Underwater Healer About Face Underwater Healer About Face

San Diego Trip Report with Liz Carmouche!

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
April 14, 2019/by
Leaving San Francisco was such a hectic experience! I was really stressed out but when I woke up to this beautiful morning, I inhaled and exhaled deeply with my eyes closed. I could forget all the negative thoughts and restored fresh mind. It's so dreamy and surreal. I started assembling my new Ikelite gear. This is my first time using their new housing and I find that it's simpler than the older version. I'm liking it! I met Liz! She is already comfortable being underwater because she plays in the UTL (Underwater Torpedo League), so I wasn't worry about anything! She can stay solid underwater. Her body is like a weight! (100% muscle) Communication is important during the photo shoot. THANK YOU Liz and her son for making time to meet me and do underwater transformative photography! They were so amazing underwater. Please read her story and beautiful images from here. BIG THANK YOU to Michael Timm, a free dive/scuba instructor from SD who helped me capture behind the scenes. I treated myself with an amazing lunch after the photo shoot! The sushi chef was Japanese and highly recommended me to go to Sea World... (ah...no thanks...) My Airbnb host was friendly and sweet. She was also backing 400 cup cakes for her grand kid's school event!!! ...yes, 400!! The place has a pool and Jacuzzi!! Gotta come back here in Summer! After I left the house, I decided to do Falconry for the first time. I actually didn't know that this sport is 4000 years old!! They were so beautiful. ...
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San Francisco Underwater Rugby Team

uw portrait
December 13, 2018/by
San Francisco Underwater Rugby Team Underwater Rugby was started in 1961, with a member of the German Underwater Club (DUC) in Cologne, Ludwig von Bersuda, came up with the idea of an underwater ball game. I've never seen this wild 3D sport with salt water filled ball, tossing and grabbing underwater! I met one of the female captains, Jacqui on the day of the photo shoot and she explained to me briefly what it's all about. Two teams each with six players (plus six substitutes), try to score a goal by sending the ball into the opponents’ goal. Players are allowed to touch (pull, push = wrestling!) the person with a ball but as soon as the person leases it, everybody has to let the person go. It happens so fast underwater. It's incredible to see their movements, team works and stamina!! Erena: How did you get involved in this sport? Jacqui: I started back in 2008, in Sydney, Australia. A colleague asked if I wanted to go to a Beginner's Night for some crazy sport he'd heard of after work. I almost said no! But I didn't have other plans that Wednesday so I went along. Twenty people showed up, and I don't think they were quite prepared for it, so it was all a bit chaotic. As soon as we started playing and passing the ball around underwater, I was totally hooked. I've played every since. E: How do you feel physically and emotionally when you are underwater compare to being on land? J: Being underwater can...
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Huntington Beach Trip for PADI, Dive Warriors, Jared and Xoe

Travel, Uncategorized, Underwater Healer About Face
December 13, 2018/by
It seems like I travel back to the same place twice this year. I was in Grand Cayman twice and Huntington Beach next!! I love traveling to see same people to catch up and build a tighter relationship. Back in September, I was in Huntington Beach to meet a veteran, Jared from Dive Warriors and an accident survivor Xoe to do underwater transformative photo shoot. Also I was happy that PADI asked to contribute a dive trip report with veterans for their blog page. As soon as I arrived to Huntington Beach, I wanted to jump in the ocean. The weather was gorgeous and made me feel at home. So beautiful. I drove to L.A. to see my busy friend, Carlos! It's been awhile. He has been making amazing movies and his work always blows me away. So inspiring. You need a break! Stop working!!! I went back to my AirBnB in Huntington Beach and I saw my host, Don cleaning the pool! This is my second time coming back to his place!! He is super supportive for my campaign. He took care of his pool back in April for 3 breast cancer survivors. I really appreciate how generous and humble he is. I've never met any host like him!! He is always smiling too! (and his hair is awesome) His beautiful kitty and a pup :) Guarding the pool. I went to visit my boyfriend's aunt and uncle who live near by. They fed me Impossible burger!! Thank you Laurie and Ben!! The next day,...
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A tattoo magazine, Inked!!

art show, Underwater Healer About Face
October 10, 2018/by
"Meet the woman who has pioneered a transformative therapy practice and empowers people with underwater portraits as they struggle through their physical and mental turmoil." – Inked I'm happy to announce that my work was published on Inked, a tattoo magazine November issue!! It was an emotional reminder to share my story. I also talked a little bit about my inks in the article :) It means a lot if you guys read it. Please go grab your copy...
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Talks at Cayman Island Cancer Society’s Annual Event!

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face
September 27, 2018/by
After the first trip to Grand Cayman scuba trip in April, I went back to the island two months later to give a talk! I think it was 92F in April so... it's cooler in June... Cayman Island Cancer Society invited me to their annual dinner event in June. I had an opportunity to share my project in front of 250 people and I was thrilled to talk in front of survivors. When I arrived, the operation manager, Jennifer picked me up from the airport. After I dropped my stuff off, we went to meet Dr. Perre who is representing the sponsor for the event. Then we all went to the radio station, Radio Cayman to talk! It's starting soon!!! Introduction from the host... Jennifer starting to mention what's going on for the dinner event... Dr. Perre answering questions about cancer... I also spoke (couldn't take my own photo!) and shared my project! Thank you so much for the opportunity! Then went to have dinner by observation tower... Beautiful mosaic art in the stairway. You feel like you are underwater ~ Then it started raining... Chickens and iguanas are everywhere... The next day is the big day! I practiced a lot for this speech!! They had a army theme... We are ready! One of the cancer survivors I've worked with! Dr. Perre giving me advice!! Let's go! People are coming in!! My talk! You can watch the talk from this link! Next day, I did a photo shoot all day at this pool! The owner had these puppies... Adorable... Lymphoma cancer survivor, Ava. Please see her beautiful images from...
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Interview with Mr. Bing, 78 year old scuba diver!

Travel
June 3, 2018/by
I met Bing during my Grand Cayman trip in April, 2018. He was my dive buddy! He inspired everybody with his character and a fancy wetsuit. I wish I had more time to hang out with him! I decided to interview him when I got home. "My name is Bing, I was born in Washington DC. I'll be 78 this June 12th. I live in Boulder Colorado I've been here for 54 years. Growing up I always felt a connection to water oceans, creeks, lakes, rivers and swamps . My cousin skin dove and I would try be like him. I was in the navy when I got out and got married. We moved to Colorado. We often would hike to high country lakes. To recover from the city. When she passed I took up many diversions. At the age of 73 I decided To get back to the ocean by Scuba diving. All the month of Aug will be in Indonesia I'd say that is my dream trip for now. While enveloped by the sea Sea creatures and me all together. Weightlessly suspended Suspended above corals Living communities so ancient Sandy plaines, walls dropping off into the deep blue. I have mastered flight Then look into a dark crevice. Do I dare to enter? With my best Buddy we shall see who lives there." Love your toe nails!!! You have 20 year old young skin!! Thank you, Bing! You made everybody smile on the boat. You are my best buddy. I'm sure we see each other...
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Grand Cayman Scuba Trip Report

Travel
May 28, 2018/by
Grand Cayman trip was for my birthday in April. I decided to treat myself with 8 days of scuba diving in a beautiful blue water! When I jump in the water, I instantly forget all the worries and negative thoughts. It takes few days sometimes but the ocean is allowing me to let go. I get anxious when I wait on the surface! I look down to peek what's down there and  hear the ocean. Usually, I'll see somebody already in the bottom!! Can't wait descend! My dive buddy, Bing is ready to go! We descend together... We stick together... Follow the bubbles... We go deep in the ocean... You'll be in the middle of the deep blue sea... You see beautiful corals... So much colors More corals with my buddy, Bing!    Coral farts too... Marine animals... I found a lazy fish here... Nurse shark with a fish hook :( She followed us for long time. May be she needed help...   Kittiwake Shipwreck! I always feel sad coming up to the surface... I love the underwater world. This is something you won't experience on land and I can't wait to go back down there again. Thank you so much Reef Divers from Cobalt Coast...
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