Welcome to this month’s Holistic Practitioner Interview with Esmeralda Salinas, Modern Feng Shui Expert!
WHO are you? Hello! I’m Esmeralda, and I’m a modern feng shui expert. Wow! I never thought I would be saying that, but it’s true! Aside from that, I’m a helper. I love helping people and animals especially when it comes to energy! I also enjoy grounding myself in nature every so often through camping, hiking, and sitting by the water.
I believe in the beauty of all things and that we all can create our own realities and our own luck.
WHAT is your profession/holistic healing method? My holistic healing method is primarily through feng shui. However, as I’ve practiced over the last few years, and as I’ve moved through different losses over the past year and a half, I’ve moved to a four-pronged wellness model that encompasses mind, body, spirit, and of course SPACE! I’m an herbalist (currently working on becoming a clinical herbalist) and clients will see me suggesting herbal teas, essential oils, crystals, and flower essences to work with as well.
I also have found that a spiritual practice is so important to how fulfilling we view our lives to be.
And the mind bit is often seen in practices that I give clients to build more connection to self, life, and space. I would also like to plug in here that my practice of feng shui is significantly different from traditional schools of feng shui. My feng shui practice is very much based on form school (which is basically the art of placement), design psychology (science), intention (also being proven by science!), and the power of art! I do not use any compass directions or Chinese astrology in my practice. I actually find this to be much more freeing and the possibilities are so much more expansive!
WHEN did you decide that you wanted to help people in this way? I always tell the story of my “awakening” when I talk about how I got started on this path, so here goes! I was on my way home from work and sitting in traffic (Houston traffic can be really sucky!). I remember talking to my sister as I was sitting there, and she asked me,
“When was the last time you were happy?” And I started bawling!
Because I hadn’t thought about it. I had just been going through the motions and not loving anything about my life. I was so stressed, anxious, and depressed that I went to see my doctor. You know what he told me? He said, “Well, you got two options – either we put you on medication or you quit your job.” No one wants to know that those are the ONLY options they have! So, I decided to make a change. A few months later, I quit my job, started working at a doggie daycare, moved back home, and started doing some soul-searching and a lot of digging. That’s when I discovered feng shui. It was all down hill from there! And the start of a NEW chapter in my life, too! When I started making those shifts in space, the energy began to shift. Doors started opening. I found myself being happier. And I knew I had to learn more. When others started to see a difference in me, they wanted to know what the heck I was doing. Which leads me to….
WHERE did your learning/training occur? So, I decided to really learn and got my “proper” certification from the Western School of Feng Shui. But since then, I have expanded that knowledge to be what it is today. My biggest mentor, even in the very beginning, was Dana Claudat. I resonated so much with her on a personal level, on an energetic level, and on a feng shui philosophical level. I’m super happy to say that when she actually decided to do her own certification program a few months ago, I jumped on it despite already being certified through a recognized school! I’m also a Red Ribbon Professional with the International Feng Shui Guild. I love them because they embrace ALL schools of feng shui and operate from the idea that what resonates with people and has meaning for them is what will work for them.
So, there is no one right way to approach feng shui. And I love that!
As far as working with me, I do in person for those in the Houston, TX and Victoria, TX areas. But, I also do consultations online which are just as effective via Zoom or Skype! Everyone fills out a questionnaire, too.
HOW does your healing modality help people? Each session is very individual to the person, couple, or family that I’m working with. When I work with someone, they’re usually wanting something out of life – mostly more money and more love. And that’s fine! But, I can’t make any guarantees that you’ll become a millionaire or find the love of your life (although the latter did happen two weeks after I consulted with one client and a year later they’re married!).
But it goes deeper than just mere wants. We look at how connected you are to yourself.
This is so super important! We often neglect self-care and this is so important to helping us stay grounded and centered and coming from a place of love. Because this is where the MAGIC happens! So, a lot of recommendations will come from self-care practices, space clearing rituals (to physically and energetically move the stagnant energy in your space), and getting you back to being in flow with who you are and who you want to become. During the actual consultation, I never dictate to you what to do. It’s very much a conversation and a co-creative experience. I make suggestions based on that conversation. The really cool thing is that I offer every client the opportunity to connect with me for 30 days after their consultation via email or Glide app (so super cool because we can text and send video back and forth). And I think that this is so awesome because you’re not left fending for yourself with a mountain of suggestions to look at and work with.
WHY do you do what you do? My why is simple. I believe in the magic of our space. I believe that everyone should have a space that makes them feel supported, rejuvenated, and inspired. And I want to help as many people as possible create a life they love! It doesn’t have to be hard!
I’m really here to help you to lead a truly holistic, fulfilling life by inspiring you to create magic and bliss every day.
Find Esmeralda here:
Instagram @smplyrefengshui
Read the other Holistic Practitioner Interviews here: The Holistic Practitioner Interviews
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Would you like to be part of this interview series? Email me at karen@karencreamer.com
Karen Creamer
