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Student
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Testimonials
〰️ Student 〰️ Testimonials
Testimonials of Shiatsu Students
“I feel deeply grateful for the opportunity to attend Gerry’s Shiatsu training. Gerry is a truly wonderful teacher, bringing a wealth of experience and a broad, integrated perspective. What made the training especially meaningful for me was the way Gerry connected us not only to the practical aspects of Shiatsu, but also guided us to a deeper appreciation of its spiritual roots.
The course included a rich variety of practices and exercises that supported inner development, cultivated sensitivity, and encouraged presence - all essential qualities for becoming a skilled practitioner. Gerry’s diverse background in martial arts, yoga, archaeology, and astrology added further depth and inspiration to the experience
Paul and Sabrina, two other teachers who led several of the sessions, brought their own valuable insights and perspectives, making the training even more dynamic and enriching.
The location and accommodation were fantastic as well. Vinaròs is a lovely place, with everything easily accessible and a beautiful beach nearby — the perfect setting for this kind of transformative work.
It was a truly unique and nourishing experience and a very meaningful chapter in my Shiatsu journey.”
- Ilu Rogowska, Poland, 2025 -
“Gerry’s Shiatsu is very generous and combines the best of practice and theory. The morning practice is just great, a combination of Do-In mixed with yoga and martial arts. Gerry succeeds very well in transmitting to us its dynamic, hara power, and flexibility, and allows us to enhance our energetic level as well. The presence of Sabrina and Paul also brings new energies to this training, new ways to experience the body and with the body. This module prepares us very well as Shiatsu practitioners: we gain a global practical and theoretical understanding of Masunaga Shiatsu as Gerry incorporates some revisions from modules 1 and 2 into it and brings new topics (Shiatsu practice at different vibrational levels, hara Shiatsu treatment, pathologies, chakras, and muscles according to Shiatsu...). Gerry’s Shiatsu is enthusiastic. He helps us feel comfortable and systematically stresses the most important issues we need to integrate. With Gerry, Shiatsu becomes a living experience. And as Gerry likes to say: “Now it is not the end of your training but just the beginning of your learning process as a Shiatsu practitioner.” Gratefulness.”
- Françoise Oehlenschläger, France, 2025 -
"Gerry's knowledge, insight, and dedication have been truly inspiring. I’ve grown not only in skill but also in awareness and confidence—thanks to your teaching.
I look forward to continuing this path with the foundation you've helped me build."
- Raya Tabakova, Bulgaria, 2025 -
“Gerry's dedication to his students and Shiatsu is evident in his teaching. He genuinely cares about his students and their individual paths with shiatsu. He teaches from his heart sharing knowledge, respect, and reverence for the tradition. I'm grateful to have completed the thoughtfully-structured 3-year course, which allowed me to learn and develop my skills gradually. The interactions with classmates and Gerry added significant value to the experience. This program has been a perfect fit for my learning style, building my confidence and expanding my understanding. I am so happy I chose to pursue this training.”
- Andrea Titzer, France, 2024 -
“This education was outstanding, I am ever grateful for Gerry sharing his skill and deep knowledge of Zen Shiatsu, its philosophy, history and techniques. This course answered a lot of questions for me, and has equipped me for a life time “
- Emil Maurice Camp, United Kingdom, 2024 -
“I recently completed the 3 year zen-shiatsu course. I am so happy I found Gerry. His knowledge and teaching style is thorough and goes deep into the practice both practical and theory. I would highly recommend his courses, even the 1st year zen-shiatsu acupressure qualification you can use for clients and is a good foundation. And so useful for your own health and well-being. Go try it!”
- Mariem Bey, UK, 2024 -
“I recently became a Shiatsu practitioner and completed all 3 levels with Gerry. I am very happy I chose this school. Gerry is an amazing Shiatsu practitioner, yoga teacher as well as mentor with endless knowledge about Shiatsu, yoga, astrology, history, martial arts and much else. He has so much to share with his students and he also does. He has an incredible ability to teach in a way everybody can understand. In each level, you learn many different treatment techniques and get excellent studying materials. You learn so much more at this school. This training absolutely exceeded my expectations and I would recommend it to everyone who is pationate about Shiatsu and/or yoga. Thank you, Gerry, for your patience, humor & unforgettable time.”
- Petra Stanicka, Czech Republic, 2023 -
“I couldn’t ask for a better mentor to teach me the basics and philosophy of Shiatsu than Gerry. He breaks down the techniques and postures necessary for a true shiatsu practitioner into an easily digestible format, making a decade’s worth of experience attainable in 3 immersive courses. Though the classes were packed with hours of vital wisdom, it wasn’t overbearing at all! Each class had plenty of breathing room each day to decompress and experience the magic of the land, local culture, and fellow students. It was truly a unique experience to be at school learning my new-found passion while also, simultaneously, being at a somatic retreat, decoding my personal trauma, exploring another country, and reprogramming my body with yoga and shiatsu to be a better version of myself day after day.
I not only enjoyed my time with Gerry but made a life long friend in him and so many others along the way to completing the third course and achieving my full certification. I can’t recommend this course enough! I feel confident in my ability to provide the art of Shiatsu to those in need and owe it all to Gerry’s method.”
- Robert Carter, USA, 2023 -
“The 3 week shiatsu course was such a rich experience! A full-body immersion in the core aspects of shiatsu practice. Their guidance and feedback were very supportive to me during the learning process. It certainly left some good memories.”
- Nele Vanderbroek, Belgium, 2023 -
“My search to find professional, legitimate and skilled Shiatsu teachers with solid experience has been above my personal expectations when I met with Gerry Rixen. I attended the 3 year Shiatsu Practitioner training program provided by Gerry Rixen, founder of Shiatsu Yoga Academy and supported by other skilled teachers.
The theory around Traditional Chinese Medicine and Masunaga Zen Shiatsu is excellent and well documented with a large choice of selected materials from various sources. The daily practice and treatments we did is amazingly rich and interesting.
What I really enjoyed and one of the main reasons I selected this school is the 3 weeks intensive training programs which allowed me to be completely dedicated to Shiatsu. This is great benefit, to get both theory and practice well understood and embedded.
I highly recommend this course and I am looking forward to attend other training courses run by Gerry Rixen and this school.”
- Jacques Landrieau, France, 2022 -
“Gerry is incredibly knowledgable and puts all of his knowledge in this course. His spiritual and mindful approach really takes the course to a higher level, staying true to the Zen Shiatsu. I have learned an incredible amount during this course!”
- Rebecca van Veen, The Netherlands, 2022 -
Testimonials of Yoga Students
“I had such a wonderful experience on this training, in a beautiful place with even more beautiful people. We all learnt so much, and I know I will remember this month fondly for the rest of my life. The content was diverse and unique, and the teachers always went above and beyond to ensure we were having a good experience. I come away with many new tools for teaching and further learning, but also feeling stronger and more connected to myself. Thank you to Gerry and Sabrina for creating such a transformative course. See you again soon!”
- Molly Carew, UK, 2025 -
“The 300-hour Master Yoga Teacher Training in Vinaros was nothing short of magical. This isn't merely a training; it's an immersive experience designed to nourish your soul, strengthen your body, and illuminate your mind. If that resonates with you, you'll feel right at home. Gerry and Sabrina's teachings remain with me daily. Their profound passion, genuine love, and unwavering commitment to their craft deeply touched my heart. It was a profoundly transformative journey, and I feel immense gratitude to have been a part of it.”
- Angel Gleason, USA, 2025 -
“This yoga teacher training was so much more than just learning how to teach a class — it was a deep dive into holistic health, with enriching lessons on shiatsu, nutrition and digestion, energy work, and so much more. The personal attention, inspiring field trips, and the magic of the small town setting made it an unforgettable experience. I left with a wealth of knowledge and a full heart — I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat!”
- Salvatore Leone, Italy, 2025 -
“The programme was very thorough; it combines yoga with traditional Chinese medicine meridians and the chakras. Also, with an introduction to Shiatsu. Gerry is really widely knowledgable, very passionate and a great person. Sabrina and Lilli also taught us Asanas, somatic movements, kundalini, proper adjustments, alignments, sequencing. forever grateful to everyone. If you're looking into deepening your knowledge and venturing into therapeutic practices, this course is for you! Weather was beautiful that time of year. the best parts were the extracurricular details; like a weekly silent walk, some Qigong practice by the beach or times spent in nature. You will also get to experience sunrise every day by the beach. And everything is a walking distance from the yoga studio or the residences.”
- Tara Jamek, Jordan, 2024 -
“The Yoga training has been a transformative experience. Helping me to connect in body and essence in an intimate and respectful environment.
A vital experience to explore myself, observe my emotions, meet beautiful people and get very useful tools to be able to integrate and transmit yoga from another interesting point of view such as traditional Chinese medicine and dance, both disciplines being present thanks to the knowledge of Gerry and Sabrina.
Medicine for the soul.
Infinite gratitude.
Namaste.”
- Lidia Marin, Spain, 2024 -
“I liked everything very much. It was very magical to have so many different yoga teachers there studying together, Also that Sabrina and Lil were our teachers and also studying with us as colleagues was really nice. Lil thought us wonderful things about Kundalini Yoga. To learn so much about yoga as therapy and Chinese medicine was amazing. We have studied Yoga as a holistic therapy form with anatomy, Chinese medicine, and shiatsu. We all still have a long way ahead on our paths but it feels a bit like doing one year of Yoga and Medicine studies in 4 weeks.”
- Carl Lindgren, Finland, 2024 -
“Thank you for this healing experience! Not only did the course help me gain a deeper understanding of the healing aspects of yoga and integrative medicine, but it also led me more into myself. The powerful energy by the sea, the positivity of all course participants and Gerry's friendly, funny nature made this experience better for me! After this course I felt energetically charged and was able to feel and get to know another layer of myself. Throughout the course I knew that it wasn’t about the competition, everybody only worked on themselves and thus only good energy was flowing. If you are looking for knowledge about health, the human body and yoga as a form of therapy and healing power, I can highly recommend the course to you.”
- Thara Lolkalka, Switzerland, 2024 -
“Experienced teachers teach you from the philosophical principles of HathaYoga to the best security techniques to take care of and care for your future clients. Excellent food and a loving treatment. I recommend it 100%.”
- Monica Valencias, Columbia, 2019 -
“A magical experience thanks to the authenticity of the team, the quality of the teaching, the comfort of the accommodation and the beauty of the location. Gerry transmit with passion his understanding and endless knowledge of yoga, philosophy, alternative therapies (Shiatsu, Chinese medicine) and anatomy helping us to develop teaching skills by creating a safe and inclusive space. With his flow of kindness and great sense of humour, through his amazing knowledge of yoga and the human body, Mario has helped us to respect and feel our body through an in-depth and conscientious practice focusing on alignment to suit different levels and injuries. A perfect experience, shared with great people, like a family, during the delicious Nina’s vegetarian meals, during the relaxing moments around the pool in an enchanting setting or in the pretty village of Cervera Thank you all!”
- Anne Hancy, USA, 2019 -
“Everything was perfect ! The location, the food, the classes ! ❤ The teachers are amazing and the place is awesome out of space and time ! Just somewhere incredible. I would have loved this clases would never finish ! Thank you very much to Gerry Rixen for being such an amazing teacher and for the perfect time you made us have all together, everything was good and Well organized. Many thx also to Mario Sigaru for your expertise and your inconditionnal good mood. 🙏 I would definitely recommend this retreat !”
- Najwa El Bekkali, France, 2019 -
“Good food, nice people, incredible nature and a lot of deep knowledge in Health and Yoga. Thank you for your passion and care Mario, Gerry, Charity and Nina :)”
- Nina Lappe, Germany, 2019 -
“This course was constructed intelligently and well paced, using two instructors whose styles were very different yet complementary. As well as the yoga itself, there was an extremely useful emphasis on body awareness and movement, which, along with the information provided on chakras, meridians and anatomy gave me a much better understanding of how the body and mind work together, how to use different techniques to deepen your practise and how to use yoga therapeutically as well as a form of exercise. The course was balanced, varied, intense but also fun and Gerry, Mario and Charity were approachable, knowledgable and supportive. They were extremely sensitive to our needs physically, spiritually and mentally. The location was truly magical - a small village on top of a hill with breathtaking views which enhanced the experience immeasurably. The villagers were welcoming and friendly and we quickly became part of the community. I wanted to qualify as a yoga teacher and had no additional expectations beyond that, however, I left a different person. I learnt so many lessons which will be invaluable to me in the future. Everyone on the course had their own unique experience, but we all agreed that the process transformed us thanks to the teaching team, the setting and having the time and peace to enjoy a fully immersive experience. Strangers became family, I learnt some Spanish, lost some weight and I can now teach yoga with confidence - what is not to like!”
- Lisa Maresca-Harmer, UK, 2019 -
“A great experience I’ll never forget!
I recently completed my 200hr yoga teacher training with SYM yoga school in Spain. I would highly recommend this school. Gerry Rixen and Mario Sarigu have a wealth of knowledge and a passion for health and well being of the mind and body. The course itself is set in the beautiful surroundings of Cervera del Maestre . The food was incredible with so many dishes to choose from. I booked a private room and although is was very basic and minimalistic it served it’s purpose. The people of Cervera del Maestre are very welcoming and so kind. It is truly a wonderful place to experience. If you are thinking of booking a training course, I would recommend SYM teacher training course as an all-rounder. You’ll be glad you did! Go for it!”
- Dawn Murray, Ireland, 2019 -
“At last I find time to express my gratitude to Gerry, Anna and Mario for the most excellent yoga teacher training 200hour course in Spain during August this year. Three wonderful, knowledgeable, excellent and passionate teachers who taught us how to teach the basics of yoga for beginner and intermediate levels. This course was so thorough and precise that I was able to take over the Hatha classes of my own yoga teacher who passed away 2 months before I started the training course. This was also possible thanks to my professional Shiatsu and Do-In training with SYM in Montpellier. I would also like to thank the wonderful cook and assistant and occasionally Anna, who all prepared us delicious vegetarian meals with their hearts. I thank you all deeply from my soul, words are not enough. Namaste.”
- Michelle Taylor, France, 2018 -
“Top marks for accommodation, location, teaching, facilities, food and location.”
- Syl Perrin, France, 2018 -
“An amazing experience in all ways. The level of training was exceptional and far surpassed my expectations. Gerry’s wealth of experience and knowledge in yoga and therapeutic practices meant we were always supported in developing our yoga skills and teaching abilities in a supported and inspiring way. I felt so lucky to have him as our teacher. Anna brought such beautiful energy to the overall experience and welcomed us with smiles and warmth. She is a fantastic teacher. Mario was wonderful and kind and nurturing and really helped us to be aware of our bodies and to deepen our practice. The town itself is magical and surrounded by beautiful valleys. The swallows and the sunrise welcomed each day. A truly wonderful experience. It was hard to leave!”
- Charity Murphy, Ireland, 2018 -
“An amazing opportunity to learn from very special teachers, sharing different styles of teaching yoga and their passion for practice. I really enjoyed the focus on the therapeutic benefits of yoga and how to make these accessible to all - there was a very inclusive ethos in the teacher training. Great company from course mates, nourishment for the body from wonderful chef and nourishment for the bliss body from the mountain views and swims in the sea. Thank you all!”
- Anna Wolmouth, UK, 2018 -
“Excellent teachers of technique and philosophy. Beautiful location and facilities. Such a wonderful experience overall!”
- Ashley Osie, Australia, 2018 -
“A Consciousness Expanding Experience. The energy of this location is incredible. Gerry did a fantastic job of integrating yoga philosophy and psychology with modern neurophysiology and pracitcal application of asana, pranayama and shiatsu. Anna’s goddesss-like leadership brought a divine synergy to the group—I learned so much from her and have the utmost respect and admiration for this woman! The wisdom of Mario’s experience left impressions on my consciousness too numerous to measure. Nina, our chef, is probably one of the best humans on the planet and made all our delicious meals with so much love. I got so much more out of this training than I ever could have imagined when I booked.”
- Andrea Lee, USA, 2018 -
“An amazing experience. I loved the location, the small Spanish village is just perfect for a retreat. I loved the quality of the teaching and the lessons we did at the beach! The food was just Amazing. I am not vegan however with the vegan food provided I haven’t missed anything at all. I am going back next month to volunteer, I simply fell in love with this experience!”
- Gianpiero Zanetti, Spain, 2017 -
“A Gem of a teacher training. Truly exceptional training. Beautiful part of the world. Extremely knowledgeable but laid back and supportive teachers.”
- Claire Bland, Switzerland, 2017 -
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