American Feng Shui Institute

FS095 -Introduction to Feng Shui

A brief introduction to the:
American Feng Shui Institute and
Traditional Chinese Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Welcome. I am Sophia Tang Shaul of the American Feng Shui Institute. In

1991, Master Larry Sang started the Institute in the hope that people could
learn the difference between what has been popularized in the West as Feng
Shui and authentic Chinese Feng Shui. We are pleased that you are
exploring this fascinating study with us here.
This introductory seminar is a taste of the information that we provide at the
Institute in Los Angeles. We have created our online classes so that many
more people, from far and near, can learn and understand traditional
Chinese Feng Shui at their convenience.
This seminar is designed as an introduction to Feng Shui and to the
Institute's online class curriculum. Additionally, you may interact with our
trained instructors through our question and answer bulletin board.

Introduction to Feng Shui

About the American Feng Shui Institute

About Master Larry Sang

Basic Aspects of Feng Shui

Frequently Asked Questions

Things mistaken for Feng Shui

Environment

Basic Theories

About Consultations

The Core Curriculum

Next Steps
2006 American Feng Shui Institute

In this intro-seminar, we will cover the topics listed here:

About the American Feng Shui Institute
About Master Larry Sang
Basic Aspects of Feng Shui
Frequently Asked Questions
Things mistaken for Feng Shui
Environment
Basic Theories
About Consultations
The Core Curriculum
Next Steps

About the Institute

Founded in 1991

Continuous classes for 15+ years

Early 90s class in NY

Classroom in Los Angeles

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

We appreciate you enrolling in our online seminar. We feel that you should
be comfortable with the school presenting this seminar. As such, we have
included some information here about the American Feng Shui Institute.
The AFSI has been holding classes every week continuously for more
than fifteen years . This is the only Feng Shui school to have such a record
of accomplishment.
Many Feng Shui schools have classes occasionally or in different locations
all the time. The Institute has an established office and classroom in
Monterey Park, California.

About the Institute

Founded by Master Larry Sang,
whose mission was to:

Correct Mistakes

Help people see the real from the
fake

Further the research and interest
of Feng Shui

Correctly utilize Feng Shui so that
it benefits all people

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The American Feng Shui Institute was founded in 1991 by Master Larry
Sang . The Institute evolved from Master Sang's desire to:
To correct mistakes committed in various Feng Shui books on the market
and to prevent people from being victimized.
To help people discern real professional Feng Shui practitioners from
impostors, and to set Feng Shui apart from superstition, mysticism, and
religion.
To apply the fundamentals of Feng Shui to initiate interest and research in
the ancient natural science.
To utilize Feng Shui correctly such that it benefits all mankind.

About the Institute

Feng Shui Classes

Yin House

Yang House

Astrology Classes

4 Pillars

Zi Wei Dou Shu

Iron Board

Palm and Face Reading

Yi Jing

Plum Blossom

Coin Divination

Dao De Jing

The ancient Chinese text of wisdom
and spiritual teachings
2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The AFSI has the largest catalog of classes and offers classes that are
unavailable elsewhere.
These include classes in the areas of
Feng Shui, including both theory and practical case studies
Chinese Astrology,
Yi Jing, and
Dao De Jing Philosophy
These classes are offered both online and locally in Monterey Park, CA.

About Master Larry Sang

Founded the Institute in 1991 after

seeing the nonsense surrounding Feng
Shui.

Master of Chinese Astrology as well as
Feng Shui

Holds a Doctorate of Philosophy

Primary consultant to the largest
cemetery chain in the world

Primary consultant to large banks, real
estate firms, and other professional
organizations

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

4 Aspects of Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Now lets talk about the fundamentals of Feng Shui. The foundation for this
knowledge consists of four key aspects.

4 Aspects of Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Time

4 Aspects of Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Building

4 Aspects of Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Environment

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4 Aspects of Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

And People
The basics of Feng Shui is relatively simple. But from this simplicity comes a
lifelong study. Shown here are the four aspects of Feng Shui.
Many schools and practitioners understand building and environment, but
they are lacking the keys to the Time and the People aspects. These two
are key to an analysis.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Feng Shui?
What are the basic principles of Feng Shui?
How are the basic principles applied?

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Feng Shui is the ancient Chinese art and science of arranging elements in your
environment for the purpose of improving health, wealth, and happiness.
Yin/Yang, the Five Elements, the Eight Trigrams, the East/West compass theory,
the solar system, and the environment.
Feng Shui is based upon a set of theories and complex calculations derived from the
Yi-Jing. This includes an in-depth understanding and application of the theories of
Yin/Yang, along with the balancing of the Five Elements (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal,
and Water) and taking into account a physical relationship between the natural
environment and surrounding magnetic fields.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is a Feng Shui reading done?
Are mirrors useful as a Feng Shui correction?
Is Feng Shui only applicable to houses?

A Luopan (Chinese Compass)

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

A Feng Shui practitioner uses a Loupan to determine the energy characteristics of a

building and its effects on the buildings occupants. Calculations are done
according to the basic principles. Remedies are prescribed where necessary to
balance the energy and produce a positive effect.
Mirrors are only good for reflecting light and making a small space appear larger.
Period.
Feng Shui can be applied to analyze the energy or Qi of a building, city, state,
country, or even the world.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Should I put water or plants in my left-hand
side money corner?

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

There is no such thing as a left or right hand side money corner in classical Feng
Shui.
Each house has its own unique energy blueprint. Each house needs to be analyzed
individually. There is no one-size-fits-all in Feng Shui.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are wind chimes a valid part of Feng Shui?

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Yes, only if they are made of metal and used judiciously. If wind chimes are placed
improperly, they can actually cause problems.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Feng Shui related to Buddhism or Taoism?

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Feng Shui is not related to any religion or belief system. It is a scientific discipline
based on the analysis of energy and the environment.

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Not Feng Shui

Bagua Mirrors

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Everything pictured on these next few pages are not part of authentic
Chinese Feng Shui. A few examples of things that are mistakenly
considered to be Feng Shui are:
Bagua Mirrors
Crystals
Charms and "cures"
Religious chants or objects
Fish
Coins used symbolically for wealth.
The list goes on and on... Today, there are a lot of misconceptions and
misinformation about Feng Shui. It has become a fad or trendy in the West
to have a Feng Shui reading. Unfortunately, there are people practicing
who do not know the deeper theories of Feng Shui.

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Not Feng Shui

Crystals

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Crystals are not a concept found in authentic Chinese Feng Shui. This
seems to have been a Western addition to the collection of objects perceived
to be cures in popular Feng Shui.
Many books write about cures and symbolisms and these cures are
purported to create good Feng Shui. In reality though, these fall into a
three categories:
Asian superstition
Money makers
Complete misunderstanding
Feng Shui has been passed down as an oral tradition for many
years. Originally, the knowledge was passed down in the form of
poems. These poems used fanciful descriptions and analogies for things
that were actually practical. But unless you had the key to these poems,
they could easily be misinterpreted.

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Not Feng Shui

Charms and "cures"

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Feng Shui does not use Charms or Cures. Flutes, Golden Frogs, etc. are
not used. As you will soon see, Feng Shui only utilizes the five natural
elements of wood, fire, earth, metal and water. There are many
misconceptions about Feng Shui.
For example, many people write about the green dragon, the red phoenix,
the white tiger, and the black turtle. These are symbolisms from this oral
tradition. They were simply ways of explaining the directions
metaphorically. Today, people sell these symbols in the forms of statues
and charms advertising that they will bring you luck. This of course is not
the actual meaning. In reality, they simply represent the directions:

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Not Feng Shui

Fish

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Fish are not the remedy. Rather the element of water is. Fish keep the
water moving.
In the Beginning and Intermediate Feng Shui courses, you will find that the 5
Elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water are the remedies used to
balance the qi. The elements can be in any form, such as a bronze bust, or
a terra cotta statue. But it is the element that affects the qi of the house, not
the design. The design is important in that it has to be pleasing to the
eye. We do not want it to be out of place with the decor.
It is our hope that as you read about Feng Shui, you ask "why?" and
question the things you read. Everything in Feng Shui has a reason for
being applied. If it does not make sense, then it is probably not really Feng
Shui. Feng Shui is natural. Further, if it looks like man-made Feng Shui, it is
not good Feng Shui.

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Not Feng Shui

Coins

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

As you learn more about Feng Shui through our courses, you will find out
that only the 5 natural elements and certain changes to the environment are
considered remedies in authentic Chinese Feng Shui.

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The Environment

Examples of Negative
Internal Influences on a
Building:

A bed positioned or
sitting under an
exposed ceiling
beam

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Feng Shui is a surprisingly accurate study of the environment. Properly

applied, it can make differences in people's health, well being, relationships,
and prosperity. The following slides show several examples of environments
to be avoided.
This slide shows that you should avoid having a bed under exposed beams.
Sleeping under beams can have an impact on health or relationships.

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The Environment

Examples of Negative
Internal Influences on a
Building:

The main floor broken
into varying levels

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Another type of environment you should avoid is homes where the main floor
plan is broken into several varying levels. Going up, then down, then down
some more as you change rooms is not preferred.

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The Environment
Examples of Negative
Internal Influences on a
Building:

A bedroom with many
odd angles
or oddly-shaped
houses

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Avoid bedrooms or living spaces with odd angles. Also avoid homes that
have strange shapes. The most comfortable homes are square or
rectangular houses.

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The Environment
Examples of Negative External Influences on a
Building:

A house that is near a cemetery

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Outside there are things that should be avoided. Homes near a cemetery
are not favorable.

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The Environment

Examples of Negative
External Influences on a
Building:

A house built on or
near a dumpsite or
burial ground

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Avoid having a home near a dump site. Additionally, avoid homes that are
on burial sites.

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The Environment
Examples of Negative External Influences on a
Building:

A house next to a hospital, police or fire
stations

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Avoid having your residence or business right next to fire or police stations.
Primarily due to the noise, which can be bothersome.

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The Environment

Examples of Negative
External Influences on a
Building:

High tension
power lines
nearby

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Also avoid homes or buildings that are under or very near to high-tension
power lines.
Examples of how to remediate these environmental situations are covered in
the online curriculum.

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Basic Theories

Qi

Yin and Yang

5 Elements

8 Trigrams

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The following are some of the basic theories of traditional Chinese Feng
Shui:
Qi
Yin and Yang
5 Elements
8 Trigrams
We will cover these here briefly. They are covered in more depth in the
online classes.

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Basic Theories

Qi (energy)

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Qi is simply "life energy." It is the energy that gives life here on

Earth. Feng Shui literally means "Wind and Water. Wind disperses qi and
water holds qi. These can be considered transports for the qi. If you think
about the Earth, it is covered by air or water. These are the mediums
through which qi flows.
If you were to travel into space, you need light, heat, gravity, and other
energies to maintain life. Qi is the summation of those energies that bring
life.
In buildings or homes, there is qi. This qi can be supportive or
inauspicious. By using Feng Shui, we can enhance the good and reduce the
unfavorable.

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Basic Theories

Yin and Yang

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

Yin and Yang are the two rudimentary divisions of Qi. Just like electricity
has positive and negative charges, Yin and Yang explain the contrary and
dependant nature of qi. Without night, there could be no day. Without light,
there could be no dark. They are two sides of the same coin.
The key is to find the balance between Yin and Yang. It is in this balance
that people prosper. Too dark and it is depressing. Too light and it is
disturbing and distracting.
The image here is called the Tai-ji. It is the representation of Yin and
Yang. This shows clearly the rise of the Yang, and the descent of the
Yin. Within each is a part of the other. It is a complete cycle. Just with all
things in Feng Shui, the energy is always cycling. There is no fixed location
for a particular type of qi. All things undergo change. This is basis for the Yi
Jing, which is the Chinese Oracle (book) of Change. The American Feng
Shui Institute offers classes on this deep study as well.

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Basic Theories

5 Elements

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The five natural elements of Wood, Fire, Earth Metal, and Water are the only
solutions used to balancing the qi in traditional Chinese Feng Shui. These
elements all enhance, reduce or dominate the qi in and around the living
space. Elements can be used in various forms such as an aquarium, a
brass pot, a jade statue, or even a red rug. The key thing is that the
remedies are actually comprised of one of the five elements.
In Feng Shui, there are elemental cycles as shown here. These are the
keys to understanding how to remedy a room.
By utilizing the cycle of the elements we can determine which element
is used to balance the qi.

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Basic Theories

8 Trigrams

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

From the underlying theories within this chart, we can find both your own
trigram and the trigram of the house. Once you have both of these trigram
types, you can determine how your house interacts with you and see what is
favorable and unfavorable in your home.

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The Consultation

The 4 things that a

practitioner needs:
1.

The birth dates of the occupants.

2.

The date the building was built.

3.

A proportional floor plan.

4.

An appointment to actually see the

building.

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

If you are considering a consultation and are just doing research, please be
aware that these are the four things that your practitioner should ask from
you.
The birth dates of the occupants.
The date the building was built.
A proportional floor plan.
An appointment to actually see the building. - It is important that they
actually see the home or office first hand. Feng Shui involves all
of the senses.

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The Core Curriculum

Beginning Feng Shui

Intermediate Feng Shui

Advanced Feng Shui

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

If you are thinking about learning more about Feng Shui, let us share a little bit about the class work. The AFSI
Feng Shui core curriculum is the foundation for Feng Shui application. Each class contains key information that
together builds upon one another.

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Beginning Feng Shui Class

Learn the foundation theories

Learn how to map your favorable and
unfavorable directions

Learn the 8 House Method (East/West
method)

Begin to learn about applying Feng Shui
to kitchens and bedrooms

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The Beginning class provides an emphasis on the East/West method and

groundwork knowledge (Qi, Yin and Yang, 5 Elements, 8 Trigrams).
Many well-known Feng Shui Masters today, use the East/West Method.
Together with the Xuan Kong method, they assist people with such things as
having a baby or finding a life partner.
In the Beginning Feng Shui class, you will learn more about the basic
aspects of Feng Shui. You will also begin to analyze your home and learn
how you interact with your house. You will explore the eight trigrams in
depth, including how to actually use Feng Shui to find a specific body
ailments. The class builds a solid foundation for learning Feng Shui.

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Intermediate Feng Shui Class

Learn about the Xuan Kong

method

House Trigram

The Annual Qi

Learn about the Environment

Inside Environment

Outside or Greater
environment

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The Intermediate class continues into the Environmental Study and the Xuan
Kong (time and space) method.
The Intermediate class teaches you the Xuan Kong (or time and space
method) of Feng Shui. This method is used to predict the qi (energy), both
auspicious and inauspicious for the current year. In Xuan Kong method,
there is the big Xuan Kong and the small Xuan Kong method. The small
Xuan Kong method is for reading a building. The big Xuan Kong is for
reading a city, state, or even an entire country. A large project, such as an
airport, would be an example of how one would use the big Xuan Kong
method.
There are two common misunderstandings of the East/West teachings. The
first misunderstanding is when a person thinks that after learning this
material, they fully know Feng Shui and the technique is very easy to learn
and apply. A second misunderstanding, and one of the most critical for all
Feng Shui learners, is that the East/West is simple and not as powerful as
the Xuan Kong method. This is simply not true.

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Advanced Feng Shui Class

Learn the deeper theories of

Xuan Kong

Learn to apply the knowledge

Analyze cases

View an online slide show

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

The Advanced Class teaches a higher level Xuan Kong method, along with
how to bring all of these aspects together in practical application.
The Advanced Class teaches you how to bring together the East/West and
Xuan Kong methods to plan a custom home. The material taught here is
used for average homes to the luxurious, for commercial buildings to real
estate land development.
The AFSI teachings are based on the practical application of Feng Shui
knowledge. This class material is currently being used daily in legitimate
Feng Shui analyses, all over the world. With the knowledge provided in the
core Feng Shui classes, the AFSI provides Feng Shui consultation services
to various international firms and dignitaries.
Only when one goes to a higher level, does one see the power of using
East/West with Xuan Kong together to help people to have a baby, to assist
people in walking their life partner to the wedding chapel, and in helping
someone to recover to better health. Today of course, there are Feng Shui
practitioners who know well how to apply these two teachings together, but
their numbers are very few.

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Next Steps

Taking a class at the Institute

In Person

On-line

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

We hope that this has been a useful introduction to traditional Chinese Feng
Shui. This class was meant to introduce you to the subject of Feng Shui and
to give you an idea of how the on-line classes are structured. If you are
interested in taking a class, take a moment and imagine being able to
actually "read" a house. A properly trained practioner can reveal problems
through an analysis, just as if they were reading a book! When you
understand Feng Shui correctly, you realize things such as:
What makes the second daughter in the family suffer from eye problems.
Understand what causes the youngest son to break his arm in a
particular house.
When you examine a house, you are able to see areas that have the
potential for creating a new romance, generating wealth and authority, and
can create scholastic achievement and creativity.
Begin your journey into a lifetime of fulfillment with Feng Shui. We
encourage you to start here and now.

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Next Steps
Begin your exploration now!
THANK YOU!

2006 American Feng Shui Institute

You will shortly have a window appear for our secure enrollment system.
We invite you to take the first of many classes, that we know you will
enjoy. Once you enroll, you will receive an email with instructions on how to
access the class materials and forums. Please momentarily disable any
popup blocking, so that you may be taken to our class information page.
On behalf of Master Sang and the other instructors here, we thank you for
your participation. We hope you enjoyed this presentation. This fascinating
art and science is a lifelong study and the American Feng Shui Institute is
the premier learning institution for you to learn Feng Shui, Chinese
Astrology, Yi Jing, Chinese Arts, and Chinese Philosophy.

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