Kimberley Torrie
Kimberley is the founder of Stretchy Yoga, a social yoga community in Auckland. Through Stretchy, she creates inclusive, weekly gatherings that combine mindful movement with social connection, giving people a space to stretch both their bodies and their relationships.
Alongside Stretchy, she works as a freelance Creative Director and Brand Consultant, helping founders, agencies, and businesses craft thoughtful, joyful, and intentional experiences. With over 13 years of experience in advertising and creative direction, Kimberley has partnered with a diverse mix of clients from Air New Zealand to Whittaker’s, Sharesies, and beyond.
Her work and community initiatives are guided by creativity, connection, and a desire to make people feel seen, supported, and inspired.
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Hi Kimberley! It’s amazing to see the love and creativity you bring to everything you do, from building brands to nurturing community through Stretchy. I’ve personally loved being part of the Stretchy community and seeing the care, creativity, and joy you put into it.
You wear so many hats, from Creative Director to community builder and yoga teacher. What do you feel is the thread that ties all the work you do together?
Haha yes, a little bit multi-passionate! For me there’s 4 threads: joy, creativity, endless learning & relationship building. Whether it’s Stretchy, my freelance Creative Directing or my first sojourns into teaching, I’m trying to approach all with a sense of playful exploration while forming deeper connections. I’m working on finding joy in all of these things. That’s the energy I hope people leave any encounter with Stretchy or myself with too.
With so much creativity flowing through your work, what’s a day in your life like, and how do you manage to find balance?
The typical day means an atypical day currently. With a tougher freelance market, building Stretchy & undergoing teacher training, it’s been quite the transitional, malleable year!
Generally, it’s a mix of running, walking, yoga, coffee, and meditation first up. Then I move into freelance Creative Direction work—either at my flat, a café, a co-working spot, or my mum and dad’s place. After work, I fit in a walk or some movement.
I usually have a yummo, nutritious meal while hanging with the flatmates, followed by ten minutes of meditation if I missed it in the morning. Then setting plans for the next day and catch up on Stretchy admin. If it’s a Stretchy day, it’s an earlier start, and freelance work is shifted back later into the evening.
I know balance for me comes from making sure I get to move lots, before a work day of sitting. This year I’m trying not to engage with my phone or work until after yoga, coffee & 10 mins meditation to help focus. And then as my freelance work is now largely remote, I need to connect with people—whether that’s my regular morning coffee, Stretchy, sitting in a bustly cafe or a co-working spot to work.
What have you learned about yourself through this blend of career and community?
To be patient. Good things take time. Forming connections takes time. The Yoga practice takes a lot of time. It’s been a big lesson in slowing down & allowing what’s not meant to be to strip away.
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Just how much I was craving people & connections. After years of travelling, remote working, and being very independent, Stretchy has been a very real reminder of the joy of community. I’m learning so much from this very multi-faceted community - the teachers with their teachings, the attendees who all do such a range of interesting jobs & from all walks of life, and the other creatives I’ve had the honour to work with on various parts of Stretchy.
Stretchy is a special place for connection and community. How did it start, and what makes it meaningful for you and the people who come along?
The first iteration of Stretchy began in 2023 during a 6 month remote working stint in Bali. Living within a transient society I was craving the chance to deeply connect with people, particularly those who I was practicing next to every day.
Returning to Auckland, I wanted to foster new connections outside of work, within the city I grew up in. Equally, I had friends who loved movement but would never ever step inside a yoga studio with me. I was inspired by the perception & cultural shift around running & run clubs, so Stretchy evolved to make yoga equally as accessible, non-intimidating, social and to offer the chance to connect over movement each week.
We launched just before Christmas 2024. Each week’s practice is led by a different teacher so Stretchy-goers have the chance to try a multitude of styles. Sessions are hosted in familiar & friendly places like community halls, RSA’s, school fields, followed by social time at some of Auckland’s favourite cafes & bars. The post yoga coffees & drinks are always delicious, with the conversation over them being even more so.
My aim with Stretchy is to get more people setting aside time for mindful movement each week. Fostering connections and creating a community where trying something new is celebrated. It’s genuinely become the 90 minute highlight of my week, and I hope that’s the sense those joining Stretchy feel too.I think with all that’s happening in the world, the rise of AI, people are seeking “Third Spaces” to come together with a communal and equalising experience. It’s why run clubs are such a hit. Yet I hope with Stretchy, a more diverse group of people, of all ages and backgrounds feel they have a place to join.
How has building Stretchy influenced your own sense of creativity, connection, or wellbeing?
Somewhat selfishly, Stretchy was created as it was something I wanted but didn’t feel existed. It’s been a huge creative journey and also quite a cathartic one so far.
It’s become such a privilege to get to help “design” a space & community which in turn has brought people into my realm who are inspiring me to create ongoing (both for Stretchy and freelance work). Like you Mia!!
I have SO MANY ideas for Stretchy. I think it’s really unleashed my creativity, it’s discerning what to act on and when.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned about creating work that people connect with?
Keep it joyful, keep it human, keep it simple, and always make sure it reflects the ethos & values of Stretchy.
What’s one thing you’ve created that you’re particularly proud of, and why?
The community itself—a space for beginner & experienced yogis to give new practices a go, a space for new & experienced teachers to test new practices outside of a studio environment.
And the Stretchy tshirts! To have Bridget Daulby’s whimsical illustrations combined with Tim from Papedas’ screenprinting & tees. I bought some of Tim’s designs in Lombok a few years ago & have wanted to work with him since. He hand screenprints small batch tshirts, created with intent & the environment in mind. I recently got to meet Tim at his workshop in Seseh, Bali, and he showed me a new range of tshirts for his own brand, inspired by the Stretchy tees. To see designs come full circle, that was super cool. Plus supporting an up and coming Indonesian label.
If you could offer a piece of advice to someone wanting to approach their work and life with more creativity and intention, what would it be?
Give yourself the time and space to truly listen & define what your intentions, creativity, passions or values may be in your current phase of life. Only you know what you deeply care about. You’ll need that focus & alignment to remind you of why you’re doing it when the wobbles, ebbs and flows of life come at you.
But ultimately, if you’re curious about something, try it. You’ve only got everything to gain.
Kimberley's Objects of Inspiration
Travel. I just love people watching, running early morning to observe daily life, getting familiar with a local coffee shop and the locals who frequent it, the food, the markets, and public transport. Different ways of living to make me question my ways of living. (All captured on my Kodak Ektar Half-frame film camera).
When considered, design meets cool colours. I’m a magpie for design, branding, furniture, homeware, art, screenprints, clothes, when clean lines or interesting geometry are coupled with colour.
Podcasts. Business is Boring, Diary of a CEO, Feel better, live more with Dr Rangan Chatterjee, etc. Inspiring to keep learning, innovating and basically to “just do it”.
Family. “Don’t test your ideas on your family” doesn’t really apply to the Torries. Mum is a curious creative, Dad brings the reality, my brother Andrew just simply thinks different. They’re great sounding boards and inspirers of hard work
BY TONIN Heritage Slim Dome Ring - I love the craftsmanship, elegance, simplicity and natural curves of this ring.
The Ottolenghi Test Kitchen cookbook. So many deliciously nutritious recipes to devour.
The ocean.
Stretchy Yoga
kimberley@stretchyyoga.co.nz
stretchyyoga.co.nz
Instagram: @stretchy.yoga
TikTok: @stretchy.yoga
Kimberley Torrie Creative
Considered People shares the stories and reflections of those who inspire us, whose considered choices and thoughtful actions ripple outward, shaping spaces, relationships, and communities they touch.