Who are we?
Green Frog Tai Chi, founded in Los Angeles in 2016, is the result of International Instructor Eugene Zykov’s lifelong dedication to Tai Chi. His remarkable journey began in the mid-1980s, with a chance encounter that would change his life forever.
At the time, Eugene heard about a one-month Tai Chi seminar being held in a remote area where Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and China meet. Intrigued, he set off for a city near the majestic Friendship Peak in China, where this large seminar of over 1,000 students was taking place. One afternoon, near the city, he found himself sitting by the mountainside, reading poetry by the ancient Chinese poet, Li Bai (also known as Li Bo). Immersed in the beauty of the scenery and the words of the poet, Eugene was approached by an elderly man.
At first, Eugene dismissed the old man and told him to leave. However, the man persisted, and eventually, Eugene gave in. They began talking about Li Bai, poetry, and the profound beauty of the world. The conversation left a fleeting impression, but when the man excused himself and departed, Eugene assumed it was the last he would see of him.
Photo of Lu Zi Jian around 110.
Photo of Lu Zi Jian around 93.
The next day, the seminar began. With over 1,000 students gathered, the instructors—about 50 of them—stood in formation, ready to select their students one by one. But before the process started, a commotion drew everyone’s attention. An individual emerged, commanding respect from the instructors as they gathered around him. Eugene stretched to catch a glimpse through the crowd and was stunned to recognize the elderly man he had dismissed the day before. This man was no ordinary participant; he was the one leading the entire seminar.
Eugene felt a wave of embarrassment and regret, realizing how poorly he had treated someone of such stature. When the time came for the instructors to choose their students, the old man walked straight to Eugene. Expecting a reprimand or even a dismissal, Eugene was surprised when the man simply pointed to him and said, “Come with me.” That was the moment Eugene was introduced to Lu Zi Jian, an esteemed Tai Chi master.
For the next month, Eugene trained under Lu Zi Jian, learning the 24 Yang Style Form and building a foundation in Tai Chi principles. At the end of the seminar, Lu Zi Jian invited Eugene to train further at the prestigious Beijing Wushu Academy. By the following spring, Eugene found himself in Beijing, where he immersed himself in intensive training for six months. His studies with Lu Zi Jian didn’t stop there—they traveled across China together, practicing in places like Western China, the Wudang Mountains, and Chongqing. Under Lu Zi Jian’s guidance, Eugene mastered the 24, 48, and 108 Yang Style Forms.
Over the years, Eugene continued his Tai Chi education, exploring WuDang Pai and other traditional forms with instructors from Wudang Mountain. His dedication and expertise eventually earned him accreditation as an International Instructor of Tai Chi Chuan.
By 1998, Eugene opened his first Tai Chi school in Antwerp, Belgium, where he spent several years teaching hundreds of students. Eventually, his path led him to the United States, and in 2016, he established the Green Frog Tai Chi Chuan School in Los Angeles. Today, Eugene continues to share his passion and deep knowledge of Tai Chi with his students, honoring the traditions passed down to him and the life-changing lessons he learned along the way.
Photo of Lu Zi Jian around 100.
Appointments
Please fill out a form below.