Sweet, blissful relaxation. With a small, successful yoga centre that has been open for over 7 years, long before the big yoga boom took place, The Big Stretch Yoga centre has been a relaxing and esthetically pleasing space that offers classes to an eclectic mix of age groups - yoga for everybody, with a solid focus on corporate yoga, yoga retreats, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere.

I am Joanne Lowe, owner and operator of The Big Stretch Yoga Centre on Bayview Avenue, located between Eglinton Avenue and Davisville in Toronto. I have been practicing yoga for 17 years, a certified instructor for 10 years and have been teaching since my certification.

The Centre offers yoga, a gentle, yet effective exercise that enhances your overall health and well-being. The Big Stretch Yoga Centre?s simple breathing, stretching and muscle relaxation techniques relieve various symptoms of stress, including tension headaches, fatigue, anxiety, back-pain, depression and insomnia.

Returning to my roots in the corporate sector (I worked as an account executive in the advertising industry servicing financial institutions), I have also developed the Yoga @ Work program for corporations. A clear mind, calm manner and flexibility ? all benefits of yoga, equal productivity, quick thinking and creativity in the workplace. Big Stretch?s corporate clients include the ROM, World Wildlife Foundation, Harlequin Enterprises, Toronto Sunnybrook Regional Cancer Centre, Janssen-Ortho Inc., ITA, Rogers New Media, Stanton & Sylvester, Collega (Aveda & Civello), Easter Seals etc.

Our philosophy is that yoga is for everyone / everywhere ? whether they be male, female, in the office, at home, in the yoga studio, for kids, young, old, any body shape or size. The Big Stretch has many teens that come already including some yoga families where mom, dad and daughters or sons come to class.

The Big Stretch Yoga Centre has been seen in Toronto Life, Homemaker's Magazine, and Ascent M