The open evening is always such a special moment. You meet people who are on the verge of a new step — full of enthusiasm, but often with a healthy dose of tension as well. During the last evening, I received a question that stayed with me: “When do you actually do well here? What exactly do you expect from a student?”
The obvious answer: you’re on time, you meet the attendance requirement, and you get your assignments done. That structure isn’t there for nothing — we train professionals, so that foundation has to be in place.
But to be honest? That’s just the outside. The real answer lies much deeper.
At us, we don’t measure success in numbers. What we really hope from you when you enter the dojo is not captured in a rating form or a check mark next to your name.
An open, curious gaze
Learning to work with Ki, Yin and Yang and the meridians requires a different way of looking at things. We invite you to put aside your Western, analytical mindset for a moment. This can be tricky at first or feel elusive — and we really don’t expect you to understand it all right away. But what we do expect is that you remain curious. That you dare to wonder about what you feel under your hands, without wanting to immediately explain it rationally.
The motivation to really dive in
Eastern philosophy is not a dry theory that you memorize from a textbook for an exam. It is a living vision — it requires an inner motivation to experience and embody this way of thinking and living. You don’t learn Shiatsu with your head; you learn it with your whole being. That also means: having the courage to look at yourself and being open to your own growth.
Enjoy the discovery
Mastering this beautiful craft is a layered process that takes time — after almost 25 years in the trade, I still learn every day. That’s why pleasure is so important: the pleasure of practicing together, of getting to know the seasons and elements, and of experiencing the simple power of touch. When that passion is there, the technique — and the necessary skill — follows naturally.
So, what do we expect from you? Of course you are there and you are committed. But above all, we hope that you enter with an open heart. That you are willing to feel, wander, discover, and grow.
If you’re interested in diving into that depth, I warmly welcome you.
Tanja van der Schaaf