Soma Shiatsu & Therapeutic Bodywork with Kay Patru
I’m the co-founder of Medicine Body Studio and a licensed shiatsu and somatic therapist based in Amsterdam.
My work brings together traditional shiatsu, myofascial release, movement and somatic practices to create treatments that are both therapeutic and deeply restorative.
Over the years I’ve become increasingly interested in how chronic tension, breathing, posture, and the nervous system influence the way we experience our bodies , and the way we can manage pain through mindfulness and somatic therapy . Rather than simply relieving symptoms, I aim to help clients develop a lasting relationship with their bodies.
Conditions I Commonly Support:
Pain, Mobility & Recovery
- Chronic neck, back and shoulder pain
- Muscular tension and myofascial restrictions
- Sports injuries and repetitive strain (RSI)
- Restricted mobility, posture and movement dysfunction
Nervous System & Mind-Body Health
- Stress, burnout and anxiety-related symptoms
- Nervous system dysregulation and chronic stress
- Psychosomatic complaints and stress-related physical symptoms
- Fatigue, overwhelm and reduced resilience
Body Awareness
- Developing body awareness and mindful movement
- Improving breathing, posture and movement quality
- Recovery after physical or emotional strain
- Body-mind self inquiry for personal growth
Soma shiatsu & myofascial release therapy
My treatments integrate Soma Shiatsu, myofascial release, and somatic therapy into a single approach that works with both the body’s physical structure and its internal energy. Rather than separating muscles from the nervous system or body from mind, i work to integrate movement, breathing, connective tissue, and body mind awareness as a deeply interconnected whole.
Rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Soma Shiatsu works with the body’s meridian system to support the smooth flow of Qi and restore balance throughout the body. From a modern perspective, these pathways closely relate to the fascial network—a continuous web of connective tissue that links muscles, organs, posture, movement, and sensory awareness. By working through both the meridians and the fascial system, treatment addresses not only where tension is felt, but also the patterns that sustain it.
Each session begins with an assessment of posture, breathing, movement, and areas of restriction. Through mindful touch, movement, and myofascial release, I explore how tension is organized within the body and how it influences mobility, pain, and nervous system regulation.
The nervous system acts as the bridge between body and mind. As physical restrictions soften and breathing becomes more natural, many people experience not only greater ease of movement but also a deeper sense of calm, resilience, and connection with themselves. The aim is to support the body’s inherent capacity for balance—helping you move more freely, breathe more easily, and cultivate lasting well-being.
Training and past experiences
Kay Patru is co-founder of Medicine Body Studio and has spent over two decades exploring the relationship between movement, touch, and the body’s capacity to heal. His work is informed by traditional Eastern medicine, contemporary bodywork, and a lifelong practice of movement and somatic inquiry.
He trained as a certified shiatsu practitioner at the Iokai Shiatsu School of Amsterdam, where he studied Traditional Chinese Medicine and meridian-based therapy. His education also includes Anatomy, Physiology, Pathology and Pharmacology (MBK), together with advanced training in deep tissue and myofascial bodywork, allowing him to integrate both Eastern and Western perspectives into his clinical practice.
Before becoming a bodywork practitioner, Kay enjoyed a professional career as a contemporary dancer with companies including Nederland Dans Theater II, Les Grands Ballets Canadiens, and Ballets Jazz de Montréal. Years of working at a high physical level gave him a deep understanding of movement, posture, injury, recovery, and the intelligence of the body.
Alongside his clinical work, Kay has maintained a long-term practice in Qi Gong, meditation, authentic movement, and body mind inquiry. These disciplines continue to shape his understanding of how breathing, awareness, movement, and the nervous system influence both physical health and emotional well-being.
He is currently working at the Medicine Body Studio and at the Netherlands Dans Theater as a body work therapist with professional dancers and undergoing formal training in acupuncture at Shenzhou Open University in Amsterdam.