Over Harai
My name is Paul te Bokkel. I am a massage therapist in Amsterdam Centre, specializing in relaxation massage, massage therapy, deep tissue massage, and Rolfing® Structural Integration.
In my practice, I work extensively with people in demanding jobs, often involving sedentary work, who have been experiencing tension or complaints for a long time. Think of recurring pain in the back, shoulders, neck, or hips, sometimes clearly localized, sometimes diffusely present.
Before becoming a massage therapist, I worked in the field of engineering and organizational development. My background as an engineer (MSc) means that I work in a structured manner, communicate clearly, and quickly see how patterns in the body are interconnected—not just locally, but within the overall context of how someone moves, sits, and builds up tension.
My practice on Utrechtsedwarsstraat is a peaceful place where you can temporarily step away from the hustle and bustle. Attention, craftsmanship, and attunement are central here.
My approach
Touch is a basic need. At the same time, in our society, it is not a given that people receive enough touch. Work pressure, stress, habits, and distance play a role in this. A massage fulfills this need, but can also go beyond mere relaxation.
When tension builds up and the body does not recover sufficiently, stiffness and discomfort arise. Sometimes relaxation is enough to break this cycle. In other cases, more targeted work is needed on specific muscles or areas. And with recurring or hard-to-locate complaints, it can be useful to take a broader look at patterns in the body and behavior.
In my treatments, I attune to what is needed at that moment. This can be a gentle, holistic massage, but also a deeper treatment or a therapeutic session in which we work with body awareness, movement, and conversation.
You can find more information about the differences between the various forms of massage and therapy at: Which massage should I get?
My goal is simple: to help you move more freely, experience less pain, and feel more relaxed in your daily life.
Education and background
I am trained in holistic massage, massage therapy, Rolfing® Structural Integration, Dalton Myoskeletal Alignment Technique, and deep tissue massage, among others. These methods complement each other: from relaxation and slowing down to deeper work on connective tissue, posture, and movement patterns.
My training as a massage therapist at the Academy for Massage and Movement has not only provided me with technical skills but also insight into how the body, feelings, attention, and behavior are interconnected. That process was sometimes confronting and uncomfortable, but it has deepened and refined my way of working.
What a treatment can do (and not)
A massage can reduce tension, relieve pain, and support the body in its recovery. In many cases, this yields immediately noticeable results.
At the same time, treatment does not always remove the underlying cause of complaints. If strain, posture, or patterns remain the same, symptoms may return. In that case, we look together at what is needed to bring about change.
Sometimes one session is sufficient to gain insight or relief. Sometimes multiple sessions are needed. And sometimes it turns out that a different form of guidance is more suitable at that moment. If that is the case, I discuss it openly and help think about a suitable follow-up.
What you can expect
Beforehand, we will briefly discuss how you are doing, whether you have any complaints, and if there are any (medical) matters I need to take into account. You can also indicate what you need, such as relaxation, relief from specific symptoms, or attention to a particular theme.
During a relaxation massage, you lie under a sheet on the massage table. Only the part of the body being massaged is uncovered. The massage is gentle and relatively slow, giving your body time to relax and process stimuli.
The treatment does not follow a fixed sequence and is not necessarily symmetrical. I work where the body requires attention at that moment. During the massage, you can always indicate if you would like to experience something different, such as more or less pressure.
At the end of the session, I calmly indicate that the treatment is concluding. You are given time to get moving again, after which water is ready for you.
In massage therapy, a session can consist of conversation, simple movement exercises, or awareness of what you experience in your body, in addition to massage. This depends on your needs and what arises during the session.
The practice
My practice is located on Utrechtsedwarsstraat in Amsterdam City Centre. It is a quiet, secluded space where you can take a break from the daily hustle and bustle and receive treatment with attention.
The name “Harai“ refers to a ritual from Japanese Shintoism that stands for purification: letting go of what has accumulated and restoring a clear, calm state. In my work, this symbol represents reducing tension and creating space in the body.