Welcome

I Help You Free Yourself From Tension, Pain, Stress and Limiting Mindsets — and Rediscover Flow, Balance, and Ease

Hi, I’m Maaike Aarts, a professional violinist and certified Alexander Technique teacher with over 23 years of experience. I’ve helped hundreds of musicians and others to overcome tension, pain, and stress, to move freely, perform with ease, and reconnect with their full creative potential.

You might feel stuck because:

  • You don’t yet know how to practise and work without stress.
  • Your movements feel stiff and tense, but you don’t know how to change that.
  • You try to improve your posture without solving the root cause of the problem.
  • You struggle with negative thoughts but don’t know how to shift to a more constructive mindset.
  • Your breathing is shallow and restricted, and exercises provide only temporary relief.

I can show you how to:

  • Identify and change hidden habits that cause pain, stiffness and tension.
  • Re-coordinate inefficient movement patterns.
  • Enhance comfort, performance and freedom of expression in music.
  • Improve your mindset, breathing and overall well being.
  • Be more calm, balanced and energetic.
  • Reconnect body and mind.

My approach

My approach blends expertise with empathy. Having worked with a wide range of students over the years, there’s little I haven’t encountered – allowing me to get efficient results through my ability to quickly identify the root issues. At the same time, I bring patience, kindness, and keen listening to uncover your unique challenges. My detective-like approach, combined with enthusiasm for the work, allows us to go as deep as needed to solve your individual puzzle. Together, we’ll create a personalized path toward lasting freedom, ease, and balanced well-being in a caring, supportive environment.

What People Are Saying

“Maaike is a wonderful teacher and an inspiring person! My general well-being improved immensely thanks to her guidance.”
— Pedro Raposo, Double Bass Player, Academy Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra

Although Maaike is not a flutist (but a violinist) she helped me tremendously! She really made me feel connected to my body and freed my breathing. I was very surprised that she could hear everything; she is a real musician.
—Sarah Ouakrat, First flutist Ballet Orchestra

The pains in my shoulders, back and hands often started when sitting
behind my desk at work, but also when biking, reading, or simply talking to people. Now, most days I am pain-free, but my lessons with Maaike have done much more for me than ‘simply’ getting a grip on the causes of these pains.

—Maaike Warnaar, lecturer Leiden University

“Alexander Technique is truly one of the most precious methods for musicians to get to know and handle their body which I have encountered. Maaike is just the right person to teach it, being a splendid violinist herself in addition to her outstanding qualities as a teacher.
—Winnie Hanel, First Violinist Phion Orchestra

Explore our transformative course offerings at Think Up Academy:

My Story


As a young violinist pursuing my Bachelor of Music degree, I personally experienced the debilitating effects of tension, stress, and disconnected playing. Throughout my conservatory studies, I struggled for years with recurring pain, injuries, and a loss of musical joy, despite trying various treatments.
It wasn’t until I discovered the Alexander Technique that I was able to release deeply ingrained tension patterns, reconnect mind and body, and rediscover my creative flow.
Now, drawing from over two decades of experience and training, I help others overcome the same physical, mental, and emotional obstacles that once hindered me during my student years, guiding them to unleash their full potential with freedom, ease, and artistry.

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