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Master I-Chih Wang and Master Charlie Yu
The Cincinnati Taijiquan Club was founded by Master
I-Chih Wang, PhD, in 2004. Master Wang was born in
China in 1930 and began his Taijiquan training there in the early
1940's. In 1958, he came to the United States as a graduate
student at the University of Illinois. After receiving his PhD in
1966, Master Wang joined the faculty of the University of
Cincinnati (UC) as a Professor of Mathematics and Mechanics. In
1999, upon his retirement from UC after 33 years of service, he
was named Professor Emeritus.
Over the years, Master Wang returned to China many times where he
received high level Taijiquan instruction. Retirement allowed
Master Wang to teach Taijiquan and share its health benefits with
others. To ensure anyone who was interested in learning it, Master
Wang never charged for his instructions. It was his way of
thanking the community for all the good things that he and his
family enjoyed living and working in Cincinnati.
In 2015, at the age of 85, Master Wang retired from teaching Taijiquan. His last official act was to promote several of his senior students to Instructor rank.
Chia-Nien Yu (Charlie) was born in China in 1931 and came to the United States in 1955. In 1959, he received a Master's Degree in organic chemistry from the University of Michigan. Upon graduation, he was hired by Norwich Pharmacol (later acquired by Procter & Gamble) as an organic chemist. After 35 years of service, and as the original owner of several patents, Master Yu retired in 1994. He began learning Taijiquan in 2000 when he met Master Wang.
In recognition of his various volunteer activities, which includes teaching Taijiquan for over 20 years, Master Yu received the Cincinnati Medical Mutual Outstanding Senior Volunteer Award in 2022. It is given to those who help others, thereby improving their community and leaving a positive impact for future generations.
Master Yu is the 52nd great great grandson of a famous scholar, adviser and calligraphy teacher to the first Emperor of the Tang Dynasty (618AD). To honor Master Wang, Master Yu scripted a Calligraphy of a saying that Master Wang often shared with his Taijiquan students:
"Relax with a calm mind"
"Breath naturally"
"Move continuously"
"Improve one's health and prolong one's life"
Tim Coletta, Lead Senior Instructor, has over 50 years experience teaching Taijiquan, Kempo and Jeet Kune Do. He teaches Taijiquan at Blue Ash Recreation Center (513-745-8550) on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7:00 AM and 7:30 PM. Tim can be reached at 513-237-3579 or at timcoletta@gmail.com
Continuing Master Wang's goal to share the health benefits of Taijiquan with others, a number of his protégés teach Taijiquan at various locations throughout Cincinnati, including Blue Ash, Mason and Montgomery. Visit any of our classes to learn Taijiquan in a relaxed, friendly environment. For more information about our Instructors and class locations, see the INSTRUCTORS Page.