I was struck by the beauty, simplicity and effectiveness of this form of therapy and amazed at what you can feel. The wisdom and knowledge of Daoism and traditional Chinese medicine, on which shiatsu is based, is also fascinating and I was eager to learn more about it. I wanted to make this my profession and searched for shiatsu training programs in the Netherlandsat at the local internet café. I still remember the excitement at that moment. After all, it meant that I would have to exchange my nomadic existence for more permanence.

 The following year, I came to Amsterdam and attended an open day for the Zen Shiatsu school in Amsterdam. I immediately felt in the right place and enrolled in the professional training program. I also bought a Mensendieck practice in Amsterdam Zuid and after graduating I had two daughters (now 16 and 18) and the Mensendieck practice became a shiatsu practice. 

Although working in the practice is an inspiring learning experience in itself, I keep on studying and develop more skills.

For ten years, I’ve been a student of Bill Palmer. He developed a style of shiatsu characterized by breathing and movement experiments in which the client takes a more active role. This form of shiatsu is particularly suitable for chronic conditions and trauma. Here I learned how to safely support a process of self-exploration and healing.

Self-exploration is an important aspect of my own personal development and it feels natural and meaningful to guide others in this process.

In 2023/2024 I completed a Daoist coaching and counseling training program, ‘Daodynamica’. Doadynamica is a holistic and body-oriented method of couseling or coaching that combines Eastern and Western insights.

I am currently participating in a year-long training program ‘Heart of life’, which focuses on personal leadership and where I’m also further developing my coaching skills.

With my interest in and growing experience with personal development, incuding from Daoist perspective, I enjoy helping clients gain greater insight into their patterns, identify where they’re stuck, and what’s needed to restore momentum. I’m happy when people leave not only feeling more peaceful, relaxed and full of life, but also a little wiser.