Meet The Team
Carolyn Schmidt
Fascial Stretch Therapist, Myofascial Release Therapist, Movement Educator, Breathwork Facilitator, Embodiment Coach
Studio Co-Founder
Carolyn Schmidt is in a long term relationship with human movement. As a therapist and 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) and it had a profound impact on her own body. She became a Certified Fascial Stretch Therapist in 2017 and holds the highest level of training in the method. When Carolyn began practicing Conscious Connected Breathwork, her healing reached new levels, leading her to train with Robin Clements of Breathwave, becoming a breathwork facilitator.
In conjunction with Stretch Therapy and Breathwork, Carolyn is a skilled movement educator with a deep fascination and reverence for human bodies. Carolyn has studied a wide range of movement practices and somatic body-mind therapies including JF Barnes Myofascial Release (Levels 1 + 2) 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
Breathwork Facilitator, Cold Water Therapy Instructor, Fascial Stretch Therapist, Mindset Coach, Keynote Speaker
Studio Co-Founder, MSc
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 teaches boxing mostly as a personal growth tool as old school way of moving stagnant energy in the body like nothing else he knows!
Cian is an experienced stretch therapist having level 3 training in FST as well as thousands of sessions and many other stretching, thai yoga massage and movement trainings under his belt. He is most in his element when he is combining his various offerings of stretch therapy, breathwork and mindset coaching. 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!"
Kestrel Paton
BFA Dance, Fascial Stretch Therapist (Level 2), SRT Therapist, Movement Educator
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.
Chris Cohen
Assisted Stretch Therapy Practitioner, Level 1 + 2
Hi, I’m Chris, a Stretch Therapist at The Stretch Space.
My journey into stretch therapy began as a personal exploration to address my own imbalances, chronic injuries, and movement limitations. Over the years, this journey has evolved into a deep passion for helping others achieve freedom and find greater movement in their bodies.
With years of experience as a tennis coach and an active lifestyle that includes volleyball, tennis, hiking, biking, skiing, snowboarding, Animal Flow, yoga, and Pilates, I’ve developed a deep understanding of how the body moves—and what it needs to perform optimally. Currently, I’m expanding my expertise through a biomechanics certification course, which enhances my ability to address imbalances and improve movement efficiency.
In our sessions, I use hands-on assisted stretching techniques to focus on the breath and create space in areas of tightness. Together, we’ll uncover the root causes of your body’s imbalances and work to restore harmony. Every session concludes with guided movement practices you can take home, empowering you to build strength and mobility on your own.
Stretch therapy is more than just physical—it’s about restoring harmony to your entire system. Whether you’re an athlete looking to enhance performance, a desk worker struggling with tension, or someone simply seeking to feel better in their body, I’m here to help. Together, we’ll work toward a more mobile, balanced, and rejuvenated you.
I look forward to partnering with you on this journey, see you in the studio!
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.