About The Big Stretch

strengthen your body, nurture your soul and lift your spirit

A small, intimate yoga centre that opened its doors in 1999, The Big Stretch is a warm, welcoming space that offers hatha yoga classes to all age groups. With candles and music, and a small group of instructors, classes are tailored to the dynamics of the group attending. Instructors focus on each student and his or her needs, challenges or injuries. The Big Stretch also offers corporate yoga, workshops and yoga retreats.

Hatha yoga is a gentle, yet effective yoga practice that enhances your health and well-being. The simple breathing, stretching and muscle relaxation techniques relieve various symptoms of stress, including tension headaches, fatigue, anxiety,
back-pain, depression and insomnia.

In our classes, we slow down from our hectic schedules, allowing the breath to flow through the postures. Create balance by uniting opposites - effort and grace, stability and fluidity, strength and softness. Rather than just exercising, we can begin to connect the breath with body and mind, directing our attention inward.

Mats, blankets, bolsters, blocks, straps, zafus and eye pillows are provided for your support, comfort and convenience. Inspiring music and candles, warm, earthy hardwood floors, large windows and soothing blue walls create a gentle and relaxing atmosphere.

"Thank you for such a lovely session yesterday. I always leave feeling relaxed but enlivened." ~ Lesley M.

"Hi Joanne,

I reached a couple of milestones:

1. I can now do the eagle with both arms after a couple of years of getting over a shoulder injury,

2. Balance separately on my left foot and then on my right one - can't remember the name of the move but it looks like diving one-legged swan {Warrior 3} - before I could only do it for 15-20 seconds on my right leg only.

Nice to feel rewarded with steady perseverance and a great yoga instructor.

Thanks for the mask, it helped me to bike up the ravine home in all of this air pollution due to the fires." ~ Andy T.

"Dearest Joanne - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!! Ever since March it finally felt like we were back "in class" with you!!! Ahhh - om. Sending you all my very best wishes for a very happy and healthy and very successful New Year!!! Cheers." ~ HANNE