Love Note from Anjie: Breathe In, Breathe Out

Anjie Cho December 31, 2022

december 31, 2022 // love note from anjie

breathe in, breathe out

“We are very good at preparing to live, but not very good at living. We know how to sacrifice ten years for a diploma, and we are willing to work very hard to get a job, a car, a house, and so on. But we have difficulty remembering that we are alive in the present moment, the only moment there is for us to be alive.”

“Only the present moment contains life.”

― Thích Nhất Hạnh, Peace Is Every Step

Did you see this?

An Invitation to Stillness

During this transition to the new year, the phenomenal world – our lives – invite us to listen and be still.

Watch the reel

Create your mandala: 2023 year of the water rabbit

In person gathering

Lunar New Year Day

Join me in person on Lunar New Year Day (with vegetarian dumplings!) for a gathering hosted by SHAMBHALA Center of New York

Create your Mandala for 2023: Year of the Black Water Rabbit (In Person) with Anjie Cho

Sunday Jan 22, 2022

Still Mind Zendo, 37 West 17th Street, NYC

Open for enrollment

Reset Your Home and Spirit

Our annual New Year Reset Package is now open for enrollment!

ENROLL HERE

COMPLIMENTARY PROGRAM:

27 Day Challenge

Join our complimentary 27 day challenge from Winter Solstice to Lunar New Year! love from Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Free RSVP

Dharma Gathering

Feng Shui for the New Year with Mindfulness

Join me for meditation practice and feng shui inspired intention setting to welcome in 2023. I'll walk us through how to invite the new year with mindfulness approched through feng shui. Learn how to let go and invite in new fresh qi (life force energy) through your home and meditation practice

Hosted by SHAMBHALA New York City

Tue January 10, 2023 at 7pm EST

Join from anywhere via Zoom

happy new year my friends,

Anjie

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Love Note from Anjie: Lighting a Candle

Anjie Cho December 24, 2022

december 24, 2022 // love note from anjie

lighting a candle

“It’s such a simple thing to light a candle it changes the whole tone of an experience….If I get the lighting right I can change people’s way of thinking. Predispose them to let the experience wash over them.” — Alice Waters

light a candle

inspire your fire qi for warmth

Did you see this?

Yin fire with candles

candles with incense or essential oils for warmth, illumination and inspiration for the winter.

my favorites right now: EVERGREENS

juniper. cedarwood. pine.

Watch the reel

Summit: The Best Year of Your Life Register For Free January 11-20 Online Summit

from HEART MIND INSTITUTE

Best Year of Your Life Summit

Join me for an extraordinary online event I’m speaking at: The Best Year of Your Life Summit on Jan 11-20. These are 10 powerful days designed to help you kickstart your New Year.

They’ve gathered more than 45 presenters to guide you, including renowned authors, scientists, habit change specialists, mindset and success coaches, and experts in relationships, health & wellness and more.

I’m thrilled to be one of the Summit speakers, along with Alex Ortner, Ocean Robbins, Dr. Dan Siegel, Kelly McGonigal, Thomas Hübl, Kristin Neff, Dr. Judson Brewer and many more….

My session is scheduled for Jan 19, 2022

Open for enrollment

Reset Your Home and Spirit

Our annual New Year Reset Package is now open for enrollment!

ENROLL HERE

COMPLIMENTARY PROGRAM:

27 Day Challenge

Join our complimentary 27 day challenge from Winter Solstice to Lunar New Year! love from Mindful Design Feng Shui School!

Free RSVP

Dharma Gathering

Feng Shui for the New Year with Mindfulness

Hosted by SHAMBHALA New York City

Tue January 10, 2023 at 7pm EST

Join from anywhere via Zoom

with warmth and fire,

Anjie

p.s. would you like to receive these love notes directly to your inbox right when they’re written? Join our newsletter and you’ll also get special perks only for subscribers!

Join the newsletter

Q&A Sunday: Choosing Winter Plants for Your Warm Apartment

Anjie Cho November 24, 2019

"When in doubt, add a plant," is a great life motto, but I have trouble finding plants that can survive the intense heat in my Pre-War apartment during the winter months. Do you have any suggestions?

Maya B., New York City, NY

Hi Maya,

This is a great question! I definitely agree with that motto, since houseplants are so beneficial on so many levels. They add vitality to a space and add more life energy. Not only can they improve feng shui when placed strategically and with intention, they're masters of helping clean the pollution we accidentally introduce into our homes every day.

But if your apartment pumps up the heat as we head into winter, it can be tough to keep just any houseplants alive. I've got a few suggestions, listed below, for plants that can survive higher temperatures and should generally still be low-maintenance and good feng shui. You can also try a realistic looking fake plant.

Golden Pothos

If you've read any of the other posts on the blog regarding plants, you may remember that the golden pothos was my first plant in my New York apartment. It's still alive and kicking today, throughout 12 winters! Golden pothos plants are tough and can handle forgetful waterers as well as high temperatures. In fact, they thrive between 75 and 90 degrees.

Succulents

Some types of succulents can survive higher temperatures, ranging from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit. Chances are, even in a Pre-War building, it's not getting hotter than 90 degrees in your apartment, so these succulents will be a good bet. Just be sure to keep an eye on them, as they may need a bit more water than succulents typically require due to the heat. Also, opt for succulents with softer, rounder leaves, as these bring positive feng shui into your space.

Bonsai Natal Plum

A form of Bonsai tree, the Natal Plum is said to be able to survive almost any situation, short of freezing cold temperatures. That makes it an acceptable option for indoor growth, even in a controlled-heat apartment in winter. The catch? Invest in a small fan to reduce the potential for bug infestation at high temperatures.

Rubber Plant

If you and your space can handle a larger plant, the rubber tree plant is a great candidate for indoor growth, especially in warmer apartments, as it thrives at temperatures between 75-80 degrees. Just be sure to avoid drastic changes (that shouldn't be a problem with a controlled temperature) and keep in mind that rubber trees can grow up to 20 feet tall, even inside.

Medicine Plant

Otherwise known as Aloe Vera, these plants are very adaptable, even when low light and high temperatures are involved. Aloe vera prefers lower temperatures, a bit higher than about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, during winter, but it can flourish just as well in heat. Again, the key here is to keep the plant watered when it dries out.

As a note, feng shui principles shy away from plants with prickly leaves or anything pointy. It's fine to use as a plant, but not best as a feng shui adjustment. As the aloe plant does have pointy leaves, it may not be great feng shui, but remember, ultimately making a holistic space is about how your space makes you feel. If you love an aloe plant and the intention with which you bring it into your home is good, go for it!

Cactus

Cactus plants fall into the same category as the medicine plant. In feng shui, the prickly spines aren't ideal for feng shui uses, but if your heart is set on a cactus plant, go with your heart! These plants are almost impossible to kill and used to desert temperatures. Cacti are actually members of the succulent family, so they need similar growth conditions. With cacti, even in hotter temperatures, be sure not to overwater!

Hopefully some of these durable plants will be right for your space, as bringing the outdoors in during the colder months is always a great move. If you do spring for a plant, be sure to let us know what you go with and share a pic or two!

by Anjie Cho

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.