about
“Water is the softest thing, yet it can penetrate mountains and earth. This shows clearly the principle of softness overcoming hardness.”
― Lao Tzu
We spend 87% of time indoors - between work and home. Our environments directly affect us, especially when we spend most of our time inside. Our spaces should be places in which you find your flow state.
Flow state is when you are hyper present, when you have everything you need to create, play, imagine, explore and be your best self. The space in which you create a flow state is a space in which you feel safe and well in. Pure focus is created so that you can be the most present in whatever activity it is that you are engaging in. Clarity in your mind is reflected in your space. And clarity in your space will reflect in your mind.
What is flow state?
When I returned back from a 10 day silent meditation course, I had incredible clarity in my mind and all of a sudden I needed to clear everything. Clutter and unnecessary items in my physical space did not reflect the clarity in my mind. I paired down all items in my closet, my books, my kitchen. Physical items that took up space even though unseen causes small micro stresses. It’s like thoughts in your mind that are swirling around that do not belong. When you release them, you make space for new energy. You cannot accept something new if you don’t have space for it. Letting go allows for more openness.
Our objects
Moving from space to space, from activity to activity should be frictionless and full of joy. When you come home, it should be like a big hug from all your favorite objects. Do you have a space where you can sit and be with yourself and go when you are overwhelmed? How do you want to feel when you come home? Tuning your space so that everything that is in serves a purpose creates a space in which you can fully relax and be at your best.
Tuning your space
As a trained architect I was only able to take on projects who could afford the services - this practice aims to help provide expertise to those who wouldn’t be able to afford an architect. Everyone deserves to feel well in their homes, offices, workplaces. Instead of looking outwardly for wellness, can we be in a restful state at home to let the wellness enter our bodies? Our homes are an extension of us.
Accessibility
Feng Shui 風水(literally translates to wind water) is an ancient practice that originated in China(as far back as 3500 BC) that uses the flow of energy to harmonize people and their environment. Landscapes and bodies of water are thought to direct the flow of energy 氣 (chi) through places and understanding this flow would mean ideal placement of built structures. Villages, tombs and temples used the strategy of feng shui in their planning. The sun path and its orientation is a foundational element in this spatial exercise and north american “north” was actually south to map the sun’s path.
Basic Feng Shui principles focus on line of sight, vistas and energy from windows, circulation paths, light, and doorway positions. The “command” position, or the position in which you will be sitting, sleeping or eating should be placed so you feel spatially safe. My practice takes all of this into consideration but most importantly creates a space where it is tuned for you.
What is Feng Shui?
Sharon is a trained architect, researcher, writer and educator. She has 12 years of experience building spaces in Toronto, New York and Los Angeles. Sharon received a Masters of Architecture at Columbia University in NYC and a Bachelors of Architectural Science from Toronto Metropolitan University(formerly Ryerson University). Her work has been published in places like Dezeen, Architectural Record and Architect’s Newspaper.
Sharon’s own healing and health journey in the past few years made her realize how critical our spaces are for rest, peace and taking things at a slower pace. How we feel is often reflected in our space. The simple movement of a piece of furniture or removal of a piece can change the entire energy of a space which ultimately changes our energy.
A calm space can help an overwhelmed nervous system. Combining Sharon’s architectural training and wisdom from healing, she hopes to help people create well-being from within.
About Sharon Leung