Haase performs tai chi. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Martin Haase of Victoria, Canada, practiced tai chi with his mother from a young age. He said that when he was a child, he was very active and always wanted to go to see the world. It was just at that time that Chinese martial arts films entered Canada, and Bruce Lee and Jet Li's kung fu movies fascinated him.
Haase learned tai chi with his mother since the age of 17 and has kept this habit for about 18 years. Later he came to Hunan province in Central China and joined the Hunan Provincial Wushu Association.
"Many foreign friends who come to China with an interest in tai chi will come to the association to study with me," Haase said. "I will introduce them to Hunan culture and Chinese culture. Sometimes I show them around the city of Changsha as a translator and guide."
In the Wushu Association, Haase met many teachers and friends of tai chi. He believes that practicing kung fu can help you stay fit and gain confidence.
Haase performs tai chi. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
Haase first became interested in Chinese medicine when he was in Canada. After graduating from high school, he entered the Oshio College of Acupuncture & Herbology in Victoria. Haase's teacher then was from Hunan.
"His medical skills are brilliant, but he is modest too. This gave me a very good first impression of China and Chinese medicine," Haase said.
"He taught us a lot of interesting things about Hunan, like the great herbalist doctor Zhang Zhongjing. He also told me that if I want to really understand Chinese medicine, I must go to China where it originated, so I came to Hunan."
In order to learn Chinese medical theory, Haase studies Chinese medicine books, most of which are written in classical Chinese. Haase's solution is to ask students to translate the classical Chinese into modern Chinese and then translate them into English.
Haase demonstrates Chinese kung fu. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
In addition to the basic knowledge of Chinese medicine, he also learned to do acupuncture and cupping therapy. He said that he likes to study the philosophy contained in Chinese medicine, the balance of yin and yang and the five elements, which is also helpful for practicing tai chi.
Haase has been to many cities in China, including Beijing, Xi'an, Shanghai and Harbin. He found that every city in China has its own characteristics. Haase's hometown Victoria and Changsha have a longstanding friendship. He has made many local friends in Changsha, where also met his tai chi teachers, Chinese medicine teachers and his wife.
Haase thinks the most attractive aspect of Chinese culture is Chinese philosophy and Taoism. He has adapted the slow-paced lifestyle described in the Tao Te Ching, a book written by Lao Zi, the founder of Taoism. "The pace of life for modern people is too fast. I think everyone should learn from the Tao Te Ching," he said.
Haase speaks to local high school students in Changsha, Central China's Hunan Province. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
As the liaison to the Canadian Consulate in Hunan province, Haase helps to promote Chinese culture in Canada. Now his focus has shifted to education. Haase believes that human development is inseparable from education. As an international student, he strongly encourages all students to visit the world outside.
Talking about his future work plans, Haase hopes to invite more Canadian students to come to China and come to Hunan to introduce them to the real China.
Haase demonstrates Chinese kung fu. (Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn)
