SOME lonely Americans are eschewing Internet dating and instead putting their faith in feng shui in a bid to find their romantic soul mates.

It is not a common sight yet to see feng shui, the ancient Chinese art of geomancy, advertized as a romance enhancer, but it may not be long before it becomes an accepted part of dating in big cities where singles frequently battle to find love, devoted practitioners say.

People like Los Angeles advertising art director Alicia Schiefer insist that feng shui works to improve one's romantic life.

"It's worth doing it," she said. Using the peach blossom technique in feng shui, she entered into what she says was a very satisfying long-term relationship.

The 44-year-old Schiefer, who went through a difficult divorce, business doldrums and a death in the family, was on the verge of returning to her native Peru to be near relatives, but a judge barred her taking sons out of the country.

The hard times came crashing down as Schiefer hired Janice Sugita, a feng shui consultant and interior designer, to jump-start her business.

Sugita, noticing her client's single status, told Schiefer that romance could be hers with a few easy feng shui techniques.

Feng shui is increasingly becoming accepted in the West as a way of increasing business prosperity and maintaining health, harnessing the universal energy of life, or qi, to create a harmonious environment.

Meanwhile, feng shui tours have been becoming popular in the United States.

"A visit to the Hangzhou temple has moved people to tears," said Johnathan Ng, executive director of Feng Shui Masters. "They feel so great, so very positive."

Editor: Wing