Sam Voolstra
Somatic Experiencing Practitioner
Assistant in Somatic Experiencing trainings
Yoga Australia yoga teacher
Trauma Center Trauma Sensitive Yoga Facilitator
iRest mindfulness meditation teacher and supervisor
NeuroAffective Touch Practitioner
My curiosity for all things human led me from an early career as art curator to leading groups on adventures in Asia, working with Tibetan and Nepalese communities, studying yoga and Buddhism and offering retreats and trainings.
When a big earthquake unearthed my already wobbly foundations, I found the support of Somatic Experiencing, Trauma Center trauma sensitive yoga and Integrative Restoration (iRest) to begin healing the impact of my overwhelming experiences.
This was the start of an exciting and continuing journey, exploring where ancient wisdom meets contemporary understanding of neuroscience, psychology and embodiment in the field of somatic trauma healing.
My work now bridges Somatic Experiencing, trauma sensitive yoga, mindfulness meditation and touch work. Trusting everyone’s innate ability to return to wholeness, I hold a supportive and witnessing space for what needs to be felt and restored.
It is my understanding that trauma healing happens in connection to self, to others and to what connects us all.
I love walking, dancing, stillness, watching things grow and losing myself in a good book.
I work as a Somatic Experiencing Practitioner in private practice in Lismore.
I teach weekly yoga classes.
I facilitate Trauma Sensitive Yoga classes for Community Mental Health (Northern NSW LHD) and Medicare Mental Health Center Lismore.
I give courses and workshops for organisations, bushfire and flood affected communities and first responders.
I assist in the 3-year Somatic Experiencing trainings in Australia and abroad.
I have had the pleasure of working with the following organisations:
Lismore Mental Health Services
Medicare Mental Health Center
Northern Rivers Housing
Healthy North Coast
Fortem Australia
Riverlands Drugs and Alcohol Centre
Anglicare