If you want to make changes to your home or lifestyle, considering feng shui is one option that could be exactly the change one needs.
Feng shui is an art and a lifestyle that means coexisting in an environment that is balanced and harmonious.
As Nadene Hagen explained, "Feng shui is a study of art and science that allows one to achieve (balance) by applying basic concepts and remedies to specific everyday challenges."
She was at the Estevan Public Library Sept. 24 leading a seminar on the subject that was attended by a number of locals. Hagen is a feng shui consultant at Home and Land Feng Shui in Regina, and when she means everyday challenges, she means everything from a spiritual, emotional and physical sense to financial harmony.
Hagen said though, she was intrigued by feng shui beforehand, her "journey" didn't begin until 2008 when her newly-born son wasn't sleeping very well.
"I found the subject fascinating and implemented these new remedies in my own life," she said. "I could see and feel immediate results. Our son also started sleeping through the night again. At this point I thought maybe this is a coincidence."
But maybe not, she also thought.
"Could it really be due to feng shui and the direction he was sleeping in?"
Feng shui has been practised in China, where it originated for thousands of years. The ideas have been brought to the West and Hagen noted that while it is taking off in places like Vancouver and Calgary, it is still being introduced to many parts of Saskatchewan.
"Saskatchewan is on the tail end of an up-and-coming trend," she said. "I believe it is just getting started here and we will be hearing much more on the subject in the near future."
Part of spreading the word is to get into local centres of learning. The presentation at the library was her first, but she hopes to continue speaking.
Kate-Lee Donohoe, the Estevan library's branch manager, said it's important for the library to hold more than events centred around literacy. The library is a place to learn all sorts of things and she noted that everybody has different hobbies and interests.
"If you want to learn something new, you go on the Internet or watch TV," she said. "Or you can come to the library and talk to somebody face to face."
Hagen focused on the classical and western feng shui during her seminar at the library. Basic concepts of ch'i and sha energy, ying and yang, the bagua and the nine guas, including career, spirituality and wealth among others, were all explored.
Hagen said she is very in tune with her surroundings and feels energetic shifts from one environment to the next.
"Have you ever walked into a space and had a warm comfortable feeling, like you never want to leave? This space is likely in balance and has positive chi or energy. On the other hand, have you ever felt a sense of urgency to leave the moment you step foot in the door? What you are feeling is the negative chi associated with that environment, and this space is likely out of balance and has poor feng shui."
Having an open mind and open heart is necessary in making positive life changes through feng shui, said Hagen, and it's important to know what you're doing before implementing any of these remedies, as it is easy to over or under feng shui an area. This could lead to more challenges and could "counteract" itself. She said there is a lot of information out there, but not all of it is accurate, adding that a credible and trustworthy source is essential to making sure things are done right.
