by Natalia Costa
BRASILIA, Dec. 29 (Xinhua) -- The year 2009 was a special one for China-born Moo Shong Woo: He has now been teaching Tai Chi Chuan in Brazil's capital for 35 years.
Interested in Brazil mainly because of the mixture of races and the harmonious relationship among them, Master Woo, as he is known to his pupils and admirers, arrived in Brazil in 1961. Since 1968, he has called Brasilia his home.
"Before coming to Brazil, I had lived in the United States, and the racism problem has bothered me a lot," he told Xinhua in an interview on Tuesday.
As one of China's traditional martial arts, Tai Chi includes fist, sword, broadsword, spear and push-hand skills. Especially the push-hand is known for its demanding tactics and technique, allowing a powerful and aggressive opponent to be defeated by a flick of the wrist or abrupt explosive power.
"When someone steps on my foot and does not apologize, I immediately apologize myself. The person's reaction is to be ashamed," said Master Woo, laughing.
He applies this curious method to spread the wisdom he imparts in his Tai Chi classes, during which he always emphasizes the importance of simultaneously improving body, mind and spirit.
Tolerance, respect for differences, kindness, and humbleness are the values that have almost been forgotten nowadays but are still cherished by Master Woo.
"We must search for equilibrium and apply our wisdom for good," he said.
This is also the philosophy of life that Master Woo has been teaching his pupils by offering free Tai Chi classes everyday for 35 years in the Brazilian capital.
About 150 people of all ages attend his classes, which are held outdoors at the Square of Universal Harmony. The Square was declared an intangible cultural heritage of Brasilia in 2007, a fact that fills Master Woo with pride.
Over these three and a half decades, some of his students have learned enough Tai Chi to become teachers themselves and help Master Woo with the classes.
His followers' surnames prove his observation regarding national diversity in Brazil: People of Portuguese, German, Italian and Japanese origins are united by the common ideal to spread Tai Chi Chuan practice in Brasilia.
But despite Master Woo's admiration for Brazil, he reveals that his heart belongs to China. And he was very excited to be interviewed by a Chinese news agency.
He also said he was very happy about the good period China is going through. "I expect that the economic growth will benefit everybody in China and that the environment will be respected," he remarked.
Master Woo was born in Chiayi, Taiwan, in March 1932. In March 1961, he decided to move to Brazil. He spent brief periods in the provinces of Minas Gerais and Sao Paulo before deciding to settle down in Brasilia.
After some initial difficulties, he started teaching at a cultural society. In 2000, during the celebrations of the 500th anniversary of the discovery of Brazil, Master Woo became a naturalized citizen of Brazil.
Since Master Woo teaches Tai Chi Chuan for free, he works as a doctor for a living, following traditional Chinese medical practices. The knowledge of traditional Chinese medicine was passed down by his family.
He also studied Western medicine at the University of Alabama in the United States from 1955 to 1956.
Throughout his medical career, he received the title of advisor from the Corporation Board of Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine, and was named honorary dean of the Faculty and Institute of Chinese Medical Specialists and honorary president of the General Union of Chinese Herbalist Doctors.
Master Woo is a widower and had three children, one of whom unfortunately passed away. The other two are doctors who graduated from the University of Brasilia. His daughter and son are also his disciples, which ensures the continuity of Master Woo's voluntary commitment to teach Tai Chi Chuan.
