Stretch Zone, a practitioner-assisted stretching program, officially marked the opening of its Centreville, Virginia, location with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on December 18, 2025. The business opened its doors earlier this month.

The Centreville studio is owned by Srilekha Palle, who holds a doctorate in rehabilitation medicine and has spent more than two decades working as a physical therapist in clinical healthcare settings. Palle said her extensive experience treating patients has reinforced the importance of stretching as a core component of injury prevention and long-term mobility.

She noted that throughout her career she has consistently encouraged patients dealing with “pain or injuries” to incorporate stretching into their routines to remain flexible and fit.

“I’ve told every third patient of mine to go out and get stretching done to decrease injuries and also to prolong their mobility and flexibility, because that is the only way you can prevent health and promote your well-being,” she added.

As she embarks on her entrepreneurial journey, Palle expressed gratitude to her family and faith for their support. She specifically acknowledged her husband’s role in supporting her journey. “He does a lot of stuff behind the scenes,” she emphasized.

Discussing the process of building her team, Palle shared that she interviewed 106 applicants before selecting her staff. “People who work with me understand that I’m all into perfection. I don’t take things lightly,” she said, prompting laughter from those in attendance.

David Hillelshon, the newly appointed Chairman of the Board of the Dulles Regional Chamber of Commerce (DRCC), attended the event and noted that supporting Palle’s business venture marked his first official engagement in the role. “I’m excited that this is really my first official duty in the role of chair,” he said.

Hillelshon described the DRCC’s reach as extending from Centreville along the Route 28 corridor to Sterling, highlighting the region’s emphasis on “information, innovation, and trade” driven largely by small businesses. He noted that Fairfax County is widely recognized across Virginia for its strong small business ecosystem and said the Chamber was “delighted” to celebrate Palle’s milestone. He also underscored the Chamber’s three pillars: “Community, Building Connections, and Commerce.”

Virginia State Senator Stella G. Pekarsky praised Palle’s longstanding service to the community and welcomed her new role as a business owner. 

“Palle has served our community in many different ways, so it is very exciting now to see her serving this community as a small business owner who is bringing wellness into our communities at a time where we needed probably more than ever,” she said.

Senator Pekarsky added that after learning about the concept, she felt it was a “great idea,” and told Palle, “I truly am very excited to have you here serving our people.”

Virginia Delegate Dan Helmer, who represents the 10th District, also addressed the gathering and remarked on the strong turnout. “Look at this crowd. This is really impressive,” he said, noting that he initially expected a much smaller event. “I just think this is reflective of just the community that you have built through all of your work.”

Helmer shared a personal connection to the area, noting that his wife serves as an assistant principal at a nearby school. “This is very much our community,” he said, adding that he was encouraged to see new jobs being created through small business development.

Referring to current economic and social challenges, Helmer said Palle’s venture represents optimism for the community. He noted that residents are seeking better access to healthcare, opportunities to improve personal well-being, and businesses that support families and economic growth. “We’re just so excited to have this as part of our community,” he added.

Delegate Helmer presented Palle with a citation recognizing the opening of her business. Representatives from the office of Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares also presented citations congratulating her and wishing her success.

“I’m delighted to extend my warmest congratulations to celebrate the grand opening of Stretch Zone Centreville location. This is an exciting milestone that reflects the hard work, vision and dedication that brought your vision from concept to reality,” stated the citation from Congressman Subramanyam.

“This milestone reflects your dedication to bring innovation and wellness focused service to the community and marks on important addition to Centerville’s growing healthcare and small business landscape,” added the citation from Attorney General Miyares.

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