jcolijn

I grew up in the Netherlands and Zambia, the latter of which I consider home, although I have lived in the Netherlands most of my adult life.

Studied in Massachussetts, USA and the Nethelands - Environmental Science and Theatre and Education. Also am a certified Mindfulness Trainer and Kinesiologist.

Have my own company, Bloomers & Bloomersbusiness. We develop and provide training and coaching for individuals and groups in theatre, business and educational branches. I feel very privileged to be able to work with people (aged 4-100!) on their personal, professional and business development. Have been fortunate to be invited to work in Kenya, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Turkey (Istanbul), England (London), France (Montpellier), USA (Maine), Norway (Bergen)and all over the Netherlands.

I love to travel and have done so pretty extensively all my life - mainly in Africa, Europe and North America. We keep a caravan in Shropshire -love the UK.
Like adventurous, non-planned 'roaming' travel very much.I most enjoy really experiencing other people's cultures and lives, as well as discovering new places and their natural flora and fauna.My next destination is Goa, India.

I am an avid reader with a preference for adventures, autobiographies and inspirational tales.
Also anything on real food and true nutrition (none of the food-industry based biased info). More like David Servant-Schreiber, Michael Pollan, Darina Allen - and of course Italy's favourite: The Silver Spoon.
And I love and collect children's picture books - Dr.Seuss being one of my favourite authors, as well as A.A. Milne and Ingrid and Dieter Schubert.

I meditate every day - Zen tradition - and teach meditation in most of our trainings and also in the Mindfulness courses I give.
It brings me peace, clarity and equinimity. I also practice yoga as a meditation form and find it helps me greatly to improve my physical health and balance, as well as my mental and spiritual wellbeing.

We live in the of our village, and have the good fortune to have a rather large garden for the area we live in. I enjoy being outside and like working in the garden.
Have always enjoyed walking and running - used to compete longdistance and cross-country.
When in Kenya, the nearest mode of transport was a 4,5 km walk. Since then I have prefered walking to cycling (which is perhaps a bit odd in 'the land of bicycles'). I find I always feel cold when I'm cycling and I see and experience much more when walking/hiking.

I'm a great sunlover! Having grown up in 'Zambia, the real Africa' I am no good with cold - even after all these years.
Also love anything tropical: palmtrees (have one in my office - looking at it now!), beaches, forests, savana, 'bush' - esp. 'the bush' - have spent a lot of time there, exploring and experiencing -from Kalahari, to Chobe, to Luangwa, Kafue and the like.

And I love anything by artist Gustav Klimt. And anything Jugend Styl, Art Nouveau and Art Deco, smiles & smiling + see my faves!