How liberating!

How liberating it is to move your body to the rhythm of an orchestra of musicians. To go against this rhythm will ruin the natural flow of the atmosphere created by those who have gathered to escape, to practise, to train for the real world. Those who have gathered wish to simply to 'play,' to learn how to move the rhythm of the world. Once it is understood how the world works, how the rhythm guides and how it guides the opposition, the realisation comes that within this rhythm, it is possible to have your own rhythm and not disrupt the rhythm and flow of the world. In this Microcosm, the the battle ensues, and until the lesson is learnt, the same situation will haunt the inhabitant of the world. Unless the inhabitant of this world learns to adapt and to live in the moment, they will always be a step behind the rhythm and pace of the world. The warrior within you knows that training is a vital component of preparation. Thus to 'play' in a microcosm prepares every part of the being to battle in the macrocosm.

The roda of Capoeira is one such microcosm. How liberating it is!

The prodigal son returns!

So! It has been a full year since I last posted something to this blog. Call it a lack of inspiration, a lack of initiative or the famed writers block, this has been a busy year for me. You may ask, what do I have to show for it? Well a new insight and all things that relate to the wonderful world we live in. Let me fill you in on the happenings of the year.

Batizado

The beginning of the saw saw Mestre Bogado and Mestre Santana visit our shores and the UCT Capoeira group for the 2nd time. I advanced in my grading system (a discription of which will follow later) and I represented the group as a trainee instructor. The event was somewhat well attended and the new kids on the block also got a feel of Capoeira from Brazil. As always Mestre Bogado had a lot of knowledge to impart on the group and Pinokio (collegue) and I were given a bit of a hard time, but all in good faith. Mestre Santana's energy infected all around us, and a song that he sang stuck to me. In all Mestre Bogado noticed an improvement in the group and this was pleasing to note.

Contra-mestre Polegar visits UCT Capoeira

Well we had an unexpected visitor to our group, Contra-mestre Polegar (now Mestre Polegar ) from Grupo Capoeira Angola Palmares. The most amazing Capoeirista with a deep love for Capoeira and moves to show for it as well. My first game with him was lets say very one sided :) His approach to the game is simple, effective, well timed, playful and respectful. His energy went on to infect Casa da Capoeira and groups in Mozambique (a quick You Tube search will show you what I am talking about). I think the most important thing I learnt from his visit was the multi dimensional, multifaceted approaches that exist to the game of Capoeira. The way an individual uses Capoeira to express him- or her-self gives that dynamic that is unpredictable and as such is most effective for an individual. A thought comes to mind in that people train Capoeira for various reasons. This purpose is what determines the effectiveness of the artform to the individual.

I hope to meet this guy again soon. I have a score to settle with him in this game.

Contra-Mestre Salles visits UCT Capoeira

This blog represents my thoughts on Capoeira and this visit by Contra-Mestre Salles was poorly attended by the UCT Capoeira club. I think back and I realise that "Capoeira chooses you!" Even with 4 people in attendance, Salles said "Lets train, this is what I came for." It turned out to be one of the best workshops I have been to in a while. Salles approach to the game, Chow! Funny I know, but this is a necessary aspect of the game to address. Not everyone plays nice and for some it is a fight, a Martial art (Will follow up on this topic in the near future). So things like efficiency and dealing with hostile situations is an important part of the game. We had long chats as well about Capoeira in the region and the "politics that exist. Maybe I will touch on this topic as well soon, but what did become evident is the need of a collective understanding of the way forward for the growth of the artform. Unfortunately, there is all this baggage that dates back the 30's that needs to be understood and taken in to account before any strategy is put forward. This will definitely be a major post for another day. The weekend Salles was here was well utilized and the lessons haves stuck ever since.

UCT Capoeira! Where to from here?

UCT Capoeira is under new management as they say, the era of the Soldiers has passed and a new era begins. This is not the platform give my thoughts in the direction of UCT Capoeira, so I shan't do so here. I guess I should change the heading above; but I won't. I still think that UCT Capoeira is an important node for Capoeira in the Cape. As such, Capoeira in this region will benefit greatly from the efforts of the club. As for me..... I don't know. Stay tuned to find out!

Roda @ Camps Bay: May 2007.

This is UCT Capoeira at its best. (May Workshops with Mestre Paulo and Contra-Mestre Lucas. One of the best rodas I have participated in.

A new insight!!!

If you are following this blog you will have noticed that I changed the title to A Roda de Capoeira.

I have lately been thinking a lot about Capoeira which means I was also thinking about the path that I will take in life. Consider when you are playing in a roda, you are surrounded by the rhythm that guides your movements, the commentary that encourages, or makes a mockery of your game, all in good faith. Also consider your thought patterns, your reactions. Your orientation in this microcosm of the world is constantly changing. The participants of the roda demarcate the space you play. I guess that most exhilarating thing is the uncertainty of what is going to happen next. We can't dwell on events past nor can we try to anticipate future events. One can only live in the present, the instant. One can only react to whats coming at that instant and as quickly as it came, its is gone and is in the past. Thus it is important to live in the now and present. To live in this state, one does not worry about the future, but they surely learn from the past whether it is good or bad. I guess the future is influenced by the decisions one makes in the now. How good or bad those decisions will determine an appropriate outcome.

See how Capoeira teaches us so many things all from a little jogo enclosed by a circle. I love Capoeira!

(Insprired by Nestor Capoeira's Book, Capoeira: Roots of the Dance Fight Game."

Leadership in Capoeira!!!

Looking into this subject and after my brief exposure to Capoeira, I have been fortunate to be exposed to individuals who are driven to spread the message of Capoeira and dedicate themselves to teaching it, even though they have little experience with teaching it.

Unfortunately I have also been exposed to the bad which is very unfortunate, but none the less it has exposed weaknesses and strengths in the structures that regulate the development of Capoeira. Referring back to the post "Capoeira belongs to you..." I was forced to understand that some people so not share the same goal/vision for the growth of Capoeira in our region, or rather the have not thought it out. Maybe they do not realize the responsibility that rests on there shoulders or simply that they do not care.

While a leader is entrusted with the care of a group, he/she not only watches over the training of Capoeira, but they have to be deeply involved in the day to day business of its administration, Public Relations, Promotion and networking etc. Inevitably this individual is an example to his/her students or group members in which he displays the essence of Capoeira in his personal life or business. Most importantly the energy he/she projects is reflected in his group.

I hope I am making sense. This is a subject that continues to challenge me and I am sure it always will.

Axe.

Capoeira Belongs to You!

The state of Capoeira is very confusing. The more I learn about the art-form and the more I explore its history, I start to see how individuals are praised, talked and sung about in various Capoeira songs. Take for example Mestre Pastinha is famous for the style of Angola and Mestre Bimba, the style of Regional. It is interesting to see that although these two masters who practiced 'Capoeira' before its designation of Angola or Regional; they played it similarly i.e. its movements. However when asked what Capoeira was to them, they had completely different views on the subject and the way it was taught. Just look at how from these two masters, their apprentices play Capoeira differently, in a different styles, either grouped into Angola or Regional.

After looking at different groups you start to notice that each group plays differently and if one person form a certain groups decides he is ready to start his or her own school, the style of Capoeira in this new group is different from his parent group. Essentially Capoeira thus is part of the individual and he/she takes that unique experience wherever they go. Mestre Pastinha once said that 'No one plays like me.' He got it right. No one ever plays the same, (except robots.) Thus Capoeira resides in the person. It belongs to you, whether your teaching structure falls apart one has to realize your growth in Capoeira depends solely on yourself and no one else. Sure it is easier to have help on the side, however to develop yourself the journey (training) is to prepare 'yourself' for what ever situation comes your way.

CAPOEIRA BELONGS TO YOU!

I'm back!

Well I thought I was out of the game, but now I am back. Well what revelations do I have now. Ahh yes, Why do you do Capoeira?

What a phenomenal question. When this was posed to me by my soldier hommies, I almost did not have an answer. As much as I did not understand it at first, 'Capoeira belongs to you.' (Thanks Pinocchio.) Further Professor said he does Capoeira coz his friends are still doing it.

I realized how simple the reason has to be. Coupled with Pinocchio's thoughts, I enjoy Capoeira coz of the friends I have made around me. I have people that depend on me, that look up to me and well that is why I still do Capoeira. I do it for people like Gaby (Thanks Gabs) I am still in it because well I love each time I sing, pick up a berimbau, samba with my 2 left feet and the intensity of a heated game. Yes I even love floeiros.

O jogo de Capoeira, brincadeira, malicia; these are all qualities that we could have in our lives.

Axe!

The Great Plateau

I am sure every Capoeirista goes through the period of what they perceive as no growth, no inspiration, no catalyst for the yearning that they feel. Unfortunately this can turn into negative energy and all Capoeristas must know what that can do to a class or even worse a roda.

What do you do to pick your self up? What do you do to make sure that this does not spread to your mates? What do you do to stop it before it starts to strain relationships? Meu camara Pinocchio says Capoeira belongs to you. As such if Capoeira belongs to you, then it is up to you to make sure you do not spread negative vibes to your mates. It starts and ends with you. The fact the a class feels down means someone came with frown on their face to class. I admit I do it also. Sometimes it can't be helped. So what is the other option.

Well one Capoeira instructor mentioned that when he teaches he is the lucky one. While those he teaches gain knowledge, he also takes a piece of everyone he teaches. So if he teaches 30 people, he learns from 30 people. Guess who is the lucky one. What I am trying to drive at is that the peeps around can help to put you in a better mood. Why by the time you leave you are literally infected with the positive energy around you.

To alleviate this Great Plateau look for inspiration around you. It is abundant, but most of all prepare to work to get to the next plateau. The higher you go the harder it gets, but the reward is so much sweeter.

The Rock

Right, I know that I have been out of the game for quite a while, but this day that is my Birthday I have been enlightened if you will about the shear amount of work that I have to accomplish to become the being I want to be.

Why the title of this blog entry is called the Rock? Well my friend Gaby calls me that. Before I would brush this aside coz I believe I am only a small part of the bigger whole. But then it hit me. She called me the rock for a reason. To be called the rock one has to be solid, almost the foundation if you will. No foundation means everything built on top of it will fall. I other words this rock is entrusted with looking after the structure built on top of it.

I am humbled to be thought of this way. I only want the best for people because we all develop from our endeavours to the same cause. Further engagement with the cause means the discipline and its disciples continue to grow and evolve and thus nurture new Rocks.

This and many more events have led to a different way of thinking.

Little do they know is that they are my rock, my inspiration, my reason to be the best that I can be. I would not be the person I am today if I did not have such people around me.

My resolution; to be the stronger and to persevere through all that hurts and pains. After all the experience of it all prepares me for the perils of this world.

Muito axe

Jogo de Dentro and got chowed.

Yoh playing close has many advantages, as most Capoeiristas would know. But nothing could prepare me for what happened one lovely roda after training. All I remember was and au se mao into the roda [might I add it was pretty high :) ] and the quickest meia lua de compasso flashed across my face. Next was another one and and well after that i remember waking up outside with an ice pack over my head.

What can I say it happens to the best of us, but I would like to analyze the situation a bit more. Apparently I esquived(sp and grammer) pretty well, but on the 2nd kick it clipped the top of my head with the opponents calf. A simple tilt of the head would have saved me an agonizing head ache and nausea afterward. However further more if I did play close I probably would not have a jaw to speak of right now (ie if I got hit with the heal from a bad esquiva)

Emphasis on close play is not just for shows sake. It teaches you to control your game in confined spaces and honestly reduces your risk of nasty injuries. As far as i am concerned, bad technique results in bad habits and lead you to bad situations. This is why we train, not to become robots of the same style, rather we are searching for our own unique style, one that adapts accordingly to various circumstances that we face in the roda and life.

So the simplest way to avoid injuries, train to teach your body new habits, train to get out of bad ones, and if you are starting of, train to avoid them.

Nuff said y'all

Folha Seca!

My hommie Samurai has just posted up a little tribute to the peeps who assisted to start up Capoeira Folha Seca, proudly our school in Zimbabwe that is going strong. I could not but help remember the times we spent training together and the little that we knew we all taught to each other. Capoeira in that sense is truly unique because we all family. As cliche as that sounds, all capoeristas know they have a home where ever there is a Capoeirista. This fact is testament to that fact, we are bound by a strong cord that can't be broken. (hopefully that is)

In acknowledgment to Samurais post (link is to the right of this page) I miss our group and one day we shall all link up somewhere on this earth, (pray it be Brazil) where we shall relive those moments.

Meu irmao!

This right here is dedicated to the coolest of friends, and some of the biggest bambaclats (sp).

These Bombaclats sp never fail to make my day. With them there is an understanding that we must push our selves to get better. A year later after I met them, you need to see how we are playing. NB one of them looks really cool in the background after sprucing up the picture a bit.

What Can I say, Zoadoara is crazy. I shall miss her as her time at Uni comes to a close. The shirt says it all. See you in Brazil y'all.














I spruced up this picture of Lexeiro or as Mesh B would say, "Alexi" (the i is silent", my partner in crime in Cape Town. What would Cappa be with out her.







First up, The Zim Contingent. As you can clearly see they all graded to expectation in our rocking t-shirts especially that punk in the "cord of gold" as I like to call it. Hommies for life.

I shall never forget.

YOH this sums it up Pretty nicely. A crap load of organising and a week of fun, laughter and learning. Need I say more. The people in this picture, practically my family. I am honoured to know each and everyone of them. Joy oh Joy.

Stay tuned for the other pic that tell the story of the whole Batizado week.

Continuation!

I apologise to all those that were looking out for new stuff on this blog. As you shall see I have been heavily engaged in what has been the most successful Capoeira event I have assisted in orgainising. It has also been a period of growth for me and I was not feeling life as it were.

I am revived and rearing to go. Enjoy the posts to come.

Muito axe

SOLDADO

Welcome back Robin. She knows who she is.

The Greatest Day in a Long Time

I will never forget this day. Weeks of planning and this is what it came down to. 2 rocking days of fun and one Memorable roda. Here are the pics to show it.


Need I say more










@ Camps Bay, We didn't even call a roda, we just started playing and a roda formed round us. Cool I know.

A Good Bitching Session!

Ah yes, yesterdays Capoeira class turned out to be the most productive in terms of moving forward with Capoeira development. My instructor clearly had had enough of misconduct at training. What had been a vibrant, muito axe class had been turned into a slackers training ground, (OK maybe I am exagerating a bit) but the reason that kept us coming to class was no longer there. Basically we were at a stagnant part in a development in Capoeira, something most Capoeristas hate, the feeling that you are not getting better.

Thankfully a positive bitch session set this all right, and the measures in place will ensure the rapid growth of all disciples of the art before our much anticipated Grading. From here on its full steam ahead; hard sessions with that smile on our faces when we go home.

You be the Judge.

I rest my case!

The Teacher/Caxinguele Relationship.

Wow, I was just reading this persons blog about the Teacher/Student relationship in Capoeira (see this link)

(http://tribes.tribe.net/vadiacao/thread/65559afb-9ca1-40e4-9522-95f02e545c9b)

How true it is that one can not learn Capoeira on their own. One can lack the motivation to train individually (as has been the case with myself) and one can get frustrated with the learning process especially if it invloves repetition, or simulation game situations with no partner/target in front of you.

Since Capoeira is a free artform in that a lot of combinations of movements can be put together, it becomes evident how difficult it is to teach Capoeira. Only when one commits themselves fully to be a disciple of the artform will the teacher/advanced student invest time in them. This is true for any discipline, whether academic/physical/spiritual or otherwise. As said in the blog (see above link) a line drawn on it's own will lose track of where it is going and veer of its target destination, however many lines that run parallel will guide this line in the right path.

Isn't that cool! Thus it is important to help each other when we can, to keep each other encouraged, to be the guide when the other has lost the path.

Muito axe.

Capoeira is life...

A capoerista can not deny that Capoera has changed there life in some way, no matter how small it is. You see my motivation in Capoeira even in the very early stages is the music. Without it Capoeira has lost its greatest teacher, it has lost its guide, its light in the shadows. When one realises the truth (yah I am going Matrix on y'allll) that everything conforms to a rhythm, confroms to a basic pattern, whether it be the wind, the leaf that falls to the ground (Folha Seca y'alll) or the Capoeirista that conforms to the rhythm that is being played at that particular moment, you start to see that you are part of a whole, the roda of life!!!

So why don;t you go ahead and dance to the rhythm, fight if the rhythm commands it, or walk around the world(volta do mundo)

The Lone Berimbau Player.

I bet all of y'all Capoeiristas can relate to this, on the beach as the sun goes down, with nothing but the wind and the sound of the waves to complement the sounds that come from your berimbau. Ahh yes good times I tell you, good time.

Muito axe