Welcome to StretchLab Upper East Side

Lena earned her Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Physiology from the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney Australia. While at UNSW Lena’s clinical rotations included cardiac rehab, inpatient and outpatient mental health and outpatient orthopaedic rehab. She has also attended special courses on exercise prescription for the prevention of falls (Otago Exercise Programme), Managing Diabetes and Exercise, and Fascia and Foam Rolling. Since graduating in Australia, Lena has clinical experience in exercise prescription for personal injury rehabilitation. She also spent 3 years living in Ireland working as an on-ward Physiotherapy Assistant within the Bon Secours Private Hospital, as well as performing exercise classes for the aging population. Lena feels strongly about developing individualized stretching plans to help clients of all ages get more out of their life. Lena moved to Manhattan in 2022 and in her free time enjoys exploring NYC, attending live music, swimming, walking her dog in the beautiful parks of New York and of course - stretching!

Laione Perkins (LP) is a Senior Flexologist at StretchLab Upper East Side with over a decade of experience in the fitness industry. With a background in personal training, they specialize in strength training for prenatal clients, youth, and athletes. Their expertise has been shaped by internships at 1PP and LIU Brooklyn, as well as Doula training with the Northern Manhattan Perinatal Partnership, enhancing their understanding of prenatal and postpartum wellness. Passionate about movement and recovery, Laione believes fitness is a key to overall well-being. Outside the studio, they enjoy arts and crafts and unwinding with video games.

Originally from upstate New York, Timothy is a professional dancer holding a BFA in dance from the University at Buffalo. He is also a certified level 2 instructor in the Essentrics workout technique. His passion for fitness and injury prevention come from his decade long and ever continuing journey with dance. His professional credits include the Greater Niagara Ballet Company, Norwegian Cruise Lines, New York State Dance Force, and Qu Yang Dance Company (QYDC). Timothy is excited to help clients achieve their ideal selves and celebrate the gift that is movement through the power of stretching! Fun fact: Timothy shares a birthday with Nicki Minaj

Originally from Texas, Samantha Noto is currently a student at Marymount Manhattan College working towards a BFA in dance and a minor in business. She began dancing at 2 years old and has since won notable titles at national competitions. Her training is extensive and includes knowledge and expertise in all areas of dance and body movement, such as ballet, contemporary, jazz, tap, modern, and hip hop. Samantha has five years of experience teaching and assisting dance classes at Ann’s Performing Arts Centre. Additionally, Samantha has worked as a lifeguard and an onsite manager for Blue Water lifeguarding company. She is CPR and AED certified. A fun fact about Samantha is that she has a big sweet tooth for any and all desserts. She is very excited to bring her passion for movement to her clients!

Sophie is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer and dancer originally from Northern New Hampshire. She has been training in dance since the age of 3 and continued her professional training with the Steps on Broadway Professional Programs. She has always had a passion for health and wellness and has a deep appreciation for the importance of stretching and flexibility as part of a healthy lifestyle. She loves to share the knowledge that she has acquired through her dance studies, as well as through her experience as an NASM Certified Personal Trainer. A fun fact about Sophie is that she loves partaking in lots of outdoor activities that New Hampshire has to offer when she is able to visit home!

Asher holds a B.S. in Kinesiology and is an ACSM-certified Exercise Physiologist, originally from Nashville, TN. His years of experience as a physical therapy aide allowed him to work with a diverse range of clients, from middle schoolers to Medicare patients. Before this he worked in the fitness industry with college athletes. As a dedicated athlete himself and lover of sports like soccer, pickleball, and Muay Thai, he brings a dynamic approach to fitness. Asher is thankful to have a job where he’s surrounded by his passions everyday and can allow others to move freely. “Above all else, I want to connect with others and I want to help people build sustainable, healthy habits that lead them to living a full life.” Asher will guide you to take the steps needed to accomplish your goals. He’s excited to share his knowledge and energy with you.

David grew up in East Harlem, New York, and graduated from Cardinal Hayes High School, where he developed a passion for fitness and lacrosse. He further pursued his interest in exercise by earning a degree in Exercise Science from Mercy University. With 10 years of experience as a certified personal trainer, David is dedicated to helping clients realize their fitness potential through consistent action and determination. His coaching philosophy is centered around empowering individuals to achieve their goals and build sustainable habits. A fun fact about David: he can hang upside down for more than one minute!

Originally from Orlando, Florida, Joanna brings a lifetime of movement and performance experience to StretchLab. She earned her BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Dance from Marymount Manhattan College, and has been dancing since the age of 3 with extensive training in jazz, ballet, tap, and hip hop. Joanna has a deep understanding of body mechanics, flexibility, and movement. Her passion for helping others become the best version of themselves shines through in every session. Joanna’s goal is to create a supportive and motivating environment that helps clients improve their mobility, prevent injury, and feel their best—both physically and mentally. When she’s not at the studio, you can probably find her enjoying a slice of tiramisu—her favorite treat!