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How We Can Heal Maui Yoga Retreat 2016 Recap

Travel
January 27, 2016/by
I can’t believe the How We Can Heal Maui Yoga Retreat has come and gone!  I had an amazing time of relaxation and meditation with a wonderful group of people.  We laughed so much this past week - we all have amazing memories that we have taken home.  In fact, we had so much fun we forgot to take yoga pictures!  But have no fear, we did take underwater portraits!  You saw a few sneak peeks earlier this week on Facebook (see below!), stay tuned for more! I wanted to share feedback I received from two of the retreat participants.  It warms my heart to hear I have made a difference in someone’s life and also confirms I am on the right path with my work.  Feedback is critical and I am so thankful for their kind words! First is Participant A, who had a strong fear of water. Notice, I said had! :) “I was very apprehensive about the underwater photography session because I've always had a very strong fear of having my head under water. Erena has a wonderful gentle, beautiful spirit that touched me and helped me want to try to face and overcome my fear. I've come back to the yoga retreat for 3 years--and getting to work with Erena to face my fear was a major part of why I wanted to keep coming to Lumeria.  I Just finished my third year and I had so much fun in the water-- and more importantly, I feel so...
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Ikelite’s Newest Ambassador!

about
January 21, 2016/by
Aloha from Maui!  I’m currently at the How We Can Heal Yoga Retreat at the  at the Lumeria Retreat Center!  We are very much enjoying our time here - finding much needed rest and relaxation at Lisa Danylchuk’s annual yoga retreat.  I can’t wait to share with you next week all the details! This week I am excited to announce I have been named an Ikelite Ambassador!  Their Ambassador program specifically highlights Ikelite users with unique perspectives, and especially those who are out there inspiring, teaching, and/or using their photos to promote conservation efforts.  As you can see by the photo below, I am an Ikelite consumer and am excited they have recognized Underwater Healer’s story as one to highlight.  They have some wonderful photographers in the Ambassador program and I am honored to be included with them.     What is Ikelite? Ikelite is an awesome US based company that makes equipment that is very valuable and needed by underwater photographers.  From underwater strobes, to diving compasses, underwater dive lights and more.  They not only make great products but also care very much about inspiring others. Thank you Ikelite for reaching out and including me - I can’t wait to dive right...
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In Memory of Nancy Hom

about
January 13, 2016/by
It is with a heavy heart that I share Nancy Hom, three time cancer survivor and a donor to my Underwater Healer project for three years, has passed.

  Nancy was a fighter in every sense.  First diagnosed with ovarian cancer at 16, she completed her treatment and chemotherapy while finishing college.  At age 44, she was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins lymphoma, which was caught early on and removed.  This past year, she entered her third fight: stage 4 colon cancer.  Initially diagnosed as inoperable, Nancy proved yet again she was a fighter and completed chemotherapy and underwent an operation.  I know of no one else who has show such courage, strength and beauty.  She was a rare, special soul and I am blessed to have known her and spent time with her.  I saw her two days before she passed away and she told me she dreamed she was directing me on which portion of her underwater shoot to use in my video presentation.  She will be the boss forever - my beautiful mermaid and my sparring boxing partner! Nancy was the most wonderful supporter you could ever ask for.  She supported my work with cancer survivors for three years and shared her story and of my work to many. She even spoke publicly at the San Francisco Apple Store Event in October, 2015 about her experience and transformation.  In her testimonial, she mentioned the peace she found while underwater during our time together.  While I, her family and friends will...
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Sardines

about
January 7, 2016/by
You may find it hard to believe, but I’m an introvert. When I made my 2016 resolution to speak more and do a TED talk one day, it shows how far I’ve come speaking to others and how much further I want to take myself. When I moved to the U.S. from Japan in 1989, the language barrier created enormous anxiety.  Words frightened me.  I excelled at sports and math (except word problems!) but English classes instilled so much fear in me that I started talking less and less.  Eventually I turned into a shy child, unlike my former self in Japan. But, at age 40, I decided it was time to turn that around.  While I am comfortable behind the camera and interacting with clients one on one, I decided to transform that shy child into a bonafide public speaker.  Thanks to Underwater Transformation, I’ve been lucky to have been interviewed by many media outlets all over the world.  Trust me, it’s isn’t easy.  Every time I speak, my stomach feels like I have those little sardines you see swimming in swarms at the aquarium in it (you may call them butterflies, but as a child of water they are fish to me!).  Just last month I was interviewed by Helpsy, and even with all the interviews I have done, I still got nervous. I sometimes find myself asking the interviewers to send their questions via email.  It not only gives me more time to answer the questions, but it helps...
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