In 1966, Master Tan studied Professor Chen Man Ching's Yang Style Tai Chi Chuan under Master Chia Siew Pang of Singapore. In 1970 he was taught the Chi aspect of Tai Chi by old Master Cao Yu Siew. Cao's elder brother Cao Yao Hui was the president of Chin Wu Association in Kusala Lumpur. Once the president Cao invited Professor Chen Man Ching to visit both Chin Wu Association in Kuala Lumpur and Penang and thus had the advantages to gain Tai Chi knowledge from the great master. It is a matter of course that the two brothers would share that valuable knowledge together.
From 1977 to 1980 , through recommendation of Cao Yu Siew, Master Tan had the opportunity to trained with the famous and legendary Master Huang Shin Shien in Kuala Lumpur. In 1980 Tan further his Tai Chi study under Master Wu Kuo Chung of Taiwan, Master Wu is Professor Chen Man Ching's disciple since 1970.
Until today Master Tan has forty years of practising and thirty over years of teaching Tai Chi. Although he had learned Tai Chi under different masters, the form been taught to him was none other than Professor Chen Man Ching's Tai Chi form. Master Tan disclosed that much of his high achievements in Tai Chi was due to both his own perseverance and the information gathered from Professor Chen Man Ching's book.The 13 Chapters Chengzi Tai Chi Chuan.
On academic, Master Tan helds two degrees: (1) B. Art. in Chinese Language & Literature - Nanyang University, Singapore. (2) B. Art. (Hons) in Chinese Studies - University of Singapore. From 1972-1995 Master Tan had been serving as Head of Chinese Department and lecturer in four teachers training colleges in Malaysia.