Plan touts foundations of feng shui in Calif.

SACRAMENTO -- The corridors of power can be rancorous territory, but a San Francisco legislator hopes to banish discord -- and infuse the Capitol and beyond with inner bliss -- by employing the ancient Chinese practice of feng shui.

Government buildings are too stuffy and confining and do little to promote good vibes, said Assemblyman Leland Yee, who wants feng shui incorporated into state building codes. It's all about enhancing chi, the balance and flow of energy, Yee said.

"The concept of feng shui is a simple one: to improve your life by improving your relations to the environment around you," said Yee, a psychologist who is of Chinese ancestry. "Feng shui is not so much mysticism and superstition, but more like a lot of common sense."

It may sound new age, but feng shui is an old practice in many Asian cultures, dating back about 5,000 years.

Translated literally, feng shui means "wind" and "water." It has found a following among some architects and interior designers who say that realigning the physical environment -- including walls, windows, doors, and furniture -- influences the flow of energy and ultimately, people's sense of well-being. A misplaced wall, for example, has the potential of blocking positive energy.

"The structure of a building can affect a person's mood, which can influence a person's behavior, which, in turn, can determine the success of a person's personal and professional relationships," states Yee's resolution, which is awaiting a committee hearing.

"The Capitol does not exhibit the best of feng shui," Yee said. "Things are so dark and dingy that you have a hard time feeling good with it."

Noting that few, if any, windows open at the Capitol, Yee added, "When you have stale air, it makes you lethargic."

Steven Post, author of "The Modern Book of Feng Shui," called feng shui "the original environmental impact statement." He said he thinks the assemblyman may be on to something.

Applying feng shui in the design of government buildings could lead to "better judgment, allowing our leaders to feel a sense of peace and a greater level of comfort in the decisions they make," said Post, who has a consulting business in San Francisco and New York. A little more feng shui in Sacramento would be good, he said, but perhaps a better place to start would be the local Department of Motor Vehicles. ("There's a lot I could say about that," he groused.)

But already, some guffaws are being heard through the same Capitol corridors that Yee seeks to lighten up.

"California has more burning issues at hand. Feng shui is not at the top of our concerns," said Assemblyman Kevin McCarthy, the chamber's Republican leader. "This just goes to show there are a lot of crazy things going on in California."

McCarthy likened Yee's proposal to some of the state's more unconventional discussions. During the height of last year's budget talks, the Legislature debated such issues as weaning birds and cross-dressing, McCarthy said. But he acknowledged he lacks a full understanding of feng shui.

"We'd have to redo the entire floor of the Assembly because all of our backs are facing the door," McCarthy said.

The measure has found some supporters, including the powerful American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees. "It couldn't hurt," said Willie Pelote, the group's legislative director. "We know there's a lot of important issues facing this state, but this bill has a good sound to it."

The California Building Standards Commission has not taken a position on the matter, said Stanley Nishimura, the agency's executive director.

"We mostly deal with public safety issues," he said. "Our job is to make sure buildings don't fall down.

"This is something totally new. I understand the concept, but we're not sure what the consequences would be."

Even Yee is not so sure. His measure would not have the force of law and does not detail how feng shui ought to be put in use. To promote better understanding, Yee said, he will bring several feng shui specialists to the capital.

"My intent is not to force it on people," he said, "but rather, to provide the information that is out there."