The Art of Capoeira

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chegado and I have been training the art of Capoeira for 14 years, each of us stumbled upon the art in different ways but stayed for the same reason, it is truly a captivating art.  It is an art form that challenges you physically and intellectually.  Each person that trains Capoeira is drawn to it for their own specific and personal reason, it develops  your rhythm, strength, agility, reflex, as well as your musical, acrobatic and dance skills.  But for most, it is the history, the tradition, the cultural and the profound sense of community that are sticking points. 

Capoeira is the art of survival, with a history that dates back more than 500 years to the slave trade in Brazil.  It was and is an art of empowerment, a celebration of the African roots in Brazil; from the music to the movement it tells the story of a people oppressed, enslaved and later liberated through their strength and will.  

We made the decision to pursue the art form professionally because we believe Capoeira is a vehicle for positive change and cultural enrichment.  The art form promotes diversity, understanding, creativity, health, and discipline for youth and adults alike. Northeast Los Angeles is a vibrant and eclectic community that appreciates and searches out cultural diversity in the arts and we are blessed to have found our home here.

 

 

In the Face of Challenges, Rivise Your Life Plan

Major life challenges and trials disrupt your life and force you to redirect your energies, interests, and commitments.  But how do you do that? It's not easy to revise your life and move into a positive, more satisfying future.  But these steps can get you moving in the right direction:

• Create a positive mindset by sitting quietly with your eyes closed while opening your mind to the possibility of hope, optimism, and creative behavioral change.  Take ten exaggerated breaths, breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth while silently repeating the word relax each time you exhale.

• Identify a short list of valued life goals-for example, being closet to your family, becoming a more spiritual person, reconnecting with old friends, and getting in shape. Goals give you a sense of direction in terms of the changes you want to make.  Basically, you are deciding what you want your life to stand for from this point on.

•  Surround yourself with people who have positive energy, who can push you and direct you toward your goals.

• Decide what the incentives are for you to reach these goals.  What is the end game?  Will you have greater peace of mind?  Will you be happier? Will you live longer?  Be specific.

• Ask yourself how committed you are to achieving each goal.  The more committed you are, the more successful you will be.

• Ask yourself how confident you are about making these changes.  Commitment and confidence are not the same.  You can be committed, but not all that confident- or, the other way around.

• Consider what specific things you would need to realize each goal.  Where would you start?  How much support do you need?  If you have several goals, which one do you begin with?  Make it easy on yourself-start with the smallest, easiest thing and work your way up to the big changes.

• Identify any obstacles to meet your objectives.  Do you have physical limitations that might interfere?  Are other people's attitudes holding you back?

• Begin-Just Do It.  It does not matter what you do; the important thing is that you just do something. Change takes effort, so you have to persist, even when going gets tough.  There is no easy way to accomplish change.  Change also takes time, so be patient.  As the saying goes, "Rome wasn't built in a day."  You Cannot reconstruct your life in a day either.  Focus on the destination, but enjoy the journey.

• Reward yourself for whatever changes you make no matter how small.  If changes is rewarding, keep at it-if it isn't, quit.  It's just that simple.

Redirect Your Energy!

Spring is around the corner. New life is starting everywhere.  Birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and trees are blossoming.  What about you?

Dealing with adversity takes a lot of energy-physical and psychological-especially when you see your circumstances as beyond your control.  Initially, what little energy you have can easily end up being channeled into  negative thoughts, feelings, and actions, which keep you from moving forward with your life.

Here are some very simple steps that you can take to redirect your energy: 

•  Shift your time frame- the benefit you are seeking has to do with future, and not the past. Sitting around ruminating or sulking about the past will only keep you “stuck” where you are-in the state of perpetual distress. 
•  Focus on what you can control, not what you can’t.  When and “accident” occurs in your life and stops you from your routine, look at it as an opportunity to get done  the things that you put on hold for a while.  Think about ability rather than disability and you will feel a whole lot better.
• Be productive in both thoughts and deeds.  Reliving a not so pleasant situation that happened to you  years ago day after day is counter-productive if you are looking for a way to achieve a moment of happiness.  Resisting all efforts to get you back into the mainstream of life3 is also counter-productive.  Better to think “what can I do?” and then do it.

New Website New Look!!!

We are excited to let you know that we are counting down to launch our new website soon, it has a lot more pictures and more handy tips for you.  Keep us posted and let us know how you like the new look!

Capoeira Brazil!

Are you looking to develop your flexibility, coordination, reflex, rhythm and strength? Come and join Jessica and Sean here at XTC.

The traditional Afro-Brazillian martial art of Capoeira incorporates athleticism, music and history.  Capoeira's fusion of historical roots, fluid movement, graceful acrobatics, powerful kicks, and lethal take downs provide a unique and challenging workout surprisingly accessible for all fitness levels.

The art of Capoeira began its development over 500 years ago during the South American slave trade in Brazil. The fusion of African and indigenous cultures during the colonial period produced the perfect climate for the development this unique and complex art form. Africans, stripped of their freedom and tribal identity, meshed the music, culture, and traditions of their diverse tribes, creating a new and distinctive Afro-Brazilian identity. Capoeira was a fundamental element of their lives in the New World.