TESTIMONIALS

Isabelle & Francois

Our experience and learning was on several levels, and still continues to this day. We learned openeness, trust, and also realized (and confirmed) that life often provides the answers in ways we often do not know or see right away.

Neale Povey, PhD

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My first ever stay at Esalen was to attend the Transformation seminar given by Constantine and Casandra Vieten. The venue was all I could have asked for and many aspects that thrilled and transformed me; just being there and being immersed in the aura of the community. Although I did not take any formal courses by her, I did attend two open sessions that were given by Ellen Bishop and want to convey my utmost regard for her presence and vision in becoming a beacon for high and abiding quality.

Eric

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I recently had the opportunity to work with Constantine Darling and Cassandra Vieten and explore the art and science
of transformation in the midst of a huge transformation in my own life.

Nik Spitz

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"My first encounter with Constantine's work at Esalen, was an eye opening, playful and inspiring journey into self, sensate connection and relationship with the earth and with those around me. That weekend revealed how (I) see the world using different innate faculties to the person next to me, validating traits I questioned, allowing me to "own" that faculty and use it to feel more deeply into my environment."

BARBARA POGGEMILLER

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"Constantine Darling has been one of the most influential people in my life. I have known Constantine for 30 years as a teacher, co-creator, guide, helper and friend. I was drawn to enter his studio of investigation and discovery in the realms of spirit, body, mind, heart and soul. Within the forms he teaches including; yoga, martial arts, dance, massage, energy work, healing, creative development and expression is a powerful experience of self discovery. Constantine has enormous resources to share and does so in the most generous, imaginative and exciting way.

SAMEER GUPTA

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"Constantine is one of the biggest Blessings in my Life. He has given me many wonderful gifts... a conscious connection with Mother Earth, an awareness of Space, tools to powerfully use Empathy rather than be at affect of it, alertness to my somatic/ kinesthetic reality and an introduction to the Void. He models physical and spiritual Mastery. And he does everything in the most endearing and playful way. Constantine has taught me how to go deeper into Inquiry and pay closer Attention to Life. He has taken me on sacred journeys through the different fields of consciousness and provided an enriched and enhanced Learning Landscape for me to explore. He has brought out the Warrior and the Dragon within me. I highly respect him as my Teacher and deeply love him as my Friend."

- Sameer Gupta - San Francisco, California

CARRIE BACHELDER

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"I am so grateful to have been touched by Constantine. Through working and playing with him he has created a space for me to expand in all areas in my life. I am more powerful yet calmer, happier yet more feeling, My senses are sharper and more useful to me. I love more deeply and am not thrown off balance by romance or illusury love. He has given me the places and spaces, opportunities to grow my Self further than 3 dimensions. My world, and my tools now include the dream world, the intelligence of the space between me and anther or others (membrane), the resourcing, rejuvinating energies of the Earth, Chien Lung, self defense techniques, and deep levels of acceptance/joy. Yeah Constantine, I'm bringing my Son around to be with you some more !"

- Carrie Bachelder - San Francisco, California

STEVEN MACRAMALLA Ph.D.

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"I met Constantine Darling and Chien-Lung in 1987 and consider myself one of those privileged to have internalized the animal archetypes of Chien-Lung. By relating a system of the body to an aspect of consciousness, the Chien-lung animals promote a mindfulness of body and behavior that as a PhD in cognitive psychology I marvel at more each day. I highly recommend if you have the opportunity to study with Constantine, that you seize it.

IRWIN ROSNEL

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"I have found the practice of Chien Lung under the
tutelege of Constantine Darling to be a most challenging and
rewarding experience. His in-depth interpretation of the Chinese martial arts is intuitive and profound. It blends all of the five elements into a cohesive interplay of animal form and spiritual awareness.

I have studied other Chinese styles in the past, among them Sil Lum, Northern Shaolin and Southern Hun Gar. However, all
seemed to lack the depth and vibrancy that they most certainly must
have possessed in an era so long ago, diluted through the generations into rote form without flow and substance.

I feel certain that there remain few qualified proponents who possess the intuitive ability to convey the true essence
and spirit of the martial arts. I can recommend only one in who the
ancient martial wisdom appears to flow through as effortlessly as water running its natural course, unimpeded in its resolute path of return to its Source. That teacher (sifu) is: Constantine Darling."

-Irwin Rosnel San Francisco, CA

KIM ATKINSON

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"Constantine's masterful facilitation, beauty of
form and empathic leadership create fun learning environments where embodying the lessons effortless. I love his kinesthetic awareness and
willingness to share his work and presence. His approach builds
community."

- Kim Atkinson -Sebastopol,CA

RENÉ JENKINS

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"I deeply respect Constantine's mastery to facilitate expansive states of awareness within a normal state of consciousness. He is a natural leader & passionate Visionary with an uncanny ability to gather diverse groups from all walks and get us working & laughing together in no time and with seemingly no effort. Another notable quality is the many gifted & authentic folks Constantine attracts--which always equates to "BIG FUN". The many journeys' I have co-facilitated with Constantine have been some of my greatest adventures thus far!."

- René Jenkins -Sonoma,CA

TERRY CARLSON

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My name is Terry Carlson, and I am a practicing attorney in California and the Federal Court System. I started working with Constantine Darling in early 2004 after suffering a soccer injury resulting in double plantar fascitis making it painful to walk and very difficult to run. Constantine was teaching Chien Lung, Yoga, Qi Gong, and Feldenkreis, and it helped tremendously. I stayed with this work for 3 ½ years and found it to be extremely beneficial for increasing strength and stamina in all respects, especially running. I noticed over the years that all of my older injuries were clearing up, including a dislocated left shoulder. The result made me feel-injury free with no residual effects from other foot injuries, ankle problems, and a leg injury. I think that Constantine has a great healing course that has the wonderful additional benefits of learning martial arts, yoga techniques, Qi Gong and other interesting skills.

- Terry Carlson - San Francisco, California

DAVID RABBY

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"Connie's work, starting many years ago with dance, but more specifically Chien Lung, continues to play a mischievous and welcome role in my life. Simple yet pragmatic, the lineage of the system has provided me with many tools to understand and grasp a world where so many other philosophies failed to answer my tougher questions. The system is a work of art; figuratively and literally in the body of the beholder. For some it will enlighten, others awaken, will invite you to ask questions and most of all, it will challenge you in whatever way you need. It is inclusive; inviting. Embracing equally the polarities and the subtle layers of perception. Those frequencies often missed in the frenetic "doing" so ingrained in our modern world. Connie as a teacher, mentor, friend and shit disturber has stood beside me to hell and back as I've struggled to lift the lid on my own Pandora's box. I invite anyone who has unanswered questions and is willing to be at least a little uncomfortable as they travel down the rabbit hold of their internal world, to see if the tools Chien Lung offers can assist. Don't expect easy answers, for the answers will come from within yourself. Good luck."

- David Rabby -Vancouver, BC Canada

TESTIMONIALS

Isabelle & Francois

Neale Povey, PhD

Eric

Nik Spitz

BARBARA POGGEMILLER

SAMEER GUPTA

CARRIE BACHELDER

STEVEN MACRAMALLA Ph.D.

IRWIN ROSNEL

KIM ATKINSON

RENÉ JENKINS

TERRY CARLSON

DAVID RABBY

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