Tricia Yu Obituary

This is very sad. One of the reasons I moved to Madison in 1993 was to take classes at the Tai Chi Center. I worked at the Omega Institute in upstate New York that summer, and wanted to continue what I had learned there. Madison was the best choice. I learned "the form" from one of her teachers, Gabrielle Byers, and after a pause for a few years, started again with Tricia. In addition to being masterful in the practice, she was a great teacher, and an even better human being.

It must have been in about 2002 that I told her after class that I had a dream that the Tai Chi Center was closing. She replied that she had decided to move to Taos, New Mexico. The Center didn't close, but she was soon gone. She was one of the greatest people I ever knew. I at least still have her Tai Chi video, which I can use both to practice and now to remember her by.

Tricia provided an essential bridge for so many of us in the Midwest CMC T'ai Chi community. She put herself out there so much, so often & for so long for so many people. The opportunities & connections she made available to us cannot be overestimated. And she was always so kind, giving & welcoming about it. I would call her a great soul. She will be missed. Her parting leaves me with a hole & a debt I will never be able to repay.

For the ten years I lived in Madison during the 1980's, I studied Tai Chi with Tricia. Her teaching style was the best. Loved the Tai Chi camps too. I also remember Tricia as a potter. I still have the bowl she made and gave to me when I got married. It was an honor to have her in my life.

Tricia Yu studied under the greats and became one of the tai chi greats. Her legacy of making tai chi more accessible "for every body" has touched so many and changed countless lives. Not only for her students, but for everyone her students meet. I had the honor of "meeting" Tricia during my own teacher certification via zoom. A truly gracious and special soul. We Tai Chi Fundamentals people will always do our best to honor the legacy you so faithfully upheld and entrusted us with all these years.

After a severe auto accident in 2014, I attended classes with Tricia and she gave me hope which I still have today. I honor the special spirit of giving which was Tricia and which lives on today.

Tricia and Doug took us in when we were down and out. We got back on our feet and in turn helped them out with their lovely gardens and home. We got resettled, but still had unresolved business that we finally felt able to open up about with them and they listened and helped, were there for us! They gave us the strength and love we needed to go back home and put the past behind us. Our time in Taos was the grounding we needed to not lose each other. We learned so much from Tricia and Doug and are better for it!

Tricia's legacy will stand the test of time. She was so brilliant and creative, but so down to earth in her mentoring and personal interactions. As with so many others, it was and honor and inspiration to experience her training and personal touch firsthand. Jerry Taylor

I moved to New Mexico to train with Tricia. It was an honor. We also became quick friends and would share lunch at her favorite restaurant with Doug and my wife Lisa. She used my class in Angel Fire for some of the pictures in Tai Chi Prime. She inspired us to continue our classes and we will continue to honor her legacy with those classes.

Blessings

Frank Gonzalez & Lisa Brooks

Fond memories of Tricia enjoying tai chi at dawn in Estes Park, CO in 2009. You are in my thoughts, Doug.

In the 1950s, I knew Tricia as "Patty Beadles," one of the three Beadles kids who lived next door to us in Colorado Springs. At the time, I thought everybody had wonderful neighbors like the Beadles. Our family and hers interacted often, and all of us thought all the Beadles were simply wonderful people.

I was two years older, so Tricia and I didn't share any classes at Steel School, North Junior High, or Palmer High School. But my sister Ellen and I knew Barbara, Patty, and Rob well as friends.

After I left Colorado Springs for college and "life," I crossed paths only occasionally with Tricia, but every time it was fun and delightful to see her again. I also came to realize that although we had many nice neighbors in the various places we lived, none of them met the mark established by the Beadles clan. Tricia and her whole family were simply "very special."

Oddly enough, later in life, I, too, developed trigeminal neuralgia, but not nearly as badly as Tricia's. My case is a nuisance but not nearly as devastating as hers.

People are lucky when they, by accident of geography, acquire such friends as Tricia. She is someone I will sincerely miss, even though I seldom saw her after childhood. When we did meet, however, it was always a treat and a pleasure.

This is a very sad farewell.

John Perkins

Weekly Tai Chi sessions is a sustaining and comforting memory, as are the "Smarties" lunches. They hold a special place in my heart. Your warmth and joyfulness were freely shared with all. Remembering and missing you, dear one. Janis

I worked for Tricia at Uncharted Territory for several years and she became my beloved mentor. Her sweet, happy energy was a balm for my soul. She was a truly generous being who welcomed me and many others into her heart and home. I fondly remember the many Sunday dinners, the encouraging words, the warm hugs and the sweetest laughs. Practicing tai chi with her by the lake was a thing of true beauty. She has had and well forever hold a special place in my heart; she was the mother I always wanted.

My condolences to Doug and the rest of the family. Doug and Tricia were an integral part of my stay in Madison.

Tricia, I regret not having the honor to have met you. Thank you for creating Tai Chi Fundamentals and the light you helped flame in the lives of so many people. May your family and friends find peace and happiness during this time.

A recent painting: "Tai Chi - Single Whip"

Tricia's skill as a Tai Chi practitioner was equally matched by her mastery as an innovative and exemplary teacher of the practice. As one of her students in the 1980's, I was indeed fortunate to learn Tai Chi within her steady and patient teaching style. While she was able to communicate the precise movements of the form itself with great skill, she was also able to impart the underlying principles of Tai Chi. Concepts such as "rootedness" and "bend like a supple blade of grass" were present in her classes as well as the physical movements. ....Yin and yang. I will always be grateful to the many ways that Tricia Yu instilled Tai Chi and its wisdom to us, her many students.

My heartfelt condolences to Tricia´s immediate family and her wider family of fellow tai chi players. I am sad she is gone but forever grateful that I was a part of her tai chi family. Tricia was one of the kindest and calmest people I´ve ever met. I loved her teaching style - non-judgmental but always giving corrections with a light touch. I can still picture her as the most graceful and relaxed tai chi player.

My condolences to her son, Kai, dil Katy and grand daughters Savannah, Nova. And her husband Doug. And to all of her family and friends.

Patricia, you were my first Tai Chi teacher and a true master. I will always cherish your lightness, humor, and goofy wisdom. Now you are one with the Great Flow. Srr you around the bend!

I am undone, bereft, desolate. This can't be. Tricia Yu opened my life to the possibilities of healing through Tai Chi. She trained so many people and embraced us into her UW Study, inspiring confidence to 'spread the word.' Gone? Impossible. Tricia your laughter and grace will last in my life forever. Your teaching inspires me to this day. Thanks for the cups of tea and brownies!!

Oh, we remember living across the street from Tricia and Doug on Jenifer Street in Madison, and the many times we shared in the '90's.
My deepest condolences to all Tricia's family -- she was and always will be a true gem.
We have an old cassette tape of "Uncharted Country" here -- and it makes me smile, just thinking of it. It reminds me of the house concert you gave in our big old home -- and how hard you had to work to teach me the 2-Step dance.... which I never quite mastered.
Thank you, Tricia, for all you gave to us!!

I remember Tricia Yu. In the early 70's she held a Tai Chi class on the grassy knolls of the Henry Mall every Saturday during the summer. I still have the hardback Tai Chi book she recommended, and even recently reviewed it, thinking of getting back to that practice -- marvelling how challenging Tai Chi can be when you've entered your late 70's compared to when you were in your early 20's.