By Rachel Hodas
“I KNOW GOD WILL NOT GIVE ME ANYTHING I CAN’T HANDLE. I JUST WISH THAT HE DIDN’T TRUST ME SO MUCH.” — Mother Teresa
Right?! Hello, I’m Rachel and a member of the Thrivacious board and community. My connection to cancer is, well… I wish God didn’t trust me so much. Cancer has infected my life for over 15 years. All my immediate family has had cancer, and almost all have died from it. My mom, who has been on chemo for 9 years, is still fighting. I have been a physical, long-distance, and emotional caregiver. I am intimately acquainted with aspects of my parent’s health, treatment, and bodies that no child wants to know. And as an only child (of an only child) it has been a very lonely and exhausting journey.
I may not have physically been ill, but cancer emotionally and mentally tears into the loved ones with equal ferocity. But as a caregiver, we become lost in the shadows. We don’t receive the same support and often deal with emotional abuse. Sometimes we give up our jobs, apartments, lives. We move states or countries. Our identity is changed. Our purpose changes. And if our loved one dies, that anguish and relationship with cancer does not end with their death.
“WHAT YOU DO MAKES A DIFFERENCE, AND YOU HAVE TO DECIDE WHAT KIND OF DIFFERENCE YOU WANT TO MAKE.” — Jane Goodall
I decided I wanted to feel good about what I was doing and I wanted to leave a positive impact on the world, or some aspect of it. In the US, I was a teacher and volunteered with different charities. In Paris, I worked in clean energy and I founded and ran a charity with the mission of creating a community of support for friends and family of cancer patients. And when I moved to Tel Aviv, I found a home for my skills and passion with Thrivacious.
As a caregiver, one of the biggest lessons I learned is how incredibly important it is to take care of myself. I can’t stop this life from being emotionally draining and the physical stress it takes on my body (I hold everything in my back) is considerable; but I do have control over how I treat myself. It is imperative for a person to take care of themselves in order to be able to care for someone else. Love yourself first, then you can love others. Put the airmask on yourself first, then assist the person next to you. To honour the Thrivacious community I wanted to help these fabulous women take a moment to care for themselves.
“IF YOU THINK TAKING CARE OF YOURSELF IS SELFISH, CHANGE YOUR MIND. IF YOU DON’T, YOU’RE SIMPLY DUCKING YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES.” — Ann Richards
28 strong and beautiful women participated in Thrivacious’s first spa day (in conjunction with International Women’s Day). Fighters, survivors, caregivers, and pamperers alike enjoyed this special day to honour the women of Thrivacious. Every woman had a personalised spa schedule; which included sessions in Qigong and Guided Meditation, Spa Treatments, and time in the Chill, Chat, Colour zone (relaxing area with drinks/snacks, conversation and mandalas to colour). The spa treatments offered included technical facials, reflexology, massages, acupuncture and reiki energy treatments by talented women that donated their services. The day was capped with a delicious catered vegan lunch. Relaxation, pampering, new friendships, and bonding with fellow Thrivacious women were the main words of the day. Altogether, a well-deserved day of indulgence and care for the body, mind and soul.
“I LOVE TO SEE A [woman] GO OUT AND GRAB LIFE BY THE LAPELS. LIFE’S A BITCH. YOU’VE GOT TO GO OUT AND KICK ASS.” — Maya Angelou
Keep kicking ass and thriving ladies! You are strong and worthy women; make sure you continue to take care of yourself!
We’d like to extend a big thank you to the amazing sponsors of our event who generously donated their time and services. Because of you, Thrivacious was able to conduct this event for FREE.
If you are able to contribute and would like to help Thrivacious continue to be able to offer events like this, please consider supporting us with a gift today.
Click here to see more photos of the event, provided by the incredible Rebecca Sigala.
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to our amazing practitioners who donated their time and services:
Juyon Kim – Tel Aviv Acupuncture http://www.telavivacupuncture.com Facebook: Tel Aviv Acupuncture Tel: 054- 7334370
Services: acupuncture, massage, pre-natal care, and more.
Arguably one of the best acupuncturists and massage therapists in town, Juyon Kim is the holistic therapist behind Tel Aviv Acupuncture. Her qualifications are from prestigious international institutions, and she has been practicing for over 15 years. Her specialties include pre and post natal treatments, pain management, hormone related issues, chronic fatigue, and depression and anxiety. At Tel Aviv Acupuncture, you will receive a precise diagnosis based on comprehensive Traditional Chinese Method and an exact treatment tailored to your exact need.
Hanah Tetro – Skincare Clinic http://www.hanahtetro.com Facebook: Hanah Tetro Skincare Clinic Tel: 054- 5991688
Services: facials, waxing, and pedicure. I also give expert skincare advice.
Hanah Tetro is a medical esthetician originally from the Chicago area now living and working in Kfar Saba, Israel. Certified in Oncology Esthetics, Hanah sees clients in her private skincare clinic and also serves as the official trainer for the international organization Oncology Training International, Inc. in Israel teaching her fellow estheticians how to safely and effectively care for the skin of cancer patients before, during, and after treatment.
RUTH EDEN – EDENAWAKENING http://www.edenawakening.com Facebook, Instagram, Twitter: @edenawakening Tel: 054- 5464834 E-mail: middle_eden@yahoo.co.uk
Services: Bespoke Holistic Energy Therapy, Holistic Massage, Swedish Massage, Reflexology, Reiki, Breathing Techniques/Meditation, Counselling Support
Ruth Eden is a hands-on effective holistic energy therapist. She has over 18 years experience working with various symptoms and clientele and has a diverse range of body work skills. Her qualifications include BSc (HONS) Health Sciences, majoring in Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), and three Reiki levels and a Mastership Teaching degree. Furthermore Ruth studied homeopathy, bodywork, craniosacral therapy, shiatsu, chi gong and tai chi, reflexology, naturopathy, herbal medicine, and TCM to various levels and integration. She also has a diploma in Thai massage and is an experienced yoga practitioner.
Shiara Berriman – Medical Cosmetology student Currently working in Modiin E-mail: shiaraberry@gmail.com Tel: 052- 6158026
Services: Facials, medical manicures and pedicures, evening makeup, eyebrow and eyelash coloring, waxing
Hi, I’m Shiara Berriman. I’m 21 years old and studying medical cosmetology at the College of Cosmetics in Ramat Gan. I’ve always been interested in the world of beauty but never realized how incredibly vast it was. When I finally took the plunge and started at the College, it opened up a world of knowledge, goals and dreams for myself and what seems like endless opportunities. I hope to build a loyal client base, meet new people and never stop learning. I always say, “Be your own kind of beautiful, but a good cosmetician never hurt.”
Guided Meditation: Maya Kramer – Wellness with Maya http://www.wellnesswithmaya.com Facebook: @wellnesswithmaya E-mail: maya@wellnesswithmaya.com
Maya Kramer is a certified Yoga Instructor, Wellness Guide, Alchemist and Aromatherapist. The foundation of her practice combines the physical with an inner emotional and spiritual journey. She has studied under different teachings including Shamanism, Kabbalah, Buddhism, Alchemy and mainly love. Through the integration of mind, breath and movement, she strives to raise awareness in others to reach a balanced life and overall wellbeing. Wellness with Maya offers private/group yoga sessions. Workshops such as Quickie Yoga and Awaken the Goddess Within, as well as her talk “Your Way to Wellness” developed to give you the tools to reach your ultimate wellbeing.
Qi Gong Instructor: Miri Aharoni
E-mail: mirironi@hotmail.com
Tel: 050- 4224340
My name is Miri Aharoni, born in Israel. In 1991 I lived in Japan where I lived for almost 12 years and I was married to a Japanese. During my stay in Japan I learned Chi Kung Zen theory and meditations. Upon my return to Israel, I studied at the Wingate Institute. I studied meditations, Master Reiki, Master therapist Shiatsu, guided imagination, NLP and more. In China I learned the method Zhineng qi gong. The wisdom of the body. The wisdom of movement. I teach and care in the Emet Hasharon area of Tel Aviv. I would be happy to help and to consult.