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Every space has a life of its own,and impacts us as we go about our lives. Our actions, energy and thoughts, as well as our physical well-being, are all profoundly influenced by our surroundings. The design, color scheme, textures, light, furnishings, accessories and placement of each item in our indoor environments impact our senses from moment to moment and shape how we feel about ourselves and others I created the EcoChi system which meticulously blends the powerful ancient and modern lessons of classical feng shui, green and sustainable living and environmental psychology to revolutionize how people feel when they are indoors. We spend about 99% of our time inside so it is easy to forget our connection to the outdoor world. Still, some of the happiest moments of our lives are spent outdoors. With EcoChi I bring nature’s elements into indoor spaces. The effects on the inhabitants are transformative and the added bonus
is that it is also great for the planet.
East Meets West
Eastern philosophies are based on awareness of nature as an endless cycle of transformations, rather than as a succession of unrelated phenomena. In Western culture, we name and categorize things and put them into boxes. Animals are in one box, the ocean in another, seasons in another, and human beings in yet another. This compartmentalization distances us from the reality that we are part of something much larger and grander than our daily lives. Look at the bigger picture. See the stars, the galaxies and observe how small our Earth is—a mere speck of dust in the vast horizon of space. When we accept our small part in the order of the universe, we are truly free to celebrate our place in the natural world. By shifting our perspective this way, we are able to see our planet for what it
truly is, a spiritual place, our mother, our temple and our ultimate home. I believe that this is where the solution to the environmental crisis lives. When
we love something this deeply we act responsibly to keep it safe—forever.
The Eco-Chi Circle
As an interwoven system, all three of the disciplines described earlier and briefly summarized below have been integrated into the EcoChi System. The purpose of this new design for living is to help you establish and materialize your goals, nurture your health, and bring you greater harmony and prosperity.
- Classical Feng Shui is an ancient art form and system of purposefully arranging an environment so that it has a positive effect on the people who live or work there.
- Green and Sustainable Living protects the environment and sustains its natural resources for today and for future generations by choosing environmentally friendly lifestyles and practices.
- Environmental Psychology is an interdisciplinary science focused on the interplay between humans and their surrounding environments.
- Healthy Choices is a bonus category that I added to this list, because optimal health is one of the core objectives of EcoChi.
- Far eastern cultures believe that our minds, bodies and souls are intricately connected. The components of EcoChi are linked together in the same holistic manner.
Begin looking at this diagram at any point in the circle and you will see that the result is always the same—each sphere overlaps and influences the other. Each is strong enough to stand on its own, but together the whole creates an undeniable force, one that has the power to revolutionize the way we live.
by Debra Duneier as seen on www.GreenCityChallenge.org
For more information about EcoChi and Feng Shui visit www.LivingHomeByDebra.com and www.EcoChi.com
When we connect with nature we feel happier and regain our natural rhythm. All ofour senses become alive and we are reminded of our innate ability to heal ourselves.I created the EcoChi® system-because I was searching for ways to heal in my own life. I am excited to share this new concept with you blending both the ancient and the modern disciplines of Classical Feng Shui, Green and Sustainable Living and Environmental Psychology. EcoChi allows you to design the healthy life that you desire by bringing nature’s elements indoors in a whole new way.
Sight
“What you see is what you get.” What do you look at every day?
Art: beautiful pictures of nature on your wall will create a peaceful, healing environment.
Plants: Indoor trees and plants are not only pleasurable to look at but bring additional health benefits. Plants purify the air through tiny pores in their leaves that act as air filters.
- Nature: Listening to the sounds of nature on a CD has a healing affect on us-very soothing… If you are in the country or close to the beach open the windows or doors so you can listen to the birds, ocean, wind and rain.
- Music: Play music that makes you happy, and smile. Studies
have shown that smiling improves your health, your stress level and your attractiveness!
Infants cannot survive without the human touch. For maximum health human beings need to touch and be touched.
- Massage: Bring home massage oil from your favorite spa warm it over a candle and massage your feet, legs and hands before starting your day.
- Clothing: Choose natural fibers. You will feel the difference when it touches your skin because organic fabrics are gentle and breathe.
Healing with aromatherapy is so pleasurable and easy.
- Incense and Candles: Utilize them to recreate the healing scents of flowers, fresh rain and the ocean air which are essential to our well being.
- Food: Nothing reminds us of good times like the smell of chocolate chip cookies in the oven. Try a variety of ingredients like vanilla or cinnamon and experiment with baking an old family recipe.
Your path to healing can begin right on the tip of your tongue!
- Sweet, Salt, Bitter or Sour: It takes all kinds of tastes to keep us happy and healthy. Give in to your cravings within reason. Your body tells you what you need. Choose healthy options like fruits to satisfy a sweet tooth or sea salt to gratify your desire for salt.
- Organic produce: There is nothing like the taste of home grown vegetables and fruits. Live in the city or have no garden? Grow food and herbs in organic soil near your window. They smell great, taste good, nourish and heal you!
“EcoChi: Designing the Human Experience” AVAILABLE SPRING 2011
Living Home by Debra 