Understanding Indoor Air Quality (IAQ)

Anjie Cho November 24, 2021

Photo and design by Anjie Cho Architect PLLC

First things first, indoor air quality (IAQ) is precisely what it sounds like: the measure of the quality of air inside a building or other structure meant for occupation. It is widely known that our planet suffers from a significant amount of pollution, but this pollution isn't limited to the air we breathe outside our homes. In fact, studies show that the air we breathe inside our homes and other buildings, where we spend most of our time, can be anywhere from two to five times as toxic as outdoor air due to a variety of chemicals included in paint, cleaning agents, etc.

From a feng shui perspective, indoor air quality affects the energy flow in your home. You want the most positive and supportive qi around you to support your health and livelihood.

Since, as I mentioned, humans spend the majority of our time inside, it is extremely important that we improve the condition of our IAQ. Poor IAQ can lead to many negative side effects including nose bleeds, asthma, upper respiratory irritation and much more. In addition to physical ailments, polluted IAQ can be very costly, whether in company terms, where it can cost in the form of employee compensation and negative publicity, or on a more personal level, which can lead to increased medical bills and purchasing of excessive products to eliminate symptoms.

Fortunately, as with most environmentally unfriendly issues, there are ways to reduce the level of harmful substances in your indoor air and increase the quality of the air your family breathes.

One of the easiest ways to increase your IAQ is by monitoring the chemicals that are used, and subsequently released into the air, in your home. Rather than using commercial, toxic cleaning supplies, try switching to non-toxic, DIY cleaning agents, as they provide a much cleaner, safer air quality for your home's inhabitants. Oh, and they're easier on the wallet.

Another easy way to control the quality of your home's air is by ensuring that atmospheric conditions are optimal for human living, not life of micro-organisms. Keep humidity in the home between 30% and 50% by taking steps like venting your dryer outside your home, using a humidifier or air conditioner in the home and taking care not to overwater houseplants.

Taking time to ensure your home is properly cleaned and free of dust particles and other tiny organisms will also help with controlling the amount of allergens in your family's indoor air. Mop often with just water or non-toxic soap to ensure that dust doesn't settle on hard floors, and vacuum on softer floors. Clear your indoor space by opening windows and letting in fresh air, and instead of harmful chemical air fresheners, try the naturally refreshing scent of lemon or other citrus peels (like orange, feng shui's favorite!).

IAQ is becoming increasingly important as we face growing danger due to pollutants in our atmosphere. Bettering and maintaining a high quality for your family's home is as easy as changing a few patterns and trying new things. You have nothing to lose, except for allergens and ailments!

by Anjie Cho

Mindful Design Feng Shui School: Energy. Meditation. Sacred space.

If you’d like to learn more about feng shui, check out Mindful Design Feng Shui School at: www.mindfuldesignschool.com

Space Clearing with Feng Shui

Anjie Cho October 14, 2020

In Feng Shui, there is a lot of talk about “energy” or “chi”. Feng shui is an ancient philosophy that seeks to enhance the flow of energy in your environment. All spaces, people and objects have energy.

In particular, the chi of a space can influence the present and future circumstances of the inhabitants. Similarly, the energy of the previous owners of a home or object can greatly influence the current chi of a space. This applies to previous owners and residents, vintage furniture, and even used books. Does that place or object hold an imprint of positive, supportive energy? Or does it hold negative and stagnant chi?

Space clearing is an effective way to re-dedicate the invisible energy of space. It’s vital to clear the space of any stagnant energy and create a clean slate for you and your family. This is especially true if you have a lot of second-hand items. Below I’ll share with you three different ways to clear your space.

Orange Oil

In feng shui, oranges and orange peels represent vibrant, life affirming energy. Orange essence is refreshing, happy and contributes positive, fresh, and brightening energy to our inner and outer environments. It can transform a space with vibrant, life-giving, positive energy.

Fresh orange peels work the best because they are the freshest, but you can also use 27 drops of orange essential oil. Place the orange peels or the essential oil in a spray bottle and fill it with water. Walk around your home and spray this citrus essence all around, paying special attention to dark corners and closets. Orange peel carries with it vibrant life energy to clear and, in turn rejuvenate, you and your home. This is excellent to do on an annual or even monthly basis.

Air It Out

A great way to clear the space is to use the above orange essence spray in conjunction with opening all the exterior windows and doors in your home.

First, open all the windows and doors for a minimum of 9 minutes. Allow fresh air to move throughout the entire home. Second, walk around your space with your orange spray. Start at the entry door and move around the perimeter of each room in the home in a clockwise fashion. It is good practice to clear your space at least once a year. The most auspicious time to do this is on Chinese New Year. The Lunar New Year is symbolically a great time to clear out the old, stagnant energy in your home to make space for new, positive energy.

Smudge with Palo Santo

Lately, my favorite method of space clearing has been smudging with palo santo. While we traditionally use orange essential oil in feng shui for space clearing, I love the smell of palo santo. I find it is especially useful on an everyday basis to refresh your home if you've had guests.

The stick of palo santo is ignited, then gently blown down to an ember to allow for spreading smoke around the space. Guidance of smoke to different areas of the room including corners, inside closets and in a clockwise fashion is important. Also, be sure to allow the wood to produce enough smoke to fill the air.

Remember no matter which method you use, once you clear the space of the existing chi, replace that energy with positive intention.

by Anjie Cho

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Feng Shui Plants: Greenery that Goes the Extra Mile

Guest User February 12, 2020

featured on Léon & George

Indoor plants do so much for us. They add beauty to our space, clean our air, and come with a myriad of mental health benefits to boot. But what if they could do even more? According to the teachings of Feng Shui, they can.

We asked expert Anjie Cho of Holistic Spaces to give us the scoop on how plants can bring us good Feng Shui, which plants are particularly impactful, and where to place them in our homes to maximize the benefits.

“Plants are a way to bring nature’s energy into our homes and interior environments. Nowadays, we spend more and more time indoors, and having plants in our homes is a way to reconnect with nature and ground us,” says Cho. “In an energetic sense, they are very healing for us, and in a practical sense, they improve the air quality, provide soft surfaces, and beautify our home.”

What Is Feng Shui?

In a nutshell, Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese philosophy which uses energy forces to harmonize individuals with their surrounding environment and the natural world. Translating to “wind” (feng) and "water” (shui), the basic principles of Feng Shui lie in the belief that we can live more harmonious and fulfilling lives if we connect and flow with the space around us.

…read full article

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.