Wayapa Wuurrk

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.

Wayapa Wuurrk® is proudly supported and endorsed by Jamie’s Cultural Elders who are pictured above.

In the first image pictured with Jamie are Peek Whuurrung Kirrae Whuurrung Maara Senior Elders Aunty Daphne Lowe, Aunty Adeline Thomas & Uncle Rob Lowe. In the second image with Jamie and Sara are Ngarrindjeri Senior Elders Uncle Major “Moogy” Sumner AO and Aunty Loretta “Bubbles” Sumner.

Jamie's Story

Jamie Marloo Thomas
Co-Creator & Director of Wayapa Wuurrk, Storyteller, Speaker, Author

Jamie Marloo Thomas is the Co-Founder & Director of 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 as he grew up with his non Aboriginal family cut off from Aboriginal community, which is why he devoted 26 years to culturally mentoring young men.

Combining 27 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 Wuurrk, the first known certified Indigenous wellness practice, in consultation with his Elders and Community.

Jamie is a regular speaker at conferences and events and is a published author contributing chapters to “Silver Linings” and “Being Fine, the other F Word”.

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 100,000 years.

Sara's Story
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.