When I first arrived at Breitenbush Hotsprings on Sunday afternoon I thought, “there is no way my mind is going to calm down” even though my body was way into it.

After all, the purpose of my self-imposed personal retreat was to calm my mind around the anxiety abound in the collective world, and more importantly, to return to my center.

My body was excited about soaking in the natural hot springs for three full days (can you see my toes twinkling in the air?) and by the second day, the monkey grip on my mind began to soften. Without a cel phone or internet access and surrounded by an old growth forest, my heart finally had a chance to speak and I listened. She was perfectly at ease.

In the planning stages of my personal retreat, I experienced resistance to spending the money, even though it was very affordable. (Check out the website for details.) I knew from a deeper place of my being that by giving to myself in this way, I would be able to continue to contribute to the world in a healthy, positive way.

After being there for just a short time, I felt certain areas in my body (like my jaw and my shoulders) start to relax.

There was this deep sense of restoration that my body had been craving, but my mind had resisted. I released into it and remembered the importance of self-care.

I was grateful.

With many years of self-care under my belt, I still need to be reminded to love myself by simply receiving.

These days, the speedometer of life has been accelerated at a pace most of us can hardly keep up with.  Remember, we are humans, not machines, and although we like to think of ourselves as unstoppable, our bodies are there to remind us of the importance of staying in balance.

All we have to do is listen.

I was curious. One day as Ken Lauher — Feng Shui Consultant to the stars — was visiting Planet Pink n’ Green (thanks Ken), he stumbled across one of my posts (design q&a) on the subject of feng shui and left an interesting and helpful comment on a question that a reader had sent in. There was something genuine in his voice that made me want to learn more about his work.

As a former Feng Shui Consultant and Interior Designer myself, I was curious about his practice, how he got there (he looks young doesn’t he?) and what (Feng Shui) advice he might give on how to manage stress in our current economy. One thing led to another and an interview with Ken popped out of my brain and onto these pages. Here it is:

CJ: You are a Feng Shui Consultant in NYC, correct? How did you get involved in that field, who have you studied with and was it always your dream to work with the energy of spaces/land?

KL: Yes, I’m a Feng Shui consultant living in NYC but have clients across the nation and international.

Regarding how I got involved with Feng Shui; I have always had an interest in how a space can work for you or against you.

At the age of 6 I started moving my large bedroom furniture around to make it work better for me. And I’ve always had an interest in the Asian arts but thought I may be involved with landscaping Japanese gardens or something along those lines.

In college I started getting interested in Feng Shui and started meditating. I then moved to NYC for a job on Wall Street that gave me a new understanding of working long hours and stress. One day I started paying attention to the number of hours I was working and the toll it was taking on my health. So I decided to say goodbye to Wall Street and gain balance back in my life.

I started a networking organization and did some traveling. During that time, I had a near death experience where I saw the movie of my life. It was like watching an 8 hour movie of yourself where you see grade school teachers, all kinds of different scenes that I had forgotten about. Then I just kept repeating in my mind, I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die, then I snapped out of it. In real-time it all happened in a nano-second but watching the movie felt like a full day. I then began to realize that there was no such thing as time in that space and the possibility of other realms and influences.

Then I was mugged at gun point. That really put me into a tail spin. I became a hermit and didn’t even want to go outside. I made a decision at that point that again, I needed to introduce balance and harmony into my space and life. I started reading books and articles on Feng Shui. Each time I did, I would adjust my space. I soon became so frustrated with the contradictions and misunderstanding that I was ready to seek expert advice. Next thing I know, I enrolled in a 3 year Feng Shui Master’s training program to with Barry Gordon, Edgar Sung, Steven Post, and His Holiness Lin Yun Rinpoche.

It all seemed so natural to me and loved the idea of working with energy to help others. I then realized that this is my calling and now has become a life long journey for me.

CJ: You mentioned on your website and in your marketing materials that you are a feng shui consultant to the stars. Can you be a little more specific? Are your clients actors, screen writers, directors, producers, etc.? Can you drop a name? (I’m from Los Angles and have worked with a few in the entertainment industry also.)

KL:Many of my clients are very well known actors, actresses, TV Hosts, singers, songwriters, and CEO’s. Of course I also have construction workers, small business owners, stay-at-home mom’s and even a Rabbi that I’m privileged to have as clients. I would love to share names, photos and experiences of those that I work with but I provide a confidentiality agreement with my clients. This does not allow me to share who I work with or the reason for the consultation without their advanced permission. I think that is one reason why so many do work with me compared with others.

CJ: What is your biggest victory? Example, Did you work with a client and see a major shift? Or was it something in your personal life?

KL: Feng Shui consulting is one of the most rewarding things I have ever done. Nothing provides me greater joy than to hear back from a client who has experienced a shift, a change or had their goals come true. Some of the biggest victories are working with those in deep depression. Right away the notice a shift of energy in their body, mind and space. And to be witness to that and to see them enjoy life is just amazing.

The top 5 reasons that people come to me for Feng Shui are:
1. Increase wealth/ income
2. Find love
3. Improve career
4. Experience peace and harmony
5. Help with an existing relationship

CJ: There are so many Feng Shui Consultants out there to choose from. How do people go about selecting one that is right for them?

First off, you have to find someone that you are drawn to; a feeling like this person has entered my life for a reason. I recommend talking with them on the phone and asking them what they do and how they do it. Right away you’ll get a sense of the type of individual they are and notice how you feel or what you experience when talking with them.

I do like to tell people to beware of the milkmen consultants. Meaning, consultants that may deliver milk but have not actually been to the farm, touched a cow or even milked a cow. There are so many consultants that have taken a 4 day class or read a book or two and are now providing consultations.

A big aspect of my Feng Shui practice is intuitive. Intuition may share things with you about a space that you might not know otherwise. As a result, I do daily practices of meditation, tai chi, chi kung and other methods to enhance my intuition and energy abilities.

CJ: What suggestions would you give to others who are feeling a fear-based collective energy emanating from the current economic climate? In others words, what can people do (from a feng shui perspective) that can bring some ease to their heightened stress levels?

For me, Feng Shui is one of many methods to help a person return to their true self. When you are in touch with your true self, stress is reduced, you worry less and life seems to become easier.

So first of all, I would Feng Shui your living space and introduce life energy into the space such as plants, flowers, and flowing water. Pets are a great way to raise the chi (life energy) of a space as well.

I also recommend reconnecting with nature. During stressful times, many people have lost their connection with nature, so I recommend that you start scheduling some time to talk a walk around the neighborhood or in a park.

Exercise is important, proper nutrition and a daily practice of quiet (me) time or meditation. I provide many of my clients with daily breathing exercises and they notice a difference right away.

A quick tip for those that feel stuck, make sure the area under your desk is clean and clear. So women, stop storing all of your shoes under your desk and men, remove the paper shredder or box of files from under your desk.

For your free Feng Shui kit with quick, easy and powerful tips, visit www.KenLauher.com.

I am a living example (as are millions of us out there) who practice some form of relaxation technique - no matter how small - on a daily basis. On a personal level, I look at it as essential to staying alive and rank it right up there with food and water. Relaxation practices contribute to balancing my mood levels and help me feel more loving towards myself and others. In other words, it works.

1 hour ‘you time’ in the morning

This is top priority in my routine, and seriously makes for a more productive work day. Pick one hour in the morning (doesn’t matter what time) for yourself. That means just you, no kids, chores or spouses allowed. Next choose your favorite spot in your home; maybe on that cozy chair with a blanket wrapped around you, or in front of the fireplace with some candles lit. Check in with yourself and do whatever it takes to get you centered just for this one hour.

Just in case you can’t think of anything, here’s a list to get you started:

1. Drink a cup of decaffeinated tea (no coffee please).
2. Sit and focus on your breath.
3. Stretch on the floor; maybe include some yoga poses.
4. Think about 5 things you are grateful for.
5. Light a candle.
6. Take a bath.

Drink more water

Studies continue to show that drinking more water calms the nervous system (reducing stress levels dramatically) and has a plethora of other health benefits. I know we’ve all heard it before but, seriously, when we drink more water, our bodies are happier.

What’s the right amount?

I just went to my naturopath recently who once again gave me the rundown on the appropriate daily water consumption for humans. Here it is:

Drink 1/2 your body’s weight in ounces daily. For example, I weigh 130 lbs. If I divide that in half and change it into ounces, that makes 65 which is the correct amount I need to drink daily to keep my body happy and healthy. I made it easier on myself. I went out and bought a 33 ounce water bottle and fill it up twice; once in the morning and once in the afternoon. That’s how I avoid going pee in the middle of the night. I admit, I’m not always perfect in keeping to my quota. But I’m more conscious and I make an effort to stick with it and, honestly, it has made a huge difference in my energy levels.

Mini-breaks are back in fashion

If you are practicing tip number 2 (drinking more water) you body will remind you to take mini-bathroom-breaks throughout the day without you even having to think about it. However, when that doesn’t happen (or if you just want to add to that), how about stepping away from your computer every 60 minutes for a 5 minute mini-break? That will give you time to rest your eyes (ophthalmologist recommended), relax tension built up in your jaw and just enough time to stretch your back.

Now all you have to do is self-commit. After all, we have to live with ourselves for the rest of our lives. Why not make it the best we can to feel as alive as we can, and in the process increase our quality of life no matter what’s going on?

I had heard all the tips on saving electricity and water for all long time now and to the best of my ability was applying ’savings techniques’ in all areas of my life.

But it wasn’t until my niece and her boyfriend came to live with me for three months that I really saw the effect of savings on the planet and on my pocketbook.

Unplug everything

Just unplug it. Kind of a weird concept to actually put into practice after years of simply turning off the lights, cel phone and iPod chargers, computer, toaster, t.v., and anything thing else that goes into the wall, but it really works.

For the past three months, my guests and I have been unplugging everything when not in use and remembering to turn off the lights when we leave the room. To make it easier, in the t.v. room, we plugged t.v, dvd player and lights into a power strip with an on/off switch and we turn it off when we are finished watching.

$ Result: My monthly electricity bill has gone down 20% and that’s with an additional two people in the home. Amazing.

If it’s yellow, let it mellow, brown flush it down

So no, it’s not the most attractive topic to discuss, but let’s face it, there’s a water crisis in the world and water is getting more expensive by the minute. I only have one bathroom at home and was sharing it with two other people (these past three months) and we all made a commitment to practice ‘not flushing’ when we went pee. It took some getting used to and there were many times when I had to talk to myself and say it was okay not to flush and just walk away. Other times, I had to get used to looking at other people’s pee and again tell myself it was okay.

It is a practice but well worth it.

$ Result: My water bill has stayed the same living with three people. Ordinarily, three people means triple the amount of water used but as you can see not in my case. And that includes, taking showers (separately please).  Saving water (by flushing less) has translated into saving $ and the planet.

I have officially changed my habits and am encouraging my boyfriend and friends to do the same.

I am experimenting more these days with creative ways to save $. Next up: saving $ in the winter time by reducing heating costs.  I’ll continue to share my findings with you here.

It’s all about freedom right? I for one, want freedom from the current insanity that is called collective fear and each day I am committed to finding the positive spots in my life that are plentiful and effortless. And there are many.

We all work hard and deserve to feel free, abundant and joyful, no matter what is happening in the world around us. And it is possible.

Here are five tips on finding freedom in troubled economic times:

Support local businesses

Shop locally. Many big industry franchise-type stores have been closing but have you noticed that the smaller mom-and-pops are continuing to thrive with their communities’ support? Get it together people. Support local stores and businesses. They need you right now and it’s easy; just be more aware of where you spend your dollars.

Create an edible garden

Someone once told me that growing your own vegetable garden is as easy as tossing some seeds in the dirt and simply watching it grow. Okay, so maybe we have to put a little more effort into it (like water and some love), but imagine the abundance a small patch of dirt and some seeds in your backyard can yield. Imagine the dollar savings in produce and it’s all organic. If you live in an apartment, look for a community garden where you can grow your veggies. They are popping up in cities worldwide. Check out Craigs list in your city.

Get into your body

Take a dance or exercise class at least once a week (maybe on a Wednesday evening?) to get you out of your head, and into your body. An important step to finding freedom is feeling it in your body first by relaxing tense muscles. What a great opportunity to make new friends and develop a community. Most exercise classes start at $10 per class.

Start bartering for stuff

Bartering or paying for a service by trading a skill, service or product is seriously coming back into fashion. I’m way into it. I’ve traded feng shui/interior design services for back massages, acupuncture and photography, among other things.  We’ve all got skills we can barter for. For example, maybe you know how to organize a closet really well and can help someone who can return the favor with a massage. Always ask. Most people are open to it and excited to participate.

Get rid of clutter

Purging or removing clutter; things like extra papers, clothing and just stuff that is passively just sitting around, can provide you with the biggest sense of relief. I’ve done it many times in my personal life and helped others along the clutter-removing-path and it is powerful. Clearing clutter is living giving, removes old energy and opens up space in your life for other opportunities to come in.

Most importantly, remember to stay as positive as you can during this time. We’ve all got great things happening in our lives. Let’s focus on that and move towards creating more of it.