Showing posts with label breast cancer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label breast cancer. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Stretchmarks and Scars...

Here at Living Waters Spa body acceptance "happens" as folks get in to their "nakies" and realize that they too are simply human. Some of the more profound aspects of acceptance are women whose bodies have been changed by childbearing. We think scars and stretch marks are the badges of courage of motherhood. Here is an artist who feels the same way.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/24/a-beautiful-body-book-project-jade-beall-photos_n_3467178.html?utm_hp_ref=parents&ir=Parents&ncid=edlinkusaolp00000009

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Little Known Presidential Facts

In celebration of this week's inauguration of the 44th president of the United States, here are 20 facts you may (or may not) know about past presidents. In warm weather, which president customarily went skinny-dipping in the Potomac River before dawn? Here is his picture:

This is none other than John Quincy Adams! Check out the rest of this fun list here.


Here is another fun fact... Which President liked to swim "without clothes" in the White House Pool? Here is his picture:In Claire Whitcomb's book "Real Life at the White House" she says: "As president, Johnson used the White House pool - he aways swam naked, and demanded that aides who swam with him do the same. Notice who is with Johnson in the picture - the Rev. Billy Graham! It is said that Billy Graham also swam naked with Johnson. CNN reports "By the early 1960s, Billy Graham was a man in full, a servant of god. A man of the people and de facto chaplain for Washington's elite. At his first meeting with Lyndon Johnson, the two country boys bonded... Supposed to be a 15-minute meeting and it turned into five hours. They traded stories. And went swimming, naked, and Billy said, they didn't have swimsuits. You just -- you just went as you were." (page over to: page 18)

Perhaps you've always wanted to try a skinny-dipping, nudist, naturist, or au naturel experience. You can at Living Waters Spa. We are located in the Palm Springs area city of Desert Hot Springs, California. We are a safe and private spa where you can enjoy hot natural mineral water in your "natural" state - i.e. naked!

Give us a call - 760-329-9988 and we'll help you have a vacation to remember.


Saturday, November 15, 2008

Documentary: Naked on the Inside



Every now and then a documentary comes along and provides brain food for thinkers. "Naked on the Inside" is one of those documentaries. Here is the text from their website:

"Naked on the Inside comes at a time when the Western world has never been more obsessed with body image. This fresh and unnerving feature-length documentary asks a simple, but audacious, question: Beyond our clothes and skin, who are we? And so it begins. Six extra-ordinary people from around the world reveal their bodies and share their secrets in a unique experiment in search of their inner selves."

Naked is currently being shown on the Sundance channel as well as Showtime. I highly recommend viewing it.

Basically it presents it's subjects one by one and slowly reveals their personal issues of body and self acceptance. As they progress in various interviews they finally hit a point where they are to be completely naked. For all of them it is a very serious moment of self-awareness.

Having been in the clothing optional world now since 2000, I've seen some life transformations arise from shedding clothes. I've met people who once naked on the outside, experience a self-transformation on the inside.


Here at Living Waters Spa we are concerned with the whole being. We are not just a place to be naked (as some nudist / clothing optional facilities). We want the elements (sun, mineral water, air, sky) to do whatever the guests need for them to do to impact their life. Our massages are geared to helping people come back into their being, to look inward, to look outward, to LIVE!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Jolie Breastfeeding on Cover of W


Angelina Jolie appears on the cover of W magazine's November issue with her breast partially exposed, breastfeeding one of her infant twins. Another breastfeeding photo that drew national attention was in 2006, when Babytalk magazine published a photo of a baby and part of a woman's breast on its cover. When Babytalk conducted a poll to gauge response to the cover, 75% of the responses were positive. La Leche League International, the world's oldest breastfeeding support organization, applauded Jolie's decision to pose for the photo. "Breast-feeding in public reveals a whole lot less than what has been revealed on the red carpet. I think we do need more role models like Angelina Jolie," said La leche spokesperson Jane Crouse. For more follow this link.



Years ago an old timer told me, "Americans are so taken by breasts. In other cultures they are seen in a context of life - feeding babies."

Saturday, September 27, 2008

Breast Cancer Awareness Month at LWS

Desert Hot Springs, CA – Living Waters Spa a European-style clothing optional resort is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) with special rates for survivors as well as promoting breast health, breast cancer awareness, and body acceptance.

Judy Bowman, along with her husband Jeff, owns the Living Waters Spa and Judy is a breast cancer survivor. To honor other breast cancer survivors they are offering an amazing special to all survivors and their guests: pay for one night, get a second night free! “This is a substantial special offer and one that I’m proud to give” said Judy. “Not only can survivors benefit but also we are going to donate 10% of all our massage income for October to further breast cancer research!”

Because Living Waters Spa is a clothing optional spa it promotes body acceptance for women (and men). Judy says: “Our clothing-optional environment affords you the opportunity to see what a survivor looks like, that it’s not always a death sentence. Almost everyone knows someone or will know someone, friend or family, who has dealt with breast cancer. We want you to be informed, supportive and aware of what you can do to fight this disease.”

Judy tells her story: “In 1992 I heard the words most women dread, ‘I’m sorry, it is cancer.’ Jeff and I were about to move 350 miles to a new job for him with our 4 children, ages 8-15. We all made appointments for routine physicals with our familiar doctors before the big move. At my exam I asked my physician whether or not I should get a mammogram; I was 38. He hesitated but agreed. Later in the afternoon of the test I received a call from him, saying there was something on the film, and he had made an appointment for me to see a surgeon two days later. I naively was not worried, and continued working toward our move, which by now was only 10 days away. Jeff wisely suggested we stop packing until we saw the doctor. When we saw him he said he wanted to schedule a biopsy, which we were able to do that coming Monday. In recovery was where I heard those words, ‘I’m sorry, it is cancer.’

“Those words caused our world to stop and we quickly became knowledgeable about the disease. My path became a mastectomy and ‘tram flap’ reconstruction a month later, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. Jeff, my family and friends were wonderfully supportive.

“Fast forward to the present time -- I can proudly say that I am a Survivor! I have been able to go on the journey with a number of friends and guests as they dealt with the disease. There’s something about the understanding you can only get from someone who has been there.”

Judy invites you to come and celebrate life at Living Waters Spa as we support those who have been confronted with breast cancer.

Living Waters Spa is a clothing optional natural spring water spa resort has been awarded one of the top 10 clothing optional resorts in the world according to TripAdvisor.com. It offers its guests a chance to get away, get in touch with life, and rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. Hot mineral water has been sought out by health enthusiasts the world over and Europeans have gone to the hot baths since ancient days. The mineral water found at Living Waters is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. www.LivingWatersSpa.com will provide you with more information or you can call Living Waters Spa at: 760-329-9988.


Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Breast Cancer Awareness Month Celebrated at Living Waters Spa with Activities & Specials


Desert Hot Springs, CA, September 12, 2007 -- Living Waters Spa a European-style clothing optional resort is celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month (October) with special rates for survivors as well as weekly events to promote breast health and breast cancer awareness.


Judy Bowman, along with her husband Jeff, owns the Living Waters Spa and Judy is a breast cancer survivor. To honor other breast cancer survivors they are offering an amazing special to all survivors and their guests: pay for one night, get a second night free. “This is a substantial special offer and one that I’m proud to give” said Judy. “Not only can survivors benefit but also we are going to donate 10% of all our massage income for October to further breast cancer research.”


Living Waters Spa will also host a dessert and discussion about breast cancer each Saturday night at 7:00 in October. Judy and other survivors will present stories of hope, discuss breast health, and the latest treatment techniques. Judy says: “Our clothing-optional environment affords you the opportunity to see what a survivor looks like, that it’s not always a death sentence. Almost everyone knows someone or will know someone, friend or family, who has dealt with breast cancer. We want you to be informed, supportive and aware of what you can do to fight this disease.” The public is welcome and the admission is free but you must RSVP so they will know you are coming.


Judy tells her story: “15 years ago I heard the words most women dread, ‘I’m sorry, it is cancer.’ Jeff and I were about to move 350 miles to a new job for him with our 4 children, ages 8-15. We all made appointments for routine physicals with our familiar doctors before the big move. At my exam I asked my physician whether or not I should get a mammogram; I was 38. He hesitated but agreed. Later in the afternoon of the test I received a call from him, saying there was something on the film, and he had made an appointment for me to see a surgeon two days later. I naively was not worried, and continued working toward our move, which by now was only 10 days away. Jeff wisely suggested we stop packing until we saw the doctor. When we saw him he said he wanted to schedule a biopsy, which we were able to do that coming Monday. In recovery was where I heard those words, ‘I’m sorry, it is cancer.’


“Those words caused our world to stop and we quickly became knowledgeable about the disease. My path became a mastectomy and ‘tram flap’ reconstruction a month later, followed by 6 months of chemotherapy. Jeff, my family and friends were wonderfully supportive.


“Fast forward to the present time -- I can proudly say that I am a Survivor! I have been able to go on the journey with a number of friends and guests as they dealt with the disease. There’s something about the understanding you can only get from someone who has been there.”


Judy invites you to come and celebrate life with us at Living Waters Spa as we support those who have been confronted with breast cancer.


Living Waters Spa is a clothing optional natural spring water spa resort that is top rated on TripAdvisor.com. It offers its guests a chance to get away, get in touch with life, and rejuvenate mind, body, and spirit. Hot mineral water has been sought out by health enthusiasts the world over and Europeans have gone to the hot baths since ancient days. The mineral water found at Living Waters is odorless, tasteless, and colorless. www.LivingWatersSpa.com will provide you with more information or you can call Living Waters Spa at: 760-329-9988.

Friday, May 18, 2007

Painting Of Breast Cancer Survivor Banned


A portrait of a breast cancer survivor banned from an art show in the Dallas/Ft.Worth area created a debate over censorship vs. interpretation. Artist Rhon Drinkwater used a woman who had a mastectomy as a model for the painting. Gallery officials took down the painting, saying it was not family friendly and there was an "unwrittenrule" regarding hanging "G-rated" work appropriate for all ages. Drinkwater says that considering the statistics about breast cancer and how it affects family membersof all ages, it is appropriate for everyone. She hopes her painting generates discussion about breast cancer, beauty and its interpretation and censorship. A poll on theWFAA TV website out of Dallas/Fort Worth showed that the majority of respondents disagreed with the gallery's decision. Read more [http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=7w4i84bab.0.f478aacab.pvrzw8bab.255&ts=S0254&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.wfaa.com%2Fsharedcontent%2Fdws%2Fwfaa%2Flatestnews%2Fstories%2Fwfaa070502_wz_cancerart.2e129bf9.html], take the poll and view results.


Judy is also a breast cancer survivor. Back in 1992 she was diagnosed with breast cancer at the young age of 38. She had our 4 children young, breast feed them all, did not smoke, and has no history of BC in her family, etc. etc. In other words she would have scored a ZERO on the probability test of whether or not she was a cancer risk -- but she got it.


Here at Living Waters Spa we have had many "heros" of Breast Cancer. Some women choose to have reconstruction while others choose to have none. Regardless, all are beautiful and ALIVE.

Sadly, the art gallary which banned Rhon Drinkwater's picture is perpetuating our culture's sexualizing of the breast by hiding it from being seen.

Tuesday, March 6, 2007

All sizes and shapes

Almost daily we have "first timers" to public skinny-dipping at Living Waters Spa. We got this email:

"On Sunday when there were a lot of folks at the spa for 3:30 wine and snacks, D--- saw that people are people and come in all shapes and sizes. She says that she just may get nude this summer..."

As Americans we typically only see nudity in the form of actors/actresses who are specifically chosen to be nude. What we don't see are REGULAR people - folks that have normal bodies. When people come to our spa they see "regular" people just like them. When that happens there is often a new awarness that helps in self acceptance.

Judy is a breast cancer survivor. At 38 cancer was discovered in her right breast. Her cancer was removed - breast and all - reconstruction and chemotherapy. She is a survivor and I'm proud of her!

At the spa our guests learn that beauty starts from the inside and that everybody has physical issues they must learn to accept. Seeing others who are "like you" helps...

Monday, March 5, 2007

Welcome to OUR Blog




Hi we are Jeff and Judy and we've created Living Waters Spa.

We have created a very cool place where folks can enjoy "skinny-dipping" in pure hot mineral water, get amazing massages, facials, body waxings, and other spa treatments.

We opened our doors in 2003 and have had guests from all over the US, Canada, and Europe. Most of our guests have never tried a bathing suit optional (also called by other terms such as clothing optional, nude, nudist, naturist or skinning dipping) vacation. But once they do, they have the most amazing experiences of their life.

We welcome you to come and experience what our European friends have known all along - nothing beats swimming naked in pure mineral water!

Check out our main website: www.LivingWatersSpa.com for more information.

We are a true spa and welcome all good people: singles or couples. We are a safe place and protect the privacy of our guests.