Sandpainting Healing with Walking Thunder
A film by Arna Vodenos

Ringing Rocks Foundation partnered with Wellness Television to produce a short documentary film which follows Diné Medicine Woman, Walking Thunder as she performs a sandpainting healing. The film, directed by Arna Vodenos, respectfully illustrates Walking Thunder's technique for calling the sacred spirits through the ancient ways of sandpainting. The film was shot on location at Walking Thunder's home in New Mexico.

The film begins with Walking Thunder discussing her life as a Diné healer and her role within the healing process. As she begins the sandpainting she discusses the importance of the colors and symbols she is using to help her patient.

"Arna Vodenos has truly captured the essence of Walking Thunder's passion for her calling in this beautiful film. We see the toll her exertions take on her as she pours her blessings into the sandpainting." said Arcania Blystone of Ringing Rocks Foundation. "As the long day progressed I could not help but notice that Walking Thunder was growing more and more exhausted," continued Ms. Blystone. "It appeared her health was deteriorating. I asked her about this and she explained it was because she was taking on the 'negative' energy of her patient. She went on to say that she would feel drained for about three days after performing a healing such as this one, longer for more difficult ceremonies."

The film, Sandpainting Healing with Walking Thunder, is the first in a series of films Ringing Rocks and Wellness Television will be producing together. The series is intended to help conserve indigenous healing practices by documenting shamans as they perform healings. This information is then made available to the shamans and their community to be shared with future generations of healing practitioners, as well as for anyone interested in learning more of the vital indigenous wisdom these shamans are so graciously sharing with the world.

To learn more or to order a copy of Sandpainting Healing with Walking Thunder, please click here. To learn more about Wellness Television and film maker Arna Vodenos please visit www.wellnesstelevision.com.