| An Interview with Feng Shui Life |
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What was the original concept for this program? What interested you about Feng Shui to do a TV program about it?
FENG SHUI LIFE (hereafter known as FSL) is the combined result of contributions by Partners; Karyn Klaire and Claude Barnes. Perhaps they are the perfect yin yang analogy. Without each other, FSL cannot exist. Claude has an established and highly recognized name in the Canadian Television Industry. His experience and creative talents make FSL the highly stylized, sophisticated show that it is. Karyn came from a background of design, creative writing and visual merchandizing. She also has a strong comprehension regarding the "working mechanics" of Feng Shui. But more importantly, she has the passion to publicly share its many merits. Karyn discovered Feng Shui in 1995.
FENG SHUI LIFE was conceived, and executed with the sole intention of promoting and profiling Feng Shui and similar related philosophies.
Many people turn to Feng Shui after something major happened in their lives. What is your story? How did you become interested in Feng Shui?
When I was a young woman (early 80's), an Asian friend invited me to her home and she told me she used Feng Shui principles. I stared blankly. A decade later in my Southwest Design Shop (I had a retail store in Toronto's Queen West Art District), a distributor told me Feng Shui had similar beliefs to the Hopi Indian Culture, which I was currently studying.
Then finally, our realtor asked me if I had used Feng Shui to help sell our condo, which was on the market for all of one day!
So, when the door is open, you walk in.
Do you take classes or study under anyone? Which books have you read and will recommend?
At one point I had read almost every Western book available, and was ready to dismiss Feng Shui as a fad. Then I kept hearing coincidental statements, overheard conversations, newspaper articles, and even dreams; that there was a traditional version.
I have never studied anyone's courses, but I have been exposed to Master Larry Sang's and Master Joseph Yu's teachings, through many of their students. My favorite books (so far) have been Master Eva Wong's and I am going to get David Twicken's books.
Who have you had on your show so far?
To this date we have profiled the likes of Master Yu, Master Yap Cheng Hai, Joey Yap, Cate Bramble, Kartar Diamond, Stephen Skinner, Susan Chow and Angi Ma Wong. We have featured many Feng Shui-ed Business such as the Trump International Tower, and Serendipity Film offices. Hotels; the W in L.A, Hempel in London, Holiday Inn in Montreal. Feng Shui-ed Resorts, Restaurants, Cemeteries and Spas. Under related topics we have covered; Reiki, Qi gong and Geopathic Stress.
(Please feel free to view the tv icon on our website for more info.)
Do you go on location for every show? Which of the many buildings/features you have been to that interest you the most (on Feng Shui grounds)?
As a rule, I do not travel. Being the show's producer gives you an overview of the content. The hosting is done in co-operation with the other hosts, but it is my questions that are asked at every profile, and I find the locations, so I have enjoyed each segment from conception to completion. I personally have been drawn to stories that feature Oneness with nature, spiritual contemplation and design forward interiors.
Episode 1 - FSL host Phil Guerrero and Anna Simone, Cecconi Simone taken at Serendipity Point Films, Toronto.
Any interesting experiences which you would like to share?
Interestingly enough, of all the slick television packages that our Production Company has brought to the International Broadcast Buying Market, FSL has been without a doubt, the most queried about television program.
The Feng Shui Life’s production office.
Do you get a lot of letters or e-mail? What are your viewers mostly interested about?
We get about 60-70 thousand hits a month on our website. This is amazing because we are not on any search engines, and we at present time, are only in Canada. All of the comments are praises, and questions are about where to get things.
How big is the production and writing staff?
The FSL team is small, intimate and efficient. The credits read as follows:
Claude Barnes, the Executive Producer
Executive Producer - Claude Barnes
He has the established credentials in the TV Industry.
He is the Director/Oversees the Shooting/Editing and Visual Presentation.
Producer - Karyn Klaire
She has the Feng Shui knowledge, finds the stories, researches, and writes the questions.
Feng Shui Life’s Associate Producer Heidi Holm.
Associate Producer - Heidi Holm
She is the Coordinator and over sees every aspect from beginning to end. Any administrative, communication, budgets, talent scheduling, etc.
HOSTS: FSL has a tag team approach using three dynamic hosts as they link from segment to segment. With Karyn, there are two other Established Canadian Actors. They are presently novice to Feng Shui, but learning everyday.
Feng Shui Life’s Karyn Klaire and Executive Producer, Claude Barnes interviewing Master Joseph Yu at Lake Obabika Lodge, Ontario.
What is the state of FSL now? Which cable at what time?
Season 1 of FSL is on Canada's Fashion Television Channel. This is a specialty digital channel. It airs on repeated rotation throughout the week. Prime times are Thursdays/Saturdays. Every Saturday, a new weekly episode starts.
What are some of the issues you're going to tackle in the second season?
In Season Two, I am trying to get the participants to use more specific Traditional Feng Shui Terminology. I want to have visual graphics that will teach the viewers these names, so when they go forth, for more information, they are educated on what to buy.
Are there any plans to publish Feng Shui Life on the Internet? Any plans to expand Feng Shui Life, perhaps to other countries?
Although we are not currently thinking of publishing FSL on the Internet, we are hard at work finalizing FSL for International Broadcast.
What started on an Exclusive Canadian Network (Fashion Television) has now created much of a worldwide interest. It is presently being translated in Spanish for MGM Latino. Our Distributors have not completed the tally on where we are expected to air, but it certainly will be International.
On a personal note: I'd like to say thank you to everyone who has opened his or her hearts, shared their information and helped me provide our team the inspiration to make great TV.
Claude Barnes taking on both roles of Producer and Cinematographer, standing beside Master Joseph Yu, and Karyn Klaire, FSL Producer / Host, at the Lake Obabika Lodge, Northern Ontario.
What is your personal take on this talk regarding the various schools of Feng Shui?
Karyn's personal take on various schools.
Land Form, that's a given. I strongly support these values. Black Sect/Western, it is the bagua and it's permanent placement that bothers my sense of knowing what else is to be considered. Intuitive, well I have seen some practitioners that have literally blown me away. I may not have this ability, but if the connected energy within everything can communicate, well then these folks certainly may have a point.
Traditional/Classical/Authentic, will the real one please tell me who they are?? Besides in research, I have applied different Master's approaches, to my own home, and I am disappointed to find contradiction. How can I tell the viewers what to watch out for, when I do not know myself? I don't know whom to support, and I do not want to entice any wars. Folks are sensitive, Feng Shui is political, but it should be about harmony.
It is not my place to tell the viewer's which is the right way; all I want to do is create a harmonious, informative, entertaining, "feel good" half hour.
The Cast of Feng Shui Life: Karyn Klaire, Phil Guerrero and Gillian Vanderburgh.
What are your expectations and hopes for the Feng Shui industry?
The Feng Shui industry is at times extremely political, protective and competitive. Knowledge has a price tag. FSL has created a "desire factor", and I would hope the Feng Shui industry realizes that with mass appeal, they benefit, but remember the importance of honesty and integrity.
What kind of support do you hope to get from various Masters and practitioners in order to preach Feng Shui? Basically, what do you need?
So far I have been incredibly pleased with our participants. I have never been declined, but there is occasionally hesitation to share an audit, for sake of privacy. It takes me a while to approach people, usually because of shoot locations. We are self-financed, so trips/profiles are scrutinized under cost effectiveness. I welcome people to approach me; I wear many hats besides the producer of FSL, so story submissions help free my time.
I would like to know the workings of all formulas, for sake of understanding. I would like to be fed YOUR WORDS, so I may say them properly and without criticism. I want to earn the respect from the people I wish to support.
Even though I acknowledge that the majority of public information and education of Feng Shui is through a pyramidal nature, (meaning the recognized Masters are supported by their students, and the premise of their knowledge is guarded, it is after all their monetary benefit for such knowledge). I also recognize many scholars who support FS principles, and through my research, I have found hundreds who classify themselves as Masters Practitioners, even though they do not have a school behind them. I have valued their answers and input.
A television broadcast cannot educate thousands, but it can encourage them to seek out whom they will ultimately learn from. By teaching me, the written voice behind FSL, Authentic Practitioners benefit, because I help to format the viewers' impression.
Any last words for our readers?
I am a journalist first and Feng Shui enthusiast second. I need your vision and information, to combine it with the talents I have. Otherwise, FSL can only be "window dressing". And for that knowledge, I will be grateful, and share in the acceptance that Feng Shui is the Philosophical Fashion of the Deuxlennium.
Feng Shui Life Television is a sophisticated series reporting on the art, design, science and lifestyles of people living by Feng Shui principles. Catch Feng Shui Life on Canada's Fashion Television Channel on Thursdays and Saturdays.
For questions, suggestions and comments, please e-mail Karyn at [email protected] Please visit the official Feng Shui Life web site at www.fengshuilife.tv
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| This article is brought to you by |
![Suan Tew]() |
Suan Tew
Managing Editor for Feng Shui Times. |
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