Born in the Netherlands and living in Amsterdam since 1996 after studying the Montessori pedagogy. After many years working in Montessori education as a classroom teacher, remedial teacher, and educational coordinator, I decided to follow a different path. I completed the Polestar Pilates Comprehensive and Mat training programmes and graduated from a four-year Feldenkrais Professional Training in London.
One thing that has remained constant throughout my career is my love of teaching. The common thread connecting education, Pilates, and Feldenkrais is the ability to observe carefully and understand what each individual needs. Observation is one of my strengths. I enjoy exploring movement together with my clients and helping them discover what works best for them.
Outside of work, I love making music with others. I play the cello and enjoy performing in a string quartet. I also enjoy swimming, walking, and reading. I am a social person, but I equally value spending time on my own to recharge.
After a knee injury, and while working as a personal trainer, I found my way back to Pilates. I had already completed a Mat Pilates training in 2000, so returning to Pilates through the Polestar Mat and Comprehensive programmes felt both familiar and inspiring. What attracts me to Pilates is its holistic approach. I have always been interested in how people learn, develop awareness, and discover new possibilities for themselves. Pilates provides an opportunity to help people become more aware of how they move and organise themselves. Through movement, they can explore different options and find more efficient and comfortable ways of functioning.
For me, Pilates is not just about exercise; it is about creating the conditions in which people can learn about themselves, develop greater body awareness, and discover new possibilities for movement and well-being.
My approach to Pilates is centred around awareness, curiosity, and individual needs. I see each person as a whole rather than focusing on isolated muscles or symptoms. Through movement, I help people become more aware of how they organise themselves and how they move. This awareness often creates new possibilities, greater ease, and more efficient movement patterns. I believe that Pilates is not about performing exercises perfectly, but about exploring movement, discovering what works for your body, and developing options.
My role is to create a safe and supportive environment in which people can learn, grow, and build confidence in their own abilities. Drawing on my background in education, Feldenkrais, and Pilates, I enjoy observing, guiding, and working together to find the most effective approach for each individual.
