Why Does Your Home Feel “Off”? 5 Simple Vastu Laws That Can Help
By Monica B Groover
Contributor-Nandini Mahindra
Being intuitive, I can always tell if a room has bad juju or a welcoming energy. I did not know what it meant till my father and first Guru introduced me to the concpet of homes and spaces having sentient energy?
Then, I met Nandini Mohindra who is my godsister and my modern and technical Vastu (Indian version of Feng Shui) teacher from the UK. So, I have been on a journey of learning Vastu along with my husband Atul Krishna. We have been scouring ancient texts, Sanskrit texts, to get to the bottom of the science and mysticism, and the energetic balance of a space for years.
As I started working with clients, I have discovered most women have an innate sense of energy in a space, quite naturally. For example, if you have ever walked into a big, bright temple or church and felt instantly lifted, that's your inner world finding balance in the vastu of that space.
Orm sat in a small, windowless office and felt your energy drain away? Most of us brush these feelings off. But according to Vastu, India’s ancient science of space and architecture, those feelings are real, and they have a cause.
Vastu is often called the Indian cousin of Feng Shui. It isn’t about decorating. It’s about how the shape, direction and layout of a space affect the people living in it. In Vastu, your home is not just bricks and walls. It is a living thing, with energy flowing through it, almost like a body. When that flow is blocked or out of balance, you feel it, even if you can’t explain why.
I learned Vastu from my father, online research and my godsister, Nandini Mohindra who is a well known vastu consultant in the UK, and this post shares five of the core laws she taught me, in the simplest way I can.
1. Energy Flows Like a River
In Vastu, energy is not something that sits still. It moves, like a river. On Earth, this life energy is said to flow in two main directions: from north to south, and from east to west.
That makes the northeast corner the “source,” where energy enters. The southwest corner is the “sink,” where it settles. When this natural flow from northeast to southwest is blocked, for example by clutter, walls or heavy furniture in the wrong place, the people living there may feel tired, stuck or low on prana (life force).
2. Rooms Have Rhythm, Like Music
Just as music sounds pleasant when notes are in tune, Vastu teaches that rooms feel pleasant when their length and width are in simple, balanced proportions.
For example, a room that is 12 feet by 18 feet has a 2:3 ratio, a “harmonious” shape. Ratios like 1:2, 2:3 and 3:4 are considered good, and in this tradition 4:6 and 4:7 are especially favored. When a room’s shape is awkward or uneven, it’s said to create a kind of “silent noise” that your nervous system keeps reacting to, which can leave you feeling drained without knowing why.
3. North and East Are Your Strong Zones
Not every part of your home carries the same energy. The north and east sides are considered strong and life-giving. The south and west sides are weaker and can drain energy.
Here’s how to use that:
North and East are the Strong Zones in Vastu Doors and windows: Place them on the north and east sides when possible, so positive energy can come in.
Roads leading to your home: A road pointing toward your house is fine if it meets the north or east side. If it meets the south or west side, it’s said to “leak” energy.
Dead ends: A road that ends or turns sharply right in front of your house is considered unfavorable, because it interrupts the flow of energy.
Door direction: Doors work best when lined up with the north–south or east–west directions.
Doors and windows facing each other: Feng Shui often warns against this, but Vastu sees it as good, because it lets energy flow straight through instead of getting stuck.
Diagonal flow: Energy moving on a diagonal, such as from northwest to southeast, is considered out of tune and best avoided.
4. Your Home Sits on an Invisible Grid
Vastu teaches that empty space is never truly empty. Any room or plot can be divided into an invisible grid of 81 squares (9 by 9), arranged in rings from the outside in.
The outer rings relate to the physical, material world. The very center, called the Brahmasthan, is the most sacred spot. It’s where spiritual energy is said to enter the home. That’s why Vastu recommends keeping the center of your home open and uncluttered.
5. Fine-Tune Your Space with Water, Weight and Open Space
Remember: the northeast is where energy comes in, and the southwest is where it settles. You can strengthen that natural flow with three simple tools:
Water (adds energy): A water bowl, fountain or mirror in the north or east helps “open the door” to fresh energy.
Weight (grounds energy): Heavy furniture, like bookshelves or a bed, in the south or west keeps energy stable and stops it from leaking out.
Open space (raises energy): Keeping an area open and spacious increases its energy.
The simple rule: keep the northeast light, open and clean, and keep the southwest heavy and solid.
Try This Today
You don’t need to remodel your home to feel a difference. Start small:
Find the northeast corner of the room you use most.
Clear away any clutter and move heavy items out of that corner.
Place a small bowl of fresh water there.
Keep the center of the room as open as you can.
Then notice how the room feels over the next few days. Many people find the space feels lighter and calmer.
The Bigger Picture
At its heart, Vastu is about harmony between your home, nature and spirit. When your space follows these natural laws, it stops being just a place to live and becomes a place that supports your health, peace of mind and growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vastu? Vastu is an ancient Indian system of architecture and design that explains how the direction, shape and layout of a space affect the energy and well-being of the people in it.
Is Vastu the same as Feng Shui? They are similar, but not the same. One example: Feng Shui discourages doors and windows directly across from each other, while Vastu considers this positive.
Can I use Vastu in a rented apartment? Yes. Simple changes like clearing the northeast, moving heavy furniture to the southwest and keeping the center open need no renovation. If you want to consult me for clearing your homes energy in Florida or anywhere in USA via zoom, please DM me on instagram. https://www.instagram.com/narayana.ayurveda/
If you live in the UK, please contact my teacher- Nandini-https://vastusolutions.co.uk/
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