Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Talks@Google

about, Underwater Healer About Face
March 6, 2019/by
Talks@Google It was an incredible experience to be at Google speaking for Talks@Google and share my passion and stories to Googlers! Super nervous face... Youtube video is up online and on Google website! I hope you are curious about the underwater world! Please contact me to find out more and sign up for your portrait session. A portion of the session feel will go towards underwater transformative photography project. Underwater portrait photography has psychological benefits for cancer survivors, domestic violence survivors, people with PTSD, and physical disabilities. Everybody deserves to experience a life-changing underwater transformation and feel...
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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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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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NiNi – Cerebral Palsy

about, Uncategorized, Underwater Healer About Face, uw portrait
May 6, 2018/by
I met NiNi, one of the cerebral palsy clients from Pomeroy Recreation and Rehabilitation Center. Nini is 38 years old and was born in Rangoon, Burma. She has Cerebral Palsy. It caused during her birth. The doctor couldn't get to the hospital in time, NiNi was suffocating and her body was blue when she came out. In Burma, the doctor didn't take good responsibility back then, no operation, no oxygen equipment and the doctor left the room as soon as he heard NiNi cried. The doctor didn't show up for 3 days after the birth and didn't know that Nini was unconscious for 5 days. When she was one year old, they learned that she had Cerebral Palsy because she couldn't stand, walk and talk. She could stand better when she was 7, but she falls a lot untill this age. The family moved to America in 1989. NiNi joined movement therapy class before she started her school in America. Also they learned that swimming is very good for her balance. Her waist is very weak so walking in the water is the best exercise for her balance. She has been swimming since 1991 and she loves it so much. She wanted to be involved in the Underwater Transformative Photography Project because she likes to challenge and learn new things. Nini waits until the pool clears. She couldn't wait to jump in the water! Mother and daughter :) "I was  so excited in the beginning and it was a little scary. Water felt...
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Spinal cord injury survivors’ underwater transformation on Abilities.com

about, Uncategorized, Underwater Healer About Face
April 7, 2018/by
“No water, no life. ? No blue, no green.” – Sylvia Earle Abilities.com Abilities connects the disability community to live and online resources that promote greater independence. Underwater therapy combines total immersion with portrait photography to reinvigorate the body and elevate attitudes. Please read the article...
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Los Angeles 2017

Travel, Underwater Healer About Face
July 28, 2017/by
Let's go to Los Angeles!! It's been awhile- WooHoo- I love traveling! First stop, Wolf Mountain Sanctuary! One of my bucket list to see beautiful wolves! Hmm...The sign needs to upgrade... It was SO hot out (more than 100F). Wolf said, "Human time..(sigh) my early shift begins with these two...(sigh)" "HEY, heeey human, where are my carrots!!??" I brought carrots (organic!) for them but I was not allowed to feed them at that time :( "HEY human, got it, got it! I'll pose...where are my carrots?" The guide repeatedly told us they are not dogs. But you know....I want one!!! His big face didn't fit for selfie- "Carrots?" There was one more human friendly wolf. She is 15 years old, an oldest wolf at the sanctuary. "Oh hey, human:)" She was a friendly grandma. Just like this! I was so happy to meet 11 wolves. They were rescued from hunting in Alaska and from abusive owners. We found a cafe 247 for lunch. Home made Chiiiips! As soon as I got to the Airbnb, I had to jump in the water to rejuvenate! Next stop, Natural History Museum! Next stop, Anime Expo!!!! Check out the VIZ Media Blog! SO MANY people! I heard it was twice much bigger than last year! At the Food Wars panel, the creator, Yūto Tsukuda had to challenge some American snacks: Spicy Cheetos! It was a huge surprise for me when they played a manga trailer I worked on!!! I got super emotional seeing and hearing fans' reactions. The creator loved it, that means a lot! Thank you so much!...
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Medical conference 2017

about, art show, Underwater Healer About Face
June 3, 2017/by
It was one of my dreams to be part of medical/health field. My work was displayed at a medical conference!! They look gorgeous!! Thank you for your continuous support! ガン関連のメディカルコンフェレンスで 私の作品とバックストーリーがギャラリーに飾られました！3年連続での サポートありがとうございます?！！ Please read a story of a breast cancer survivor, JoAnn. Please read a story of a stomach cancer survivor, Steve, a breast cancer survivor Kim and a testicular cancer survivor Scott Please read a story of a thyroid cancer survivor Pauline and a brain cancer survivor...
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What does WATER mean to you?

about, Underwater Healer About Face
June 2, 2017/by
A fashion model/free diver, David Langlois says, "Freedom. Being in the water make me think more about the present." An underwater Model, Linnea Snyderman says, "Being underwater is home. It is where I feel at peace and no worries from the outside world can penetrate." A model/free diver, Everlayn Borges says, "Water is the essence of infinite LIFE in every sense of the word." A competitive pro free diver, Ashleigh Baird says, "Water is pure joy. When I'm free diving it offers a way to quiet my mind and look deep within and listen to my body. It's a meditative experience, and nothing else does that for...
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Academy of Art University

Underwater Healer About Face
March 17, 2017/by
Back in 2001, I graduated from Academy of Art University as a New Media major. And few month ago I was interviewed by the editor from AAU and it was published! I was so happy to see the article! The article is online now! Please check it out! "Ever since she was a little girl, Erena Shimoda fantasized about being a mermaid and calling the ocean her home. As an adult, she felt like her childhood dream had almost come true the first time she went scuba diving during a trip to Honduras 14 years ago. "  - See more at:...
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