Teachers
Maarten Vercruysse
Terra Co-Founder, Qi Gong, Tai Chi Chuan, Meditation
Turns out the cure for a stiff body and a busy mind is moving really, really slowly.
As a PhD student, an early-onset genetic rheumatic disease had me in constant pain, and I knew I needed something to change. Tai Chi Chuan turned out to be that something, and two decades later, I'm symptom-free and still in love with the practice.
I've been fortunate to learn from extraordinary teachers. I started at the YMAA school in Belgium and later trained directly under Master Yang, Jwing-Ming at YMAA headquarters in Boston. YMAA gave me a strong foundation — it's where I learned what Tai Chi is really about, both as a martial art and as a path to health and well-being. In Boston, I also studied with Master Ramel Rones, whose therapeutic work with cancer patients reshaped how I see this practice.
Then, in 2015, I became a direct disciple of Master Tung Kuan Yen — a rare honor, and one I don't take lightly. Master Tung's lineage traces back hundreds of years through generations of true Chen-style masters, and I'm the only disciple of his in Switzerland. Through him, I've come to understand Tai Chi at a deeper level — the feeling underneath the movement, the grounding beneath the stance, the strength hidden in softness, and the quiet power of intent. This is the real deal, the kind of Tai Chi that's increasingly hard to find.
What I hope to offer you is a practice you can make your own — one that meets you where you are, helps you feel more at home in your body, and gives you tools for whatever life throws your way.
Come move slowly with me. You might be surprised by what you find
Kate Minogue
Terra Co-Founder, Hatha Yoga, Yin Yoga, Fly Time, Meditation
I’ll be honest – for me, yoga wasn’t love at first downward-facing dog. When I started practicing in my early 20’s, I brought a lot of muscle tension and stored unexpressed emotion in my body.
That meant that my first 6 months of yoga classes were pretty dang uncomfortable, and filled with petulant thoughts of resistance, like “I hate this” and “No! I’m NOT going to breathe! F*** the breath!”
Not pretty, and quite frankly, I wanted to quit.
BUT, I had a teacher that I loved and trusted, and I took her word for it that the practice could be transformational for me. And so it was.
I remember the first class that actually felt good - delicious, even - when suddenly I realized I had more space inside me, like I was being breathed, rather than struggling. Whoa.
The yoga studio became a place to experiment and to play at my edges – many of which were very rough indeed. (Okay, they still are!). The practice made me softer, stronger, and better able to meet life with grace.
What made those early classes so powerful was that my teacher made yoga about more than doing some poses on a mat. She wove in themes of personal growth, spirit, and practical wisdom, and it gave meaning to the physical movements.
This is the kind of class I’ll do my best to offer to you. I hope to create a container where you’ll feel safe enough to try new things, to play, to feel awkward and occasionally uncomfortable – all in the name of creating more stability and more freedom in your body and mind.
So that more often, both on and off the mat, you’ll find yourself feeling good.
Life has gifted me some incredible teachers. I’m a longtime student of the philosophy of yoga, tantra and meditation, having studied with Kelley Gardner, Douglas Brooks, Paul Muller-Ortega, Bill Mahony, and Pierre Joset. I did my 200-hr yoga teacher training in Anusara Yoga in 2010, and in 2016, I completed Wayfinder Life Coach Training with Martha Beck. I have a Reiki level 1 attunement, and Ashati level 2 attunement. By day, I have the good fortune to work as a communications coach and trainer. Oh, and I sing and play the guitar.
I look forward to learning from my next incredible teacher - You!!
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