Feng Shui is commonly understood as the practice of arranging one’s living and working environments to optimise social and financial success and good health. Very often a wind chime, a crystal ball, an aquarium or a mirror is strategically placed to bring about the desired results.

Unfortunately, it is not that simple. Feng Shui pervades the most minor events of our daily lives, creating a set of opportunities for better or for worse, which ultimately determine and shape the quality and direction of our lives.

From birth to death, we are accompanied by ch,i - the living essence of the Universe. The clouds floating across the sky is ch’i, a leaf gently swaying in the breeze is ch’i , the breath in our lungs is ch’i, the fragrance of a flower is ch’i, falling in love is ch’i. Simply put - if something has no ch’i, then it just does not exist.

It would be apt to describe the internal energy systems or ch’i within us as the ‘ chakras ’ and the external energy system or ch’i of our environment as the feng shui. We can cure our illness vibrationally from both inside and outside. This dual approach can alter and transmute an illness making one more receptive to medicines, treatment processes and good old prayers. Feng Shui is both - a strong and powerful medicine and a support system, but it should be used responsibly. Understanding and working with the principles of Feng Shui is the key to harnessing the power of ch’i in a way that will support us and benefit our life. Our health is ultimately the product of our environment. The ‘Environment’ in this context covers all the aspects that surround us, that provide us with immediate sustenance. The main sources we draw upon are - the environmental ch’i , air, water and food.

While we have little control over the weather and climate, the quality of air we breathe is drawn immediately from our environment. Have you ever experienced walking past a garbage dump? You start taking in shorter breaths to avoid the foul smell. The fresher and cleaner the air, the deeper we breathe and the better we feel. Besides, we have far more control over the quality of water we drink and the food we eat. It is important to replenish our system with the best quality of water nature can provide – remember our body is essentially 60 per cent fluids.

As regards food, it is essential that the diet should not only be balanced but it should also provide ch’i . Ask yourself - Is the food fresh? Does it have ch’i ? (Does it look appetising as well). Was it prepared with ch’i ? ( tender love and care ). Does it provide you with ch’i ? (Is it nourishing?)

‘Health’ in this context, includes the emotions we experience, the stresses we endure and the relationships we are involved in. Good health, therefore must encompass our consciousness, our awareness and most importantly, our ability to respond to challenges. There are no quick fix solutions!
Yin  
Black
Night
Female
Receptive
Yielding
Negative
Supports, nurtures, and sustains
Shady, northern side of a hill
Valleys, rivers, streams
Yang
White
Day
Male
Active
Dominating
Positive
Full of power and energy
Sunny, southern side of a hill
Hills, mountains, raised topography

The five elements
The Chinese believe these elements affect everything we do. For example, in our horoscopes we have some of each element, how much we have of each element determines our personality and success .
Ch'i energy can be manifested in five forms - the five elements of fire, earth, wood, water, or metal. Characteristics of the elements are listed below:
Wood 
Creative
Innovative
Pliant and bending,
Strong and unyielding
Sociable and community minded
Color: green
Direction: east & northeast
Life cycle: birth & early childhood
Fire
Energy
Enthusiasm
Can be dangerous
Warms and cheers, but can burn and destroy
Natural leader
Color: red
Direction: south
Life cycle: late childhood before puberty
Earth
Stable
Real estate and legacies
Patient, just, honest, and methodical
Can be smothering and demanding
Color: yellow
Direction: center, southwest, & northeast
Life cycle: adolescence
Metal
Harvest
Business
Success (financial)
Can symbolize the sword and be destructive and violent
Color: white
Direction: west & northwest
Life cycle: adulthood
Water
Travel
Communication
Literature, arts & media
Gentle (soft rain) or Violent (hurricane)
Nourishes living things, but can wear away rock
Color: black
Direction: north
Life cycle: old age
These elements interact with each other in cycles. You need to know these cycles, because it affects how you're going to arrange your living quarters.
Cycle of Production - GOOD
Fire produces earth (ash), earth creates metal, metal liquefies, water nurtures plants, and burning wood creates fire.
Cycle of Destruction - BAD
Fire melts metal, metal destroys wood, wood draws from earth, earth overpowers water, and water puts out fire.
Cycle of Reduction - NEUTRAL
This cycle corrects imbalances caused by the cycle of destruction. It's the reverse of production.