- Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and about STRETCHY?
Hey! I’m Kimberley - the founder of Stretchy Yoga, a Creative Director & very recently, a yoga teacher graduate (woo-hoo!). Outside of that, I’m an avid runner, traveller, hiker, and wannabe surfer.Stretchy is a social yoga community in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. We offer weekly yoga practices to stretch bodies & minds, followed by coffees & drinks to stretch socially. We’re all about people coming together over mindful movement to connect; deeper into ourselves, and wider socially in community. Different yoga teachers lead each practice, so Stretchy-goers have the chance to try loads of varying styles & approaches to yoga. Sessions are hosted in familiar & friendly places like community halls, RSA’s, school fields, followed by social time at some of Auckland’s favourite cafes & bars. Each session genuinely becomes the highlight of my week.
- How did STRETCHY get started?
Stretchy 1.0 started in Bali during a 6 month remote working stint in 2023. Living within a transient society I was craving the chance to deeply connect with people, particularly those who I was practicing yoga next to every day.
Back to Auckland, I wanted to foster new connections within the city I grew up in. Equally, I have mates who love movement but would never ever step inside a yoga studio. I was super pumped by the perception & cultural shift around running & run clubs, so Stretchy evolved to make yoga equally as accessible, welcoming and social.
We launched just before Christmas 2024. And now have weekly sessions in Herne Bay, Takapuna, Grey Lynn & loads of one-off events upcoming.
- What’s your relation with running and what would you say to someone who has never been into it?
I flippen love running. My mum got me into it in high school & I haven’t really stopped. It’s the absolute best way to clear the mind, move the bod & discover (or rediscover) the environment around us. For anyone that’s never been into it, I would say… it pretty much sucks for the first 2 weeks (haha, sorry!) It’s really hard. But once you’re through that, have slightly risen your base running fitness, get into that routine, it can be such a joy. Running with mates helps too - for support, distraction, accountability & general fun.
- What are the biggest misconceptions runners have about stretching?
Probably that it’s uncomfortable, takes too much time, or that they only need to stretch their legs. (That was my pre-conception 10 ish years ago pre yoga anyway).
- If a runner only has 5 minutes post-run, what stretch must they do?
My “Go-to” is always some variation of ‘Figure 4’ - either lying on back bringing knees towards torso, sitting upright with legs stacked, standing balance figure 4, or taking it into a twist. Great for glutes, hips, lower back. Also love a ‘Malasana’ (yogi squat) and taking hip swivels in that position. Oh and ‘Waterfall’ - lying on back, legs up wall, great for lymphatic drainage and so relaxy.
- What does movement / exercise mean to you? How does STRETCHY embody this?
Movement is medicine. Beyond the physical, movement & exercise have such an insane ability to shift energy, emotion, mindset, perception. It’s magic how a 30 minute run, 10 minutes of dancing, a couple of sun salutations, can quickly & radically flip a bad day into the best. For me, when that happens it’s always a re-reminder / perception shift of how incredible the human body is. At Stretchy we’re all about celebrating the body, and meeting it where it’s at each day. Every day is different, but it’s about tapping into what you’re feeling your body needs at that moment. And then fully embracing & enjoying that.
- Could you tell us 3 pieces of advice you would give to someone on their mental and/or physical health?
“Move the body, still the mind”. When the mind is going into overdrive, get moving. It forces you to shift your focus elsewhere, normally for the better. Consistency & turning up for yourself, time and time again is what counts. We’re playing the long game here. Look at it from a fun, curious, open minded viewpoint. If you’re dreading a workout, a run, that game, that class, a practice, of course it’s going to suck… tell yourself you’re going to enjoy it, or seek out the tiniest part of it to look forward to, and it becomes all the easier. Or seek out another physical / mental practice that you do enjoy and weave more of that into your life.
- Any to add about our next event coming up?
Stoked to say we’re teaming up with FAT Road Runners for some Stretchy Runners sessions! We’ve created runners-focused mobility yoga sessions with a range of Stretchy yoga teachers. 1 hour flows with “social stretching” afterwards - coffees, chats and the chance to make some new running mates. Dates & details to be announced soon, stay tuned. Plus ongoing runners-specific mini mobility flows coming to your inbox too in the lead up to race day.
- Sunrise yoga or sunset stretch?
On an ideal day, both! But I’m an early riser, so yoga pretty much always happens at the start of the day.
- Least favourite stretch that’s actually a must?
Toe stretching (when you sit knelling, with your toes tucked) - so ouch, but so necessary for overall foot health & balance.
- What would you say to someone who feels "too stiff" or "not flexible enough" to join a class?
Just come! You’ve got to start somewhere. Being able to touch your toes is truly not necessary & there’s always modifications to get the stretch & mobility work doing what it needs to do. It doesn’t need to look pretty.