Cedar Phoenix wood sculpture - Meditative Labyrinths - Reiki Treatments

                 Below is a great video that explains labyrinths beautifully.

             I encourage you to have a look at this video :) More amazing videos                                   on my cedar phoenix facebook page such as:

         - How labyrinths are aiding traumatized horses

         - How labyrinths are now being used to help heal soldiers with PSTD.

         - How to "fingerwalk" a labyrinth to aid with calming, focus and healing.

         - Labyrinths at Hospitals and Hospices.

         - How labyrinths are now being brought into schools as an alternate 

            calming tool for children and youth.

                  " Like" my page on facebook to see any new art that I put out 

                  or to see where I will be with my art and labyrinths next.

      To understand what a labyrinth is used for and how this 4000 year old

 ancient healing tool benefits and supports focus/ relaxation and healing... 

 keep scrolling down. 

     Welcome to my site. My name is Lisa and I am the carver. Feel free to check out my latest artwork

 below and check back with me periodically to see what's new in my gallery.  Any questions or comments are 

 welcome and I will get back to you right away. 

My treatment room has been completed!  If you are ready for a journey of transformation by an experienced, certified energy practitioner you are ready for a Reiki treatment with me. 

I have trained under a Master Practitioner for 5 years.

 I have completed my Reiki 1,2,3 and my Masters / Teacher degree 

in Reiki Treatment Therapies. I work on children, adults, and teens.

I have been a Youth Support Worker for over 20 years and I currently support children and youth with Autism.

(Children & Youth Reiki groups will start Summer 2017 - Yes! I teach the children to use Reiki and techniques.)

I will work with you in a safe, relaxing environment to unblock your energy centers that could be

 contributing to your "dis-ease". You will leave feeling relaxed and reflective. 

$80.00 / 90 min session (including tension massage / Chakra clearing & balancing)

(Oracle / Angel card reading w/ pendulum & reading results notes - $25.oo 1 hr reading.)

To book an appt. call or e-mail

604-805-3103 or lisadurante@telus.net

Now... back to the labyrinths....

  Cedar Phoenix expresses transformation and I am inspired by transformation. In all aspects of life and through many different phases we transform. The sculptures and labyrinths I create, reflect and encourage transformation. The Phoenix symbolizes "rising up from the ashes and rebirth". The cedar I use for my sculptures speaks to me and I hope in turn, that it will encourage you in one form or another on the rest of your journey. I have a new found respect for the forest and trees around me as I continue my carving. The floor I walk on; the table I eat off of and the chairs I sit in, were once a living tree standing tall. I am thankful for the trees and the wood that has found it's way to me to transform. Thanks for stopping by Cedar Phoenix and sharing my journey. Come and wander down the path and see what I've been creating! Maybe something will speak to you... 

Cedar sculptures for indoors are available in various sizes with unique designs. The pieces are carved out of either red or yellow cedar and have a protective coat applied. I am inspired by many things in nature and  I feel the spirit of the wood has many things to teach me during it's transformation process. (When I first started carving I learned that it was very important not to slip with a sharp Knife when your thumb was near by.....that lesson also taught me to slow down, and not be in such a rush and not to push too hard for an outcome. (and it taught me to keep a lot of bandaids close by). 

It also taught me to enjoy the process of just peeling off layer after layer and watching it transform. (the wood..that is...)

 I did get frustrated, I did want to give up. But I kept hearing a little voice in my head that said, "something will surface, keep trying" ....and I kept going....(well mainly because I'm not a quitter by nature and mostly because it put my mind in a very tranquil and "zen" like space, which felt a lot better than the buzzing that often goes on in my head.) My advice...find your quiet place and make time for it. Meditation doesn't always mean having to be completely still. My thoughts slow down when I am busy with my hands, and that is when I am able to connect with the environment, my own inner voice and life force energies.

Meditative Finger Labyrinths carved in various types of wood take you on a meditative journey. An ancient meditative tool over 4000 years old that is resurfacing.  (Walkable labyrinths are all over the world and many in BC. Great for quieting the mind and known for calming and centering purposes. ) They can be used as a tool to resolve personal conflict or to aid with connection. Finger tracing labyrinths allow you to trace to the center without much effort, so your mind can be still. This is when you may have some insight or release of emotion. Labyrinths can help bring unresolved issues to the surface for healing. Labyrinths can help bring calm when you are feeling scattered.

 We are drawn to labyrinths because of their sacred geometry. Sacred geometry is the balance we see in many things and some say, it is engrained in our DNA. Walking or fingerwalking a labyrinth is a great tool for children, adults and elderly. Available in 6 or 11 circuit pathways. Fits comfortably on your lap. Different sizes to choose from. Smooth finish. (most labyrinths have a self leveling hook so you can hang it if you wish. It also has table protectors on the back) I can add a custom design to your labyrinth if you choose to make it more personal. Some great uses for a finger labyrinth are below.

* Positive effect on children in a home or school setting to promote calm and focus. Beneficial to children who have autism and like continuous pathways. Labyrinths help to balance the brain patterns and bring calm.

* Do you have an elderly friend or family member who has minimal sight but likes to keep their hands busy -  try getting them to fingertrace the path on the labyrinth when they feel anxious)(a care home or assisted living environment would benefit from having a labyrinth available for residents to use)

* A great gift for anyone who is interested in natural healing, yoga, spiritual journey or meditation.

*children love to follow pathways. labyrinths can be used to keep a child busy if you need to make a phone call, dry their hair after a bath or use to calm before going to sleep. A labyrinth and a few marbles will make hair time that much happier.

* An alternate method to calm an agitated child / adult) or ( pushing a marble down the pathway for a  challenge and opportunity to refocus) (helps encourage fine motor skills and focus)

* Can be used to relax the mind prior to medical treatments, can be used in hospitals or medical offices while patients wait.

* A great addition to any space in your home, spa, yoga center, treatment center, office, therapy office or school.

To walk a labyrinth you start at it's entrance, either by physically walking or fingerwalking (tracing) in this case. Follow the path and bring your questions, fears, thoughts to the center. If you stay true to the path when you begin, you will get to the center. Pause for a minute or two in the center to reflect on your thoughts. (you can focus on your breathing at this time and allow any thoughts to come in. They may not make sense at the moment but often you will have your "ah ha" moment at some point or some may make sense right away. Everyone's experiences will be different because we are all unique individuals with unique lives and challenges.) When you feel you are ready, you trace your way back out of the labyrinth... leaving behind whatever thoughts or feelings you do not wish to bring back with you. You may feel you come out of the labyrinth with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding. Just like meditation it may take a little bit for you to be comfortable with using your labyrinth. It is helpful if you can be in a quiet calming space with your labyrinth when you fingerwalk it..

 All labyrinths come with a sheet of information about the labyrinth. This medatative tool has been around for over 4000 years and are now found all over the world. Labyrinths have been seen on cathedral floors; in churches; in natural settings in parks and on beaches. The pathways have been constructed by rocks; painted on floors; carved into the ground and were even seen painted on the walls of caves many many years ago.  The labyrinth is not like a maze where you can get lost. It has one continuous path with many loops and bends much like the path of life. It is designed to refocus, clearify and balance your thoughts by balancing the hemispheres of the brain. A great aid to meditation. Different styles below.

GREAT FOR CHILDREN - ADULTS - ELDERLY - AND EVEN PETS ARE DRAWN TO THEM! Check out where this customer's cat decided to lay when the serenity labyrinth she purchased was left on the table. See pic below!

If you are interested in full size walkable labyrinths and their locations, be sure to look up the world wide labyrinth locator on the web for a location near you! There is a book recently published by Aryana Rayne called Labyrinths of BC..A guide for your journey; which lists many of the full sized walkable labyrinths and their locations in BC. There is an amazing labyrinth in Fintry Provincial park next to the Okanagan lake in Vernon BC... which is my personal favorite walkable labyrinth. ( see photo below)

Custom Signs are an option for those who want a unique hand carved sign to represent their home or place of business. I will do my absolute best to create with you a design that will best suit your needs and expectations. Contact me by email or phone to discuss your personal design, a price quote and processing time. Most of these signs are carved in red cedar and finished with a clear protective coating. 

Prices are based on the size of the piece and  the time it takes to create it. If you

have a special saying, quote, verse, special design or totem I can custom carve

one for you. Just let me know what you're thinking and I'll create it for you! 

(Labyrinths are great original gifts for children, teens, adults, elderly, 

workspaces and is a great tool for individuals with special needs.)

                                                  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

                  Where I will be next :

                   Saturday May 28th 2016 - Fundraiser for Fort MacMurray community

                   10-3pm at the Open Door church in Maple Ridge

                   Yoga / Reiki Treatments / silent auction / wellness items for sale

                   Saturday June 25th, 2016 National Aboriginal Day Festival

                   9am-2pm Maple Ridge

                   Friday July 1 2016, Canada Day event -  Maple Ridge

                   10am-3 pm

                    Thomas Haney Christmas market - TBA

                      If you know of any events that would suit my art please 

                            send me an email lisadurante@telus.net or

                 send me a message on my cedar phoenix Facebook page!

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                                  Thank you to everyone who came out to the shows this year to support me!

        Below is some SUPER COOL stuff you may not know of yet in our community 

 Have you ever imagined a learning environment that is outside of the

 4 walls of a conventional school for your children? Do your children love the 

outdoors? Do your children learn best in a hands on environment for learning??? 

Check out the Environmental School in Maple Ridge BC. I encourage you to 

watch the trailer " Found in the Forest". It will totally change the way you look at 

learning for our children! The Environmental High School has been approved to 

start in Maple Ridge Sept. 2017 as well.  Maple Ridge District website has info. It is no extra charge, covered by the District and yes they can graduate exactly the same as conventional school, just more tailored to their goals and interests.

                                                   ----- AND----

 If your child is preparing to enter the school system I encourage you also to check out Windy Willows childcare. 

                  Outdoor childcare and pre-school learning for young children!          www.windywillowschildcare.com

This is the walkable Labyrinth in Fintry Provincial Park in Vernon BC . Situated beside beautiful Okanagan lake. Surrounded by trails, campsites,a great playground and lots of History. Come and see the Manor House on a guided tour or just come and wander about. The scenery and waterfall are highlights of this area. There is also a boat launch and in the summer there is a concession and long stretch of beautiful beach  to walk, picnic or go for a swim. Camping fills up fast so remember to book ahead if you wish to camp. My amazing mother carved this pathway with her bare hands, a hatchet, shovel and stringline.She completed this labyrinth as part of the healing pathway courses she took at Naramata BC. Mom passed away in 2004, 1 year after she constructed this amazing pathway. There are benches in the center to rest and reflect after your journey through the pathway. This was my inspiration for the portable labyrinths. With grattitude I am thankful to my mother for creating this pathway for all to share. It's a beautiful place to reflect and just let go. It is amazing to watch all the children, students, campers, tourists and locals walking this pathway and I am also greatful that my father has continued to maintain this labyrinth so it is always looking beautiful and welcoming.

 WHATS NEW WITH CEDAR PHOENIX: 

     I've been working on some bigger sculpt type pieces. Hopefully done next month!

      NEW!!! - Toddler chair and mini sofa sets. 3 different designs. DURABLE< EASY TO CLEAN> KIDS LOVE THEM!!!!    

    PICS IN GALLERY ABOVE -   ONLY 3 SETS LEFT.

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   IF YOU HAVE BEEN THE RECIPIENT OF A " RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS CARD", IT IS A CARD THAT WAS PURCHASED FOR $1 AT ONE OF MY SHOWS BY SOMEONE IN OUR SURROUNDING COMMUNITIES, TO USE AS A NUDGE FOR RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS. IF YOU RECEIVE ON OF THESE CARDS PLEASE KEEP THE KINDNESS FLOWING AND PASS IT ON. YOU NEVER KNOW THE POSITIVE EFFECT IT MAY HAVE ON SOMEONE'S DAY. KINDNESS IS INFECTIOUS SO HELP SPREAD IT!

I ALSO NOW CARRY AFFIRMATION CARDS ~ $10 FOR A PACK OF 10  AFFIRMATIONS AND QUOTES ~ TO USE AS MAGNETS, BOOKMARKS, GIFTS OR JUST FOR DAILY REFLECTION. 

                     I am in the process of adding new photos of my work. 

   Please check back and see any new additions!

Call 604-805-3103 or email lisadurante@telus.net  to request or discuss a custom piece and pricing. If you have an idea for a sign, sculpture, memorial piece, wedding gift or whatever your creative mind can come up with, share your thoughts and let me create it for you. You are never obligated to purchase anything you are not 100% pleased with! Email for shipping details. New pieces and designs will be up soon! Check back and tell your friends to check out Cedar Phoenix. Have a fabulous day! I now take visa or MC. Email me to purchase any item.