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Massage dance workshops

Update: dates in 2023

Every month Hans Roothaert and Tijs Breuer organize a workshop “Massage dance” for men. There are also monthly “purple” massage dance workshops, where both women and men are welcome, guided by Hans and Irene.

Massage dance is an intimate, tranquil dance in which we lovingly caress and massage each other with our whole body. In massage dance movement, dance, touch and massage alternate in playful combinations.

Practical Information

Costs: €25 per participant (transfer in advance or pay on site).

Dates men's massage dance in 2023

SA 7 January 2023 – Elst (Gld)
SAT 4 February 2023 – Tienhoven (Ut)
SAT 4 March 2023 – Elst (Gld)
SAT 1 April 2023 – Tienhoven (Ut)
SA 6 May 2023 – Elst (Gld)
SAT 27 May 2023 – Utrecht
SA 1 July 2023 – Elst (Gld)
SAT 5 August 2023 – Utrecht

Time
Door open: 19.00 p.m.
Start time: 19.30 pm
End time: 22.30 pm

Address in Tienhoven: Westbroekse Binnenweg 20; 3612 AH Tienhoven (UT)

Address in Utrecht: Awananda, Canal Road 84, Utrecht

Address in Elst: Reethsestraat 15; 6662 PJ Elst (Gld)

Assignment: on Meetup via below link (click on the image).

men's evenings

The men's evenings are “clothing-optional”, with or without underwear, with like-minded people. We expect an open attitude and sexual orientation does not matter. The intense body contact often has an erotic charge, especially when oil is also used in body-to-body massage. It is possible that later in the afternoon genitals are also touched, but no sexual act is performed. You are not forced into anything and all touching is based on mutual consent. The structure of the evening ensures a warm, friendly and safe setting. There is as little talk as possible so that we can completely surrender. Every exercise is an invitation to experience something. You are always free to participate or to take a break.

Purple massage dance

The “purple” massage dance is a mixed evening for women and men, with a bisexual touch. You move, dance and massage with each participant, so no male-female couples are formed as in many other massage dance gatherings.

Purple is the color for bisexuality. However, we are not just targeting bisexuals. The intention is that participants can connect with each other without gender preference and also like this. As far as we're concerned, purple also stands for no-nonsense and playfulness. We would like all participants to be active and passive alternately, to take initiative and to be able to receive, to play with their masculine and feminine energy. In the course of the evening the dance will go from active to more still, where making contact with your whole body will be stimulated. Each evening has a playful character, where you will have many different encounters and both give and receive. We would like to ask you to talk as little as possible during the evening. We start with a sarong on. You can choose for yourself what to keep with it.

Location Elst
Most massage dance evenings are private, in the home of Hans, Leo and Irene in Elst (Gld). This place is easily accessible via the Elst exit on the A15. Please pay attention to parking. At our house we have a number of parking spaces on the gravel. Those who stay overnight can park there. Double parking is convenient, so that we have as many cars as possible on our own property. Of course we keep the parking spaces of the neighbors free.
When you go home afterwards or when it is otherwise full, you can park along the road. We live in the countryside and the road is narrow. So please park as much as possible on the verge and on the left (seen from the side that you enter the street from the highway). Just past our house there are two paved areas on the left, just before and just after the white posts. Those places are also convenient. You can also choose to park your car in the side street and walk the last part. That side street is called the Peppelstuk. Also there like the cars all on one side.

What to bring: Comfortable loose clothing and/or a shawl, a bath towel and possibly your own massage oil. Short nails and a freshly showered body are appreciated. For the rest, you don't have to prepare or bring anything with you. There is coffee, tea and soda; tasty snacks to share are appreciated.

Game rules: We invite you not only to stay with 1 person, but to connect with everyone, in pairs or with several. Couples are invited to let go of each other. We also think it is important that everyone is unconditionally open to each other, regardless of gender, appearance and age. Only do what feels right for you. Indicate clearly what your limits and wishes are and tune in to the signals given. Everyone is different, so tune in every time, especially make sure your first touch is soft and tender. Furthermore, it is important that you are together with full attention, without a goal. No sexual acts are performed (so no penetration, not even with fingers). It's okay if you get excited, but we don't do anything about this. We would like to point out that everyone is responsible for his/her own well-being and actions. We are not liable for this. Of course you will come to the evening well-groomed. We assume that you are free of untreated or communicable diseases. If you have any doubts about this, take your responsibility by not coming. It is also important that you wash your hands regularly during the massage dance. This certainly applies (also) after possible contact with genitals to prevent the spread of possible STDs. If you participate, you are expected to meet the stated conditions, to be aware of the complete information and to conform to this massage-dance concept.

Accommodation
During the massage dance evenings in both Elst and Tienhoven it is possible to stay the night afterwards. There are a limited number of sleeping places. Please indicate this in advance, so that we have the places in order. We have mattresses with bedding, but of course you can bring your own bedding/pillow. The contribution for overnight stay with breakfast is normally € 45,00, but for participants of Massagedans a voluntary contribution of at least € 12,50 applies. We have breakfast between 8:00 AM and 9:30 AM. After breakfast we say goodbye to each other.

Cancellation: In the unlikely event that you are unable to attend, please contact me as soon as possible via text / whatsapp on the telephone number below. The cancellation scheme applies. So please unsubscribe in time if you are unexpectedly unable to attend.

COVID-19: At the moment you no longer have to have yourself tested for Corona in advance. Do you have one or more of the following symptoms: a cold, cough, shortness of breath or fever? Then get tested, unsubscribe from this meetup and stay at home.

Questions
You can always contact us with questions and comments. We would like to hear what was good and also where it could be improved. And if you have special wishes / desires, let us know. Who knows, we can do something fun or surprising for the whole group.

More info? Tijs Breuer +31626174884 and Hans Roothaert +31613805413, look at the website or send an email to men.massage.dans@gmail.com

Mouth cap for contact professions

UPDATE May 2022: Currently, there is no longer a mouth cap obligation in the Netherlands, not in public spaces and not for contact professions.

“In the Netherlands, wearing a mouth cap (also called a mouth nose mask) is not mandatory anywhere. People in fragile health are advised to wear a face mask to protect themselves. Always applies: take into account each other and respect the choices of people who want to continue to wear a mouth cap. Give each other space.”

Article dated 16-01-2022

Since November 6, 2021, it is mandatory to wear a face mask in all publicly accessible indoor spaces. This obligation has been tightened up since January 15, 2022: from now on, this must include a surgical mouth cap. This measure applies not only to supermarkets, shops, libraries and cinemas, but also to all contact professions, such as masseurs and hairdressers. Both the visitor and the practitioner wear a mask.

What type of face mask should you wear?

Until now, it didn't matter what kind of mouth cap one wore. But because there are major differences in the effectiveness of face masks, that is now changing. From 15 January 2022, everyone must wear a type II mouth nose cap in public indoor spaces, even when sitting. In Tijs Breuer's practice, surgical mouth caps type IIR have been worn and distributed since January 2021, so nothing changes in practice.

What are surgical face masks?

Disposable masks are often difficult to distinguish from surgical masks because they have a similar fit and color. Monday's OMT advice refers to so-called surgical mouth nose caps, at least type II. These mouth caps have official indications and meet specific requirements. For example, the packaging must state that it concerns mouth masks for medical use. In addition, there is a CE mark on the packaging and European directives must be complied with. Surgical face masks come in types I, II and IIR and offer better protection against the emission of virus particles than non-medical masks.

Are there mouth caps with even better protection?

Even better is the protection by so-called FFP mouth masks. They fit tightly to the face, are usually white in color and are reminiscent of a beak. These mouth nose caps are personal protective equipment. The user is therefore protected against harmful substances that can be spread through the air, such as the corona virus. The masks can be divided into FFP1 (at least 80 percent of the harmful substances are blocked), FFP2 (94 percent are blocked) or FFP3 (99 percent blocked). The disadvantage of FFP face masks is that they are so tight that they allow less oxygen to pass through, which is partly why they often cause headaches, especially when they are worn all day. That's why I don't wear FFP face masks myself.

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What do you discover in the silence?

Irritable Bowels and Serotonin

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a disruption of the function of the gastrointestinal tract, especially the colon. It is a common chronic intestinal disease. It is estimated that it occurs in more than 10% of the Dutch population. In IBS, the bowel makes too many or too few movements. IBS is characterized by abdominal pain, abdominal cramps, problems with defecation, a bloated stomach or flatulence due to gas. People with IBS often experience diarrhea or constipation. Massage can significantly reduce IBS complaints and contribute to a structural recovery.

What Causes IBS?
Possible cause of irritable bowel syndrome is impaired communication between the brain and the gut. People with IBS are more sensitive to painful stimuli in the intestines. A possible explanation for this is that the intestines transmit too many or too strong signals to the brain, after which the brain returns too many or too strong signals to the intestines. The substance serotonin may play an important role in this.

What is Serotonin?
Serotonin is a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter: it affects the way your brain works. When you produce enough serotonin in your brain, you feel happier and better rested. Apart from that, serotonin also has essential functions elsewhere in your body.
Serotonin affects our mood, sleep, emotion, appetite, memory and self-confidence. A shortage or too much of serotonin disrupts these processes.

For example, about 90% of your supply of serotonin is in your intestinal tract, where it plays an important role in regulating digestion. It also keeps your blood pressure at a good level and strengthens your immune system. So we are definitely talking about a hormone that is vital!

How does serotonin deficiency develop?
As with many hormones, the balance in your body can be disturbed relatively easily. With serotonin, for example, too much stress and a lack of sleep can be enough. Your body will then produce too much cortisol, causing an imbalance. The production of serotonin then comes to a low level.

This can also be caused by a lack of movement. Finally, food is very important for the production of serotonin. Serotonin is produced in the brain from tryptophan, an amino acid. If this occurs too little in the proteins of your diet, it can also lead to you no longer producing enough serotonin.

Once a serotonin deficiency develops, your diet often only makes it worse. An important symptom is that you have an increased appetite for sugar and sweets. Very explainable in the short term, because sugar activates the 'reward center' in the brain. So you will feel better for it. The problem is that the production of insulin also rises quickly. If that production is always too high, your body is less able to produce and absorb serotonin. So you will feel more gloomy, so you eat more sugar, which will make you feel gloomy

Can massage contribute to a healthy serotonin balance?
Yes. Massage activates the autonomic nervous system and helps trigger the release of the positive hormones. According to a research from 2005 massage therapy can effectively increase serotonin levels by an average of 28%. This is due to a decrease in cortisol, known as your "fight-or-flight response," or built-in alarm hormone, which lets you know when you're in danger. In other words, it keeps you alert and with a fast heart rate. Massages are able to lower cortisol and increase serotonin, making you calmer and thus helping to regulate your mood.

The levels of endorphins, serotonin and dopamine increase in the body. These hormones all have a positive effect on body and mind. Endorphins, serotonin and dopamine are neurotransmitters released when the autonomic nervous system is stimulated. Endorphins, serotonin and dopamine can give us feelings of happiness and motivation. Endorphins are responsible for relieving anxiety and are also often released when feelings of pain occur. Serotonin can give a person a sense of well-being while preventing depression and the feeling of loneliness. Finally, dopamine provides a sense of motivation and reduces lack of enthusiasm and self-doubt. A massage helps to stimulate the release of the positive hormones to reduce stress and increase relaxation.

Human happiness hormone concept chemical skeletal formula icon label, text font vector illustration, isolated on white. Periodic element table. Healthy lifestyle endocrine system.

How can I increase the production of Serotonin?
It is wise to get more exercise, especially if you are not very active now. This enhances the processing of tryptophan, and thus the production of serotonin. It is also very important to get enough rest. Schedule moments to relax, whether you do it with meditation or a brisk walk.
Make sure you eat enough tryptophan through protein-rich foods. Soy products, ginseng, bananas, seeds, etc. all contain tryptophan. That tryptophan must be able to be processed correctly in the body. B vitamins are strongly linked to your energy level and resistance. Sufficient B6 and B12 are especially important for the production of serotonin: you can find them in animal products, legumes and potatoes, for example. And make sure you eat slow carbohydrates instead of sugars.

Can too much serotonin be released in the body?
A high serotonin level in your central nervous system, eg through ecstasy use, can be recognized by sweating, being excited, large pupils, shivering, rapid heartbeat and rapid breathing. For most people, these complaints are not too serious. There may also be tingling in your fingers, after which the fingers pull inward or your entire arm curls inward. You can also grind your teeth and chatter your teeth.

Serotonin Syndrome
In those cases, there may be serotonin syndrome. Serious symptoms of serotonin syndrome include fever, restlessness, agitation, anxiety, confusion, unusual cramp-like muscle spasms in arms and/or legs, and stiff muscles. The complaints often disappear after 24 hours, but there are also people who die of serotonin syndrome, for example due to heart failure. The risk of serotonin syndrome is higher when high doses of ecstasy are used, especially in combination with some medications, such as AD(H)D drugs (dexamfetamine, Ritalin) or L-tryptophan (during XTC use instead of after). Combining XTC with antidepressants, MAO inhibitors and SSRIs is life-threatening. The combination of XTC with speed, cocaine, or other drugs also poses a risk of serotonin syndrome.

Massage and coaching at Parkinson's

Parkinson's disease is a brain disease that affects more than 55.000 Dutch people. Motor problems, such as tremors, stiffness and reduced movement are associated with depressive symptoms. There is currently no cure for Parkinson's disease. The treatment of Parkinson's consists of a combination of medicines, exercise and a healthy diet with the aim of reducing complaints and improving the quality of life.

Can massage help reduce Parkinson's symptoms?

Yes, based on comparative literature review It can be concluded that massage can also play a role in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. Different massage techniques can be used to reduce motor symptoms and psychological complaints associated with the disease. Massage for Parkinson's is both pleasurable and meaningful.

Twelve studies conducted between January 1970 and June 2019 were examined in more detail. Most studies show that massage induces relaxation in patients; stress hormones in the urine decreased in the group of people who received massage. For example, a full body massage significantly improves the quality of life. Non-motor symptoms, such as sleep disturbances, pain, fatigue, anxiety and depression decreased. Certain forms of massage also had a positive influence on motor symptoms, but further research should show whether massage can also be applied in clinical practice.

How great is the effectiveness of massage for such complaints?

A meta-analysis of massage therapy research (Moyer et al, 2004) led to the conclusion that massage therapy is very effective for stress reduction and that it is about as effective for the symptoms of anxiety and depression as the commonly used psychotherapy. The average participant in massage therapy is better off afterwards than 79% of the untreated comparable patients. There is also a significant but smaller difference (62%) between patients with/without massage therapy for pain complaints.

A small effect study by the Touch Institute from Florida (2002) shows specifically with massage to PwPs an improvement in daily functioning, an improved quality of sleep and a decrease in stress hormone levels.

What role does dopamine play in Parkinson's disease?

Due to the breakdown of brain cells as a result of Parkinson's, too little dopamine is produced. Dopamine ensures that nerve cells transmit messages. The substance does not work very well in Parkinson's patients, causing them to stiffen or vibrate. The lack of dopamine causes the striking movement disorders, but at the same time it is disastrous for your mood, for the drive in life. Dopamine makes you feel good when you eat, buy, win or have sex. Dopamine is well known to lead to addictions in certain amounts.

What psychological problems can someone with Parkinson's face?

Parkinson's is accompanied by the well-known motor problems such as tremors, but also with incontinence, erectile dysfunction, excessively falling blood pressure, smell and sleeping problems. And Parkinson's patients often also experience cognitive problems, such as planning, keeping an overview and multitasking. Little attention is paid to other psychiatric symptoms, for which patients are often more embarrassed than for trembling. Think of:

gloom, depression
Anxiety disorders, including for loss of control
Hallucinations
Panic attacks
Impulse control disorder addiction.

When can coaching be useful for Parkinson's patients?

Help a coach to put your feelings into words and to discuss your dilemmas, problems and worries. Parkinson's, for example, often leads to social isolation, whereby coaching can help to break through that isolation. A coach can also motivate you to keep moving and exercising a lot, which is essential for Parkinson's patients. In case of serious psychiatric complaints, such as certain forms of addiction that can become serious with Parkinson's medication, I usually refer to specialist psychiatry. When dealing with such complex problems, people often opt for an interdisciplinary approach. In addition to the psychiatrist, a behavioral psychologist or coach can make a useful addition to putting a person's behavior and life in order.

What are Impulse Control Disorders?

Impulse control disorders are common in PwPs. This disorder can lead to addiction and is often hidden, because recognizing that you are no longer in control of your own behavior comes with a lot of shame. In the conversations I have with clients, there is room for the expression of all feelings and emotions. In addition, all kinds of addiction, partly as a result of disinhibition, come to light. Many people with Parkinson's suffer from this. Disinhibition is a classic side effect of Parkinson's disease, with one in three patients not having proper impulse control.

An impulse control disorder can turn life upside down in a short time, partly due to the spending pattern. One gambles, the other watches porn or calls sex lines. Still others start eating, buying or gaming. Sometimes there is punding, where patients go on endlessly with seemingly pointless activities such as sorting objects or dismantling devices. With these forms of addiction you become dependent on the dopamine that is released in your body during certain actions.

Medication to ensure that the substance dopamine works better usually plays a major role in disinhibition. Fifteen to 35% of PwPs develop an impulse control disorder after starting dopaminergic medication. The medication is given to combat the motor complaints of the disease, among other things. While replenishing the dopamine deficit, this can give so much drive that patients can no longer find the brake. Such a treatment in which dopamine is stimulated leads to a three and a half times greater risk of addictions or compulsive behaviour. With some pills, the so-called dopamine agonists, the risk is greater than with other variants. Read more about this on the website of the Parkinson's Association.

The book "Parkinson's at the psychiatrist" contains twenty colorful portraits of Parkinson's patients who, during the consultation hours, talk about terrifiedness in the street, whole days listless on the couch, and other gripping and at the same time light-hearted stories that show that seeking help pays off. And that patients should preferably not be held back by shame and stigma.

Parkinson's at the psychiatrist, stories about love, grief and resilience. Odile van den Heuvel and Sonja Rutten. The Geus.

Yoga & massage workshops in Amsterdam

During the Yoga & Massage Explorations workshops we combine partner yoga and massage with playfulness and creativity. Have you been to the Massage & Play Meetup or Movement & Touch Meetup before? Then you know that this will not be a standard yoga or massage class, but a special night out with surprising new experiences. These workshops are aimed at adult healthy men.

Yoga

We start after an introduction to the yoga part. Alone and in occasional couples we playfully work on more body awareness, strength, agility and mobility. Every yoga teacher has their own style.

Christian's form of (partner) yoga is inspired by Vinyasa and Ashtanga. By working together, you create connection with each other and at the same time you find inner peace. You become familiar with each other's bodies, so that you have a good basis for massaging together.
Mischa's playful and interdisciplinary form of partner yoga is influenced by contact improvisation, martial arts and dance. In casual couples you listen to your own body as much as to that of your partner. You lean or rest against your partner, you support and receive support, you stretch and build strength together.
Alfredo works with Body Mind Fit yoga. This is a structural balance and integrity training. It combines different techniques, approaches and depth adapted in an effective posture and movement training.

massage

Then we express ourselves physically through various forms of massage. Tijs guides you in bringing intimacy and creativity together. We use inquisitive, dynamic and playful forms of massage. You interact with your hands to create different body sensations. We often switch partners and we massage each other with our hands, arms or other body parts, with and without massage oil. You feel safe, connected and peaceful afterwards. You are not forced into anything and all touching is based on mutual consent.

Dates for upcoming workshops: look at Meetup

Practical:
Door open, coffee / tea: 14:00 p.m.
Start time: 14:30 a.m.
end time: 17:00 PM

Location: Heart Center Amsterdam
Address: Veenendaalplein 147; Amsterdam (Gaasperdam)
Sign up: through the group MeninTouchNL op Meetup.

Costs: € 25. Discount price: students € 20. Discount 7 x card € 140.
Tickets: https://www.neptunus-wellbeing.nl/meetup-tickets/
Paypal: https://www.paypal.me/neptunus
There is a cancellation policy, so cancel in time if you are unable to attend.
Ask? Tijs Breuer: +31626174884.

Quiet day

Everyday life can be hectic and stressful for some of us. There is nothing better than to retreat for a day and experience the magic of silence. I would like to share this inner peace with you. We will be quiet all day, aware of our breath, taking moments for ourselves, meditating and listening to the silence. The quiet days that I offer are on a donation basis, on a small scale in my own house. They are mixed gatherings, so everyone is welcome. You can also participate online from your own living room. You can arrive at 9.30:12.30 AM, 15.30:XNUMX PM or XNUMX:XNUMX PM and stay as long as you like.

Scheduled dates

FR 24 December 2021 (Christmas holidays)
SA 26 February 2022 (spring break)
SA April 16, 2022 (Easter weekend)
SA 22 October 2022 (autumn holiday)
SA 24 December 2022 (Christmas holidays)

9:30 am Arrival / tea / coffee

10:00 am Breath Meditation
Connecting with your breath can dampen stress and open a door to a healthier and more mindful lifestyle. One of the easiest ways to reduce stress is to simply focus your attention on your breathing. You will notice an immediate sense of relaxation that over time can help protect your health. There are many forms of breathing meditation where you consciously change the rhythm, speed or depth of your breathing. These forms of breath meditation can be a gateway to the practice of 'mindfulness', in which you learn to accept and appreciate what comes in life.

12:30 pm Arrival / lunch

13:00 PM Silent meditation
The nature of your mind is to generate thoughts. Like the ocean, it has its own rhythm and flow. It is to be respected, not feared or contested. Once you stop fighting your thoughts and let it flow naturally, you can begin to retreat into the depths of your inner self beyond the chaos and distraction.

15:30 Arrival / tea / snack

16:00 PM Movement Meditation
Sitting still is quite difficult for most people because we are used to being exposed to stimuli all day long, while your body needs exercise. Movement meditation ensures that you quickly find your peace and return with your attention. You make an inner journey through an alternation of intensive and subtle movement. By focusing attention on your body, you experience what is going on inside you.

17:00 End of official program.

Afterwards there is the opportunity to share your experience of the day. In a sharing circle you can share how you feel and what is happening in your life. There may be a potluck dinner and chat for those who want to stay for the evening or stay overnight. And maybe there's a fun self-touch session or a board game. The evening is not part of the official program.

Location
At Tijs Breuer's home.
Address: Chalet 69;
Westbroekse Binnenweg 56a;
3612 AJ Tienhoven (Ut)
Park your car along the road Westbroekse Binnenweg 56a, Tienhoven (the village is called Molenpolder).
Public transport: U-flex bus to bus stop Graveingen runs every half hour from Overvecht station. You must book the bus in advance: 0900 525 2241.
Walk into Zwaluwpark, through the gate next to the mailboxes and private parking. Continue straight on the newly paved path to the end, turn left and you will see my black wooden house with the blue front door.

Card: https://goo.gl/maps/GAyuvXkU63VsZwqLA

Online participation
Can't attend, but still want to participate? You can participate in one of the meditations (at 10:00 AM, 13:00 PM and 16:00 PM) from your own home.
Link to Zoom Video Meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/8996586301?pwd=ekkxM2FMZ2ZkVWx3NVB3aVRWdVRjdz09
Meeting ID: 899 658 6301
Access code: embodied
Click on the link above five minutes before the start of the meditation. Your camera and microphone must be on when you enter the online meeting room to create a safe atmosphere for everyone.

Contribution
The day of silence is on a donation basis, so a voluntary contribution is appreciated.
https://www.neptunus-wellbeing.nl/donaties/
https://www.paypal.me/neptunus
Ask? Call or text Tijs Breuer, +31626174884
The meeting will be spoken in both Dutch and English.

New Year's Dive and Boot Camp

On Sunday, January 2, 2022, the men of MeninTouchNL naked into the new year at the Maarsseveense Plassen! You are cordially invited to brave the cold and to face the new year shaken awake and refreshed. With a fresh look! Join! Participation is free (free gift).

Enthusiasts of active exercise can warm up beforehand during a boot camp led by Tijs Breuer. We alternate running, outdoor fitness exercises and sporting challenges. Don't be put off: there is no competition and everyone participates at their own level. Then the cold dive beckons, which your warm body can handle effortlessly……

Due to the current lockdown rules, we will work in duos at the bootcamp at 1,5 meters. We also keep the necessary distance during the dive.

Practical: more info on MeninTouchNL (Meetup)

Date: Sunday, January 2, 2022
Place: Gathering at the tolerated nudist beach on the Maarsseveense Plassen.
Google Maps: https://maps.google.com?ftid=0x47c66f330f95f589:0x5c0cfc58f3904835&hl=nl-NL&gl=nl&entry=gps&lucs=s2se
Parking: along the Westbroekse Binnenweg Tienhoven (Molenpolder), eg near Caravanbedrijf Maarsseveen. From there fastest walking access to the beach.

Times:
14:00 – start boot camp
15:00 – return to the nudist beach of the Maarsseveense Plassen and arrival for the naked New Year's dive
Afterwards: warm up on the beach. Blankets and hot drinks are provided!

Take:
Sportswear, running shoes, slippers, comfortable and warm clothing (eg thermal, jogging, (bath)coat) for the beach! And don't forget your nice big towel…!

Nice if you participate in both activities, but you don't have to. You can also choose just the dive or just the boot camp.

Do you want to start the new year in the fresh air and actively? Sign In! Together we will make it a safe, exuberant and pleasant afternoon. With a warm group feeling!

Mindfulness helps with depression and tension.

Learning to live mindfully is a central theme in the essence coaching en pensions with Tijs Breuer. Last year he helped many people to deal with the unrest, gloom and loneliness. Evidence is growing that mindfulness helps to prevent such depressive feelings and to counteract relapse after treatment of depression. Recent research by Marleen ter Avest shows that especially young people benefit from this.

Right now, almost half of young people between the ages of 16 and 24 are struggling with increasing psychological problems, such as tension and feelings of depression. According to the CBS More than a quarter of people suffer from loneliness, fear, gloom and stress more often during the corona crisis. The mental health of young adults (18 to 25 years) is lowest (see graph).

That's how I read NRC: Our daughter (20) stopped her studies last year, partly due to the restrictive corona measures and came to live at home again. She has taken a major mental blow…. The unpredictability and uncertainty paralyze her. Susan Bögels (professor, UvA) advises in this article: Teach her to accept what cannot (now) be changed, and get started with the options that are still there. There will always be ups and downs in life, let's also see the corona measures in that regard. In short, teach her the basics of mindfulness.

In 1979, the American molecular biologist Jon Kabat-Zinn laid the foundation for mindfulness with Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), intended for people with chronic pain and stress. He taught them to live in the here-and-now, and in accepting the situation as it is. Watch an interview with him here.

Is there scientific evidence for the effectiveness of Mindfulness?

Melanie Schellekens, PhD candidate at the Radboud Center for Mindfulness, put all scientific facts at a glance on the application of Mindfulness. She was annoyed by a popular science article, which stated that there does not seem to be a problem today that cannot be brushed away by sitting on a cushion regularly.

“With mindfulness you cannot 'meditate away' something, according to Schellekens. “If only it were that simple! When you practice mindfulness, you are present with the experiences in the moment with friendly open attention. Whatever that experience is. In this way you can gain more insight into your thoughts, feelings and automatic reactions. If you can learn to recognize that suffering is part of life and that you can feel what you feel, it can ease the pain.”

Of course there are many roads to Rome. “It is good that there are different treatments and they complement each other, says Professor of Psychiatry Anne Speckens. “One wants pills, the other prefers to talk. Mindfulness focuses more on experience.”

Some facts at a glance

Mindfulness is effective for anxiety, depression and pain. From a big meta-analysis of 47 studies show that mindfulness is a treatment with a moderate effect.
You can learn to meditate. A comparison of 20 studies shows that the effectiveness is mainly due to the teaching of mindfulness skills (in addition to cognitive and emotional reactivity, rumination and worrying).
Mindfulness changes your brain. More gray matter or more alpha waves in parts of the brain means it function better of that part of your brain. Out 21 neuroimaging studies It turns out that eight areas of the brain are consistently altered in meditators, such as your meta-consciousness, your external and internal body awareness, and your self and emotion regulation.
In a recent article in JAMA Psychiatry, it is shown that mindfulness training is a fully-fledged alternative to long-term use of antidepressants, to prevent recurrent depression. Even if people consider tapering the medication.

Who benefits most from mindfulness?

Psychologist and mindfulness researcher Marleen ter Avest obtained her doctorate at Radboud University Nijmegen at the end of September 2021 on the application of two mindfulness-based therapies in people with recurrent depression.

Ter Avest established that especially people who experience their first depression at a relatively young age – around 30 – and who experience an above-average amount of rumination, can benefit from mindfulness as relapse prevention. Rumination literally means to chew the cud: to keep repeating unwanted thoughts. “Rumination is often accompanied by thoughts such as: if only I had done this or said that. That is not constructive at all.”

During the recent article in NRC she says: “Mindfulness is about awareness of feelings, thoughts, and the body, and the interaction between the three. You increase awareness without having to act on it immediately. If you have bad thoughts, for example, it makes perfect sense to want to do something about it. But sometimes that just adds to the unrest. With mindfulness you notice them, and you can also let them go. You shift the focus from doing to being.”

“The power of mindfulness in depression lies in the fact that people learn to focus on their breathing and their bodies, says Willem Kuyken, professor of psychology at the University of Oxford and director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre. “It helps to look at feelings from a distance, and to see that thoughts are not fixed facts. Mindfulness will not have a positive effect on every mental illness. There is strong evidence for depression and chronic pain. But there is promising research for burnout, and that's all.”

Also, learning mindfulness in a group does not work for everyone. Maya Schroevers, health psychologist at the University Medical Center Groningen often advises individual counseling. “Especially in people who have a physical chronic illness, they sometimes lack the energy to hear the stories of others between exercises.”

Measures fourth corona wave

December 14, 2021 – UPDATE COVID-19

The current Corona measures have been extended and will continue to apply until 14 January 2022. Since November 28, 2021, the corona measures of November 12, 2021 have been tightened up in order to reduce the sharp increase in the number of corona infections and to prevent further overloading of healthcare.

An evening lockdown will apply from 17:00. After that time, contact professions are closed (so no massages) and group meetings are prohibited (no workshops). Coaching conversations and mindfulness sessions are still allowed.
Face masks are mandatory in public spaces and in contact professions. So when you enter the practice room you will receive a mouth cap.

Read the latest newsletter: “What do you discover in the silence?” (January 2022).

Do face masks help?

*Since November 6, there is again a mask obligation for public spaces and contact professions.*

The effect of mouth caps has now been proven. When used properly, masks catch some of the exhaled droplets containing virus and can prevent contaminated droplets from ending up in someone else's mouth or nose. They thus prevent part of the spread of the virus. To what extent they help is difficult to research scientifically.

The largest study to date was conducted at the end of 2020, beginning of 2021. In it, 340.000 residents of 600 villages in Bangladesh per village were given either surgical or cloth nasal masks or not (they could buy them themselves). After two months, 41 percent of the villagers in the first group wore face masks, compared to only 13 percent in the second group. In the villages where surgical masks were distributed, there were 11 percent fewer people with covid-like complaints.

There is little difference in daily practice between fabric mouth caps, surgical mouth masks or the FFP2 mouth caps (also known as N95) that are worn in the ICU, various studies have shown. Due to medical procedures, much higher concentrations of virus circulate in an ICU than outside it, which is why they are used there.

Why do we still have to wash hands upon entering?

SARS-CoV-2 appears to be transmitted through surfaces less frequently than some other respiratory viruses. The virus is transmitted through the air through snot, cough, sneeze, breath and speech drops. We often unconsciously wipe our nose with our hand. Through hands that have touched a contaminated surface or an infected hand, the virus can enter our body through the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes. SARS-CoV-2 was still viable after nine hours in a lab test using pieces of human skin. Washing hands before and after every visit to another person, or to a shop or other occasion, therefore remains a good idea.

As a masseur, I have always washed my hands with soap before and after, to ensure optimal hygiene. Since corona I ask clients to do this too, prior to treatment.

November 13, 2021 – UPDATE COVID-19

On 12 November 2021, the cabinet again took strict measures to curb the sharp increase in the number of corona infections and to prevent further overload on healthcare.

Face masks are again mandatory in public spaces and in contact professions. This applies to both the masseur and the client. So when you enter the practice you will receive a mouth cap from me.

Non-essential shops and services such as clothing stores, contact professions such as masseurs and hairdressers are open until 18.00 pm. So in the evenings only coaching and mindfulness sessions are possible. Massage, body work and tantra will only be given during the next few weeks.

Download here of read all measures currently in force.