Bian Tan
“Since my childhood, I have loved the beauty and mystery of Nature, searching puddles and drains for tadpoles and guppies, and advancing to reptiles, birds, seashore life, botany, and now geology.
Even though I have a background in science (Horticulture and Botany), I have always felt that there is a mysterious aspect of Nature that is largely unseen and unexplored. The Universe has set me on a path of discovery of Nature’s subtle energies; first with Reiki, and now with tree, crystal, sound and sacred geometry energies. Learning to perceive subtle energies through Claire’s workshops has really been life-changing.”
Bian’s experience spans over thirty years in plant diversity conservation, environmental education, and capacity-building, including six years throughout Southeast Asia, implementing programs for Botanic Gardens Conservation International, a U.K.-based NGO that is the world’s largest network for plant conservation.
Fifteen years in the U.S.A. were spent implementing various conservation programs with the North American botanic gardens community. During this time he also served as Collections Manager at the San Francisco Botanical Garden, where he curated the living collections and pioneered the establishment of the SE Asian Cloud Forest Collection through field expeditions and collaborations with SE Asian botanical institutions.
Bian spent nearly twenty years in the USA, and is currently based in Singapore, where he leads nature and heritage tours for the National Parks Board and trains National Parks staff, volunteer guides, and school teachers in botanical taxonomy, plant science, and other Nature related topics.
Fiona Phua
“My purpose is to be present. To connect with others. And to grow in love."
Fiona is an explorer and a coach. She uses her gifts in the aim of supporting people in leading free and full lives. A life-long student dedicated to somatics, she uses movement to guide others to grow in awareness of themselves in relation to the environment.
Fiona had changed her approach to life a few years ago. She used to be a busy entrepreneur running a marketing and events management business several years ago. One day, she decided that she could not continue doing what she was doing and heeded an internal calling.
"Thanks to Bian's introduction, attending Claire's workshop was one of the first things I did after I left the corporate life. Intuition and organs of perception developed as I experienced nature's subtle energies in an absolute way. She guided me to feel the different energies of trees, and then crystals and more. I then realised that life was never going to be the same."
For several months, she lived in a mud hut without electricity and running water a forest in Pembrokeshire by Carningli mountain. "Living in the forest was deeply enriching. There I was, living in the rhythm of nature, honouring and showing appreciation for Mother Earth. Foraging, planting, building, singing, drinking spring water, reading and meditating in a loving community. It's bliss. It's home" The time in the forest has made a deep imprint on Fiona.
She has been touched by her time spent in various communities: Tir Ysbrydol, Brithdir Mawr, New Earth School, Dharma Healing International, Findhorn Community, La Città della Luce; and has been blessed with many gifted healers and teachers along her path.
