my journey
Many lives have been marked by the creative power of women.
In this life, my path is dedicated to remembering: retrieving, restoring, and embodying this power, giving it form in art and ritual, and guiding others on their own path of remembrance.
As a child, I felt a deep connection to both the visible and invisible worlds, and from the very beginning, my life was dominated by the nature around me. I spent hours outside in the garden or the woods, observing insects, animals, trees, and plants, and felt connected to the seasons and the rhythm of the earth. At the same time, my creative fire found its way effortlessly: I drew and painted, wrote endless stories, played various musical instruments, danced, lived in dress-up boxes, and moved through the world around me as a silent observer.
Within the school system, there appeared to be little room for my sensitivity, my way of learning, and my creative expression. Combined with traumatic experiences in my childhood, I learned to adapt more and more to external expectations. The idea that a creative path was possible felt unattainable. Driven by hard work and pushing away my own creative power, I chose to study law.
After obtaining my Bachelor's degree in Law, I completed a Master's degree in Criminal Law. Due to my interest in the human psyche, I took a minor in criminology during this period, in which I studied legal psychology, forensic psychiatry, and psychology. I participated in special projects, including a cold case led by Peter van Koppen (emeritus professor of Legal Psychology), and gained work experience in the judiciary, among other places.
Gradually, it became increasingly clear to me that my outlook on life and values clashed with the (criminal) justice system, and my body began to send increasingly loud signals. For years, I functioned seemingly well, but I was living with complex PTSD until I could no longer cope.
I lost my footing and had to learn to trust again: in myself and in life.
This period marked the beginning of a search for healing and the start of my deep journey of remembrance.
I completed practical training to become a Holistic Therapist, in which I learned to work with methods such as systemic work, Reiki, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), sound work, chakra psychology, functions of the endocrine system, inner child and shadow work. In addition, I trained as a Hatha Yoga Teacher and Deep Rest Yoga Nidra Teacher, which deepened my understanding of the body, both physically and on the level of different layers of consciousness. During a course by Janina Fisher, I learned about Polyvagal Theory and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Therapy in trauma. And in the intensive practical training to become a Spinal NRGY Facilitator , I deepened my understanding of the functioning of the nervous system and the important role of the spine in our body's self-healing capacity.
In addition to these diverse courses, which contributed to my journey of healing and remembrance, I sought support in processing complex PTSD and went through countless deaths and rebirths within a holistic body-oriented therapy setting, as well as participating in countless different ceremonies.
Gradually, I came into closer contact with my feminine creative power.
I delved deeper into remembering my creative gifts.
Handpoke tattooing found its way to me in 2022, although the desire to tattoo had been with me for some time.
For me, tattooing has always been inextricably linked to energetic, transformative, and ceremonial work.
Long before I met others who practice ceremonial tattooing, I was already intuitively following this path.
And for the first time, I felt that I had truly come home.
That my hands remembered something older than this life.
During this journey, I gradually encountered other women who also perform ceremonial tattooing.
I received profound initiations myself by receiving tattoos in ceremony, and by performing ceremonies myself, I gained ever greater depth.
The process of Essence Tattoo Ceremony took shape during an ancestral pilgrimage through Ireland, where my Celtic roots lie, and was further deepened through personal regression sessions in which ancient knowledge and past lives came to the fore.
The path I walk continues to deepen, and I take responsibility for my own journey of remembrance with dedication, continuing to embrace the cycles of death and rebirth that are inherent in life. My work grows and changes with me, always connected to the essence of who I am.
I feel deep gratitude, love, and devotion for my teachers, guides, distant ancestors, and for the many different beings and elements of the earth that light my path and guide me. Their presence, wisdom, and stories flow through my work, weaving themselves into every ritual, opening space for transformation, and carrying me further on my journey, time and time again.
Weaving Together What Wants To Become Visible
Everyone carries a unique voice, an inner wisdom, and a creative spark that wants to be seen and heard. An energy that wants to flow, a story that wants to unfold, an essence that wants to come to life.
The greatest gift you can give yourself is to make space for your essence. Your presence, intention, and expression have the power to open, soften, and enrich. My job is to guide you in this: feeling, opening, and integrating.
I guide this process through Essence Tattoo Ceremonies, one-on-one body-oriented and energetic work, holistic therapeutic sessions, Yoga Nidra, and more, both in person and on location. Some one-on-one sessions are also available digitally. Reach out to me for the options.
Would you like me to visit your part of the world to create something together? Please get in touch , and let's weave together what wants to be seen and felt.
Meaning And Symbolism Of
As a creative person, I thoroughly enjoyed designing my own logo and website. The practice name and logo were inspired by my own name, Iris, and the flower of the same name with its rich symbolism.
The name Iris has a special mythological meaning: "I have a message for you." In Greek mythology, Iris is the goddess of the rainbow—a bridge between heaven and earth. She symbolizes connection and bringing messages between worlds. This meaning resonates deeply with my work, in which I guide people to connect with their essence and remember their own wisdom and power, while I myself act as a bridge between worlds.
The iris flower has something mysterious and magical about it. It is unique in its colors and shapes: the flower opens in such a way that you can see into its heart. For me, this symbolizes the process of self-discovery and growth, in which we get to know ourselves in different shapes and colors and (re)discover the path to our hearts.
The addition of Holism emphasizes my holistic approach: the profound connection between body, mind, emotions, and soul, as well as our connection to the web of life of which we are a part. When we recognize that these facets are inextricably linked, space is created for deep transformation.
Relevant Education & Training
Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) Training (8 weeks – Mindfulness with Marloes de Jong, Psychologenpraktijk West)
MBCT Follow-up Training (8 weeks – Mindfulness with Marloes de Jong, Psychologenpraktijk West)
The Usui System of Natural Healing, Reiki Initiation Level 1
The Usui System of Natural Healing, Reiki Initiation Level 2
The Usui System of Natural Healing, Reiki Initiation 3rd degree (Reiki Master)
Hatha Yoga Teacher Training Course, 200 Hours (Arhanta Yoga Ashram, The Netherlands)
Hormone Yoga & Nutrition (6-week course – Bluebirds Amsterdam)
Vocational training to become a Holistic Therapist/Coach, 2 years (ZoMa Opleidingen)
Deep Rest Yoga Nidra Teacher Training, 50 Hours (James Reeves)
Spinal NRGY Facilitator Training, certified (Nadi Rama NRGY School)
Healing the Fragmented Selves of Trauma Survivors: Overcoming Self-Alienation, certified course (Janina Fisher, PhD)
Pro advanced handpoke course, certified (NAMES TATTOO studio LISBON by Anna Zaits & Maria Ismagilova)
The Elements of Sacred Tattooing: A 3-Part Masterclass Series
(by Ashley River & Rachel Christensen)