Sandra, I am so sad to read of your passing. That 'bloody cancer' is merciless and I admire your spirit to fight it off. I remember our teenage years (45 years ago) on occasions and consider myself really fortunate to have sailed around a few lakes and boogied down at disco's in your company. Best wishes to Paul and the whanua, you are missed but not forgotten. RIP Mark Turton Mooloolaba

I feel very fortunate to have met Sandra, whose guidance helped me through a very challenging period of my life. I will be forever grateful for her kindness, compassion, and wisdom. Sandra will be deeply, deeply missed but her legacy will live on in all the lives she has touched with her generous spirit, her authentic presence, and her warmth, energy, and light.

Sandra was a much loved and highly respected friend and colleague. We acknowledge her significant contribution to the kaupapa of suicide prevention over decades. One of her legacies is one that inspires and challenges us to continue the important work of preventing suicide. She will be greatly missed.

You truly were a source of light Sandra. A wise kind soul that gave so freely of your time and love. You taught me so many lessons that I will cherish for always and I shall miss you dearly. Love and light old friend. Xoxox

I first met Sandra in 2017 at a trauma- sensitive yoga training in Auckland. We were both participants. I remember clearly our lunch break on the first day. We sat next to each other outside in the sun and chatted away for an hour. I was intrigued and captivated by Sandra. She just vibrated light and had such a big, gorgeous smile paired with an infectious laugh. She shared with me her experience working at the intersection of mental health and yoga which interested me as I was just heading down a similar work path in Wellington. The following year, when a colleague and I were offering a workshop for yoga teachers to become more trauma-informed, we both thought of including Sandra as an expert in the field. She knew Sandra from the iRest Yoga Nidra world. We wanted to include a module on the psychology and physiology of trauma - and she seemed the perfect person to deliver it. She agreed and joined us in this offering. It was so clear in her presentation how passionate she was about her work, and how skilled she was in delivering it. She embodied kindness, wisdom, competence and groundedness alongside light-heartedness, humour and humility. A genuine joy to be around. I credit Sandra with connecting me to the work I do now for ACC Sensitive Claims, offering trauma-sensitive yoga groups. She recommended a pathway back in 2018 which I followed into this meaningful mahi. Though we didn’t spend much time together at all, I do feel honoured to have known Sandra. She was a shining star of positivity and genuine care for others. A rare person who will be sorely missed and also live on in the many, many lives she has touched and changed. My deepest, heartfelt condolences to her whanau, friends and colleagues. May she rest in peace.

Sandra was a very special woman who lived every inch of her life with verve and determination. She was funny, irreverant, smart and fun to be wirh. Her vodka soaked jelly snakes and sausage rolls were the highlight of many a New years Eve party. She will be sorely missed but never forgotten, a bright spark taken far too soon. ❤💔

Beautiful girl rest now. I was honoured to know you and hope our massage sessions helped support you over the last 16 months. I miss you and the laughter even when you were fighting hard. You gave so much of your heart and love to others. I learned so much from you my friend. See you spirit e hoa. Hari Aum sista xx

Hi, I used to babysit Poppy, Felix and Will when they were small and I was a teenager living in Grey Lynn. Great memories with them having fun with these three cuties and watching High School Musical! Sandra was a lovely and vibrant personality and I loved having the opportunity to look after her kids. And WOW, they have grown to be amazing young adults. Sandra and Paul should be so proud of the incredible job they have done. I am extremely sorry and sad to see you all go through this immeasurable loss of Sandra. Lots of love

Paul, Poppy, Felix and Will - we are so very sad thinking of you and the huge loss you have suffered. Sandra - so many memories of your rich warm voice and glorious laugh. You made an impact on us immediately on meeting you at ante-natal classes. Our kids went to school together and we spent evenings at Stanmore - eating, drinking, dancing and on your memorable joint 40th, karaokeing. You and Paul singing don't go breaking my heart will never be forgotten. I loved the way your house welcomed everyone but let the different generations do their thing. You are so educated - so smart and clever but always, always, completely grounded and down to earth. You put everyone at their ease but you hold to your values and beliefs and say what you mean. I love you for that as well as for everything else. You invited our small family to camp with your far larger whanau at Uretiti which was very kind and we have special memories of that time. Your passion and commitment to suicide prevention shone brightly and I learned so much from talking about it with you. Just being with you couldn't help but make any of us feel better. You somehow managed to give so much to others while understanding you needed time for yourself - your friends, your hobbies and passions - ukelele, multi- sport and yoga. It is a tribute to your insight that you knew that one of those interests meant something really special and you trusted your intuition to make it a new career. It was also not a surprise that you focused your teaching practice on a trauma centred and healing approach. But sometimes that self care was just having a crazy old time and I am so so blessed that we had lots of those times together, especially when our children were younger and life was sometimes a bit hard. As your darling Poppy said, you will always be the brightest star and I will look up at the sky this Matariki to see your light still shining.

Always with a smile in her face, that’s how I will remember Sandra. Rest in peace beautiful soul. Juliane & Adrian whitehead

I didnt know you long Sandra, but in that short time I connected and found your energy and positivity amazed me. Your laughter and beautiful smile. Sorry I wish I could be here to say goodbye but I have from bali. To family my heart is with you all . Denise

Sandra, you were there for me in our training with Amber. With so much passion and presence that I will never forget hopefully. Earthy, real, creative and caring. Such wonderful qualities that inspired me and many. Im so blessed to have known you. Aroha nui, Anne

Dear Sandra's Whānau, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Sandra was an amazing friend and colleague. About eight years ago, Sandra introduced me to yoga and meditation, marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship and working relationship. Together, we created offerings that positively impacted thousands of survivors of sexual violence across Aotearoa, supporting them in their healing through embodiment practices. Sandra, you will forever be in my heart. I am committed to continuing the work you introduced me to in your honor. All my love, dear Sandra. May you rest in peace. XXX

Dear Sandra's Whānau, I am so deeply sorry for your loss. Sandra was an amazing friend and colleague. About eight years ago, Sandra introduced me to yoga and meditation, marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship and working relationship. Together, we created offerings that positively impacted thousands of survivors of sexual violence across Aotearoa, supporting them in their healing through embodiment practices. Sandra, you will forever be in my heart. I am committed to continuing the work you introduced me to in your honor. All my love, dear Sandra. May you rest in peace. XXX

Sandra gave so much to so many people and played such a valuable role in creating a space of safety for others to be seen. It was an honour to guide you as a teacher on those Monday nights at Urban Ashram and give a little back to you to fill your cup up. With love x

I see you Sandra as a North star. You have held steadfast as a light illuminating the path in front of me, a path that I couldn't see at all for a really long time. One of the best lesson's you taught me (among many) was to seek joy in life. A lesson that didn't come easy but has completely changed the course of my life. I didn't get to know you the way you knew me and I wish I had had that opportunity but I am so grateful for the time I got with you. You are an incredible woman, who no doubt, has breathed life into many others as well. You will be in my heart always. Thank you for saving my life <3

Sandra is one of the most inspiring people I have met in my life. Her presence was so warm and friendly and her smile and sense of humour were infectious. In the early days when I was teaching yoga in Auckland she was often in my classes at Yoga ground. She encouraged me and gave me much needed confidence just by her presence and smile. Later I had the pleasure of getting to know her better during many yoga workshops we attended together. It was wonderful to share new learning together as students. Later still I was really impressed to see her generous offerings online through her yoga and wellbeing page. Her care, love and support of people could now be experienced anywhere in the world. I'm so glad she made these recordings and that we are blessed to be able to hear her kind voice and to still receive the wise and rich teachings that she so lovingly shared. Thank you for your life work Sandra and for continuing to inspire so many of us to give selflessly and heartfully to our fellow human beings. You're a legend xx

Sandra was one of those people that feels like the sun. Her presence immediately brightened your day, with a beautiful smile and nature about her. She had an inviting, infectious energy and inner peace that felt like a big hug. From the moment I met her, she had a big impact on me. Sandra was just one of those people that had that affect on everyone she crossed. Sandra and Paul would have a large crew of loud, messy, broke teenagers/young adults up on their lawn at Waipu every year before new years festivals. They would welcome us in with open arms, feed us and make sure we were all comfortable and warm dispite our uselessness and rowdiness! Absolute legends all round. Of all of the people in the world for cancer to cross, Sandy was one of the least deserving. Yet she was immensely strong and positive through it all. She will leave a very big hole. My heart goes out to her gorgeous family, who will miss her so insanely much. All of my love to you guys. An absolutely gorgeous soul she was. All of my love, Nads xxxx

Mate. Fuck. I'm so sorry that this is how it ended. And I'm so glad I got to see you earlier this year; thank you for making time for us to connect, for sharing plans, and books, and reflections, and celebration, and fury. Thank you for reminding me to rest. Thank you for laughing with me at things we shouldn't laugh at. Thank you for sharing openly and without fear of any of the messier parts of life. Thank you for helping me be in my body when I didn't know how. Thank you for sharing in my weirdness as we worked alongside, and for making light of things in a way that made them ok. To be honest it's still too soon for me to really have words for you. Still just thinking of Paul and your kids and the piggies and and and. Just know I love you and whatever comes next can only be beautiful, because its you that's experiencing it.

When I first met Sandra, it was her voice that caught my attention, some how I had heard her voice before, it seemed so comforting and familiar. It was during our teacher training with contemporary yoga where Sandra guided us through a trauma sensitive yoga session. I'm not sure if it was the comfort of her voice or the yoga, but I cried my eyes out, because she gave me a choice, a choice to move my body how I wanted to move, without judgement or expectation. Your voice gave me hope, your voice welcomed me, your presence grounded me, your smile uplifted me. Your work, your passion, your purpose will continue on through all of the people you have worked with, cared for and facilitated workshops and retreats. You shaped who I am today, my work as a yoga teacher and personal trainer to many people is threaded with your teachings, your thoughtfulness and your passion for understanding people. What a legacy you have left us with. Journey safe to your next big gig and I'm sure I'll meet you again. All my heartfelt love to your family, your work colleagues, your friends, your students and to you dear Sandra.