• 1910-1992

• Teacher: Fujian White Crane Master Xie Zhong-Xian (1873 – 1915)
• Teacher: Zheng Man-Qing (Cheng Man-Ching)
• Students: Wong Li-Sung, Patrick Kelly, Joseph Mack, Tony Ward, Huang Chiew Mei, Yek Giong

Huang Sheng-Shyan was born in Fukien province in Mainland China. He began his martial arts career at the age of 14, learning Taoist healing and martial arts.

He was an expert in the art of Fukien white crane, learning from the renowned Master Xie Zhong-Xian.

Huang Sheng-Shyan combined Ming He (White Crane Boxing), Lohan (Monk Fist), and Tai Chi’s internal boxing to make his art extremely powerful and his skills unearthly.

The system that he created to develop and teach his skills is unique amongst other systems.

He invented the Five Body Loosening Methods (Song Shen Wu Fa) to gradually and continuously loosen the body which allows his descendants to more easily develop Tai Chi’s internal energy and power.

At age 37 he moved to Taiwan and for the next ten years studied Tai Chi with Professor Cheng Man-Ching. Over the next 30 years, he committed himself to teaching tens of thousands of students, establishing a network of schools throughout Southeast Asia.

He refined and developed the art of Tai Chi taking it to new heights to achieve almost legendary status.

Today Master Huang’s teachings continue to spread worldwide and cover every aspect, whether for health, martial arts or spiritual development. “Tai Chi is not a martial art meant for bragging and antagonistic purposes. A Tai Chi exponent needs to understand the principles and philosophy of the art. No one should deviate from these principles and philosophy. The movements can be developed and modified but the principles are eternal.”

“The external forms may differ from person to person but the principles are standard and unvarying. Because of this, there is no basis for differentiation by schools. Instead, a spirit of a single-family should prevail. Common interest of the art should take precedence over personal interest. An open attitude should emerge.”

• Translated by Wee Kee-Jin

For the Taijiquan Form and Qi cultivation, Master Huang Sheng-Shyan referred to 20 Important Points:

• Every muscle in the body has to be relaxed and loosened.
• The body has to maintain an upright position without leaning or tilting.
• Empty the chest, relax the shoulders and drop the elbows.
• Tuck in the back and keep a light consciousness on the crown of the head.
• Contract the anus, but ensure the buttocks are relaxed and hanging.
• Bring the Spirit (mind awareness) within to cultivate the Qi. Avoid unnecessary movements in the three parts of the body: head, arms and torso.
• Maintain an awareness of the three centres (centre of palms, tantien and bubbling well).
• Use the mind, not brute force, to stay in your centre.
• Calm the mind, relax the body and maintain an awareness of the body.
• Initiate all the turning from the hips and waist.
• When stepping forward or backwards, the substantial and insubstantial feet must be clearly differentiated and firmly grounded.
• The legs initiate the forward and backward movement.
• In calmness there is movement and in movement, there is sinking.
• Upper and lower body must synchronise harmoniously, without dispersed movements.
• Relax the neck, sink the shoulders and drop the elbows.
• Three things that should never be locked straight in the form; the body; the arms; the legs.
• Maintain continuity without any breaks, internal and external in harmony.
• The hands move like reeling silk from a cocoon and the feet move like a cat in motion.
• Have faith, modesty and perseverance and success will prevail.
• Fully understand the Tai Chi Form and the applications will be natural.