Claire’s love of yoga helps mums to deliver babies
Claire Heavenor is a yoga practitioner who helps mums learn techniques to get them through childbirth and move into motherhood.
And it was her own experiences of becoming a mum that inspired Claire to swap a life of touring the world with bands to focusing on helping mums and babies. She is now part of a national group of women working for women known as Lushtums. “I travelled the world as a holistic therapist doing massage at festivals and touring with bands,” said Claire. “However being a mum to small children doesn’t lend itself too well to living in a campervan or tour bus, so after having my son and getting deeper into my yoga practice, I became really interested in learning more about pregnancy yoga and antenatal education. And I realised that I absolutely love working with women.
“I did my Lushtums training, and then began teaching class and practising alongside the other lovely women while I was pregnant with my second.
“Having the regular practice of the yoga movements and breath, and the support of the other women, certainly contributed to me having such an amazing home birth with my second child.
“Becoming a mother was the most profound thing that have ever happened to me and I love how my kids have inspired my work.”
Claire teaches Pregnancy Yoga on Wednesdays, 6.45pm at Callachans Health Studio in Ayr.
The Baby Massage Group meet in Prestwick, Thursdays at 1pm.
You can contact Claire via Lushtums Ayrshire Facebook or email her claire. heavenor@ lushtums. co. uk.
“Yoga is a tried and tested way to help women throughout their pregnancy,” said Claire.
“Birth breathing, moving and mindfulness techniques help women to feel comfortable in their body and alleviate typical pregnancy aches and pains. It helps them feel strong and connected with their baby. They will be prepared with tools they use when the day comes to birth their baby, in whatever way that unfolds.
“This class is all about preparing for birth and motherhood, no previous yoga experience is required.
“I also think that the new mums need plenty of support too, we should be nurturing them as they nurture their babies. It can be such a challenging time.
“This was the reason for me setting up baby massage sessions in Ayrshire.
“Baby massage classes are a relaxed way to learn massage techniques and songs to bond with your baby and to go on to use throughout childhood.
“I want to keep the baby massage group super relaxed, affordable and accessible for mums.
“That’s why I’m running it in the afternoon, it can be a nightmare getting out of the house with a baby in the morning!
“I’ll always provide a cuppa and a treat and the companionship between the mums is the most important part.
“Yoga has become my way of life and as a busy mum of two I try and work round the children.
“I love what I do, working with women at this transformational time of their lives is an absolute privilege, I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Yoga is a tried and tested way to help women throughout their pregnancy Claire Heavenor