Claire Heywood - SunYoga Principal

Claire has been a yoga student for over 25 years, teaching yoga for 15 years and practising shiatsu massage since 2004.

She writes regular articles and in 2009 co-created and produced a guided relaxation CD, the elements. In 2008 she opened her studio, SunYoga.

• Oki-Do Yoga Teaching Certificate
• Certified Shiatsu Practitioner
• Diploma of Arts - Dance - Victorian College of the Arts
• Graduate of the John Bolton Theatre School
• Member of AAMT and Yoga Australia (Level 2)

Claire’s philosophy on life, wellbeing & the art of Yoga

I love using cheeky humour & a splash of irreverence in class to help my students relax, soften and undo. It is very liberating for people to have the space and permission to let down their guard and lighten up.

For many years I was in denial of my “yoga teacher clown” side and really tried to iron it out. I believed that to be respected I needed to play the classic yoga teacher role, the one who is softly spoken and gentle, who strictly follows rules and dogma.

With maturity and ever increasing delight I now realise that there is room for all of us on the yoga bus! The big yoga message is about becoming whole and celebrating our splendid, individual uniqueness.

As the Chinese proverb says:

Gold cannot be pure, and people cannot be perfect.

And, as the Dalai Lama says:

We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves.

At SunYoga I provide a friendly and accepting place for people from all walks of life to relax, connect with themselves, and make positive changes.  My aim is to help people increase health and happiness and to be the best that they possibly can.

Belinda Blackburn

Belinda began her yoga journey as a student of Claire's in 2001.

She completed her Advanced Diploma of Yoga Teaching in 2008, is an Accredited Infant Massage Instructor and also holds a Cert IV in Breastfeeding Education.

Belinda's nurturing style allows students to experience yoga in a safe and calming environment. She has a holistic approach to yoga and her
classes will generally include asana (posturework), pranayama (breathwork) and guided relaxation. She approaches her teaching with awareness of individual students and their different needs, and adjusts her classes to honour these.

As a mother of three Belinda experienced first hand the wonderful benefits of yoga during pregnancy. It helps in adapting to the rapid physical, hormonal and emotional changes, and provides skills and techniques to manage labour and give birth with as little intervention as possible. Her pre-natal yoga classes empower mums-to-be by establishing a deep connection with their growing baby, nurturing their changing body and preparing for labour, birth and baby.

Belinda's Infant Massage and Yoga workshops continue to provide support and skills to parents after baby has arrived. These workshops include massage techniques to enhance bonding and attachment with baby as well as gentle yoga and guided relaxation for all.

SUNYOGA TEACHERS ARE CERTIFIED BY YOGA AUSTRALIA.