“We walk in the footsteps of a thousand generations. We are living in a time of much change, but what never changes is our need for connection.” - Jamie Marloo Thomas

Wayapa® Wuurrk is a holistic wellness modality based on the wisdom of Australia's First Nations People. Living in harmony with their environment is what sustained Australian Aboriginal people to be one of the world’s oldest, continuous living culture – for over 100,000 years! Today, for most of us, we have become disconnected from our environment, from our tribe, from our food and from our Spirit. The modality is gaining significant recognition as Australia's version of yoga as it uniquely shares practices and philosophies that sustained the oldest living culture for over 80,000 years. Wayapa Wuurrk translates to 'Connect to Country or Earth' and the modality draws upon physical movement, storytelling and earth-based meditation to for an embodied connection to the Earth and self, resulting in enhanced wellbeing for both our inner and outer environments. 

The physical practice includes a flowing sequence of 14 movements that reflect various natural elements in the Australian landscape. Wayapa works with the energetic body through these specific movements. These movements are appropriate for all levels of mobility and can be tailored to suit anybody. Through a combination of Earth mindfulness, narrative meditation, a series of physical movements and taking action to look after the planet, Wayapa® provides a sense of belonging to the Earth while creating holistic well-being. Wayapa® is about creating a different lifestyle but for those just starting, it can be done as a 25 minute physical practice, sitting or standing, or as a narrative meditation to slow us right down to sit in the stillness of nature.

In 2014, Jamie Thomas and Sara Jones co-founded Wayapa Wuurrk®, which means “Connect to the Earth” in the language of the Maara & GunaiKurnai Peoples respectively. Wayapa was created to change thinking around how we view the idea of what it means to be well with a focus on Indigenous thinking that includes learning how to develop a relationship with our environment through the concept of ancient earth mindfulness. No matter how many gym sessions we do, steps we count or stretch our bodies into various postures, we can’t be well if Mother Earth is sick. So in 2013, Jamie and Sara spent a year developing Wayapa Wuurrk to create an internationally-accredited modality that would add the most important word “Earth” to the well-known concept of Mind Body Spirit Wellbeing.

Today, Wayapa Wuurrk isn’t just about Sara and Jamie’s story it belongs to the growing number of certified Wayapa Practitioners who come from all walks of life, heritage, backgrounds and religions but who all have one thing in common, the desire to share the wisdom of their own ancestors who use to live like the First Peoples of Australia, connected to the Earth so they lived life well.Jamie Marloo Thomas is the Co-Founder Wayapa Wuurrk® and is a Senior Cultural Knowledge Holder for his Peek Whuurrung People of the Maara Nation and GunaiKurnai Communities. He understands the pain of disconnection from culture, which is why he has devoted the last 26 years to culturally mentoring young men. Combining 26 years of vast professional experience in Men’s Health, Well-being, Drug and Alcohol Support, Family Violence Prevention, Youth Mentoring, Cultural Heritage and Ancestral Remains Repatriation, with his personal connection practice rooted in Aboriginal Dance and Ceremony, Jamie co-created Wayapa in consultation with his Elders and Community. Ultimately Jamie’s work is about helping people reconnect to Earth, Spirit and their true Self, so they can experience the wellness secrets that the First Australians enjoyed for 80,000 years.

Sara Jones wants to live in a world where Indigenous Knowledge is rightfully respected. She is the co-founder of Wayapa Wuurrk®. Having worked within the Indigenous Community for over 15 years, Sara believes life could be so much better, if only we listened to the wisdom of the world’s oldest living culture. Bringing a deep respect for Aboriginal culture, Sara combines her business experience within Community, with her passion for Energy Healing, Metaphysics and any natural wellness practices. She has experienced the deep healing and wellbeing affects of Wayapa® personally so is dedicated to sharing it with others for a better world. Together with Jamie, Sara is passionate about challenging thinking and restoring connection within and between people, the Earth and Spirit.

Wayapa Wuurrk®
The physical practice includes a flowing sequence of 14 movements that reflect various natural elements in the Australian landscape.
Wayapa works with the energetic body through these specific movements.
Through a combination of Earth mindfulness, narrative meditation, a series of physical movements and taking action to look after the planet, Wayapa provides a sense of belonging to the Earth while creating holistic well-being.

Children’s classes available online Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Adults classes - please enquire via email.