Feng shui can transform your home gym into a fitness sanctuary through mindful design. Whether or not you are open to the spiritual foundations of the practice, the benefits of applying this methodology are firmly grounded in science.
Our external environment impacts our internal well-being. The atmosphere or space we inhabit influences our mental, physical, and emotional health, both consciously and subconsciously. Feng shui aims to create harmony in our environment through the intentional use of color, decoration, and organization. Boxers can find feng shui immensely beneficial to training because there is such mindfulness in the fighting arts. Maintaining a positive mindset is key to effective training and to leading a deeply satisfying life.
Here we’ll explore more about feng shui, including how to use feng shui to improve your workouts and keep you motivated.
What is Feng Shui?
Feng shui means “the way of wind and water.” It is the ancient Chinese practice of arranging space and architecture to cultivate harmony, balance, and positive energy flow.
The exact origins of feng shui are difficult to trace due to its long history, but it is rooted in the Taoist belief in the universal life force called “chi”. This life force encompasses the opposing yet complementary elements of yin and yang, which must remain in balance with one another to achieve the optimal flow of chi.
Feng shui seeks to balance these forces by enhancing your immediate environment. This involves decluttering and mindfully utilizing shapes and colors that evoke the five elements of earth, water, fire, wood, and metal. Using the feng shui philosophy in a space is thought to improve physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
What are the Benefits of Feng Shui?
While the impact of feng shui cannot be measured because of its link to the spiritual belief of chi energy, there is ample research that proves our environment directly impacts our psychological well-being. Whether or not one believes in the flow of chi, it has been well-studied that the space we inhabit will influence our mood, mindset, and our health.
Benefits of Feng Shui include:
Lowered Stress Levels – Disorderly or cluttered space can be anxiety-inducing, whereas neat and minimalistic design is soothing.
Reduced Conflict – In the same way, a chaotic space can create stress, it can also raise the risk of interpersonal conflict.
Improved Clarity – Cleanliness and color is intrinsically linked to our mental state and can enhance one’s ability to focus.
Increased Motivation – A balanced and beautiful environment can be inspiring and motivating.
Six (6) Tips to Use Feng Shui in Your Home Gym
Clear Your Space
Your home gym should be kept neat, clean, and organized. Stationary exercise equipment should be the only equipment on display in this area. Other workout essentials like your gloves and wraps should be returned to their proper storage area after each use so you walk into a tidy gym every session.
Lighten Up
Choose a location with ample natural light if possible. Sunlight is essential to our mental health, especially in the darker months of winter. Use full-spectrum light bulbs to emulate natural light if needed.
Choose Color Wisely
Colors induce emotions, and feng shui puts a lot of thought behind each shade. Gyms can benefit from bright reds and oranges to heighten energy, but many people prefer the calm, clear focus of grays and blues to avoid overstimulation. You can even delve deep into evaluating color choice with the orientation of your home gym.
Decorate with Intention
Be minimalistic with decorations and make them positive. This could mean displaying that one motivational quote that always gets you in the right headspace, or that one piece of art that evokes happiness every time you look at it.
Plant Your Dreams
Adding live plants to your home gym doesn’t just elevate positive energy, it raises oxygen levels. Beautiful and low-maintenance oxygenators include aloe vera, jade plant, pothos plant, snake plant, and bamboo – among many others.
Try Aromatherapy
Scent is a powerful tool to alter your mood. While some fitness enthusiasts find any smell during an intense workout to be off-putting, you can experiment with natural oil diffusers for a subtle scent. Fresh aromas like lemongrass can be uplifting and refreshing for workouts.
Harmony, Balance, & Boxing
The ancient practice of Feng shui can cultivate harmony in any space, be it the office, bedroom, or workout area. Being mindful of some simple Feng shui principles can make a huge difference in how you feel when you walk into your fitness sanctuary.
Fighting arts like boxing and kickboxing are strongly linked to cultivating mindfulness and intention in one’s life. The application of feng shui principles is a natural step to creating your perfect at-home boxing gym.
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