Underwater Transformation About Face Underwater Transformation About Face

Nou Magazine

Uncategorized
May 12, 2016/by
Happy Thursday! This week has just flown by. It’s been another fantastic week - I’m so happy to share with you all that NOU Magazine, an online cancer magazine for cancer survivors, featured my work! I submitted an essay entitled “Healing Effects of Water – One Cancer Survivor’s Way of Helping Others Heal” and was thrilled when the contacted me to tell me they had chosen it to publish! NOU Magazine is part of the Women Survivors Alliance, and event who’s mission is to establish a network where women affected by cancer can find their voice, improve their quality of life, and embrace their 2nd Acts. They empower, educate, and connect women whose lives have been touched by cancer. Their publication, NOU Magazine, is not just an online magazine or blog, it’s a digital community that gives cancer survivorship a voice - written and spoken - all over the world. It’s a wonderful place that shares motivational stories of female survivors sharing their gifts of life and experience with the world. They want to move people. They want to amuse people. But most of all, they want to motivate. They motivate others to find themselves again after cancer. It was very much a perfect fit to share my story with NOU Magazine. My aim is to help cancer survivors experience the healing effects of water immersion and to encourage survivors to see themselves as beautiful through portraits. I assist them with their own transformation, just as NOU Magazine aims to assist...
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Celebrate Your Expected Bundle of Joy with a Unique Maternity Shoot!

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May 4, 2016/by
I’m blessed to have been able to meet many incredible cancer survivors with my Underwater Healer projects. I love seeing their transformations and hearing how much I’ve made a difference in their healing process. But what you may not know is that my most requested portrait shoot is actually maternity! I love underwater maternity photo shoots! There is something special about seeing the joy, love and excitement on the mother-to-be’s face. A new baby is the most exciting moment in a family’s history, and it be part of the celebration and documentation is an honor. I’m lucky to see firsthand a very special connection being made under the water - a feeling of floating that reflects what the bundle of joy is experiencing within the womb. Maternity client Kris had this to say about her underwater maternity shoot on Yelp: “Erena is great to work with. She captivates chemistry with grace and turns it into art, providing you with great shots of natural movement. Very patient to work with and really down to earth. I've always wanted to be a mermaid as a little girl swimming in my own pool, which is what sparked my interest and thoughts of this underwater maternity photo.  It’s definitely an experience because its not as easy as it looks, Erena is just a great photographer." If you, or someone you know, is expecting a new bundle of joy please consider booking an underwater maternity shoot! Not only is it a very unique experience, but proceeds of the...
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Ready for My Close Up?!

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April 29, 2016/by
It’s been a very busy week! I am thrilled and overwhelmed with all the amazing projects and opportunities that have been coming my way this year. I can’t tell you everything just yet, but I am going to tease you with some details of one upcoming project that has me extra excited! Last week I had an introductory conversation with a lovely European couple on being part of their documentary! They are soon to be documenting stories on cancer survivors and are interested in including my Underwater Healer project and one of the survivors that has had their transformation documented! With one of the filmmakers currently undergoing chemotherapy themselves, it’s an extra personal project that really touches my heart. It’s a very unique project: gathering inspiring cancer survivor stories from different cultures and countries worldwide, and I am so honored to even be having conversations in being included. However my participation might end up with this project (remember - it’s very early!), its moments like these that reminds me how far the project’s awareness has come since it’s launch. Thank you to all of the survivors’ family and friends, and my own supporters, who have championed us all. And don’t forget, I’m still looking for one Asian young adult (age 20-30) cancer survivor for a piece I’m working on with NBC Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa. If this sounds like you, or someone you know who may be interested in participating in an underwater portrait shoot for NBC, please reach out...
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Sign Up Now For an Underwater Transformative Daycation!

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April 20, 2016/by
Join us Saturday, May 14th, in San Jose for a half day dedicated to transforming your body, mind and soul - all while having a fun time - the Underwater Transformative Daycation! I’m excited to be teaming up with a personal trainer, body builder and nutritionist, who will work with you to start a change both inside and out. Then, we’ll rediscover your beauty, heal emotional scars, and improve self-esteem through an underwater photo therapy session. Start the Transformative Daycation at noon with an introduction and then at 12:30 we’ll dive in with a hour body sculpt transformation class. After a break and some healthy snacks, we’ll jump into an emotional transformation with an underwater photography shoot with yours truly! All participants will receive one group shot and one individual portrait. We will then end the day with a nutritional education class for maximum wellness. We then will all enjoy a delicious vegetarian meal with wine together before parting ways. It’s sure to be a fun, engaging and enlightening experience not to be missed! Spots for this Transformational Daycation are extremely limited - only eight slots are available! Sign up now to ensure you participation and lock in the early bird price of $275. Please contact me with any questions. And as an added bonus, proceeds go towards my Underwater Healer About Face Project! No cancer survivor pays for their transformational underwater portrait shoot - attending one of my events or booking a portrait shoot yourself helps support my work. I...
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Announcing The Transformative Daycation!

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March 23, 2016/by
The Empowering Transformative DAYCATION I’m very excited to let you all in on a secret project I’ve been working on! I’m thrilled to share I will be co-hosting a Transformative Daycation with Chelsea Good! Join us for a day dedicated to transforming your body, mind and soul - all while having a fun time! Start the Transformative Daycation with Chelsea, who will lead us in an empowering body sculpt class. Chelsea - a personal trainer, body builder and nutritionist - will work with you to start a change both inside and out. After the body workout we jump into underwater transformation with an underwater healing photography with yours truly! Rediscover your beauty, heal emotional scars, and improve self-esteem through this mini underwater photo therapy session. All participants will receive one group shot and one individual portrait. We will then end the day with a nutritional education class, led by Chelsea, for maximum wellness. It’s sure to be a fun, engaging and enlightening experience not to be missed! Spots for this Transformative Daycation are extremely limited - only eight slots available! Sign up now to ensure your participation and lock in the early bird price of $275. Be sure to stay tuned for more details on this first-of-its-kind event! I look forward to hosting this event and many...
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2016 Hawaii Trip Report

about
February 12, 2016/by
I arrived on the Aloha island and started driving on the familiar road. And of course always with an island vibe, Reggae music! This is my 3rd year coming back to Lumeria, the most beautiful retreat center in Maui. We'll be staying here for 4 days! I remember this guy!! He loves chips too-  He was drooling all over the place! (just like me) Lisa's yoga retreat in Maui is always fun! We always connect our minds and souls. A delicious welcome dinner WITH... MERMAID COCONUT RUM!! Lisa's mom was my awesome roommate! Thank you, Lynette! Food was delicious as always! We had a great underwater photo shoot with everyone and I presented a slide show on the projector. Perfect space to hang out, laugh and eat donuts on the sticks!! yes, donuts on the sticks!!! I also got to meet my friend Kimi for a little bit. She is a busy gal! We always have fun underwater! Beautiful beaches... After Maui, I flew to Oahu by myself. I met my friend Amber at Coffee Gallery. Amber and George are engaged! Congratulations!! See you in July! I went to visit her work in Turtle Bay. She hooked me up with a delicious meal!! And a beautiful sunset! She called it, FIRE BALL. Instead of scuba diving, I did snorkeling tour to see dolphins.  We saw whales! Aaaaaand dolphins! I saw them underwater but not that close... Turtles are always beautiful. and sloooooooow I was also exploring on land. I went on a gorgeous hike, walking in between the beautiful mountains and the ocean. I loved it! Wiiiiii- (not me up...
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Valentine’s Day Special – How Deep Is Your Love?

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February 3, 2016/by
It’s been a crazy start to 2016.  January was a rollercoaster of laughter, sadness and accolades - just like life.  What will February bring? In honor of what I expect to be wonderful month, and because I love Love, I am announcing a Valentine’s Day promotion! Saturday, February 13th in San Jose, CA, I'm offering a mini package for $250 (that's almost 50% off the full package)!  Show that special someone how deep your love is by diving in with them for an underwater portrait shoot.  It’s perfect for Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, engagement shoots or simply just because.  So if you’ve been unsure what to get that special someone this is a perfect last minute option. But act fast, there are four spots available! Also, as an added bonus, a portion of the money will go towards funding three San Diego survivors underwater shoots in March. So not only are your sharing your love with a special someone but also spreading the love.  What a better way to spend Valentine’s Weekend than accomplishing those two things? If you, or anyone you may know, is interested, please contact me for booking.  And don’t forget, if February 13th doesn’t fit into your schedule, I am open for bookings other dates.  Please reach out and I am happy to work with your...
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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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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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Underwater Healer Now Listed on Helpsy!

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December 30, 2015/by
Over the past three years, I’ve been blessed to have been able to influence so many cancer survivors’ lives. I am thankful that my talents are used to help others transform from pain to joy. Because of this, I am excited to say that I have a new outlet to reach cancer survivors and help make a difference!   Introducing Helpsy - a solution for cancer patients to assist them in finding the best solution for their health needs. Still in beta mode, Helpsy is part of UCSF’s Lean Launchpad program and Stanford’s Entrepreneurship Program. Patients use their online service to help determine the most effective therapies, then help guide them through all health systems and care options in their area. They not only connect patients with care providers, but also with other patients to help them build additional supportive relationships. I’m happy to announce that I am one of their first therapy practitioners! As a visual therapist on Helpsy, I am able to share my Underwater Healer project with a very large network of patients in need in the Bay Area. As you can see in my provider profile, it shares my background and experience, education, and lets patients book a session with me online. Convenient and informational all in one. It’s very exciting to be part of a new project that was founded to make a profound difference in people’s lives and wellbeing. I encourage all of you to check out Helpsy, especially if you have health needs and are...
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