Hi guys,
I'll keep it short and sweet =) The Welcome Tea was fun, exciting, exhausting and welcoming. Summing it up: it was great! Let's hope we'll be feeling more love & more Axe next Welcome Tea when there's gonna be even more students interested to learn the ways of Capoeira!
"Callo Boca Me nino
nie~nie~nie
Me nino Coro
nie~nie~nie"
Axe!
Morcego
Freedom to Express, Freedom to Move, Freedom to be Ourselves. Axé Capoeira
Friday, August 14, 2009
Sunday, August 9, 2009
09/10 YEAR - SEM 1 NUS CAPOEIRA WELCOME TEA
Hi everyone both new and old!
We want YOU to come down this coming Wednesday (12th August 2009), 7pm at MPSH 4 for the Welcome Tea. For the new students this will be a great time to learn and be acquainted with the Capoeira movements, music, history and culture. And for the older students this will be a good time to loosen those joints and start stretching those muscles again.
So we hope to see all of you there this wednesday, refreshments will be provided. Just come dressed in workout attire (tshirt, tanktop, shorts etc...) and don't be afraid to sweat it out! Bring your friends too!
AXE!
Ian Leong
We want YOU to come down this coming Wednesday (12th August 2009), 7pm at MPSH 4 for the Welcome Tea. For the new students this will be a great time to learn and be acquainted with the Capoeira movements, music, history and culture. And for the older students this will be a good time to loosen those joints and start stretching those muscles again.
So we hope to see all of you there this wednesday, refreshments will be provided. Just come dressed in workout attire (tshirt, tanktop, shorts etc...) and don't be afraid to sweat it out! Bring your friends too!
AXE!
Ian Leong
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
NEW SEMESTER! NEW THINGS!
Hello everyone!
This post is for current NUS capoeiristas and also NUS students who are keen in joining this coming semester.
Right now training dates are still unconfirmed, we are pestering and waiting on the Sports Club to give us a confirmation. Once that is done, we will inform all of you. In addtion, our WELCOME TEA will be held within the first 2 weeks of the semester to welcome everyone. So everybody please sit tight.
While we wait here is just a very quick brief about us:
OUR GROUP
The NUS Capoeira sub-club is a sub-branch of Capoeira Zambiacongo Singapore that serves the NUS student body. Capoeira Zambiacongo Singapore is the Singapore branch of Capoeira Zambiacongo which is based in Australia with our master, Mestre Luizinho Barravento and his father Mestre Geni who runs the group back in Brazil.
Our Singapore branch HQ is located in FIGHT-G in Clarke Quay which is a fighting gym that teaches other classes such as mixed-martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our current instructor, Professor Jaguar, is from Brazil and is also a certified instructor and practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He teaches in Fight-G, NUS and also our Capoeira Zambiacongo counterpart in SMU.
WHAT TO EXPECT
There will be various elements in Capoeira that makes it unique, healthy and extremely fun. Is is incredibly dynamic and a great cardio element. Capoeira will train and improve your flexibility, speed, reaction, endurance and strength as well. But do not worry if you have never had any martial arts background or if you feel you are not 'fit' enough; because we will start from the basics which build the foundation, and then we will teach more advanced movements.
But be prepared to sweat it out and the most important thing for everyone in class is to TRY. Throw your fears and inhibitions out of the window and come into class to do everything to the best of your ability.
One more thing that makes Capoeira unique is that not only you learn the moves but you also learn about Brazilian culture, language, history and music. In class we always train with Capoeira music and everyone will learn to sing the songs in Portuguese and learn how to play the instruments. It is a total cultural immersion!
So we hope to see you at our Welcome Tea and for returning students, we hope that you practised a 'little' bit during your holidays!
Axe
NUS CAPOEIRA
PS: Attire for new students is any sporting attire (ie: tshirt/tank top and shorts)
This post is for current NUS capoeiristas and also NUS students who are keen in joining this coming semester.
Right now training dates are still unconfirmed, we are pestering and waiting on the Sports Club to give us a confirmation. Once that is done, we will inform all of you. In addtion, our WELCOME TEA will be held within the first 2 weeks of the semester to welcome everyone. So everybody please sit tight.
While we wait here is just a very quick brief about us:
OUR GROUP
The NUS Capoeira sub-club is a sub-branch of Capoeira Zambiacongo Singapore that serves the NUS student body. Capoeira Zambiacongo Singapore is the Singapore branch of Capoeira Zambiacongo which is based in Australia with our master, Mestre Luizinho Barravento and his father Mestre Geni who runs the group back in Brazil.
Our Singapore branch HQ is located in FIGHT-G in Clarke Quay which is a fighting gym that teaches other classes such as mixed-martial arts and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Our current instructor, Professor Jaguar, is from Brazil and is also a certified instructor and practitioner of Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. He teaches in Fight-G, NUS and also our Capoeira Zambiacongo counterpart in SMU.
WHAT TO EXPECT
There will be various elements in Capoeira that makes it unique, healthy and extremely fun. Is is incredibly dynamic and a great cardio element. Capoeira will train and improve your flexibility, speed, reaction, endurance and strength as well. But do not worry if you have never had any martial arts background or if you feel you are not 'fit' enough; because we will start from the basics which build the foundation, and then we will teach more advanced movements.
But be prepared to sweat it out and the most important thing for everyone in class is to TRY. Throw your fears and inhibitions out of the window and come into class to do everything to the best of your ability.
One more thing that makes Capoeira unique is that not only you learn the moves but you also learn about Brazilian culture, language, history and music. In class we always train with Capoeira music and everyone will learn to sing the songs in Portuguese and learn how to play the instruments. It is a total cultural immersion!
So we hope to see you at our Welcome Tea and for returning students, we hope that you practised a 'little' bit during your holidays!
Axe
NUS CAPOEIRA
PS: Attire for new students is any sporting attire (ie: tshirt/tank top and shorts)
Monday, July 20, 2009
Combined Martial Arts Display
Hi guys,
once again we've been invited to take part in a play combining the 9 other martial art-form. The objective is to amplify the individual art-form's philosophy and application via choreography and displays to spectators who would otherwise lack awareness of the various art.
Here's a flashback of what went on for last year's display.
No doubt that this year won't be any short of the last so spread the word guys! Capoeira is gonna show how it goes head to head with the other martial arts!
More info: http://cmadnus.page.tl/
Axe!
Morcego
once again we've been invited to take part in a play combining the 9 other martial art-form. The objective is to amplify the individual art-form's philosophy and application via choreography and displays to spectators who would otherwise lack awareness of the various art.
Here's a flashback of what went on for last year's display.
No doubt that this year won't be any short of the last so spread the word guys! Capoeira is gonna show how it goes head to head with the other martial arts!
More info: http://cmadnus.page.tl/
Axe!
Morcego
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Reach for the skies!!
Hi guys!
I've thought of a new and painful torture for most of us (especially for us guys) to improve our flexibility, and it's called stretching. Here's a few pointers how we can conduct ourselves us we execute the punishment of attempted leg-splits and toe-touching in class or the privacy of our homes.
1. Stretch daily. Make it consistent: be it just waking from bed or sitting in front of the TV - there's always an opportunity to stretch; the question is, "Do i want to?"
2. Vary the types of stretches and maintain the position at least 30 secs. Let's build flexibility throughout the entire body.
3. Maintain a straight back for a deeper stretch. Do not round your back or hunch. Stretch safely: do not snap to reach further.
4. Breathe as you hold the stretching position. Control the breathing: inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Your muscles need the oxygen to endure the stress.
5. A ballet barre helps. It helps you stretch and also allows you to figure out your weight and balance distribution.
6. Patience and discipline. Rome wasn't built in a day and you can't do splits just simply after a week or a month of stretching unless your jean-claude van demme tied to a coconut tree.
Hope you guys can think up of a 'stretch schedule' and keep to it. And i hope you guys anticipate the next stretch-filled activities in class. :)
Axe!
Morcego
I've thought of a new and painful torture for most of us (especially for us guys) to improve our flexibility, and it's called stretching. Here's a few pointers how we can conduct ourselves us we execute the punishment of attempted leg-splits and toe-touching in class or the privacy of our homes.
1. Stretch daily. Make it consistent: be it just waking from bed or sitting in front of the TV - there's always an opportunity to stretch; the question is, "Do i want to?"
2. Vary the types of stretches and maintain the position at least 30 secs. Let's build flexibility throughout the entire body.
3. Maintain a straight back for a deeper stretch. Do not round your back or hunch. Stretch safely: do not snap to reach further.
4. Breathe as you hold the stretching position. Control the breathing: inhale through the nose and exhale through the mouth. Your muscles need the oxygen to endure the stress.
5. A ballet barre helps. It helps you stretch and also allows you to figure out your weight and balance distribution.
6. Patience and discipline. Rome wasn't built in a day and you can't do splits just simply after a week or a month of stretching unless your jean-claude van demme tied to a coconut tree.
Hope you guys can think up of a 'stretch schedule' and keep to it. And i hope you guys anticipate the next stretch-filled activities in class. :)
Axe!
Morcego
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
"Joy of Capoeira" - Mestre Cajiquinha
"I am the joy of capoeira,
In capoeira I am the joy"
~Mestre Cajiquinha
Hi,
I came across an e-book titled "Joy of Capoeira" which records an interview with the legendary Mestre Cajiquinha who popularised Capoeira Angola. I'm just halfway into reading it but i just thought i'd share a few paragraphs with you guys to ponder over:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capoeira is fight, sport, a plaything…
For Canjiquinha, capoeira is preferably playfulness. Even better if there is an audience
watching. In the roda, doing ginga in front of his partner, he often plays a joke (giving the
volta ao mundo around himself). The opponent/friend follows the rules of this
playfulness to the letter. Any initiation of an attack will be neutralized by a backwards
chapa. The game is planned – inherited from the double-dealings and simulated combats
in the rings of free-fighting, vale-tudo, and Greco-roman fighting that the mestre
practiced in the 1950s and 60s.
A new joke. He stops, lifts his eyes. The audience applauds. Canjiquinha is the king.
Canjiquinha is a happy boy. (I only want honor when I’m alive because after I’m dead it
doesn’t interest me). He generously repays the applause by unrolling his spool of
varieties: capoeira, puxada de rede, maculelê, samba duro, samango, bolero, muzenza,
self-defense, jokes, Vicente Celestino. Doing things that God would doubt that he could
do. More applause, more things: unforgettable moments to last one’s whole life.
But, every volta ao mundo around oneself has its risks. The opponent is not always
cooperative. The result: a movement given just for flourish is curbed by a very well
performed arm-lock, as a punishment – a warning that capoeira is a serious thing. The
rule of playfulness was broken. Canjiquinha protests and makes a huge fuss. He defends
himself by saying that fight capoeira is for enemies and that, in the roda, it’s for playing
with one’s friends and companions.
IN THE OLD DAYS – Capoeira was more beautiful, it was danced.
TODAY – It is more violent. It is commercial.
EXPLANATION – There was no karate, there was no judo.
COMMENTARY – I was a contra-mestre of Pastinha, in 1950. That Japanese guy came
to take pictures. We would stand still. He was there making marks, marking the positions.
Later, karate appeared here in Bahia. Then, capoeira’s popularity decreased, decreased.
Then, the youngest capoeiristas sought to make violence. So that capoeira could be
shown to be more violent than karate. Capoeira stayed in this aggression. Because of this,
it grew too much. Because if it had stayed that beautiful to-and-fro game, then karate
would have won out. You see that five years ago all anyone talked about was karate.
But today, all everyone talks about is capoeira.
Do you think this change was necessary?
Is violence necessary in capoeira?
“No. Here’s the thing: If you’re inside the academy, training with your colleague, there is
no violence. You can even train fast. Now, if you’re playing in the street, and the guy
resorts to violence, then you have to resort to violence as well. An academy teaches you
to play capoeira, it doesn’t teach you to fight. Now, in the street you have to resort to
what you know if the person disrespects you. Sometimes, you’re alone… you have to
resort to what you know, right?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll keep on reading and share with you any other pearls of wisdom i can find :) Hopefully i can pick your brains as well as the previous resident Capoeirista Philosopher.
Axe!
Morcego
In capoeira I am the joy"
~Mestre Cajiquinha
Hi,
I came across an e-book titled "Joy of Capoeira" which records an interview with the legendary Mestre Cajiquinha who popularised Capoeira Angola. I'm just halfway into reading it but i just thought i'd share a few paragraphs with you guys to ponder over:
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capoeira is fight, sport, a plaything…
For Canjiquinha, capoeira is preferably playfulness. Even better if there is an audience
watching. In the roda, doing ginga in front of his partner, he often plays a joke (giving the
volta ao mundo around himself). The opponent/friend follows the rules of this
playfulness to the letter. Any initiation of an attack will be neutralized by a backwards
chapa. The game is planned – inherited from the double-dealings and simulated combats
in the rings of free-fighting, vale-tudo, and Greco-roman fighting that the mestre
practiced in the 1950s and 60s.
A new joke. He stops, lifts his eyes. The audience applauds. Canjiquinha is the king.
Canjiquinha is a happy boy. (I only want honor when I’m alive because after I’m dead it
doesn’t interest me). He generously repays the applause by unrolling his spool of
varieties: capoeira, puxada de rede, maculelê, samba duro, samango, bolero, muzenza,
self-defense, jokes, Vicente Celestino. Doing things that God would doubt that he could
do. More applause, more things: unforgettable moments to last one’s whole life.
But, every volta ao mundo around oneself has its risks. The opponent is not always
cooperative. The result: a movement given just for flourish is curbed by a very well
performed arm-lock, as a punishment – a warning that capoeira is a serious thing. The
rule of playfulness was broken. Canjiquinha protests and makes a huge fuss. He defends
himself by saying that fight capoeira is for enemies and that, in the roda, it’s for playing
with one’s friends and companions.
IN THE OLD DAYS – Capoeira was more beautiful, it was danced.
TODAY – It is more violent. It is commercial.
EXPLANATION – There was no karate, there was no judo.
COMMENTARY – I was a contra-mestre of Pastinha, in 1950. That Japanese guy came
to take pictures. We would stand still. He was there making marks, marking the positions.
Later, karate appeared here in Bahia. Then, capoeira’s popularity decreased, decreased.
Then, the youngest capoeiristas sought to make violence. So that capoeira could be
shown to be more violent than karate. Capoeira stayed in this aggression. Because of this,
it grew too much. Because if it had stayed that beautiful to-and-fro game, then karate
would have won out. You see that five years ago all anyone talked about was karate.
But today, all everyone talks about is capoeira.
Do you think this change was necessary?
Is violence necessary in capoeira?
“No. Here’s the thing: If you’re inside the academy, training with your colleague, there is
no violence. You can even train fast. Now, if you’re playing in the street, and the guy
resorts to violence, then you have to resort to violence as well. An academy teaches you
to play capoeira, it doesn’t teach you to fight. Now, in the street you have to resort to
what you know if the person disrespects you. Sometimes, you’re alone… you have to
resort to what you know, right?"
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I'll keep on reading and share with you any other pearls of wisdom i can find :) Hopefully i can pick your brains as well as the previous resident Capoeirista Philosopher.
Axe!
Morcego
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Dressed to Kill
Hi Guys,
It's been a while but just thought i'd touch on something perhaps the ladies would be more adept at... looking good. Oh and i don't mean looking good in the Roda with grace and poise in the moves (although that is very important too); I would like to discuss on the dress code of a capoeirista - how it reflects upon his game and style.
Firstly, i need to talk about the hair! Before i ever started finding out more about Capoeira, i've always thought that Dreadlocks are a MUST. This assumption came from attempting to master Eddy's 18-String Combo in the game TEKKEN. Well... dreads are not really a must-have for a capoeirista, but it really adds quite abit of Malicia into your game. Think about it: I would feel weak in the knees if i was joga de Capoeira with PREDATOR.
Dreadlocks aside, Capoeirista just really need to keep their crowning glory in check with a simple headband. Though i've never seen anyone joga with long hair swaying, i'd imagine it to be a pretty scary sight especially after she/he does a Mei Lua De Compasso and looks down to see his/her esquiva-ed opponent...
One of the coolest things Capoeira can achieve is how it can be played in any attire (provided its flexible enough): we don't need body pads or face masks or the likes. We just need to look good and the crowds along Orchard Road would gather around to watch (haha). So it's a norm that bright colors are often worn and white makes quite a good default color. From my Youtube observations, this is quite a popular dress-code amongst regional & Benguela players.
However, my true objective is to share with everyone the style of an angoleiro, a player of the angola style. Such a person is described to be a Malandro - a guy that is at the same time smart, bohemian and street wise. I am not saying that the other styles are not capable of Malandro, however, angoleiro capoeiristas of the past dressed the part to reflect Street-Smarts and yet guile.
So why don't we try this out, beginner learners dressing up and standing out whereas the more experienced leaners can dress down, not that we're trying to impose Malicia upon each other but just as a practise to dress and be a chameleon in the roda.
See you guys next Monday in NUS Dance Studio!
Axe
Morcego
It's been a while but just thought i'd touch on something perhaps the ladies would be more adept at... looking good. Oh and i don't mean looking good in the Roda with grace and poise in the moves (although that is very important too); I would like to discuss on the dress code of a capoeirista - how it reflects upon his game and style.
Firstly, i need to talk about the hair! Before i ever started finding out more about Capoeira, i've always thought that Dreadlocks are a MUST. This assumption came from attempting to master Eddy's 18-String Combo in the game TEKKEN. Well... dreads are not really a must-have for a capoeirista, but it really adds quite abit of Malicia into your game. Think about it: I would feel weak in the knees if i was joga de Capoeira with PREDATOR.
Dreadlocks aside, Capoeirista just really need to keep their crowning glory in check with a simple headband. Though i've never seen anyone joga with long hair swaying, i'd imagine it to be a pretty scary sight especially after she/he does a Mei Lua De Compasso and looks down to see his/her esquiva-ed opponent...
One of the coolest things Capoeira can achieve is how it can be played in any attire (provided its flexible enough): we don't need body pads or face masks or the likes. We just need to look good and the crowds along Orchard Road would gather around to watch (haha). So it's a norm that bright colors are often worn and white makes quite a good default color. From my Youtube observations, this is quite a popular dress-code amongst regional & Benguela players.However, my true objective is to share with everyone the style of an angoleiro, a player of the angola style. Such a person is described to be a Malandro - a guy that is at the same time smart, bohemian and street wise. I am not saying that the other styles are not capable of Malandro, however, angoleiro capoeiristas of the past dressed the part to reflect Street-Smarts and yet guile.
So why don't we try this out, beginner learners dressing up and standing out whereas the more experienced leaners can dress down, not that we're trying to impose Malicia upon each other but just as a practise to dress and be a chameleon in the roda.
See you guys next Monday in NUS Dance Studio!
Axe
Morcego
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