Shaun Simmons was born of the aboriginal Noongar peoples of Western Australia.

Growing up on the ocean, he spent as much time as possible in the water, as a swimmer, a surfer, a fisherman and surf lifesaver. The water has always been a great teacher, and in youth, a safe haven of the great mother as he later realized.

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In his youth, Shaun spent after school hours with his endearing Grandma, Yayee as she was affectionately known since Shaun would celebrate seeing her and shout “Yayee!” Yayee was of the Noongar aboriginal peoples and Shaun’s lineage runs deep in the south west of Australia. Shaun remembers hearing stories of his uncle Boy, Yayee’s brother, a great fisherman, singing to the fish.

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Shaun’s uncle Gene, a humble man, lived with Yayee and it was he that introduced Shaun to Japanese culture and the martial arts. Shaun loved discipline so he immersed himself in the study of Karate from the age of 5. Karate offered Shaun discipline and created a strong foundation of the body, strength, flexibility and peace of mind.

 

Upon embarking to university where he studied Electrical Engineering, Shaun met his lecturer and soon to become Aikido sensei. In the transition of moving to college, Karate, the way of the fist, became too rigid, too strong. The teachings of the water, to be like water, and Bruce Lee’s teaching shifted something within and Shaun began inquiring into what other ways were available. “Take what is useful and discard what is useless.” This inquiry led Shaun to the art of Aikido where Shaun took a deep dive, and which Shaun practices still to this day. The journey led him to Japan to travel with his Sensei, deeply embracing the teachings and culture of Japan. Aikido expanded awareness of the body from a physical understanding to that of energy and its dynamic movement and connectedness. It was when Shaun received his dan grade that he became a white belt again, but this time of the spirit and to his relationship with it. 

 

Shaun was introduced to yoga during his study of the art of Aikido, but it was not until much later that the non-physical aspects of yoga became evident.

 

In aboriginal culture there is an initiation called a walkabout. A solo adventure where youth walk the country guided by the song lines to discover themselves and receive guidance of how they can serve their community. With today’s ease of travel and technology, the world has become a very multi cultural society. So to discover and uncover each one’s  ancestral heritage, requires a global walkabout. 

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Embracing tradition and heritage guided Shaun on a walkabout across the globe, sharing stories with the peoples of this sacred earth.

 

Being an engineer with a love of the water, led Shaun to work in the marine field which enabled him to travel the world by sea. Upon reaching safe harbors he was able to connect to the local peoples through his love of Aikido, physical training and curiosity of their local customs and traditions.

 

It was during this time that Spirit started becoming louder which led Shaun to India —A country and peoples of wondrous traditions with a natural and not forgotten relationship with divinity. Embraced in Indian customs, he experienced Ayurvedic treatments and an interest was sparked to remember the traditional medicines of world cultures. Continuing his physical and also spiritual practices, Shaun’s relationship with Yoga flourished.

 

With a tearful goodbye, leaving the colorful tapestried culture of India, Shaun headed back to the Western Australian coastline. It was here he received his next guidance to head to the jungles of Peru and unbeknownst to him begin his plant medicine apprenticeship and life long love of communion with the Divine —A journey of curiosity with a deep peace of the unknown.

 

From Peru, Shaun headed south to Chile. Here he received an initiation from the Native American peoples, that of the Vision Quest, a beautiful initiatory path similar to that of the  Australia aboriginal walkabout. The vision quest was a powerful experience and one that reclaimed much of Shaun’s power within.

 

While in South America, Shaun heard the message “It’s time for you to go home to Maui” 

Hawaii was home for 7 years. It was in Hawaii, where Shaun’s education and remembering continued. The sacred teachings and healing prayers of Ho’oponopono were shared with Shaun by the Hawaiian Elders. Here in Hawaii,  Shaun began sharing his story and the wisdom he had harvested and remembered within himself as a shaman, as a coach and as a counselor. Shaun guides people to remember the Divinity that they are.

 

He continues to share, coach and counsel.

 

He was gifted the name, Shaun, meaning “The Grace of God”.