| Is Feng Shui certification for you? My answer | | | | the rules and find what works best for you. |
| is a definite... Maybe.If you're an avid | | | | Generally, you'll attract clients who |
| reader, you can probably learn everything | | | | resonate to the same principles that have |
| that you need to know from Feng Shui | | | | been successful in your home and |
| websites, and from recommended books such as | | | | office.Graduate to Feng Shui |
| the lighthearted "Move Your Stuff, Change | | | | certificationAfter trying a few Feng Shui |
| Your Life" and "Feng Shui in 5 Minutes," or | | | | classes, you may want to learn more, or |
| more academic texts such as "Interior Design | | | | qualify for Feng Shui certification.Do plenty |
| with Feng Shui."However, if you've read Feng | | | | of research before selecting a Feng Shui |
| Shui books but still have important | | | | school or teacher. Talk with former students. |
| questions, or if you'd like to grow a career | | | | Verify the teachers' credentials and |
| as a Feng Shui consultant or designer, Feng | | | | reputations. Visit their websites. Have these |
| Shui training can be very important.At the | | | | teachers written books? Read them. (If |
| very least, it can open doors for you as a | | | | they're really good, your public library |
| professional.Try some basic Feng Shui | | | | probably has copies. Or, you can get them on |
| coursesStart by checking local adult ed | | | | inter-library loan.)Make certain that you'll |
| classes. Someone may be teaching Feng Shui | | | | be studying with a professional... and with |
| for beginners, or a related class. Community | | | | someone who has respected Feng Shui |
| colleges often offer Feng Shui courses in | | | | expertise.Compare course prices. And, ask |
| their architecture, art, or Asian studies | | | | about the refund policy if you quickly |
| programs.Treat the course lightly. If the | | | | realize that the school isn't for you, after |
| teacher insists that Compass School Feng Shui | | | | all.Feng Shui certification can open doors, |
| is the only correct approach, or that Black | | | | especially among architects, interior |
| Hat Feng Shui is the answer to everything, | | | | designers, and decorators. Many of them give |
| nod and smile... but don't take the teacher | | | | added respect to professionals with formal |
| seriously.There is some truth--and often | | | | training.You can certainly practice Feng Shui |
| considerable value--in every approach to Feng | | | | without stepping into a classroom. And, you |
| Shui. It's vital to keep an open mind.If you | | | | can build a successful Feng Shui business |
| like Black Hat Feng Shui but your teacher | | | | based on happy clients and word-of-mouth |
| prefers the Compass School, just think "Money | | | | advertising.However, if you're looking for |
| Corner" when the teacher says, "Southeast | | | | the fastest possible route to success with |
| corner," and think "Career Area" when the | | | | Feng Shui--especially as a professional--Feng |
| teacher says, "North wall."The basic | | | | Shui courses and certification may be a wise |
| principles are the same in almost all | | | | choice.Aisling D'Art has been practicing Feng |
| approaches to Feng Shui. Some people get | | | | Shui--using both Black Hat and Compass |
| locked into "this is the only true path" | | | | techniques--for over 15 years. She doesn't |
| views, but you don't have to.I tested Compass | | | | offer courses, but provides helpful free |
| School Feng Shui for two years before | | | | information at her website. For more |
| returning to Black Hat Feng Shui. The latter | | | | information about Feng Shui courses and |
| works best for me and for my clients, but | | | | certification, see Feng Shui Certification - |
| some of my friends insist that the Compass | | | | Pros and Cons at Aisling's Feng Shui website, |
| School offers a greater success rate than | | | | Shui To Go! (pronounced "Shway to go! |
| Black Hat.Test everything yourself. Modify | | | | |