Maaike van Dijk

By nature I have always been curious about what moves people or restrains them from growing. After pursuing a career as a choreographer and dancer in the Netherlands (and abroad) for 10 years it was time for a new challenge, which I found in life coaching.  In 2008 I graduated as a professional Life Coach at the Atma Institute in the Netherlands which is accredited by the European Mentoring and Coaching Counsel (EMCC). Prior to that I studied at the University of Utrecht (Theatre Studies) and at Codarts, Rotterdam (MA Dance/Choreography).

In 2009 life took a new turn and I moved to Hong Kong and coached clients from various cultural backgrounds on personal life and work related issues for nearly a decade. Besides coaching I was working as a roleplay actress for (development) assessments and as a leadership development trainer throughout Asia. I am now back in the Netherlands (to stay) and I am enjoying reconnecting to my ‘roots’ and also realizing how living in Asia has enriched my life.

Besides the methods and techniques I have mastered during my training as a life coach, I incorporate my background as a professional dancer in the sessions. This is in the sense that I will take into account how the client is feeling, not only emotionally but also physically. We tend to tense up under stress. This could be created by too much workload but also by limiting beliefs or trauma. Focusing on the body provides the client with useful information as it comes from a place that is not controlled by the rational mind.

At the same time my experience living and working abroad with clients from every corner of the world makes me more aware of cultural differences and the implications within a coaching session or training. I am currently also in the process of obtaining a certification as a TRE (Tension or Trauma Release Exercise) practitioner.