HEALING CANCER JOURNEY THROUGH THE ARTS PRESENTATIONSPIRIT GARDEN – SCROLL DOWN for Exhibit Information and to See Pictures.(GO TO Portfolio Page for More Information on each Item. )WATCH ZOOM SESSION recorded at the Healing Cancer Through Art presentation at Wen Wu School in El Cerrito, California on April 30, 2022. Video Link In this exhibit you will see pieces describing my cancer healing journey. It has been an intense, difficult, life changing path and my Spirit Garden has been my sanctuary and source of refuge. The past 18 months going through active Cancer treatments, my life changed 360 degrees as I managed and survived all the traumatic side effects. For years I had a daily healing practice of yoga, qigong, swimming and teaching in my Spirit Garden. My garden is adorned with ceramic sculptures. Working in Ceramics has been my mode of expression, and became necessary therapy to counteract the neuropathy in my hands from chemo treatments. I thought I was living a healthy balanced life. Mostly vegetarian, health conscious of what I ate and didn’t eat, resolving health issues with supplements and monthly acupuncture. I avoided doctors, medicines and thrived on holistic, natural cures, and Traditional Chinese Medicine. I knew that if I ever got really sick, I would choose alternative treatments.During the pandemic, my husband discovered a lump in my breast. My Kaiser doctor confirmed it: I had breast cancer. I cried for weeks, I was in shock. I immediately investigated all the alternative treatments and facilities available in America from Mexico to Canada. I signed up for Hope4Cancer in Mexico. My surgeon and oncologist warned me my cancer was very aggressive, fast growing, no time for alternative solutions. Desperate I sought out a second opinion from a doctor who was open to alternative complementary approaches. His first name as Akshiv, which in Hebrew means I will listen. I did listen and regretfully changed my course of treatment to conventional medicine. I wanted to LIVE for my children and young grandchildren. My husband became my rock of salvation, supporting me on every level and beyond. Along with traditional medicine, I formed a Complementary Healing Team, headed by my most trusted acupuncturist, Dr Erlene Chiang, with guidance from the Pine Street Clinic. My team included verbal therapy, massage therapy, physical therapy, Energy Healing as well as nutritional guidance. Swimming daily in my heated pool, practicing and teaching Aqua Qigong, was my favorite therapy for relief from physical and emotional symptoms. My greatest salvation was and still is through meditation and daily healing practices in my Spirit Garden. I was born the year of the Water Dragon, who is strong, powerful, wise and transformative, transforming negativity energy into positive. My Spirit Garden is home to my 5 Element Dragon Fountain, where water flows freely balancing, cleansing and nourishing body mind and spirit. My Five Element Dragon Totem offers me balance and support.I wanted a Spirit Guide to watch over me. I created the largest sculpture I could fit in my kiln, 8 sections, total 6 feet long. This dragon is lit at night, protecting me every hour. Six months before discovering my cancer, my husband underwent quadruple heart surgery bypass. I am so grateful he survived in flying colors. A vegan diet was suggested, and in researching it, I found a Five Headed Dragon, which influenced my creation of the Five Headed Dragon Disease sculpture. It is a reminder of what happens when we are only in our head and not connected to our body. All the pieces in this exhibit describe aspects of my healing journey. My art and practice of healing arts are totally interconnected. The sculptures range from balanced dragon, to Five Headed dragon, mountain Sheep going on healing journey, Riding the Chemo Waves, Surviving the Fires of chemo and radiation, to Surviving and Thriving. Included are the 7 Goddesses surrounding my pool, with messages for healing and well-being. In daily practices I receive their strength while treading through warm waters. My daily practice of Wild Goose Qigong keeps lifting my spirit while strengthening body mind and immune system. Ceramic geese and birds adorn my garden, inviting other birds to visit. Continuing to teach Qigong and Aqua Qigong has been a God Sent. As I get stronger my students reap the benefits of the lessons I have learned on this healing journey. Daily yoga practice strengthens my body while calming my mind. Ceramic yoga poses reflect the love, support and stability I have received from my husband. Integrity, is my bronzed trophy for surviving and thriving through cancer treatments. I do have battle scars and side effects, but I am now cancer free. I am filled with gratitude for being alive and for all the love and support I have received from family, friends, students, colleagues, medical care and complementary treatments. Thank you for listening and hope you enjoy this exhibit of my healing journey. Watch Zoom Session recorded at the Healing Cancer Through Art presentation at Wen Wu School in El Cerrito, California on April 30, 2022. Video Link