Hilversum
ManoVita = Sean de Koekkoek
Motivation and Method
Music, yoga, people, travelling and my family.
My father (chiroprator) was my example: how he was able to touch others, how wonderful it is to help people and be in the world in this way.
It is when I am in touch with others that I know that I am truly alive.
Massage is not really work for me. Each time again, it is an experience that I share with someone and it is my ambition that we both grow in the process.
Not a spa experience
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I'm not going to beat about the bush: my massage sessions are fairly expensive. Why?
At ManoVita massage, I do not offer a spa experience. Neither do I view my work as simply 'manipulating flesh' (which I've been asked to do before). I respect my work and your body too much for that.
I've applied for work at a spa before and found it lacking in true connection. I want to get to know you and your body. At times I am faced with new issues or complaints that I don't know enough about, and then I study further and explore the best approach. But I don't only focus on the specific problems or discomfort at hand. If you grant me the time (longer session or treatment plan) I will do my best to find out how to adapt my treatment to respond to the 'larger picture' of what you do and have done with your body. Does your work require that you sit most of the day? Do you often lift heavy objects? What do you do to relax during time off? What accidents have you had, what medical issues in the past, etc? But above all: what is your stance in life? All of these things play a role in how your body and my massage take shape.
A mindful approach takes time
As I said, do not expect a spa experience with me. For me, it feels as if the client and the spa therapist are both doing their best to ignore or forget the world and their place in it. It's as if a spa offers a dream state, a moment in time that has nothing to do with your actual life or body. Many independent massage therapists try to replicate or approximate this experience in their (home) treatment rooms. Of course, there's a time and a place for this, and if that's what you're looking for at the moment, then this makes total sense.
But it's simply not what I do. I want it to be real, right here and right now. I want to feel the truth of the moment. This is why mindfulness is not merely a trendy thing I've attached to my massage. It underlies my whole approach.
Mindful bodywork takes energy and especially quite a bit of time. Even if you want your massage to fit in somewhere between other important issues of your day, I hope you will try to approach this time together as significant. Ideally, my hope is that my bodywork is experienced as the foundation of your day(s) - not simply as a way to deal with a problem, but as a process that helps other things in your life make more sense.
Background and Vision
I was born in Zambia and lived in the United States and the Netherlands for many years. I come from a family of chiropractors and therapists who focused on stimulating the self-healing abilities of the body. ‘Alternative’ and holistic approaches to discomfort, illness and health, and especially the importance of hands and touch in healing, have always been a part of my life.
For many years, I studied as a literary theorist and philosopher and worked as a scholar and English teacher at various universities and organisations (in the Netherlands, Turkey, and the United States). Several years ago, I made a return to the body and the world of healing and I decided to make massage and mindful living the path of my life and work.
My work as a scholar and teacher has taught me to be open to the many ways of approaching a single issue, to be both critical and innovative, and to use the insights of the mind and modern science along with ancient techniques of those who lonog ago understood the often neglected regenerative potential of the human body.
Vision
My commitment and adventure are to always learn more and to try to incorporate a variety of insights and effective techniques within the "Down-to-Earth" therapy that I continue to develop.
Alchemy of Touch™
During the 'lock downs' due to the Covid-19 pandemic (2020-2021) I decided to bring my general theoretical and anatomical knowledge and my relaxation and intuitive massage practice to a higher level. One way I did this was to follow a wonderful intensive training in the Netherlands and Spain called Alchemy of Touch™, developed by Tapesh Paradiso and Anouk Devi over many years.
Alchemy of Touch™ is a complete massage and bodywork method that involves a blend of some of the most beautiful and effective massage and bodywork techiniques. As Tapesh and Anouk put it:
Fluid Touch
A crucial aspect of Alchemy of Touch is the 'fluid touch' technique. Again, in the words of Tapesh Paradiso and Anouk Devi:
Holistic Approach
Holistic massage is an ancient method of healing that combines traditional forms of bodywork with holistic philosophy. As with all holistic practices, a holistic massage approaches an individual as a whole and takes into account the physical, emotional, spiritual and mental well-being of a person rather than focusing on an isolated symptom or pain.
Have you ever noticed how your digestion becomes sluggish when you’re stressed? Or experienced heart palpitations after hearing bad news? Or suffered from chronic headaches and insomnia during a period of heightened tension? The mind and body are intimately connected. To heal headaches, digestive problems, or heart palpations, you need to address the mental and emotional pain at the same time. When we tackle the emotional, psychological and physical together, we’re able to tap into the sources of our pain — rather than just the symptoms.
Alchemy, or the blending of methodologies, is an important aspect of my holistic approach to health and healing. Simply put, the holistic approach means 'listening' to and treating healing as something that involves the whole person and not just 'the part' that hurts. After all, each part of the body and every irritation or pain is in some way related to every other.
The holistic approach suits my sceptical nature. I am not a believer, in anything. But I am insatiably curious. I am always broadening my insights and reassessing what I think I know. Some may think this a weakness - that one should choose a path and specialise in a certain area or technique. But I believe it is a strength because health, illness and healing are never singular in nature. This means that I never treat anyone exactly as I would another. It also means I never stop learning, I never take a method for granted and then apply it mindlessly, or let it become ritual or protocol. I do not follow of fully endorse all aspects of a particular tradition or application of any one medical or alternative practice of healing. I specialise by selecting those techniques which I feel will work best for a particular person or situation.
Fascia Bodywork
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Structural Bodywork
The Fascia Bodywork I offer certain clients (Re-move) is a personally developed modality of myofascial massage and bodywork routines influenced in part by the Structural Integration method (otherwise known as 'Rolfing') which is a rigorous form of bodywork first developed by Ida Rolf in the 1970's, and the subsequent Anatomy Trains™ method developed by Tom Myers. Importantly, I adopt a more gentle approach of long-form strokes, stretches and training that are inspired by but not equivalent to either of these methods.
There are many ways to treat the structure of the human body and there is growing interest in the role of fascia in this regard. The modalities mentioned above (as well as Myofascial Release and yoga therapy, discussed elesewhere) attempt to affect the way the fascia can cause pain and/or restrict our movement. I continue to develop bodywork techniques that help relieve issues commonly related to the fascia and the posture or stance of the body. More on this soon
Yoga Teacher Training
I've been studying mindfulness & yoga (not just the asanas, but the lager 'picture' of yoga) for a few years now.
I am currently enrolled in the Yoga Teacher Training at De Nieuwe Yoga School in Amsterdam.
more coming soon!
Massage & Yin Yoga
I first experienced the wonderful combination of massage and yoga through an introductory course given by Sanne Theben Terville at Mood massage in Amersfoort. Since then, I have been developing my own techniques that combine massage with yin and restorative yoga.
The effect of combining (yin)yoga and massage is felt at the deeper myofascial level. Fascia is a remarkable tissue between muscles and bones that essentially holds the body's structure. Combining yoga and massage, I am able to help restructure and retrain this tissue, and thus also the overall structure, posture and disposition of the client.
As you grow older, you discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.
Audrey Hepburn
Website door Sean de Koekkoek. Geen stock fotos! Dit zijn mijn handen en mijn dochter! Auteursrechtelijk beschermd.
