Shambhala Mountain Center Blog

Natural elements play a strong role in the feng shui cycle. There are five major elements to feng shui that are addressed throughout the practice: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Each of these main aspects needs to nurture each other in order to maintain a healthy circular system. As a result, if one of these is not nurtured, it weakens and prevents the circle from being completed. In decorating, many of the pieces in a room reflect one of these five elements. For example, wood is symbolized by living plants, fire by candles or fireplaces and metal by many possible shiny objects.

As with most natural health practices that draw from spirituality, in order to harmonize the mind and body, like yoga and traditional Chinese medicine, feng shui must be taken seriously in order for it to work. Buying a plant for your entryway, a table fountain for your dining room, painting your kitchen red, and keeping a lucky penny on your mantle won’t help to bring you fortune or good health unless you invite the actions of feng shui.

Learn how to integrate feng shui into everyday life. Join Eva Wong as she teaches you how nature’s energy can bring balance to your life. Through talks, discussions, slide shows, and walks at Shambhala Mountain Center, Eva Wong will present the principles of landform and the nature of the carriers of energy in the land—dragon veins in the mountains, earth dragon in valleys, and water dragons in rivers and lakes. Contact Shambhala Mountain Center to learn more.

By now most of you have heard of the term “feng shui” and, not surprisingly, probably associate it with an expensive form of decorating that will less likely stand the test of time, as so many decorating styles fail to do. These attitudes have created a negative association with a term that actually extends far beyond decorating and has much deeper facets that reach into all aspects of life, not just the arrangement of your furniture.

Developed thousands of years ago in China, feng shui is a combination of art a science, whose intent is to create a balance in all parts of life. The energy balance that takes place in feng shui is often ignored in the West where feng shui has merely become a way to arrange a room according to harmonizing colors and calming doorways.  When practiced fully, living in feng shui brings more than good decorating; it brings positive fortune and long-standing good health.

Learn how to integrate feng shui into everyday life. Join Eva Wong as she teaches you how nature’s energy can bring balance to your life. Through talks, discussions, slide shows, and walks at Shambhala Mountain Center, Eva Wong will present the principles of landform and the nature of the carriers of energy in the land—dragon veins in the mountains, earth dragon in valleys, and water dragons in rivers and lakes. Contact Shambhala Mountain Center to learn more.

Is your everyday life making you stressed? Relieve stress by participating in Qigong. Qigong (pronounced “chee gong”) is an ancient Chinese system of exercise and meditation that will make your mind and spirit calm and serene.

Qigong has the power to improve your  health, enhance well-being and expand life. Developed by ancient Chinese shamans, Taoists and Buddhists, Qigong is a spiritual discipline that brings harmony and peace into your life.

Aside from achieving a calm state of mind and reducing stress, Qigong has many other health benefits, such as treating cancer and heart disease. Following are some of Qigong’s remarkable health benefits.

Well-being and improved health
Qigong works with your entire body, affecting all health aspects. While Qigong has been said to cure specific illnesses, the primary reason for practice is not just to add years to your life, but life to your years.

Clear and tranquil mind
Key to reducing stress is getting your mind at peace. A peaceful mind leads to a peaceful universe in which you can heal and transform others just through your presence. When you achieve a peaceful mind you will make better decisions and have the skill to know when to act and when to be still.

Deeper, more restorative sleep
Qigong will help you find the deep relaxation and mental quiet necessary for sleep.

Increased energy, including sexual vitality and fertility
People who practice Qigong have more energy. Consistent practice can increase energy and restore youthfulness.

Comfortable warmth
Qigong is great for cold hands and feet. Your circulation will improve causing your body to generate more internal warmth when it’s cold.

Clear skin
The skin, like the intestines, is an organ of elimination. According to Chinese medicine, as your Qigong improves, your body eliminates toxins, and the skin becomes clear.

Happy attitude
There is an old Tibetan saying, “You can tell a Yogi by his or her laugh.” Correct and moderate Qigong practice usually creates an optimistic and joyous disposition.

More efficient metabolism
Practice Qigong and you’ll experience improved digestion and increased growth in your hair and nails.

Greater physiological control
This means that aspects of the body that were imbalanced or out of control begin to normalize, for example, breathing rate, heart rate, blood pressure, hormone levels, and states of chronic inflammation or depletion.

Spiritual effects
Advancement in Qigong is often accompanied by a variety of spiritual experiences. When the ‘Qi’ is abundant, clear and flowing, the senses perceive and are permeated by sweetness.

Want to try Qigong? Shambhala Mountain Center is offering a beginner and intermediate Qigong retreat. Practice with renowned instructor Eva Wong and learn to cultivate strength of body and calmness of mind. Contact Shambhala Mountain Center to learn more about its upcoming retreat,  Traditional Chinese Qigong: Levels I & II with Eva Wong.