Master Zhang Xue Xin is won of America's leading teachers of Taiji. He was born in 1917 in China and lived through the most difficult times from the time of the Last Emperor to the Japanese Invasion and Second World War through the Chinese Civil War and rise of Mao through the Cultural Revolution to the rise of Chinese Capitalism. Along the way he studied and kept alive the heritage of the Chen style Taiji, even when martial arts were banned in China by the Communist Party and persecuted by Red Guards. The Chen Style of Taiji is the original form of Taiji from which all other Taiji systems developed. It was once taught only in the Chen Village in Henan province and kept secret to outsiders or persons not of the Chen family. It was brought into Beijing by famous 17th generation Chen Master Chen Fake and taught to select students from 1928 until his death in 1957. Among his students, the most famous and accomplished was Master Feng Zhiqiang, also born in 1917. Master Feng is one of the "Last Dragons" lived from the time of the Last Emperor until modern day China. He is considered a Living Treasure by the Chinese Government. Master Feng created a new style of HunYuan Taiji by combining Chen Taiji and Taoist Qigong. Its' improved benefits for health and self defense have been widely documented.
Master Feng's best friend and senior student is Master Zhang Xue Xin who brought this style of Taiji to the US in 1991 when he moved to San Francisco. Master Zhang studied privately first with Chen Fake's son, Chen Zhaokui and then later with Master Feng himself for 30 years (1961-1991) . He was also an officer in the Army. He would often have to practice secretly in order to avoid persecution for keeping up the old ways. It is because of the hard work and courage of people like Master Zhang that we and others are able to benefit from the treasures he preserved, His whole life is devoted to Taiji and he practices and teaches 6 hours everyday. He is from the "old school' of Taiji practice and believe that "a strict teacher makes for the best student". Despite his 81 years, he moves like a man half his age and enjoys throwing advanced students with his techniques. He credits his lifelong practice of Taiji and Qigong for his excellent health and ability. Master Zhang is recognized as one of the most important teachers in the US and is often called upon to teach other recognized taiji masters privately.
Master Zhang was brought to St. Louis by his senior disciple, Justin Meehan who has studied both with Master Zhang since 1991 (17 years) and Master Feng who he first visited in Beijing in 1981 and most recently visited in 2007. Sifu Justin is President of the Chinese Internal Arts Center; President of the Taoist Research and Resource Center; and Regional Director of the USA HunYuan Taiji Association of Master Feng Zhiqiang and Zhang Xue Xin. He has been bringing his Sifu, Master Zhang to St. Louis twice a year since 1993. Assisting Sifu Justin and Master Zhang are his two senior students and local teachers Cis Hager and Herb Parran At the recent October workshop Master Zhang taught the Silk Reeling exercises, HunYuan Qigong, the Introductory 24 movement beginner form, the Taiji stick, joint locking techniques and push hands. Students can study and practice HunYuan Taiji and Qigong with Sifu Justin Meehan and his senior students, Cis Hager, Herb Parran and Jim Gera in St. Louis.
Further information is available on Sifu Justin's website www.StLTaiji.com and Master Zhang's website, www.Silkreeler.com |
