Hi! I’m Maaike,
a former high-achiever turned yoga and meditation teacher, and the founder of kaimae.
I work with high achievers and creatives seeking a different kind of thriving—one rooted in presence, embodied awareness, and ease.
(Yes, you can keep your coffee.)
From Performance to Presence
As a rhythmic gymnast on the Dutch national team, I lived in a world of precision, performance, and the relentless pursuit of perfection. You know the type —always busy, always achieving, always moving. I was caught up in that momentum, heading toward a high-paced corporate career, when something unexpected happened.
One day, I accidentally walked into the wrong class at the gym. Hatha Yoga. Too shy to leave, I stayed. The teacher's voice was calm, lights were dimmed, the pace was slow, and when she noticed my impressively arched Cobra Pose, she gently said: "Come back and stop where the breath still flows easy — that's your place today."
It felt wildly uncomfortable. And it changed everything.
That "wrong" class became the right turn.
What started as weekly sessions became something deeper. I found myself drawn to the quiet moments, the permission to simply be present. And after a decade of personal practice, I made the leap to become a teacher.
I've been fortunate to learn from incredible teachers, from local studios, to Buddhist monasteries, to immersive training programs around the world.
They deepened my understanding of yogic philosophy and the transformational power of breath and meditation. They taught me to move with intelligence rather than force, and most importantly, how to create inclusive spaces where everyone feels welcome.
Then one morning, during a sunrise practice in the hills of Nicaragua, something shifted. Our teacher sat in stillness, while the jungle slowly awakened around us. The sun rose, birds calling, leaves rustling. Once the sounds settled, and soft morning light reached our mats, we were gently guided into our Yoga practice.
Something simple yet profound clicked into place — not a lightning bolt, but a quiet arrival. A return to myself and an intuitive knowing that we're all part of something infinitely greater.
That moment stayed with me — not as a lesson, but as a kind of compass.
That quiet knowing also shines through in my teaching. Since 2016, I've been guiding classes, and what continues to move me is watching what happens when we practice together. There's this moment when everyone's shoulders drop, when the room gets quiet in the best way. Seeing that collective exhale when the room becomes a refuge from having to have it all figured out.
And that's the feeling I hope to create in every class - that sense of belonging, of being exactly enough as you are. So if you're here because life feels overwhelming, or your body feels tight and tired, or you're curious but worried you're not flexible enough - maybe you just want an hour where you don't have to be 'on' for anyone - you've found the right place.
No experience needed. No perfect poses required.
And wherever you are today? That's exactly where your practice begins.
With kindness,
Maaike
Whether you’re an entrepreneur craving stillness, a couple looking to reconnect, or simply a human navigating this wild world - you’re welcome here.
Education & Training
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with Uma Dinsmore-Tuli PhD and Yoli Maya Yeh MA, 2025 - 2026.
A comprehensive, inclusive and non-dogmatic approach to yoga nidra that respects and explores not only a range of practice methods, but also acknowledges a variety of different levels of experience during yoga nidra. -
by Yinspiration, with Jo Phee and Dr. Robert Schleip, Germany, 2020.
This training provides an in-depth exploration of the latest fascia science and research, with a focus on its role in addressing myofascial pain.
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with Beta Lisboa and Sai Calder, Portugal, 2019.
An immersive training program that combines yoga, meditation, Qigong and fascia release techniques to connect to your felt-sense and facilitate an embodied experience.
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by Brahmani Yoga, with Julie Martin, Emil Wendel & Dr. Rhys Beynon, India, 2018.
A transformative approach to yoga, meditation and breath-work that invites you to explore (ancient) practices in a way that honors your body’s natural rhythms and intelligence.
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by Prison Yoga Project, with James Fox, The Netherlands, 2016.
A trauma-informed framework that is evidence-based and designed to enable participants to safely explore their physical and emotional boundaries, fostering autonomy and a path towards self-directed healing.
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by The Fine Art of Thai Massage, with Therdchai Chumphoopong, Thailand, 2016.
A training that focuses on authentic and traditional Thai techniques for a therapeutic and healing massage.
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with Senior Buddhist Monks at Maing Thauk Monastery, Myanmar, 2016.
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by Dynamic Mindfulness, with Tatjana Mesar, Anya Kinneavy & Jane Wood, Thailand, 2016.
A unique foundational training that combines Buddhist philosophy, meditation, and evidence-based movement.
With Gratitude to My Teachers
From Boardroom to Breathwork
Before creating kaimae, I spent over a decade discovering that business success and human wellbeing aren't competing priorities—they're complementary forces.
From scaling Europe's largest impact community to facilitating leadership retreats across continents, I learned to design spaces where both performance and presence could flourish.
This intersection of business leadership and embodied practice now defines my corporate offerings, helping teams and leaders integrate high performance with sustainable wellbeing.
And that’s the work I aim to bring to every room: grounded, strategic, and deeply human.
Head of Community at Impact Hub Berlin — scaled and managed Europe's largest impact community of social entrepreneurs and their teams
Designed transformational retreats and wellbeing programs for founders and changemakers seeking sustainable leadership practices
Trainer and facilitator at Explore Your Elements — reached 5,000+ participants across 14 countries, mastering the art of online, onsite and hybrid facilitation
Pioneered culture-shaping experiences that seamlessly integrated strategic clarity with authentic human connection
— Sofia, Italy
‘Maaike's classes begin with these beautiful mini-lectures that immediately draw you in and set the tone for the class. I always walk away feeling like I've learned something meaningful, not just moved my body.’’
— Felix, Germany
‘‘Maaike’s voice has this incredible quality that brings me into a meditative state from the very first moment and carries me through the entire practice.’
About my Classes
You know that feeling when you arrive frazzled from your day, mind still buzzing with to-do lists? We begin with a simple pause, a moment to breathe, to connect with something deeper than the rush of daily life.
This is where ancient yogic wisdom meets your modern world. Together, we'll explore how these timeless teachings can transform not just your hour on the mat, but how you move through life itself.
Every class is crafted as more than just movement, it's a ritual of self-discovery. I'll guide you with clear language and mindful presence, creating space for you to listen to your body and move in ways that feel authentic to you. Whether you're working through tight shoulders from desk work or seeking calm in the chaos, you'll find room to be exactly where you are.
I look forward to sharing this practice with you.
What is kaimae?
Kaimae is more than a brand — it’s a space.
A quiet invitation to return to yourself.
Rooted in many places, the word kaimae draws meaning from both language and feeling.
Kai (Japanese): ocean, shell, or gathering.
Ma (Japanese): the space between — the stillness that brings everything into harmony.
Kama (Sanskrit): joy, desire, embodied love.
There’s also a quiet nod to my own name - Maaike - as an invitation:
Let it be personal. Let it be yours. Let it be real.
Together, they whisper:
kaimae — a spacious meeting between what is and what wants to become.
A gentle homecoming. A breath between moments. A place of becoming.
For the doers learning to pause.
For the thinkers remembering to feel.
For the high achievers discovering the high art of rest.
Welcome to kaimae.
It’s time to rewrite the story that busy equals better. At kaimae, we're exploring what happens when we give ourselves permission to slow down and create space for presence to lead the way.
One practice at a time.
What We Practice
Intentional Stillness
We believe that slowing down is an act of courage. While the world celebrates the hustle, we're learning to find strength in the pause. The moment you finally let your shoulders drop. The breath you've been holding without realizing it. The radical act of simply being here.
Soft Power
There's a quiet strength that doesn't need to prove itself. Our approach is kind without being passive, direct without being rigid. We lead with presence, not pressure. We move with intention, not urgency. Sometimes the most revolutionary thing you can do is soften.
Simplicity as Luxury
Clarity isn't a nice-to-have—it's essential. Clear language instead of jargon. Spacious practices instead of packed schedules. The radical luxury of having room to breathe. We've learned that ease isn't something you have to earn—it's something you remember how to receive.
Connected Presence
Presence is a practice, not a destination. We're learning how to be here—really here—with whatever arises. The messy stuff, the beautiful stuff, the ordinary Tuesday stuff. Together. Because real connection doesn't happen when we're rushing—it happens when we're present.
Joy is Vital
We refuse to believe that wellness has to be so serious. There's room here for laughter, for lightness. Joy isn't frivolous—it's medicine. Joy isn't a distraction from the work—it is the work. Sometimes the most profound thing you can do is let yourself giggle when your Warrior III pose becomes more like a crash landing.
Creative Aliveness
When we stop rushing, something beautiful happens—we remember how to play. Creativity doesn't come from pushing harder; it comes from creating space for inspiration to find you. In the pause between poses, in the quiet after class, in the moments when you're not trying so hard—that's often where the magic lives.
Things that didn’t make it in my bio.
But that might still be kind of fun to know.
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Grounded. Spacious. Inviting.
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Somehow, I tend to glance at the clock at exactly 11:11.
Still waiting for the universe to tell me what it means — but I’m taking it as a good sign. -
Let’s just say experimenting with a homemade “refreshing” blend of herbs and essential oils right before teaching a big corporate yoga workshop was… bold. Turns out peppermint, tea tree, and armpits aren’t always friends. Lesson learned (and felt).
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Leaving behind my love for how the body works — and how we nourish it — to study spreadsheets instead. Business school made sense on paper, but my heart missed the questions that couldn’t be answered in Excel.
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That rest was something you earned — a reward for finishing the to-do list, crossing the finish line, hitting the goal.
Now? I know it’s something we need throughout the process. -
That moment at the end of class when someone opens their eyes, just a little softer.
The quiet shift.
That gentle spark. -
Stepping out for a forest, park or beach walk. Turning my phone on airplane mode (even if just for 10 minutes). Works every time.
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“Don’t let perfection get in the way of action.”
My inner perfectionist cried. My future self cheered. -
Running a cozy off-grid cafe somewhere in nature, serving warm drinks, playing 90s acoustic playlists, and trying (and failing) to master the art of the perfectly crisp, fluffy croissant.
Connection Starts Here
Everything meaningful starts with a moment of connection. Whether it’s about classes, collaborations, or something entirely in-between — this is your space to reach out.