leave a few decorative glass containers filled with beans and grains. Put everything else into the pantry or drawers and if this leaves them cluttered it’s time to clear them out as well. Box up that waffle maker that you only used a few times a year, get a head start on packing up for your move.
Don’t forget the refrigerator, clear the top, and leave only an attractive bowl. Clean it inside and out, clear away all the magnets and pictures and even your child’s schedule and artwork. In the dinning area, stage the table with your best china or kitchen ware, or have a bowl of fresh fruit or fresh flowers and maybe a candle or two on a beautiful tablecloth.
The same applies to the bathrooms as well. Clear the counter tops, put away that toothbrush and bottles of lotion. Leave only what is attractive and appropriate, a pretty bottle of bubble bath next to a lush folded towel on the tub. Scrub down the bathroom and the water spots left on the shower door, remove mold and mildew and keep the toilet lid down and trash emptied.
Have your carpets professionally cleaned and deodorized for pet odors and smoke. Wash and clean your windows as these are considered the eyes of your house. Remove old newspapers and magazines from family and living room areas. Store children’s things in bins and keep them organized. Decide if some interior rooms need to be painted or if painting one wall with an accent color will do. By displaying these qualities of being clean and tidy you are giving the buyer a sense that the home is well cared for.
Next, stand across the street and take a good look at your house. Is your front lawn lush and well maintained? Is your driveway in good condition? Does the path meander to your front door or is it a straight line? If so, soften it with flowers or round potted plants. The front door is considered the mouth of the house, it is where opportunity knocks, bringing good fortune and blessings. Is the front porch inviting and is there a place to sit down? Is the address of the house easy to find and see from a distance. Is the doormat in good condition?
When you enter the house, how does it make you feel? What do you see, what do you smell? Is it warm and welcoming? Is there a place to sit and remove shoes and a place to hang a coat? Give the buyer a moment to pause and take in the energetic essence of the home before they move on in. Lay a rug runner down to pull the buyer into the room that will sell the house. Give a wonderful first impression.
Gail F. Hill
Certified Feng Shui Practitioner
Feng Shui Element
775.832.0789
thefengshuielement.com
fengshuielement@gmail.com