Beyond the Surface: How Naomi Brings Chinese Medicine to Her Massage Practice
She trained in the south of France, grew up around physios and masseurs, and has been working at Studio Fly for over a year. Naomi brings something to her massage practice that goes beyond technique. We sat down with her to find out what that is.
Massage runs in the family. "I have a lot of people in my family working with the body as physio or masseur," Naomi says, "so this is something normal since a long time." It was a natural path that led her to train in traditional Shiatsu in the south of France, where she also built her foundation in Chinese medicine. That combination still shapes everything she does today.
More Than Muscle: The Chinese Medicine Layer
At Yoga Moves, Naomi offers deep tissue massage, Shiatsu, pregnancy massage and new mom massage. But whatever the treatment, her background in Chinese medicine is always present. "Because I have a background in Chinese medicine and Shiatsu, I always add trigger points and acupressure points. It really helps the body to deeply relax, and it releases tension in the muscle in a way that goes deeper than pressure alone."
She works with the body's energy as much as its structure. "I can work with the season, I can work with the idea that an organ needs support. If energy is blocked somewhere, I can help with specific points on the body. It really helps for calming the mind, and for rebalancing the energy." When someone struggles with sleep or digestion, or carries chronic tension they can't seem to shift, this is where her approach can make a real difference.
Deep Tissue: Going In With Intention
One of the most requested treatments is deep tissue massage, and Naomi is clear about what it involves. "Deep tissue is really working on the muscles. People usually come with a pain or a issue, and we focus on that area — but it's always a complete massage, so we also work on other parts of the body."
It can be intense. "It can be painful, but it should be a good pain. Balance is necessary, even in deep tissue. Not too hard, but we do need to go deep." The goal is release: pain in the muscle loosening, the body finding its way back to ease.
““I want to go into a dance with the music of the person.””
Every Person, Every Session, Different
What clients come back for, Naomi says, isn't just the technique. It's the attention. "Here at Yoga Moves, we have the opportunity to personalize every treatment. Every person comes with a different issue and a different energy. So it's never exactly the same."
Her intention is to truly listen to what the body is communicating. "I want to go into a dance with the music of the person. We are not performing something always the same. It's really personalized." People feel that, she says, and it's why they return.
The Room Has Something to Do With It Too
Working at Studio Fly adds something she doesn't take for granted. "The room is absolutely beautiful. There is a beautiful piece of art, and there is a good energy in the room. Many people have said it." That energy, she believes, translates directly into the massage itself.
massage at Yoga Moves
Curious about massage at Yoga Moves? Naomi offers deep tissue, Shiatsu, pregnancy massage and new mom massage at Studio Fly. Sessions run from 45 to 90 minutes. Book yours at yogamoves.nl/massage.