Hi, I’m Liesbeth – pediatrician, Certified Zentangle Teacher, and certified yoga instructor (200H RYT) based in the Netherlands. 

I was born in 1979 in Suriname, where I lived until the age of 27 and completed my medical studies. In 2007, I moved to Europe to specialize in pediatrics, training in both the Netherlands and Belgium. As I tried to balance the demands of a busy hospital job with raising a young family, I found myself searching for ways to feel more centered and in control. 

That’s when Zentangle came into my life – a meditative form of drawing often described as “yoga for the brain.” I was immediately drawn to its calming and accessible nature, and became a Certified Zentangle Teacher in 2020. Since then, I’ve taught Zentangle in a variety of settings, including elementary schools, library language cafés, and to adults with cognitive disabilities. 

Although I had practiced yoga off and on for years, everything shifted after I completed a Sri Sri Yoga foundation course. It deeply resonated with me, and within weeks I signed up for the teacher training – initially just to deepen my own practice. But by the time I received my certificate, I knew I had to share what I’d learned. It felt like I had received a “manual for life” – something that helped me navigate both the personal and professional challenges I faced. I found myself better able to handle stress at work, disrupted sleep, and demanding shifts. 

I also began to notice how many of my colleagues were struggling, and I wanted to offer them something that had helped me so profoundly. That was the beginning of Doctors on the Mat. 

There is now solid evidence that yoga improves sleep, reduces stress, and enhances overall wellbeing – and that forms the foundation of this practical, evidence-informed course for physicians and healthcare professionals. 

Today, I live in Limburg, the Netherlands, with my husband, our two sons, our dog and three guinea pigs. I’ve been working as a pediatrician in the local general hospital for the past eight years. I teach a weekly in-person Sri Sri Yoga class, enjoy playing guitar in my spare time, and love going to (rock) concerts. 

Yoga has now become an essential part of my daily routine – something I rely on to stay grounded, energized, and resilient in both work and life.