In our last segment (Feng Shui Fundamentals For Your Office), we discussed how the healthy circulation of Ch’i energy is essential in creating a supportive, thriving office environment. Ch’i (pronounced “Chee”) is one of the building blocks of Feng Shui not only because it permeates and gives life to all things but, more specifically, because of its very strong influence over us...our moods, our productivity and our overall well-being. To truly appreciate the repercussions of Ch’i it’s important to understand how this vital energy manifests itself not only tangibly but intangibly as well, which is what we are going to cover in this article.

Simply put, the general characteristics of Ch’i can be grouped in one of two categories: passive energy and active energy. This is known as “Yin and Yang” (respectively). Yin and Yang represent the inert and dynamic principles that govern all human existence. Representative of Heaven and Earth, these “complimentary opposites” symbolize perfect harmony when combined.

The presence of Yin and Yang exists in the environment that surrounds us both at home and in our work place, in the clothes we wear, the foods we eat, and in the activities we participate in. Even our moods and emotions can be more Yin or Yang depending upon the circumstances.

Characteristics of Yin and Yang~

In general Yin energy can (again) be described as a slower, more passive and inactive energy. It is representative of the still, late night hours, sleep and rest, the introspection that accompanies the long, dark winter months, and the quiet reserve associated with reading, concentration, meditation/contemplation and so on. Yang energy, by contrast, is a very vibrant and lively force and is associated with the peak daylight hours, movement and activity, the height of summer, and the exertion connected with exercising, socializing, productivity and so forth.

The key to utilizing Yin and Yang most successfully lies not only in knowing when to use passive energy or active energy, or even when to seek a state of balance between the two energies, but in realizing how doing so will enable you to achieve more in life with less effort, which is essentially what Feng Shui is all about.

Before we plunge into how you can use Yin and Yang energies most effectively within your office environment, it is imperative to take note of several “ground rules” that apply to Yin and Yang:

• First, everything is either more Yin or more Yang depending upon what it is being compared to. Jogging is a more Yin (Passive) activity then, say, running/sprinting (Yang); however, when you compare jogging to walking, it suddenly becomes more Yang (or active) state.
• With this in mind, nothing is wholly Yin or wholly Yang. As a matter of fact, if you look at the Yin and Yang symbol you’ll notice that each side contains a small portion of its complimentary opposite.
• Everything seeks a state of balance. This is particularly true of us as humans! For instance, in cold winter months we compensate by drinking hot soups and beverages, and in the hot summer months we compensate by drinking cold fluids...If we have vigorous exercise we tend to follow it up with rest and relaxation, and so on...
• Perhaps it’s for the above-mentioned reason that Yin and Yang attract each other. We probably all know happy couples or successful partnerships where one person is very extroverted and gregarious, and the other person is introverted and reserved. Generally speaking, the two personalities compliment each other, which supports the belief that a balance of Yin & Yang symbolizes perfect harmony.

Applying Yin and Yang principles to Your Office Space~

Becoming familiar with the concepts that make up Yin and Yang (and increasing your own awareness), will enable you to begin to manipulate and adjust the type of energy within your environment to most successfully align with your objectives. In the work environment, for example, you might desire a lively, energetic Yang Ch’i that assists your business in productivity and growth; or, you might require a more Yin energy that supports your creativity and imagination. It all depends upon the nature of your business and your specific goals.

How can you tell if your work environment is too Yin or too Yang? Yin energy is associated with introspection and slow, but gradual growth...pushed to the extreme, however, it can translate into an office environment where you and your employees feel lethargic, unproductive and/or you lack the fluidity of ideas and motivation. An atmosphere that is too Yang, on the other hand, will be an office space that is characterized by tension, a frantic break-neck pace, and stress. Naturally neither of these extremes is conducive to the sound operation of a business, or the well-being of its employees.

To determine what your “energy needs” are (if any), ask yourself these questions:

1. What are the goals of my business? [Meeting deadlines, structure and sales, organization and productivity? (Yang) Or, service-oriented, artistic/creativity, bringing your ideas into the world? (Yin)]
2. What is the current “temperature” of your office setting? [Fast paced and rushed, emphasis on making things happen, procedures and systems in place (Yang). Or is it a more relaxed pace, people/relationship-oriented, going with the flow (Yin) Or, perhaps your work environment falls somewhere in between, or at one or another of the extremes?

The ideal situation for most office spaces is to maintain a sense of balance (having the presence of both Yin and Yang elements), while drawing in on the essence of the energy that will be of most benefit to you and your staff. For instance, let’s say that you are employed in the medical profession, you would ideally want to have a balanced office setting that embraces Yin energy. Why Yin energy? Yin energy is calmer, more soothing, and more oriented to service and people.

How would this manifest itself physically within the space? For starters, it would mean selecting a decor that is softer in shapes, textures, patterns and colors. (I.E.: The use of: pale colors and lighting; fabrics such as curtains, rugs and carpets; long and low tables that are curved, oval or rounded; cozy, comfortable seating; and artwork that inspires a sense of calm.) You could also play music in the background (subtle instrumental is most Yin), or another alternative would be to have a water feature (i.e.: a small fountain) that creates the gentle sound of moving water.

This will probably not come as much of a surprise, but the perfect example of a Yang environment is the fast-food chain McDonalds. Why? The color selection and lighting is vibrant and stimulating, plus all the straight lines and edges (square and rectangle-shaped tables), and the hard surfaces and seating (counters, tile floors, bench chairs). In this case, each “Yang” component contributes to encouraging the on-going movement of customers allowing for faster turnover and increased sales. Other Yang features would include the use of bold patterns, artwork and music, larger thriving plants ( as opposed to small plants), and a more dramatic water feature, such as large saltwater fish aquarium brimming with bright, colorful sea-life.

In conclusion ~ There may be particular areas within your business that you want specifically Yin or specifically Yang. For instance, you may want Yang energy in the sales and marketing department to further stimulate growth, and you may want a more Yin energy in your reception area to attract clientele. You can “fine tune” your office to best align with the goals and objectives of your company, each employee within your company and,of course, yourself!

© 2000 Kathryn Holt