Meet Amy

 
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AMY LAITHWAITE

Director & Lead Stretch Therapist

Hometown: Vancouver, Canada.

Background: Amy trained at Canada’s National Ballet School and went on to dancing and teaching professionally. With a passion for human movement she delved into kinesiology and started helping people of all backgrounds to move and feel better through movement coaching and stretching. After becoming certified in stretch therapy, she turned her attention full-time to The Stretch Experience and now spends her days hands-on with clients and heading up training and professional development for The stretch Experience team.  

Amy holds qualifications in Fascial Stretch Therapy, Postural Restoration, Anatomy Trains Postural Analysis and Anatomy. She holds her Licentiate with Cecchetti Classical Ballet and her diploma from Canada’s National Ballet School.

Meet our team

 

Madlen Buchbauer

Madlen’s passion for movement is rooted in martial arts. She has been studying Kali, Boxing and Muay Thai  for the last 16 years. She holds a blackbelt in Jeet Kune Do and Kickboxing. Madlen is a qualified martial arts instructor and a REPs Certified Personal Trainer. Her expert knowledge in human kinetics coupled with a passion for helping people to move with more confidence has made her a sought after trainer and coach.

Madlen’s studies in Postural Restoration heavily influence her work. She includes hands-on and non-manual techniques to improve breathing function and postural alignment, to help her clients maintain the flexibility they gain in their stretch therapy sessions.

Madlen certified in The Stretch Experience method of assisted stretch in 2019.

Rachel Barlow

Rachel is a qualified Sport and Remedial Massage Therapist with 15 years of experience. Her journey started with a love of yoga. She travelled to India in 2005 studying at the Sivananda Ashram, Atma Vikasa in Mysore and Brahmani Yoga in Goa.  In 2007 she returned to London to teach yoga full-time with a focus on Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga. She has continued to expand her knowledge exploring the Gyrokineses method, Anatomy in Motion, NeuroKinetic Therapy, breathwork for rehabilitation, and Yoga Nidra. Most recently Rachel certified as a  Functional Health Coach, with the UK Health Coaching Association. 

Rachel certified in The Stretch Experience method of Assisted Stretch in 2023.

Clémence Besnardeau

Clémence combines a decade of yoga practice with ongoing Pilates studies, bringing a wealth of knowledge to The Stretch Experience. Guided by a love for movement and the transformative power of the flow state, Clémence brings a fresh perspective and a commitment to holistic wellness. Her goal is to unlock the potential for flexibility, strength, and overall well-being. 

Clémence certified in The Stretch Experience method of Assisted Stretch in October 2023 and continues her manual therapy training in the Apprenticeship Programme at TSE.

Lara Banian

Lara has been a Personal Trainer since 2014, branching out into Stretch Therapy in 2019. As a calisthenics athlete, it’s through her own movement and her work with clients that a passion has developed for helping people to move well, pain free and with confidence.

Lara is a trusted partner of The Stretch Experience. You can find her at our satelite location at Revival PT Studio, Fulham.

Michael Okech

Michael is a master trainer and movement educator. A natural aptitude and talent for sport lead him to play Rugby for Canada, USA, France and England. While in Paris, Okech earned his MA in Business Administration from Schiller University and is currently studying Applied Neuroscience at King's College London. He holds numerous qualifications in movement therapies including Postural Restoration, Fascial Stretch therapy, NASM, ACSM and coherent breathing. Michael is a caring and skilled teacher at heart, whose approach is holistic and appreciates the whole person.

Michael certified in The Stretch Experience method of assisted stretch in 2018

Michael has moved on from our team to open New York Stretch Therapy and is one of our trusted partners. We hope you’ll visit them in the Manhattan area.

Anne Marie Ludwig

Anne-Marie is a German born, Canadian raised professional dance artist. She graduated from both Canada’s National Ballet School with a Diploma, as well as York University with a BFA (Honours) Degree in Dance. As a dancer she has worked with many companies around the world. Anne-Marie is also experienced in  coaching, teaching and choreography. While on tour as the Production Assistant for Flowmotion Dance Company, Anne-Marie was responsible for providing recovery stretch sessions for the dancers. Most recently she completed a certified course on 'The Science of Well-Being' with Yale University, and is currently studying Neurobiology with the University of Chicago'.

Anne Marie certified in The Stretch Experience method of assisted stretch in 2018. She’s currently on tour and we look forward to welcoming her back to the studio soon!

Careers.

 

Our team is growing! Looking for a career in Stretch Therapy? Email your CV and cover letter to careers@thestretchexperience.com