February 20, 1997 
The Sydney Morning Herald - Domain

Science

AT dinner parties all over Sydney, the fashionable are debating the benefits of feng-shui intervention with the same seriousness with which they weigh the benefits of a range rover or Lexus. If moving the sofa improves their fortunes and love lives, so be it.

New Yorkers are honing their chi ( vital life force ) for more than a decade, and this month the British design bible, Elle Decoration, recommends the ancient Chinese Taoist science to readers to help them balance their homes.

Feng shui literally means wind and water. It is about seeking harmony the natural way and operates on psychological, astrological and physical levels.

One of Australia’s leading practitioners, Siou Foon Lee, who was born in Malaysia and studied under a fourth generation feng-shui master, Henry Liu, says" The aim is to manipulate chi in a meandering line in our environment; when it flows this way it releases a kind of energy that attracts luck and well-being."

Using astrology, compasses and mathematical equations, she creates a chart with a yin and yang area that radiates into various sections, such as career, self- development, wealth, relationships and health. " The relationship of wind, fire, water, wood and earth in the house all modify a person s destiny," says Lee. She adds a dose of intuition and then suggests ways in which the chi in a room can be manipulated to improve your life.

After wandering around our house, Lee advocated placing objects such as wind chimes, plants, screens, table top fountains and stone clusters to enhance harmony and good luck. She said we needed more yellow objects to beckon prosperity. She recommended we move the children’s beds into the most auspicious spot for learning and informed each member of the best direction to sit when working.

She said we needed to divide the kitchen table from the living space, which an interior decorator had also worried about - the rules of feng shui often work in harmony with comfort and order. Lee’s recommendations were inexpensive and practical.

She is running a series of two-day workshops from 10am-4pm on the week-ends of March 15, 22, 29 and April 5. The cost is $800.

Siou Foon Lee ph 9826 0002 or 0411 387618.

From 2000 onwards Siou-Foon Lee is now the Yap Cheng Hai Feng Shui Centre of Excellence representative for Australia. She is certified to conduct the YCH Module One course.