massage therapy &
mindful mentorship
Lovely people,
ManoVita is temporarily closed
I expect to be able to warmly welcome you again later this year (2024)
Massage Therapy
Down-to-Earth bodywork for relaxation, pain relief and body awareness
Relax
relaxation massage
Let go and unwind
Soothing yet firm massage
Whole or part of your body
Emphasis on stress release
Intuitive & Classical ('Swedish'),
DTE Flow, Pulsing, Head Massage
60 (part) or 90 minutes (whole body)
Release
Massage Therapy
More intensive massage therapy
Increased focus on painful areas
Release tension and discomfort
Emphasis on pain relief
Classical and Deep Tissue, DTE Flow & Flex, Myofascial Release
45, 60 minutes
€ 1 per minute
Re-move
Bodywork & Mindfulness
Massage & bodywork sessions
Remove pain and re-move patterns
Awareness for the larger picture
Massage Therapy, Fascia Bodywork, Joint Mobilisation, DTE Flow & Flex, Yin Yoga
60, 90, 120 minutes
Mindful Mentorship
Explore deeper aspects of mindfulness together
You've undoubtedly heard about mindfulness. Maybe you've even taken a course or read about it? Anyone who practices mindfulness will have questions or experience some resistance. Some people find it a bit vague or superficial, while others find it difficult to maintain a mindful practice once the course is over. Or maybe you're a skeptic who's allergic to everything 'woo woo', like me?
This is what Mindful Mentorship is about. Together, we'll go beyond simply repeating the 'here and now' mantra and explore the depth and breadth of mindfulness - both its benefits and blind spots. I want to create a space for practice as wel as critical questions or difficult topics, to reveal the hidden potential of mindfulness.
These past few years I have become increasingly aware of a hunger and need for regular gatherings where deeper aspects of mindfulness can be discovered and shared.
Personal Meetings
Description following soon...
Group Meetings
Each group meeting will highlight one of the foundational ideas of mindfulness derived mainly from Buddhism. This is further explored through a chosen topic (see below) whereby we will seek to keep the balance between theory and practice. Each meeting may include all or a choice of the following:
-
- Presentation or 'setting the scene'
- Focussed discussion and/or sharing and learning
- Meditation, movement, (yin) yoga and breathwork
The topics below - organized under Mind, Body, Earth - provide a starting point to further understand and experience often neglected aspects of mindfulness.
Mind
This is your home
Mindfulness often talks about becoming aware that we are NOT our thoughts. After all, sometimes we completely 'lose ourselves' in thought. Moreover, we have learned to solve our problems rationally. But thoughts are ideas or processes that may have been inherited, imposed, or copied - like an earworm song - that seem to use us just to be heard.
Mindfulness tries to show us that we can become the observer of our thoughts. Who we are, our Being, lies deeper. It's the immovable mover, lasting and neutral. Our Being can be called upon to calm our thoughts, or at least, to bring peace and direction to our world of ideas.
But what does this really mean, and is it correct?
Together I would like to consider this further. I'm not against it as much as I think it is a theroy that is incomplete. Who is this 'observer'? Can we observe ourselves without further thoughts? Who are we if our thoughts are not our own? Etc.
Not only mindfulness but any form of healing and wellness work, generally assumes that we want to feel better or that we want to rid ourselves of some problem. Who doesn't want to feel better or feel good, or be in top condition and increase our performance?
Well, look around you, or take a glance in the mirror. Most of us basically keep doing what we always do, even when we know it's not good for us. All those happy people on Facebook or whatever, with their big smiles and perfect lives. It can sometimes be so annoying that we reject their ways or cast our hands in the air and say "that's just not me".
But it's actually not contradictory or strange that you have these 'negative' feelings. It's completely normal. Who wants to be constantly told that what they are doing now is not good enough? Let alone if it's the mirror that judges the harshest.
What do we do with these positive and negative attitudes? How do you relate to this conflict? Who do you prefer to be? Is it simply a choice to be more positive, or is there good reason to stay in the negative or critical corner?
Spiritual = vague, supernatural, sublime, or connected?
Human = rational, warlike, sinful, merciful, mortal?
Animal = bestial, lustful, or free?
What does mindfulness (and Buddhism) say about this? We will explore these ideas in more depth and sometimes also reenact them. Where is our soul anyway? What is it to be human? What does it feel like to crawl around like an animal?
description following soon
Description following soon
you reap what you sow?
Description following soon
Description following soon
Body
This is also your home
Description following soon
Description following soon
Common talk therapies such as psychotherapy or CBT engage mainly the mind and often neglect the body. Of course, much benefit is derived from becoming aware of disturbing thoughts and behavior patterns and then attempting to alter these thought patterns in order to change them.
But in Somatic Therapy, the body is the starting point to achieve change. This form of therapy cultivates an awareness of bodily sensations, helping people to feel safe in their bodies while exploring their thoughts, emotions, and memories. Braodly speaking, somatic therapies are about accepting and easing tension, rather than resisting it.
Description following soon
Description following soon
Description following soon
Earth
This is your home as well
Description following soon
Description following soon
Description following soon
Description following soon
Description following soon
Description following soon
Meetings
The first meeting will take place later this year. So keep an eye on these pages or sign up for the newsletter and you will receive a message when I know more about what, where and when!
Welcome
Sean de Koekkoek
I grew up in a family of chiropractors and therapists. This formed the basis for my ongoing interest and experience in stimulating the self-healing or regenerative abilities of the body and mind. Bodywork and mindfulness is the perfect combination for stimulating this process.
Massage is one of the oldest forms of interpersonal care. Throughout the ages and in every corner of the world, it has taken shape in more than 350 official traditions. Increasingly, modern science is confirming what we've intuitively always known: massage doesn't just feel good, it is essential in restoring and maintaining one's overall health and vitality. But not all massage styles and manoeuvers are appropriate for every person. Massage needs to be adapted to suit your body and your needs.
Mindfulness came into my life at a later stage. This process, I realise now, never ends. It continues to add meaning and understanding to every aspect of my life. As I continue to explore its potential I wish to share this journey with others.
I received my formal training for massage therapy, yoga and mindfulness from a variety of inspired people and organisations in the Nederlands, Portugal, Spain and the United States.