Our Lineage
Grandmaster
Huang Sheng Shyan
Huang Sheng Shyan, also known as Huang Xingxian (黃性賢; 1910–1992), was born in Minhou County, Fujian Province, China. He began his martial arts journey at the age of 15, starting with White Crane Kung Fu and later expanding his training to include Luohan Fist and Shaolin Gongfu.
In 1932, at the age of 22, Huang moved to Shanghai, where he established a martial arts school and began teaching White Crane and Luohan Kung Fu. During his time in Shanghai, he interacted with a wide range of martial artists and developed a deep interest in Tai Chi.
In 1948, Huang relocated to Taiwan, where he taught martial arts and lectured at Taiwan University. There, he became a disciple of the renowned Cheng Man Ching (郑曼青), studying Tai Chi under his guidance for eight years. Through this time, he mastered and refined the art, eventually evolving it into what became known as Huang Style Tai Chi.
In 1956, he was invited to Singapore to teach Tai Chi, and by 1957, he had introduced his teachings to Sarawak, Malaysia, founding a school in Kuching. His influence quickly expanded to other cities, including Sibu, Bintulu, Sarikei, Miri, Api Api, Beaufort, Keningau, and Tenom. By 1959, he had founded the Singapore Tai Chi Association, and between 1973 and 1983, he helped establish branches of the Malaysian Tai Chi Association throughout the country. Today, Grandmaster Huang’s legacy continues through numerous schools around Asia, Europe, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
A strong advocate of building Tai Chi on the foundation of “song” (松)—relaxation or softness—Grandmaster Huang developed a unique set of exercises known as “Song Shen Wu Fa” (松身五法; Five Loosening Exercises) to cultivate this principle. Devoting his entire adult life to the pursuit and perfection of his art, Grandmaster Huang remains a highly respected and influential figure in the world of Tai Chi and martial arts.
Master
Tay Ah Cheng
Master Tay Ah Cheng (郑伢程) was born in Singapore in 1937. He began his martial arts journey at the age of 20, dedicating nearly two decades to the study and practice of Qi Gong and Shaolin Gongfu. His first introduction to Tai Chi came in the 1970s, when the late Grandmaster Huang Sheng Shyan visited Singapore and demonstrated his art at the Tai Chi Association. Deeply impressed by the Grandmaster’s skill, Master Tay decided to pursue training in Huang Style Tai Chi under his guidance.
After 11 years of formal study, Master Tay left the school but remained committed to his practice. He continued training regularly at Katong Park, alongside Wang Xing Bang (王欣邦), the former president of the Huang Style Tai Chi Society. During this time, Grandmaster Huang made several visits to Wang at Katong Park. The Grandmaster too notice of Master Tay’s dedication and persistence.
In the 1990s, recognizing Master Tay’s commitment and progress, Grandmaster Huang personally approached him and passed on essential teachings—key insights that enabled Master Tay to deepen his understanding and elevate his Tai Chi to a higher level.