About Us
Sunshine Yoga and Health

Lyn Thomas Dip.IYTA,AUS, Cert.YTTC,USA, founder and manager of Sunshine Yoga & Health, was born in New Zealand, the home of the hobbits, Lord of the Rings. She is the youngest of 6 children and grew up on a dairy farm in a little village called Pirongia, (south of Auckland ).

Lyn's love of yoga started at the tender age of eight years, at a time when her mother was prompted to search out ways to improve her health after a cancer scare. Marion, her Mum, discovered a yoga class which she found so very beneficial that she sort out a children's' class for her 2 youngest children.

The weekly Friday night yoga class became a highlight in Lyn's young life, as she took to yoga like a "duck to water". The yoga postures and calisthenics were so much fun and have left her with very fond memories. Learning to breathe, stretch, twist every which way and literally tie herself in knots way back then, has undoubtedly created the flexibility and strength that she maintains to this day.

With a natural love for the outdoors, she was lead into the world of nature where she spent many weekends involved with learning about the beautiful New Zealand native bush - the flora and fauna, the birds and insects. She understands now that the many yoga practices and principles she learnt were automatically practiced during her childhood years on the farm.

The hours of quiet contemplation on her own whilst adventuring, moved her focus and thoughts within. Lyn's Mum became an avid yogi and taught yoga up until her death in 1996. She lived yoga in every form...a beautiful lady. Even to the point of studying for the IYTA Teachers Diploma course when she was 72 years of age.

The years of yoga practice was invaluable to Lyn when she started her family. She found that yoga and pregnancy definitely go together and was delighted with her three trouble-free pregnancies and natural births. Her yoga was also invaluable in helping her cope with the pressures of three young children under 4½ years of age.

Her experience with Iyengar Yoga came during her late teens into her twenties. She loved this style at the time but found that Hatha Yoga was to be her main focus when she reached her 30's.

There was always a lot of curiosity and interest in eastern philosophy that took her in and out of several different groups and gurus. It gave her an array of experiences, which has been filtered; only retaining what is stable and useful to her now. Lyn's varied interests in health and wellbeing has also taken her into the areas of therapeutic massage, aromatherapy, colour therapy, vibrational essences and crystal energy and wholefood and vegetarian cooking.

Moving to Australia in 1979, she began teaching yoga. Several years later she obtained her yoga teachers diploma with the International Yoga Teachers Association, (IYTA), Australia. This gave her the confidence to increase her push to teach more yoga. However, it was some years of working as a secretary, with only part time teaching, before Sunshine Yoga & Health was born, taking her into her full time business.

Lyn's knowledge and experience was constantly growing and developing and a dream was realized when she traveled abroad to the Ananda Yoga Community in Nevada City, California. This centre was created by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Yogananda, who became known in the west for his wonderful book "Autobiography of a Yogi". It was here she received another accreditation with studying and passing their Yoga Teachers Training Certificate.

With a year back in New Zealand, managing Studio Horizon, Tony O'Connor's relaxation music business, she became involved with her mother's yoga classes and taught yoga with her. It was a beautiful time of sharing together what they both loved - yoga!

Sunshine Yoga and Health has been growing and developing since 1996. There are 6 Sunshine Yoga classes throughout Brisbane, along with day retreats, weekend retreats and week long holidays offered throughout the year and various beautiful locations.

The introduction of her own "Signature Series" yoga videos was an incredible milestone in her career. These four videos have been well received by Amway, Australia & New Zealand and the ABC Shops. Also, libraries in Queensland, South Australia and Victoria carry these products.

The release in September 2004 of the "Signature Series" in DVD format enabled their successful distribution world-wide via the Internet.

Lyn says that "the first breath I took was the start of my journey with yoga. It is literally part of my being".

Lyn Thomas 1961