Welcome to Stretchlab Pearl

I have always loved sports and played in every sports team all throughout high school. That lead me to becoming a certified NASM Personal Trainer. As a PT I focus on rehab and prehab as well as strength and conditioning. I grew to really become passionate about helping people which lead me to became a Reiki Master as well as a Massage Therapist graduating from East West College of Healing arts. It has been almost a decade in this industry and I am still in love with learning and growing so that I can better help people that cross my path. I look forward to helping your flexibility and health journey here at StretchLab!

As a professional contemporary dance artist, my background in movement sparks my enthusiasm to explore expression and freedom through the body. With over 10 years of dance training, performing, choreographing, and teaching I love to help others find joy and healing within their bodies. My 200-hr yoga teacher training fuses my love of art with breath work and mindfulness. In my free time I play in a punk rock band, bike, and cook delicious food. I look forward to empowering you on your stretching journey!

I have an extensive background serving others within diverse communities such as a Behavioral Technician for children with autism, a Job Coach for developmentally delayed adults, Activity Coordinator for senior citizens experiencing Alzheimer’s and Park Ranger for Portland Parks & Rec to name a few! Currently attending East West College of The Healing arts for massage therapy and further deepening my passion for assisting others with connecting into their body to cultivate wellbeing and enrichment of daily life. I enjoy jump roping, practicing Tai Chi and playing clawhammer banjo! My goal here at StretchLab is to help guide you on your path to overall health, and in the words of Glennon Doyle, “ We can do hard things!”

My passion for bodywork began with seeking healing from own mobility restrictions and injuries. I wanted to be able to move in a way that felt pain free and fully expressive. That journey lead me to learning more about the body than I ever expected, and it’s now my joy to help serve others. Currently I am a massage therapist in-training at East West College of the Healing Arts. I am also a long time rower, yogi and meditator. In my spare time I love working out at the gym, snowboarding, hiking, producing music and learning whatever I can about the healing arts. Excited to work with you on your stretching journey, no matter where you might be!

I have been a fitness advocate ever since I hired my first personal trainer and saw amazing results, mentally and physically. In my desire to bring the same feeling and results, I pursued a certification from Focus Personal Training Institute’s Master Course program in NY. I am also certified through NASM. My passion is to help people reach their physical goals and celebrate their success stories. Being a Flexologist at Stretch Lab and a personal trainer gives me the opportunity to have that impact.

As a 500-hour certified yoga teacher, I am thrilled to bring my passion for holistic wellness to StretchLab members! My athletic background in competitive figure skating, taekwondo, and Graham dance technique has deepened my understanding of expression and freedom through the body, while also revealing the power of breath work. During my dual BA in psychology and philosophy, I had the privilege of studying under inspiring professors of eastern philosophy and psychology of spirituality, igniting my fascination for yoga philosophy. Through my own yin yoga practice, I discovered the incredible benefits of stretching for both the body and the mind. I am eager to empower you on your stretching journey and help you tap into its healing and transformative potential. Outside of the studio, you'll find me rock climbing, hiking, cooking, and playing music.

Hi, my name is Akash Gaman. I am from Portland, Oregon and have lived in AZ, NY, MI, France and Ireland. I am the founder of the Sky Walking Institute of Healing and Meditation that specializes in Bagua, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, Yoga(flow, power, yin, traditional hatha and more), Breakdancing, Popping and a multitude of various styles and traditions of meditation. I am a medically trained Licensed Massage Therapist with a focus on Cancer recovery, Traditional Chinese Medicine and traumatic injury recovery. I began practicing meditation in 1989, learning shiatsu massage in 1994 and teaching yoga in 2000. After a serious fall that damaged 10 vertebrae in my back and misaligned my hips, I was motivated to learn every healing art that I could in order to become pain free and gain ease in movement. My martial arts journey started in 1989 with Karate and in 1998 with Wing Chun(in Ip Man's lineage) and Qi Gong. After joining the US Navy in 2003, I trained with Army and Air Force special forces, gaining a Black Belt in Taekwondo and practicing many grappling and disarming techniques. I have taught at Mayo Clinic, the Southwestern Institute of Healing Arts, ASU, Syracuse University, Teen Shelters, Senior Centers as well as various Yoga studios and gyms. In the medical industry for massage and TCM, I have worked in traumatic surgical recovery, Mayo Clinic's cancer ward, and I also helped open multiple naturopathic medicine and acupuncture clinics. Join me to expand your knowledge in movement, meditation and healing arts!