Meet The Team
Carolyn Schmidt
Fascial Stretch Therapist, Movement Educator, Breathwork Facilitator, Embodiment Coach
Carolyn Schmidt is in a long term relationship with human movement. As a Stretch Therapist, Breathwork Facilitator and Movement Educator, Carolyn brings a lifetime of experience, passion and curiosity to each session and class she leads.
After years of dealing with frustrating injuries from a career in dance, Carolyn found herself on a healing path, learning how to unwind and re-pattern her own body from 20 years of intense physical training and the related emotional impacts. As a part of her healing journey, she discovered Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) - a powerful modality that helps the body heal at a nervous system level. She became a Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist in 2017 and holds the highest level of training in the method.
In conjunction with Stretch Therapy, Carolyn is a skilled movement coach with a sharp eye and nurturing energy. Carolyn has studied a wide range of movement practices and somatic body-mind therapies including Franklin Method (Eric Franklin), Anatomy Trains Body Reading (Tom Myers), Laban Movement Analysis, Countertechnique, Alexander Technique, BodyMind Centering (Bonnie Bainbridge Cohen), Yoga (various forms), Pilates (classical and contemporary), movement improvisation and of course, dance (ballet, modern, contemporary dance). Carolyn is also a certified Embodiment Coach completing CEC (Certification of Embodiment Coaching) with Mark Walsh from the UK.
When not facilitating or stretching clients (or herself!) Carolyn is busy running around after her toddler, the ultimate movement guru.
"My mission as a facilitator is to empower folks to use their sacred instruments (bodies) with great awareness and expression as a way of embodying their highest selves."
Cian Dalton
MSc, Fascial Stretch Therapist, Breathwork Facilitator, Wim Hof Method Instructor, Mindset Coach, Keynote Speaker
Cian is a breathwork facilitator, stretch therapist, former professional boxer and the first certified Wim Hof instructor in BC. He has had a variety of diverse careers and worked as an engineer in the field of wind power studying the energy in air. It dawned on him that it was more important for human beings to learn how to be more efficient at utilizing the energy from air and to live more powerful lives. He made the inevitable switch from Machine Power to HUMAN POWER. Since making a big life decision to leave the office he has pursued the truth about what is required to live optimally and with simplicity as a human. Through this quest he has also learned about what gets in our way having learned through his own mistakes.
Cian competed as a professional middleweight boxer in the USA and still occasionally works as a boxing instructor and striking coach at Lions' MMA. Cian was a high level soccer player in his youth in Ireland and England and still enjoys playing soccer, distance running and trail running.
Cian is an experienced stretch therapist having level 3 training in FST as well as thousands of sessions and many other stretching and movement trainings under his belt. He loves to combine his various offerings of stretch therapy, breathwork and mindset coaching when requested. He is a coach and motivational speaker who loves to encourage others to step into their true nature through the tools of nature including breath and cold as well as movement and human connection. He is open to inquiries for corporate workshops, retreats and speeches. He has worked with organizations such as Entrepreneurs Organization (EO), Fairmont Hotel Lake Louise and Telus Canada among others.
He is co-owner of The Stretch Space with his wife Carolyn and proud papa to little Florian. When not at the studio Cian has been regularly seen cold dipping at Kits Beach since long before it was cool!
"Movement starts in the lungs!"
Charlotte Telfer-Wan
Fascial Stretch Therapist, SRT Therapist, Kinesiologist
Charlotte has a passion for health, movement, and enjoyment of an active lifestyle. Her interests in physical and emotional wellness through movement led her to become a Stretch Therapist.
Charlotte began her movement journey as a young dancer, and is now pursuing a professional career in the art form. She holds a BFA in Contemporary Dance from SFU, teaches kids, and performs with a variety of Vancouver artists.
While at University Charlotte also studied Kinesiology, focusing on how a dancer’s physiology adapts from training and conditioning. Her interests lie in understanding individual differences, applying her knowledge of sport science to address a holistic view of health and wellbeing. Charlotte has extensive training in Stretch Therapy under the direction of Carolyn Schmidt and Cian Dalton of The Stretch Space, as well as through Soft Stretch Release Therapy (SRT) and Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST). Charlotte is also continuing her education in the psychological health of movement, and women’s health in relation to nutrition and fitness. Charlotte's goal as a therapist is to create more enjoyable and educated lives for her clients as movers. She believes that building trust, comfort, and understanding of our bodies can reduce physical and psychological stress in exercise and performance as well as in everyday life. When Charlotte isn’t at the Stretch Space you can find her cycling the city, at the barre or lifting one at the gym, hiking a beautiful mountain trail, or just enjoying a hot cup of coffee.
Kestrel Paton
Fascial Stretch Therapist, SRT Therapist
Kestrel was first introduced to Fascial Stretch Therapy in 2018, after booking a session at the Stretch Space as recommended by a friend. She could not believe the striking difference compared to years of massage and other hands-on therapies. With a background as a professional dancer, Kestrel has always been passionate about restorative practices, a tool learned out of necessity from her many years of high intensity dance training. She knew how powerful consistent body awareness modalities were in bettering not only her artistic craft but day to day living. Fascial Stretch Therapy was the missing piece.
Kestrel holds a BFA in Dance from Simon Fraser University and has performed professionally. She is trained in Fascial Stretch Therapy (FST) through Stretch to Win Institute as well as Soft Release Therapy (SRT) and is currently continuing her education as a Corrective Exercise Specialist through National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM). Her interests as a therapist lay in educating her clients in small practices that make big differences. She is passionate that everyone is a born mover and is committed to helping clients find ease and new possibilities in their bodies. When not at the Stretch Space you can find Kestrel enjoying a coffee while taking in the beautiful Vancouver oceanside, or at the gym trying to master her pull-ups.
Interested in Joining Our Team?
If you are interested in joining our team and feel aligned with what we do drop us a line at thestretchspace@gmail.com to inquire.