“Seeing beyond the Tai Chi Footprint” by Local Tai Chi Instructor and Author, Huan Zhang

By Dan Marshall

January 25, 2006 - Sifu Huan Zhang of Somerville grew up on the Chinese mainland where he studied Tai Chi Chuan and other martial arts under three different Grand masters from the Northern Shaolin Kung Fu and Yang style Tai Chi traditions, including his late father, Master Zhang Lu Ping. Both Huan and his father have been featured numerous times in Tai Chi International magazine.

Since moving to the Boston area from Amherst, MA, Huan has dedicated his free time to the cultivation and promotion of the art of Tai Chi Chuan. In addition to weekly classes at Casa Nia (Porter Square), the Cambridge YWCA, and the Brookline Community Center for the Arts, and private lessons from his home studio, Huan and his students have accepted many requests for demonstrations at local colleges, teacher seminars, summer camps, US Air Force bases, art centers, and cultural fairs.

Huan has recently written a book entitled “Seeing beyond the Tai Chi Footprint”, now in print by AuthorHouse, and available for sale at Barnes & Noble and on Amazon.com. The book is rather unique among the numerous other Tai Chi publications because it is not intended to be a direct “how to” but rather a collection of insights, techniques, practical advice, and mental exercises drawn from Huan's own personal practice and understanding, and from his father’s life-long studies and practice. “Seeing beyond the Tai Chi Footprint” is not the only book you will ever need about Tai Chi, nor is it intended to be, but it is sure to be recognized as a valuable addition to the serious practitioner's library, and at the same time provide a solid foundation for Tai Chi beginners.

“I have had the pleasure to study with Huan for a number of years, both publicly and privately. I am still amazed at the breadth of Huan's knowledge of internal and external martial arts in general, which extends to many forms and styles. It is difficult in this day and age to teach an art that requires so much practice and patience from the students, so I respect the commitment and care Huan has shown to his inherited art and to each individual student.” (David Grant, student and assistant instructor)

Huan works full time as a computer programmer for the Institute of Community Inclusion at the University of Massachusetts, where he builds academic websites for visually impaired people. “I heard about Huan’s Tai Chi class, but I never knew he has that famous background.” (Maria Pawanski, one of Huan’s co-workers at the Institute of Community Inclusion)

“I really enjoyed the book! I liked the combination of teaching from my teacher Lu Ping, Huan’s other teachers, and Huan’s own personal insights about Tai Chi. I am always interested to know more of Master Lu Ping’s life. I look forward to Huan’s future publications.” (Kevin Beane, a well known Tai Chi teacher of Durham, NH, who is also Huan’s Tai Chi classmate) Huan has been working on a publication that focuses on the rich history of his famous father and teachers. But first, he looks to complete and publish two more books, “Nine Advanced Principles of Tai Chi” and “Shadow Kicks and the Essential Principles of Tan Tui”.

Huan's own story behind the book: “It’s definitely a great way to put some of your ideas and thoughts in a book format. I like to give detailed explanations in my class, and sometimes students just can’t remember all the information I lecture. They probably will ask the same questions again because they have learned some concepts but forgot others. I thought, why not make a book to help them. This book will be a nice tool to remind them of the important principles. To show them that Tai Chi is not that difficult and complicated; all you need is someone to explain it to you in an easy way. If you have a dream of a healthy life, with Tai Chi, you can achieve it!”