The Long Stretch offers yoga teaching that is trauma-informed and aimed at bringing the practice to hidden and marginalised communities.
Our aim is to provide people with the tools to reconnect with themselves. With our approach to yoga we teach how to rediscover freedom and joy through the expression of the human body.
“Yoga shines the light and gives people the strength to move past the darkest of times. From my personal experience I believe that yoga can give you the power to be a healthier, more balanced and connected version of you”
Emma Smallman, The Long Stretch Founder
In 2017 Emma decided that she needed to create a balance to the Yang of Drum n Bounce and discovered that the Yin energy she needed would be found in the practice of Yoga.
Initially training in Real Flow Yoga and hoping to offer an holistic practice of asana (posture) pranayama (breath control) centring (meditation) philosophy, life ethics and savasana (relaxation), Emma has more recently undertaken a 200 hour training course with The Prison Yoga Project and a 50 hour training with the Phoenix Prison Trust.
“The Prison Yoga Project (PYP) is a global non-profit organization whose mission is to provide programs for rehabilitation and resilience rooted in trauma-informed yoga and embodied mindfulness”
Emma Smallman, The Long Stretch Founder
This led to the development and formation of The Long Stretch, a yoga practice that is focussed on helping people from marginalised sections of society who have suffered trauma, and may not be aware of some of the tools that can help them reconnect to their bodies, their minds and ultimately themselves.
A trauma-informed approach to yoga supports the practitioner to make the choices as to what feels best in their body, trusting that they know themselves and their bodies better than anyone else. Trauma is stored in the body and this style of yoga practice aids the release of that, making it perfect for anyone struggling with mental or physical health related to negative experiences.
Emma delivers these specialist sessions to a diverse group of clients including people serving prison sentences or in the probation system, at recovery centres for people recovering from substance misuse, adults with severe autism and chair yoga sessions for anyone with mobility and movement issues.
