Over the last 20 years (2000-2020) I have successively developed and expanded expertise in bodywork, a therapeutic or personal development technique that involves working with the human body in a form embracing manipulative therapy, breath work, or energy medicine.

Bodywork techniques also aim to assess or improve posture and promote awareness of the “body-mind” link.

It all started with Shiatsu. During a Zen meditation retreat, my encounter with this holistic form of treatment was a revelation, inspiring a realisation of the form (body/soul/mind) and the effectiveness of this approach in working with the body.

This key experience led to a fundamental change in my attitude to working life. From Shiatsu, the path led to the breathing technique devised by Professor Ilse Middendorf, then to becoming a teacher of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), a method devised by Jon Kabat-Zinn. This combination of meditation, breathing exercises, a different perspective and changed way of dealing with stress is of huge help in daily life. It offers strength, joy, contentment, and at the same time helps me in working mindfully with clients.

The process came full circle with training as a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapist and qualified TCM nutritionist.

Practical professional experience came over time, starting with a practice in Bamberg, then developing experience with TCM and as a Shiatsu practitioner at the TCM Clinic in Gerolzhofen.

The journey continued for 12 years at the European University Institute in Florence, gaining further experience as a bodywork practitioner with the Institute’s Counselling & Wellbeing Service, where clients were members of the Institute, especially students and staff and my working language was English and German.

Previous experience in early professional life in the shape of 20 years (1980-2000) as a medical-technical assistant in various laboratories has proved a vital element in reorienting my approach, as it allows essential fallback on solid medical experience.

I am happy to understand, experience and connect holistic biological-medical modes of action.

An ability to understand, experience and connect holistic biological-medical modes of action underpins my professional aim: to offer help with the methods applied, to support clients and to help them learn techniques enabling them to support themselves on the path of healing. This includes breathing techniques, acupressure points and Qigong, a mind-body exercise form that uses meditation, breathing, and movement to increase energy and enable the body to heal itself.