Student Success: Linda Huber

1. When did you realize that feng shui was a field you wanted to pursue?

In 1996 I was introduced to Feng Shui at Coles bookstore in Regina Saskatchewan where I found an interesting looking book with a beautiful yellow lily, some Chinese words and the word FENG SHUI on the cover written by Terah Katherine Collins. I had no idea what Feng Shui was so I proceeded to check the back cover write-up about the book. Sounded interesting. Then to the dedication page "To our homes and workplaces. May they be our Personal Paradises." I was sold!

I bought the book, went home, devoured it and proceed to make changes within our home in accord with the Bagua map. I have always been interested in setting up a home that we loved and enjoyed. We always purchased items and pictures that we loved rather than things that matched. I was very intrigued with the ability of the Bagua map to make a diagnosis of a space. It gives a space an order and meaning.

At that time we did not have access to the Internet that we have today so I had to rely on books to get further Feng Shui knowledge. Whenever we went to a new city you could find me at bookstores trying to find books on Feng Shui. I now own quite a collection of Feng Shui books.

2. Have you always been interested in art and design? If not, what is your educational background originally in?

My career was in Early Childhood Education. I taught school for 30 years - 24 of the 30 in Kindergarten classes. As well as using Feng Shui for my home I always set my classroom up according to the Bagua map. The classroom space always felt very welcoming, vibrant and had a good flow. The children thrived.

3. When did you enroll at NYIAD?

My two boys grew up with their Mother doing Feng Shui, so it was only natural for them to ask me to help them set up their offices when that time came in their lives. In both cases there were very favorable responses to their spaces and requests from colleagues to ask their Mother if she would help them set up their spaces too. At that point I decided that if I was going to help others with Feng Shui I wanted to get some credibility.

That was when I found NYIAD (at that time known as Sheffield School). In 2012 I enrolled in the NYIAD Feng Shui class. I was very happy to see that one of the course textbooks was by Terah Katherine Collins. Hers was the first book that got me hooked on Feng Shui. I really enjoyed the course work and felt it gave me a good grounding in Feng Shui. The course assignments were relevant, fun to do and gave me a creative outlet that I really enjoyed. My mentor was very helpful and always gave me excellent suggestions and inspiration when she sent me my webcam evaluations.

4. After graduation, how did you use this knowledge to help you with a real world career?

After graduating from NYIAD, I decided to pursue Feng Shui further and enrolled in the Certified Feng Shui Professional Program with James Jay in Seattle. From here I named my business, got business cards and set up a website. I then joined the International Feng Shui Guild and wrote and passed the Red Ribbon Professional exams. From my website I quickly got a request to teach Feng Shui classes. I arranged for my first Feng Shui class to be held at our local library with eight students enrolled. I have since taught many FS classes and have done many consultations.

My main focus on my classes are to have my students get a good foundation on Feng Shui. The design work that I do includes teaching classes ( I have 3 PowerPoint classes that I teach - 2 on Foundational Feng Shui and one on Feng Shui for the Bedroom), home consultations in person and long distance, Space Clearing and Garden Feng Shui. I took Denise Linn's Elemental Space clearing certificate program which adds to the home consultations that I do for clients. I am right now taking Doreen Virtue and Judith Lukomski's Crystal Healing course and Andrea Butje Lavendar Aromatherapy class. I am planning on taking a Clutter Clearing class from Karen Kingston in the near future.

5. Tell us about the feng shui design work you do.

I practice Feng Shui on a part time basis. My website has been helpful and I plan on starting a Feng Shui blog.

6. If you had to pick one, what was the most memorable project you’ve ever completed?

Feng Shui has become a passion. I love to talk to people about the importance of their spaces (homes and work places) and the tremendous effects these spaces have on their wellbeing and how the knowledge of Feng Shui can help to achieve optimal wellbeing. It is very satisfying when students and clients see the relevance of using Feng Shui in their life and how simple changes have big effects. I really cannot pick a project that was the most memorable to me as they all have been memorable because each person and space are very unique and interesting.

7. If you could give one piece of advice to our current and prospective students, what would it be?

Just after I had written my International Feng Shui Guild exams I was at an Art Show in Palm Springs. I was talking to an owner of an Art Gallery in Santa Fe. He asked me what I did for a living. I told him I was a retired Kindergarten teacher, and now a Feng Shui consultant. He said “the world has need of you.” I believe this to be true. The world needs our Feng Shui knowledge to help get our spaces cleaned up and in good living order so we can live and thrive.