Meet Sandy Pandher, an Intuitive Reiki Practitioner and Conscious Connected Breathwork Practitioner. Clients are encouraged to embark on a path of regulating their nervous systems, thus unlocking the truth of their being and elevating into the fullest expression of themselves. Sandy believes that each individual is born with inherent wisdom, yet in a world that often neglects intuition, rediscovering oneself can be challenging. Through the sacred act of holding space, Sandy facilitates a return to one’s essence, guiding individuals back to themselves. Reconnecting with oneself paves the way for exploration and limitless possibilities. By prioritizing the regulation of the nervous system, Sandy facilitates clarity of mind, a healthier body, and a heart attuned to its emotions, granting permission to fully experience and express feelings. Somatic therapy serves as a powerful tool in this journey, offering simple yet profound ways to reconnect with oneself.

Tell us about your journey? How did you get involved in your industry?

My journey is one of profound self-discovery and transformation. My passion for connecting with others led me to recognize the inherent wisdom within every individual. Influenced by my grandmothers’ healing abilities and my mother’s intuitive insights, I embraced my own gift later in life. There was a reason why women gathered in villages, shared stories and offered healing, because witnessing through one another’s healing journeys, we healed ourselves. Completing my Masters in Reiki about 12 years ago marked the beginning of my journey into holistic healing.

Previously, I pursued a career in Event/Wedding Planning and I worked in the oil and gas sector as an Executive Assistant. I came to understand I couldn’t keep running on empty (I know the irony of me working at a fuel company, yet I was always running on “e”). I refused many times to pause because I thought I could keep going and had placed a pretty big expectation on myself. However, a health scare which led me to the ER, prompted me to reassess my priorities. Diagnosed with NAFLD (non alcoholic fatty liver disease) despite maintaining a healthy active lifestyle, I embarked on a three-year plan to regenerate my liver. This pivotal moment led me to transition into full-time healing work, focusing on somatic therapy and intuitive practices. I changed my career pronto, cleaned up my diet with eating vegetables mainly and foods that resonated and help heal my body.

Through my own healing journey, I discovered the power of deep listening and self-awareness. I emphasize the importance of tuning into one’s body and intuition, a process I know firsthand can be challenging. By honing my skills and stepping into my own light, I now guide others on their paths of self-discovery and empowerment. I hold space for individuals to explore their innermost selves and unlock their potential, facilitating a journey of growth and transformation.

What is the hardest challenge you have come up against in your personal/professional life? 

I am always still learning and this is one of the pieces I am so grateful for. It is challenging for me when I don’t give myself space to soften and allow the flow to take place. My challenge is when I stop trusting myself, my intuition. And this happens when I am not regulated. I know when I am not regulated because I begin to tell myself stories and begin to distrust my decisions. This could send me into a spiral and away from the decisions I am suppose to be making. Biggest life lesson I am still and I believe will spend a life time learning – have fun. Don’t take everything so seriously. Soften to what is here, now. And through the vessel of flow I accept exactly the way I am and not fear seeing what is inside the body, instead of constantly living from the mind. Which simply means, I can give myself permission to feel and not always think, I have to know everything.

What advice would you give South Asian women wanting to do what you do?

Allow fear to become your friend. Use it’s capacity to allow yourself to know, you’re safe. Allow yourself to create a stronger relationship with fear, so you know why it shows up. Allow yourself to feel, because too often we are invited to only think. I really believe our breath is a vessel, inviting us to feel.

What do you do to help South Asian women feel empowered?

Create space and then hold the space with and for them as they navigate looking at all the pieces that makes them whole. To invite them to celebrate all that is here in this moment and how wonderfully all their pieces make the vast Ocean of who they are. So often we are told we aren’t enough. We are enough, to pause and see this is true, to hold all the pieces that might be in the way gently, with compassion. This is what my space and the modalities I use in my practice make space for.

If you could tell your teenage self something, what would it be?

You’re going to be fine! Lol – don’t stress so much, you don’t’ need to wear the world on your shoulders, and Damn you’re beautiful.

What is your personal motto or mission statement?

Regulate your body, mind and heart so that you can unlock all the pieces that make you whole. And then elevate into all of who you are.

Besides your work, what are you passionate about?

I enjoy writing; be it free style, poetry. I love being outdoors in the forest, by the ocean. I love riding my bike – it brings me such freedom to feel the wind and know my body is healthy to move. Connecting people, I believe one of the reasons I am here is to connect others to help one another in building relationships, knowing they can find what they are looking for.  I am also passionate about cooking, coming to have a relationship with food, and how it is here to heal us, sustain us with energy is one of the powerful pieces I am learning and in awe of.

Where can one find you on your days off?

Hiking in the woods or by the ocean – yup I know that sounds cliché but it’s true. Or reading a great book at a coffee shop – currently I am reading “The Mountain is You”

How do you balance work, life, family/friends?

The older I am getting the better I feel like I am getting at this. As I recognize the signals my body gives when it’s needing alone time. I listen in, there are cues my body and mind will give me and then I listen to it. I try to give myself 2-3 tokens a week for social activities. I also know if I don’t take my time to do my own work of life I cannot hold space for others. It comes back to listening inwards, and we are creatures of habit, I have recently learned how important routine is. I use to despise it however I know how helpful it is for me now.

Upcoming Projects

I am hosting monthly breathwork circles in Vancouver, Kitsilano area. And hosting day retreats on Bowen Island. My next day retreat is May 19^th, it’s a beautiful way to connect with ourselves in meditation, breathwork, sound journey’s. It’s a great way to connect with community also.  The best way to connect with me is via email and on my Instagram channel  @sandypandher. I am also currently preparing for a role; Operations Director at Mist Thermal Sanctuary, together with Nectar Yoga on Bowen Island. Mist Thermal is a cold plunge and sauna sanctuary, a private space to come land with nature and feel held by the earth as you navigate through cycles of hot and cold.  I believe we can spend a lifetime learning about our bodies, minds, our hearts in how to help us function in a loving and the best way possible. I look forward to meeting you in person and providing space for us to connect to the parts of us we sometimes forget.

Stay Connected with Sandy

• Instagram: @SandyPandher
• Website: SandyPandher.com