KEY POINTS:
Take a look at yourself. Tired? Stressed? Feeling pressured? Always falling ill? Maybe your relationship is in jeopardy - or maybe you're having no luck with relationships at all?
Now imagine being able to change the direction your life is going by shifting around a few pieces
of furniture.
The art of feng shui - pronounced fung shway and literally meaning 'wind and water' - has been practiced by more than 4500 years by ancient Chinese philosophers to create the best possible work, family and wealthy environment. Scoff if you must, but old masters have studied for 30 years to get the balance just right - and are reaping the benefits that prove its power.
What started as a Taoist method of finding the perfect burial sites for ancient emperors, has transformed into a modern day saviour for many stressed-out and frustrated workers, with many paying top dollar for master advice.
In its simplest form, feng shui balances the five key elements of fire, earth, metal, water and wood, mimicking nature in their use and balance.
Certain colours and shapes also represent these elements - and these are the ones you need to take into account in your home and office. Different colours are known to evoke different emotions, and replacing a triangular-shaped piece of furniture with something more circular could turn your problems around instantly.
It can take years of study and intense dedication to understand its true meaning, and how all the elements can gracefully work together, but following a few simple feng shui tips and allowing ch'i, or energy, to flow through your house in a clean and undisturbed manner is the perfect start.
Feng Shui tips for your house
Get rid of all mirrors opposite or at the side of your bed. As well as making you vain, the mirrors are thought to attract outside, unwanted attention from a third party into your relationship.
If your family bicker a lot, take another look in your kitchen. A stove opposite your refrigerator, washing machine, basin or toilet could be the cause of the fights - a classic water and fire clash.
Make sure your kids never sleep on the floor. Children who sleep on the ground are likely to fall ill more frequently to those who sleep in beds where ch'i can flow underneath.
If you have a red couch, get rid of it - you have been warned. Representing fire, the colour red constricts wealth and gives rise to heavy work pressures, troubles, or terrible obstacles.
Get rid of all shoes lying around outside your front door. Shoes on the doorstep block the flow of chi into your home, or carry the smell of shoes inside, causing you to fall sick. Ch'i travels into your house looking for water, but if there are not water fountains or fish tanks then the ch'i will bedispersed by the wind.
Feng Shui tips for your work
If you're constantly having bad days at work. it could be because of where you're sitting. Always sit with a wall behind your back to ensure you are always supported in life. Never sit with a window behind you.
Many Chinese offices have discarded the 'inbox' and 'outbox' paper trays on their employees desks because it creates clutter and confusion. This is so important that a number of American offices have started doing the same thing.
Corporate offices should place a fish tank in their workplace for great results and success - but beware. There is a long list of strict rules to follow with a fish tank if you want to avoid pressure, lawsuits or bankruptcy.
If you want to be the leader in your workplace, or industry, place a dragon on the right hand side of your desk, facing towards the window or door.
Don't put the photocopier or paper cutter next to the main door to your office. The photocopier gives off heat, which causes the ch'i to be too hot and carried in and out too quickly. The paper cutter is likely to cause staff to backstab each other. For more information go to the Feng Shui Institute of New Zealand for tips, history, advice and numbers of consultants.