Dominic Landry is a Canadian teacher at the No 1 Kindergarten in Nanjing, the capital of East China's Jiangsu province. [Photo/jschina.com.cn]

Kindergarten teacher, martial arts practitioner and yoga instructor, Dominic Landry has rolled out a rich and colorful life in Nanjing, capital of East China's Jiangsu province.

A Canadian with an eye-catching beard, Landry has been working in his beloved city and in his beloved job – a kindergarten teacher – since 2004.

Now an old hand at singing, dancing and playing games with children, Landry said he overcame many initial problems and difficulties because his heart melted every time he received warm greetings from his young students.

With his eagerness to learn martial arts, Landry took Shi Jianhu as his mentor and delved into the practice in his spare time.

"He is quite focused," Shi said. "Even during a 10-minute break, he will ask me questions about the details about a cudgel move or a fist position. I've known him for years, I can feel that he's getting closer to Chinese culture."

Landry is now a helping hand at Shi's martial arts classes. He instructs children in basic moves and is very popular with the youngsters.

He has even piqued his daughter Ziza's interest in practicing kung fu. She is a fourth grader who also attends Shi's classes. She said she learnt Chinese from her mother and English and French from her father.

Dominic Landry teaches local children some basic martial arts moves. [Photo/jschina.com.cn]

Aside from martial arts, Landry has developed an interest in yoga, which he says is a way of exploring his mind and body, and also of integrating Eastern and Western cultures.

"I started yoga for fitness, but as I delved into it more, I found it has gradually changed my life and helped me know myself better."

Having lived in Nanjing for 14 years, Landry said he has his family and his friends in the city.

"Home is where my heart is, and Nanjing is my home away from home," he said.