Sandra Ingerman

Sandra Ingerman is one of the world's most respected and beloved teachers of shamanism, a pioneer who has spent nearly four decades bringing the ancient healing practices of indigenous cultures into accessible, practical form for modern seekers. Originally trained as a marriage and family therapist and licensed mental health counsellor, Sandra found her calling in the shamanic traditions — earning a Master's degree in Counselling Psychology before going on to study with the legendary Michael Harner at the Foundation for Shamanic Studies. She has since trained thousands of students worldwide and certified hundreds of teachers through her own lineage, creating one of the most widely taught shamanic curricula on the planet. At the heart of Sandra's work is the practice of shamanic journeying — the art of entering an altered state of consciousness to connect with compassionate helping spirits for healing, guidance, and wisdom. She is best known for pioneering the modern resurgence of soul retrieval, the ancient practice of recovering parts of the soul that have fragmented through trauma, loss, or extreme stress. Her landmark book Soul Retrieval: Mending the Fragmented Self introduced this concept to a mainstream Western audience and remains the definitive text on the subject. Beyond soul retrieval, Sandra teaches shamanic healing, divination, death and dying practices, and environmental healing — the idea that the same spirit-world practices that heal individuals can be applied to heal the living Earth itself. Sandra's reach extends far beyond her classroom. She runs the global network ShamanicTeachers.com, which lists hundreds of authorized international teachers, and co-hosts the long-running podcast The Shaman's Cave. She is based in Santa Fe, New Mexico, and offers workshops and online trainings for students at every level — from those completely new to shamanism to experienced practitioners ready to deepen their practice. Her teaching philosophy is grounded in service: to the individual, to the collective, and to all living beings on this Earth.