Workshops

David Chandler offers a variety of community and corporate workshops with options listed below. All workshops are formatted for beginner to advanced student, allowing each participant to learn at their own level. Contact Eagle's Quest if you would like to schedule a workshop in your area.

Chan Ssu Chin

At the core of Tai Chi Chuan is a spiral energy process called the Chan Ssu Chin (sometimes written Chansijing), a silk reeling exercise that is both a dynamic healing therapy and a full range-of-motion moving meditation. The Chan Ssu Chin exercise uses the body's major joints to follow the map of the Yin Yang symbol and aligns with the great energizing pattern of the galaxy, the spiral. The basic set opens the joints, increases lymphatic function, develops body/mind integrity, and is used as both a dynamic healing therapy as well as a primary teaching method of the martial aspects of Tai Chi Chuan. Chan Ssu Chin is a fundamental and vital component of all Tai Chi Forms. In this workshop the participants will be introduced to the basic healing movements, martial techniques, theory and energy behind the Chan Ssu Chin exercises. This workshop is appropriate for all levels. No previous experience is necessary. Ages 14 and up.

Chin Na

Chin Na means seize and control, or literally twist and bend; the Tai Chi Chuan art of intercepting an incoming opponent and controlling them through joint-locking, These are dynamic martial techniques that require little strength but do require proper attention to angles, timing, leverage, and pressure. No previous experience is necessary.

The Search for Soong: Tai Chi Meditation

Discover the basics of Tai Chi Meditation practice. In this workshop David will teach Taoist breathing practices, active meditations, utilizing breath and movement and a variety of Tai Chi and Qigong exercises that will alter one’s awareness and bring one to a state of extraordinary depth of relaxation and concentration. The Search for Soong is a journey towards understanding what it is like to feel both energized and relaxed at the same time. Soong is a wide open state of extraordinary awareness that incorporates deep relaxation and a reaching span of energy. Learn to recognize where tension is held in the body, where the Qi stagnates, and how this manifests in physical symptoms. No previous experience is necessary. Ages 14 and up.

Vocal Toning Workshop

Om Together. Awaken your voice and heal yourself through your own sound.

In this dynamic workshop David will share vocal techniques for creating wellness through activating sacred sounds in the throat chakra. Participants will explore overtones, harmonics, sacred chants, Taoist healing sounds and breathing, and vocal exercises to increase personal power and improve health. Participants will learn and practice a variety of chants from different traditions and find where in the body the sounds vibrate.

David Chandler has trained vocally in both Lessac and Linklater techniques in college and in professional acting programs. He studied overtones and harmonics with Lama Gangchen Rinpoche at Karuna on the Isle of Lesbos in Greece and has taught Speech and Voice at both the college and high school level.

Come play! Learn how to find your natural voice and let it out. Express yourself. This workshop is for those who have never chanted and always wanted to learn, and for those who already practice chanting and want to learn more.

Eagle’s Quest Form

David Chandler used his study and understanding of each of the main styles of Tai Chi Chuan to create this beautiful and powerful Long Form. In this dynamic workshop, David will present a teaching on the principles of Tai Chi Chuan in the postures of the Eagle’s Quest Tai Chi Form. The focus will be on establishing the principles of Tai Chi deeply rooted in the postures so that the energy flow can be experienced in a profound way. Discovering the power that is hidden in the movements will allow the student to awaken to the inherent flow of energy in the Universe. Each posture will be explored in this exciting and fulfilling workshop. There will be time for a detailed breakdown of each movement of the hands, torso, and stance. Examining the structure of the postures and establishing the flow of energy while pinpointing the principles that are the foundation of power will increase skills and alter the consciousness of the player. .

The workshop will be presented in two parts with a one hour lunch break. There will be time allowed for breaks during the workshops. You may register for one or both sessions. This workshop is for all levels. Beginners will get a basic first lesson of the entire Form, while the advanced player will get the deeper layers of instruction on practical applications of the movements. Ages 18 and up.

Sensing Hands / Push Hands

Sensing Hands, sometimes known as Push Hands, is a martial training technique in Taijiquan that aids the individual in understanding their own center and tests the balance of the partner. In this basic push-hands workshop we will learn to read the impulse of the other in order to sense their impending action. We will work on several simple exercises that build our awareness in understanding the other while keeping our own intentions secret. Examining the subtle changes that initiate a loss of balance and triggers control of the situation allows us to develop perception skills. “Four ounces can deflect a thousand pounds”, is one of the most treasured sayings in the Taijiquan Classics. We will learn to “stand like a mountain, disappear like the fog, and attack like a tiger.” Learning to actively yield is one of the most dynamic aspects of Sensing Hands training. This workshop is for all levels, introducing new students to the concepts and principles, and providing deeper learning for the more advanced student. Students should have some basic concepts of Tai Chi principles.

Personal Self Defense

Tai Chi Chuan is a soft style martial art system designed to utilize the least amount of force in order to overcome a larger and more powerful opponent. The main tenet of Tai Chi for self defense is that “Four ounces can deflect a thousand pounds.” The accomplishment of safety for oneself and others should not require great strength. In this workshop David Chandler will share some of the secrets of Tai Chi that can be used by anyone, large or small, young or old, to increase their viability in difficult situations. This workshop is for anyone who wishes to know how to keep themselves safe in these difficult times. There will be many simple techniques, strategies and easily applied movements that will be taught and can be utilized by anyone for self-protection. This is a fun, hands-on workshop and does not require previous Tai Chi experience. Open to ages 12 and up.

Tibetan Stick Dancing

Tibetan Stick-dancing covers a range of moving meditations that are used for training in stick fighting. The techniques are fun, diverse, and simple to learn. Health benefits for this practice include increasing balance, stimulating the lymphatic system, and increasing energy, concentration, precision, and connection to a partner.

There are many different sets including a hand set taught by Master Jou called the Six Set, the Eight Set (based on a double sword training mechanism witnessed in China and developed by Tibetan Monks), and a Chan Ssu Chin set developed out of reeling silk exercises. This is an especially fun workshop and open to ages 12 and up. No Tai Chi experience is necessary.

I Ching: Book of Changes

The I Ching (pronounced E Ching) translates as the Book of Changes. It is an ancient source of wisdom and an extraordinary path towards self transformation. The I Ching has been the study of great minds including Lao Tsu, Confucius, Carl Jung and Leibnitz. As the foundation of Taiji theory and ultimately, the fundamental ground on which the Chinese culture is built, the I Ching has been the guide for leaders through thousands of years of study.

The I Ching is a 5,000 year old process of divination that is a mathematical way of diving into the unconscious and coming out with wisdom from the Sage. It is a way of uncovering the self, discovering the path of the Higher Being and a path through difficult times.

In this workshop, you will become acquainted with the history of the I Ching, its’ relationship to the practice of Tai Chi and understanding of the Bagua, have opportunities to consult the I Ching with individual assistance and more. No previous experience is necessary.

Sun Style 10 Form

This Sun Style short form is a dynamic Tai Chi form that incorporates primal elements of Qigong, Hsing-Yi, Bagua Chuan and Tai Chi Chuan. A particular benefit of this form is that participants will not only develop Chi or energy from the exercises, but will experience significant Chi. In addition to being a tremendous exercise workout for increasing strength, flexibility and stamina, this Form will promote improved balance and softness for the player. The entire Form, which David learned during his training in Beijing with Grandmaster Sun, will be taught during this workshop. Since this workshop is taught from the most basic movements in a step by step format, no previous experience is necessary.

Ba Duan Jin (8 Pieces of Brocade)

Ba Duan Jin is a traditional Chinese Health and Fitness Qigong exercise routine. The eight easy movements have impressive effects on health and can be done by all. Practicing Ba Duan Jin has been shown to improve the respiratory system, limb strength, flexibility of the joints, nerve health and balance. Cardiovascular function and improvement in osteoporosis, as well as strengthening the immune system are benefits that help as we age. In this workshop, David will teach, in depth and with step by step repetition and progressive flow through, the eight movements of Ba Duan Jin.

No previous experience is necessary. Appropriate for ages 14 and up.

Yi Jin Jing (Tendon-Muscle-Strengthening Exercises)

Yi Jin Jing is a health and fitness exercise handed down from ancient China. Part of the Health Qigong series, Yi JIn Jing features extended, soft and even movements with focus on the turning and flexing of the spine, thus invigorating the limbs and internal organs. Yi Jin Jing exercises have shown to improve the respiratory system, flexibility, balance and muscular strength. Also included are diseases of the joints, digestive system, cardiovascular and nervous systems.

Yi Jin JIng requires the practitioner to maintain a relaxed spirit, integrating mind and body, natural breathing, gentle movements infused with strength and an interplay of the insubstantial and substantial. This impressive health and fitness exercise is adaptable to all age groups. No previous experience is necessary Appropriate for ages 14 and up.