Stretch Your Spirit — Annapolis, United States

Women's wellness retreats and yoga membership from Annapolis

Julie Blamphin's path to founding Stretch Your Spirit began in 1980, when she was twelve years old teaching stretches and strength poses to children in the Special Olympics at her mother's gymnastics school in western New York. Over decades, she traveled widely—living in California, West Virginia, Spain, and Italy—before settling in Annapolis, Maryland. Her teaching approach weaves together Registered Yoga Teacher Certification (2009), Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Pelvic Floor Yoga with Leslie Howard, Transcendental Meditation, Laughter Yoga, and The MELT Method with Sue Hitzmann. Stretch Your Spirit began hosting international retreats in 2018, offering women-centered wellness experiences designed as more than vacation—a return to oneself. The retreats combine daily yoga, laughter, meditation, and sacred circle practices with luxurious accommodations, organic chef-prepared meals, and carefully chosen destinations. Co-leaders have included Gretchen Serinis (Yoga Teacher and Ayurveda Practitioner), Coach Bon Kyle-Blamphin (creator of SHYNE Design), Michelle Ferrin (Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner and Spiritual Counselor), AliceAnne Loftus (Certified Professional Coach and Author), and Melissa Trotman (Owner of Vital You Functional Medicine). Beyond retreats, Blamphin offers an online membership providing anytime access to short, impactful yoga videos focused on posture, core strength, pelvic floor health, and energy. She has authored or co-authored We Lead: Building Connection, Community, and Collaboration for Women in Business (volumes 1 and 2), Hot Mess to Hot Mom: Transformational Tools for Thriving After Childbirth and Beyond, and contributed to AARP The Ethel, Livestrong Magazine, Baltimore Banner, and Pelvic Health Support Canada. Her speaking engagements have included The Leading Lady Podcast, The Dr. Kinney Show, Midlife Rise and Thrive, and the 2023 and 2024 WE LEAD Women's Conference.

Traditions: Yoga, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction, Transcendental Meditation, Laughter Yoga, Pelvic Floor Yoga, Ayurveda

Programs: Women's Wellness Retreats (international, 6-7 days), Online Yoga Membership, Daily Yoga Classes, Meditation Practices, Laughter Yoga, Sacred Circle, Mini-Retreats, Speaking Engagements