2020 has proven to be a tough time to start a business. With waves of restrictions and unsteady regulations, pursuing business opportunities in Southern California is not for the faint hearted. But when you have a dream, you have a dream.

The owners of the soon-to-be-opened StretchLab Irvine Spectrum saw a need in the community and jumped at the chance to meet it. While introducing a new business in the era of COVID-19 is no easy task, they’re determined to make it work.

“Melissa and I are fighters,” says co-owner Darrin Yee. “We work in our businesses every day because we are motivated to help and serve as many people as we can, improving someone’s quality of life is very rewarding. StretchLab allows us to help people in various ways, including mobility, flexibility, posture, reducing stress.”
The new StretchLab Irvine Spectrum studio is owned by local residents Darrin Yee and Melissa Walls. A premier assisted stretching boutique, StretchLab brings a concept in health and wellness that can help a weekend warrior, youth athlete or senior citizen.

“StretchLab helps our members reclaim their freedom of movement and simply move better — no matter what the activity. At work you will carry a lot of tension in your shoulders or tightness in your hips from sitting long periods of time. Assisted stretching can help alleviate that tension as well as bring mental clarity and. For gym and sports performance, it’s crucial to stretch and help your body recover from a tough workout or game as well as prepare your body to reduce injury on the field,” explains Yee.

Yee tells us that stretching has been proven to increase range of motion, decrease pain, increase sports performance and reduce recovery time.

“At StretchLab we practice proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation or PNF stretching,” elaborates Yee. “One of our trained flexologists will ask you to push back or contract your muscles which will result in a deeper stretch and studies have shown that PNF stretching is the best method for general increases in range of motion for all clients.”

Photo by Breanna Hernandez

Both Yee and Walls have a background in physical therapy, making this new venture a natural fit for the entrepreneurs.

“Melissa and I have worked hard rehabilitating patients all over Orange County and Irvine,” shares Yee. “We wanted to work into more health and wellness. Many times we are very reactive to our health, but StretchLab allows us to be proactive towards our health.”

Health is top of mind for everyone right now. What is StretchLab doing to ensure the safety of their clients and staff?

“We do a questionnaire to screen every member that comes into our studio; including a temperature check,” answers Yee. “Equipment and benches are cleaned after every use. Safety is our number priority for our members.”

StretchLab plans on being an integral part of the Irvine community, once orders are eased.
“We will be working with local businesses, schools and team athletics. Our goal is improving your quality of life, one stretch at a time. We love to volunteer our time in local communities giving back to everyone who has supported us,” shares Yee.

To best serve their clients in these uncertain times, StretchLab will also be introducing online classes.
“We are currently working on our virtual platform,” says Yee. “So no matter where you are, you don’t have to miss your stretch for the day!”

To learn more about this new Irvine business, visit StretchLab.com.

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting Irvine Weekly and our advertisers.