LOUISE JOHNSTON
Founder and certified stretch therapist
Before I trained in assisted stretch therapy, I was a field coordinator for Medecins Sans Frontieres in various locations overseas, and when back home, loved being a neonatal nurse in the Epworth Geelong Maternity Team. Before my nursing degree I studied medical anthropology which gave me a holistic understanding of health and well-being.
This helped me navigate the challenges of delivering western emergency medical care to vulnerable populations in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. It allowed me to see well-being through a broader lens.
Back home over the last number of years, this holistic understanding of wellbeing influenced my nursing care of unwell or premature babies in neonatal intensive cares and special care nurseries, through a sensitive awareness of the therapeutic nature of touch.
Helping fragile and unstable neonates recover through meticulous control of temperature, touch stimulus, gentle massage, skin to skin etc. has deepened my understanding of how important sensory experiences are to healing and well-being.
When I want to feel 'well' I look for a sensory experience. Whether it's the invigoration of being barefoot on the beach in a storm with my three treasured dogs, sliding into a hot spa or spending time cooking an incredible meal, this is what feeds my soul.
When I experienced my first assisted stretch I couldn't believe the sensory joy it gave my body. It showed me how an assisted stretch is another sensory experience that just feels spot on, better than a massage, especially if you don't want to exert energy!
I want to share this experience with others and am passionate about helping others receive the benefits of this amazing practice.
It should not just be available for elite sports people.
As well as a certification in assisted stretching, I've also studied different courses in Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF therapy) Thai yoga massage and dynamic rocking movements. Learning all these elements has helped me develop what I think is a really special combination of techniques and skills to give a really good stretch to tired bodies.
I am also proud to announce I have recently added new sensory treatments that are exclusively available at Stretch and Soothe.
Our head spa delivers Shirodhara - an Ayurvedic healing process of having warm herbalised oil slowly and steadily pouring onto your forehead to calm and balance your mind and nervous system. This is then shampooed out with lots of massage in a full head spa experience. Take a look!
We are the first place in Victoria, and perhaps even Australia, to deliver a new sensory treatment - skin tracing and scratching. This is the ultimate sensory experience for those that love the tingles and enjoy a great back scratch.
I'm hoping Stretch and Soothe can deliver some wonderful results for the people in my home town of Geelong and the whole region!
KYLIE
Head spa and scratch therapist
Kylie works part time for Stretch and Soothe delivering our exceptional head spas and back scratches. A wonderful midwife and mum of four, she has a way of imparting a maternal and compassionate touch to her head spas and back scratches, and creates a laid back and relaxed atmosphere. She loves going the extra mile to make your sensory experience rich and soothing and create a space where you can be at ease to just be yourself. While lovely to chat to and get along with, she is just as happy to let you switch off and enjoy some peace and silence. A treatment with Kylie will leave you feeling well cared for and rejuvenated