The CMC Facilitator Series - Part 1

Say hi to...

Yoka Hermanides

Yoka is an energetic and powerful woman getting hands-on. She has been keen to work with Child Connection for a long time and is happy to finally be able to deliver the Children Massaging Children programme to the kids. Combining professional skills with a lot of passion for the craft makes her an excellent facilitator.

Yoka has a Diploma in Sports/ Deep Tissue Massage Therapy and is a Certified Yoga Teacher. She also offers One-on-one Pilates Instruction and is a professional member of Massage NZ. Additional modalities include Lymphatic Drainage, Reflexology, Cranial-Sacral Therapy, Pregnancy Massage, as well as Therapeutic and Relaxation Massage.

Born in the Netherlands Yoka came to New Zealand 25 years ago as a qualified chef. Due to her interest in alternative healing she studied many modalities including massage. In 1998 she gained her Diploma in Therapeutic Massage and Wholistic Sports and for the last 15 years has run her own business the 'New Lynn Sports Clinic'. Child Connection gives her the opportunity to share and enjoy the joy of children.

”Over the years your focus changes and with two pre-schoolers, the health and well being of children starts to surface,” Yoka describes her own experience.

The Children Massaging Children programme is ideal for pre- and primary schools and with the many connections her children have made through school and group activities the contacts are made easily. 

“It is lovely to see the smiles on the children’s faces and witness the happy comments they give. Not only from receiving but on giving the massage too,” Yoka states. “I never even thought I would work with children but facilitating this program has given me lots of joy.”

Yoka has been delivering the CMC course at ‘Learning Edge’ at Pre-Montessori School in Glen Eden short before mother’s day to teach the two to five-year-olds massage that they could give to their mums as a special present. 

 “Thank you for teaching my two children massage. I did receive a wonderful massage on mother’s day,” marvels Solomi, one of the mums. “You must have taught them well.” 

Not only the kids and parents at Pre-Montessori School have benefited from the programme. Yoka has been teaching around 30 children ages five to ten at the holiday program ‘Kereru Kids’ in the school hall at Woodlands Park Primary School as well and furthermore has visited the Dutch Language School in Titirangi, where she did massage with 25 kids between four and nine years old. 

“Look at the boys. I can’t believe they are the same boys. Usually they are wild and unruly, now they are sitting concentrating on giving a massage, or they melt away when receiving a massage”, says Ton, one of the teachers. “I want to do this every week.” 

The school has sent out photos of the course to all parents inviting them to come in earlier next time to receive a massage from their children.  

“On the first lesson, the children are curious and very excited,” Yoka notes. “The second time, they are straight away more concentrated on giving a massage and relaxed while receiving. Every time, there is at least one child asking to repeat the massages.” 

Yoka remembers very well one of the most beautiful moments CMC has given her until now. 

“The other day I passed by at Pre-Montessori School, where two weeks earlier I had done CMC three times”, she tells. “As soon as I walked in, two children ran up to me and hugged me and asked if I came to give more massage. I was pleasantly surprised. It made my day.”

For more photos see our Child Connection Facebook page!