About us
Thea van Tuijl
The first time I saw a Rebozo and learned what you can do with it was during a Midwifery Today Conference in Paris 2001. There I met Naoli Vinaver, a Mexican midwife, who was teaching a workshop on the use of the Rebozo. I was immediately impressed by this relaxing massage and the possibilities the Rebozo offered. This was followed by symposia where I learnt from both Naoli Vinaver and Angelina Martinez Miranda, also a traditional Mexican midwife with extensive knowledge of the Rebozo’s use.
This is how I learnt to use the Rebozo in my antenatal course ‘Samen Bevallen’, which I taught from 1986 until I stopped in 2026. I was also able to pass on my knowledge for several years during the Doula training course that began in Utrecht in 2006.
Together with my ‘Samen Bevallen’ colleague Mirjam de Keijzer, who was also a doula at the time, we discovered that the Rebozo can also be used in many other situations, particularly to promote relaxation. Together with Naoli, we wrote the Rebozo book, organised workshops and became increasingly captivated by all the possibilities the Rebozo offers. Our knowledge of the Rebozo’s potential continues to grow.
Mirjam de Keijzer
The first time I came into contact with the Rebozo was during my doula training in 2006. From that moment on, I was in love with the Rebozo! Through my experiences with my doula clients, I realised that I could quickly induce deep relaxation. I also discovered how easy it is to adapt the Rebozo to respond to my clients’ wishes and specific situations. This fuelled Thea’s and my dream of raising awareness of the Rebozo in the Netherlands and Europe.
Since 2001, I have been working as a pregnancy teacher at Samen Bevallen, where I prepare couples for the birth of their baby. I also use the Rebozo in this work. For partners, the Rebozo is a practical tool that they often pick up very quickly. I am grateful for everything I have learnt from Thea van Tuijl, Naoli Vinaver and Angelina Martinez Miranda about this centuries-old Mexican tradition. Thanks to our collaboration with Naoli Vinaver, Thea and I were able to embark on our journey with the Rebozo. It turned out to be a journey around the world. During these journeys, I have discovered that the Rebozo can be offered in many situations, providing support and even healing. In this way my insights and my love for the Rebozo continue to grow.