About Marike
Massage is the one thing that has always helped me to relax and feel more connected to myself. Years of working in high pressure environments and being a worrier/thinker lead to personal struggles with stress and tension. While travelling, and in my home town of Amsterdam, I experienced a wide variety of massage techniques from around the world and I was able to observe the benefits to my health and wellbeing.
As my passion for massage grew, I decided that I wanted to learn how to share it with others and I trained in Holistic Massage at the Akademie voor Massage en Beweging in Amsterdam. The day I first experienced Thai Yoga Massage, I felt so deeply energized and relaxed, that I knew that I had found the massage technique that I wanted to specialize in. I have since trained in the various forms and levels of this Ancient Healing Art, including “Wat Po” or traditional Thai Acupressure, “Chi Nei Tsang” or Abdominal Massage with hot compresses, and Foot Reflexology in Amsterdam and Chiang Mai, Thailand.
As well as working as a Thai Yoga Massage therapist, I am passionate about sharing the knowledge of these amazing healing techniques. I graduated from the Teacher Training at ITM Thai Hand Amsterdam and from the Advanced Practitioner and Teacher Training program (390 hours) at ITM Chiang Mai, and I offer private classes, workshops and certification programs.
I realize that this sounds like a cliché, but Thai Yoga Massage changed my life: my mental and physical health have greatly improved, I am less sick and have fewer headaches. Most importantly I have now realized that a “job” can be fun and bring me energy and joy. I love seeing the effects of the treatments and the classes on others and I hope to inspire you to take greater care of yourself and your happiness.
About Thai Yoga Massage
Traditional Thai Massage,” Nuad Bo Rarn”, is a complimentary healing system created at the time of the Buddha, 2500 years ago. Influenced by Indian Yoga and Chinese Acupressure, this dynamic combination of assisted yoga stretches and rhythmic stimulation of “Sen”, or energy lines, works deeply on the body and the mind. It stimulates the blood flow and metabolism, assisting the body in its natural ability for self-healing. The result is improved general health and a sense of wellbeing. Traditional Thai Massage focuses on the therapist’s intention to heal and integrates the Buddhist practices of breath awareness and loving compassion.
Thai massage is different from what we typically think of as ‘massage’ in the West in that there is no oil used, the Thai Yoga Massage therapist uses a mat on the floor and the receiver remains clothed during the treatment. What also makes Thai Yoga Massage incredibly unique, is that it is a massage in movement: the Thai Yoga Massage therapist pulls, stretches and rocks the body in order to stretch connective tissues and relieve tensions. Thumbs, palms, forearms, elbows, knees and feet are used to apply pressure at a rhythmic and meditative pace, creating a beautiful flow between the giver and the receiver.
Benefits of Thai Yoga Massage
– Deep relaxation for body and mind
– Relaxed muscles, reduced pain and stiffness in muscles and joints
– Improved flexibility and range of motion of joints
– Improved posture and balance
– Enhanced blood and lymph circulation
– Boosted immune system
– Improved functioning of internal organs and digestion
– Reduced stress and anxiety
– Prevention of insomnia and headache
