Biography

MARTINE GROENEVELD is a registered nurse, licensed massage therapists, certified infant massage instructor and mother of two young girls. She holds a bachelor's degree in nursing and psychology  and a National Board Certification in massage therapy in The Netherlands. Martine has written articles as a freelance writer and has published in national nursing and massage media.

A native of Holland, Martine has over 12 years of experience in traditional and alternative health care, with five years  teaching baby and child massage. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two daughters, where she runs her company My Mini Massage.

Realizing that health is a fundamental element of happiness, Martine always knew she wanted to work in healthcare. She studied nursing at the Hogeschool in Utrecht in The Netherlands and received her bachelor's degree in 1996. While working as a young nurse, Martine was impressed by the power of human touch. Holding a patient's hand had oftentimes remarkable effects on a patient's mental and physical well-being. This led her to study massage therapy in Amsterdam, where she passed the National Board exam for massage in 2000 after an intensive one-year program. While working as a nurse and massage therapist, Martine studied psychology at the University of Amsterdam and at the Open University of The Netherlands, earning herself a bachelor's degree in 2004.

Eager to expand her knowledge and experience in massage therapy, Martine studied many massage techniques and worked with a variety of clients in the Netherlands and, after her move to the USA in 2005, in Los Angeles. When she was asked to work with some of her client's children, her passion for child massage was born. Even though she loves massaging babies and children, no touch is more desirable for a child then the loving touch of a parent. This led her to teaching massage techniques to parents and to become a certified infant massage instructor with the International Association of Infant Massage in 2005.

"The parent-child relationship is a child's first experience with relationships. It affects their self-confidence and self-esteem forever and creates the foundation for their future relationships with friends and partners."  Martine derives much joy from watching the parent-child interactions in her baby and child massage classes. "When a parent and child interact through eye contact, loving voice and touch, the closeness in that moment is indescribable --- it expresses more love and joy then a thousand I-love-you's."

Martine has the hope for all children to experience the wonderful benefits of growing up in a nurturing touch environment. "With positive and loving touch, children can grow into happy and loving adults, creating a future where peace prevails over aggression."

CONTACT
Martine Groeneveld
E: info@martinegroeneveld.com