How to Create a Serene Meditation Space in a Small, Cramped Apartment

Anjie Cho October 30, 2019

featured on Clever

It feels like the cure for every problem these days is meditation. Feeling anxious? Meditate for 20 minutes a day. Need help falling asleep? Again, meditate. Feeling lost and disconnected? You get the point. But whether you're new to meditation or just looking to feel more peaceful in your everyday life, a cramped and chaotic apartment can seem like an enormous roadblock. Sure, it's ideal to retreat to an empty, sun-drenched room to do your morning meditation, or a lush backyard where you can surround yourself in nature every day. But we're happy to report that you can still curate a mindful meditation space even in the most cramped, eclectic, and chaotic of dwellings. Here are some hacks to create a conscious corner for you and your practice.

Tidy Up (Or Face the Chaos!)

Channel your inner Marie Kondo and spruce up your space so you don’t have to deal with distractions while meditating. On the flip side, “it actually acts as a great challenge for you during meditation,” says feng shui consultant Anjie Cho. “Having the obstacle of a chaotic apartment will improve your practice. You’ll start to see your chaos more clearly,” says Anjie. Don’t take this as a total pass to live in the mess, though; I still recommend creating a clean slate at first to subdue any stress, especially for beginners.

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Mindful Design is a new way to learn feng shui. Our a unique training program takes an holistic approach to learning the art of feng shui design. Mindful design is about becoming aware, and attentive, to the energy around you: both inner and outer qi. It is about promoting a better way of living and creating sacred spaces that support, and nourish. Visit us at mindfuldesignschool.com.

Q&A Sunday: Rose Quartz for Love

Anjie Cho October 27, 2019

"Hi Anjie, when you suggest adding a pair of rose quartz crystals to your bedroom to promote trust and harmony with your future or current relationship, does it have to be a pair or will one do the trick?"

- Jill H., Brooklyn, NY

Thanks for your question, Jill!

As a rule of thumb, my teachers answer most things with “it depends!” This is true for this question.

In general, I recommend a pair of rose quartz for love and harmony, to attract a partner or to support an existing relationship. But it really does depend. Without tailoring the question specifically for one person, it’s difficult to address most issues in a general blog post. However, most of the time the general answer is OK.

Generally, a pair would be most helpful for a current or future relationship. But, there are times when one would also be appropriate. For instance, someone who’s always in a relationship and never single may benefit from one, rather than a pair, since he or she may be co-dependent and have a hard time being alone. Another situation where a single stone may be more appropriate is when someone is experiencing a separation and needs to do some soul searching to see if they’re better alone or back with their partner.

Also, if one is all you have, there may be a reason for that. But if you are perhaps too lazy to get another piece, that says something too! I think your question is a great one because it’s not an easy one to answer and requires you to really examine your situation.

The fact that you're seeking to add rose quartz to your space at all is a very promising sign, whether for your love life or your relationship with yourself. Before you pick up a pair, spend a little time thinking about exactly why you're looking to make this adjustment in your space. Once you've got the intention pinned down, any addition you make will be that much more powerful.

by Anjie Cho

Thanks for reading our "Q&A Sunday". We will be answering questions submitted by our readers. Click here to submit any Feng Shui or Green Design questions!

How to Love Your Living Space, With Anjie Cho

Anjie Cho October 23, 2019

featured on Wellness Recharge

I'm featured on Kirsi Bhasin’s podcast, Wellness Recharge. In episode #019, Kirsi and I chat about your relationship…with your space! Listen on Kirsi’s page as we discuss how to love your living space, or take a listen at the Holistic Spaces media page!

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui check out the Mindful Design Feng Shui certification program. Laura Morris and I launched our program in September 2018. To get on the list about it, sign up at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com.