Yayoi Ono was born in Tokyo in 1959. While studying at Waseda University, her view of life and death changed drastically after one year of world-wide travels, opening up her interest in a wide variety of cultures, arts, and spiritual practices around the world. Yayoi established Gaia Light Crystal in 1986 and went on to establish Nijinowa, a crystal shop and workshop space in central Tokyo, where she ran an art circle, offered thermal therapy, and designed jewelry. In the 1990s and 2000s, Yayoi studied hypnosis and various esoteric teachings in Tokyo. She was certified as an art therapist from the Center of Art & Wellness in Tokyo in 2009, and since moving to the mountains of Nagano in 2011, she has dedicated her life to living in harmony with the natural world and to various art projects. Yayoi received her certification as a Genesis Art Teacher in 2020.

Yayoi: “Everybody is a born artist. For me, art is a fascinating process of alchemy and soul transformationthat brings you into a space where one can meet your own subconscious awareness. Through art, when we let go of the present moment, with heart, like a newborn child, no matter what is happening in our life, a magical and miraculous door full of joy and surprise will open for us.