Mestre Xuxo vs Mestre Poncianinho

Angola forms, but regional speed and flourishes at times.. Not sure what to call it.. Fast, slow, fast, slow, amazing controls and still looks so fun, so much like a 'game'!

And another 'fast angola' from the two mestres we are somewhat familiar with:


Enjoy!

shiela

Recess Week Updates

Hey guys,

Here's the rundown on the capoeira action happening this week:

1. Group Roda @ Scape on 26th Feb, Saturday
Time: 4-6pm
Venue: *Scape

We'll be having an event with Grid NMS after that so come check out the flash mob and crazy cosplayers.



2. NUS Training
As per normal:-
Tues 7-9pm @ SRC Dance Studio
Thu 7-9pm @ MPSH2

-Bom Garoto

Injuries - Part 2

Long, long overdue, sorry >< but now that it's holidays I'll try to finish the injury series. (Stuff coming up: ankle injuries, knee injuries, back injuries, and de-conditioning >< ) Soooo...how does one prevent common capoeira injuries? *though..as we keep saying.. most of our injuries happen outside capoeira huhuhu.. just got injured last saturday and if you ask me, injury prevention means not ogling at things when walking just beside a ditch! >< ) Anyway, some tips I got: 1. Take time to learn the proper form and technique. That's because incorrect technique will cause unnecessary pull and strain on your muscles 2. Do a warm up. I used to underestimate it until I had a foot injury and the Chinese shinshe kept emphasising that if I stubbornly want to go back to training fast, I gotta do proper warm-ups >< A guide I read advises to spend 15mins on the major muscle groups. Thumbs-up Rosinha for really turning on the heat before sessions begin! ^^
(and others, of course, but somehow Rosinha goes for the kill during warm ups..)

3.Don't overtrain *k I know it's quite difficult to gauge this one especially with so much passion bubbling inside some of you.. Not sure how to solve it too but maybe pain in the joints during training is a symptom? That's when your joints are overused.) By the way, dehydration contributes to overuse and fatigue injuries, so do drink up! (no, Sapo, not Asahi..)

Athletes that train more consecutive days actually have more injuries, AND rest is a critical component of training because it's during the resting period that your body re-builds the muscles stronger.

4. I guess also, a balance between knowing your own limits and pushing those limits.. Gotta say that it does help in capoeira to have a certain gung-ho, fearless attitude hahaha.. So use your own discretion for this one too.

5. If you have a history of ankle/knee injuries, it's a good idea to wear braces. You can go to Gabriel to find out more =)

Sometimes though... You're just suey and injuries happen... What to do next?
1. Stop training immediately. Prevent further damage!
2. Treat the injury. Now the interesting thing is.. the Western way believes in applying cold/ice to sprains while the Chinese way is to apply heat(using ointments).. Personal experience of mine and a friend.. The shinshes actually told us not to apply cold next time we have such injuries. The basis of it? Cold is used to reduce swelling and inflammation since it encourages constriction of blood vessels so your sprained ankle won't get so swollen, but heat encourages more blood flow to the area which actually helps it recover faster. (I personally believe in the Chinese way haha..)

And then the next crucial question..
When to get back to training after injury?

Some guidelines:
1.Do you know, one thing that improves the chance and speed of injury recovery is... high-level of conditioning prior to the injury! Oh wow. More motivation for Alif's "10 minutes of Hell" sessions next time ;p
2. Once your strength and flexibility returns, go back into the sport at 50% - 70% max capacity for several weeks. Use your own body discomfort as a guide.
3. Ideally, you are pain free.
4. No swelling
5. Ideally, you have recovered your range of motion (Compared injured part with non-injured part)
6. Full/ close to full strength.
7. For lower body injuries: can bear the full weight without limping
(notice I say ideally for some parts because.. heck some of us are masochists ;p )

K just general info, but hope that can come in useful.

Have a great, fun, relaxing, refreshing, recharging but also ultra-productive mid-sem break, everyone!
For your entertainment: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfiRZ0WDTnA (I cant embed it.. but I guarantee you are entertained ;p )

shiela

Lou Yu Sheng @ NUS

Hi guys,

Just to remind everyone, NUS Capoeira will be having Yu Sheng right after training on later today. Those of you not tuned into the significance of the ritual and it's meanings yet can check out this article. Don't miss out on this opportunity to "toss up good fortune"!

//those who want to get dean's list, gf, roundoff-triple backflip-disappear into thin air etc better come :)

(b/c i cldn't find a pic of our own. Morcego - u have it?)

-bom garoto

Floreio, what?

Was gonna write a quick post about floreios to fully address KY's qs in the comment to the earlier blog post. But a quick check with Mestre Google yielded the following blog post that sums up what floreios are all about, the benefits etc much much better than i cld've ever done.

The blog also contains lotsa good capoeira exercises (some of you may remember we did the Horse Walk, Lizard Walk etc... last yr. Those were inspired by his blog).

So, without further ado, here's the link to the post: "The Floreio Art"

If you're like me and like it enough - drop by a lil' bit earlier on Sunday for Aliff's floreio session. Enjoy!

-bom garoto

NUS Capoeira Upcoming Activities

Hey guys,

Lots of activities coming up soon

1) Our very own Capoeira NUS Day Retreat to Pulau Ubin

29/1/2011 Saturday

Itinerary courtesy of Rosinha:

Meeting Time & Place:
whichever is more convenient,
- 9am (Outram Park MRT), or
- 10am (Tanah Merah MRT)

Itinerary
- head to Pulau Ubin, rent a bicycle, and explore the island!
- hopefully by 5pm (depending on how much fun we have & how our capoeira timing might work that day), we will head to Angeline's place for a BBQ!

Food:
Halal. We've also ordered some vegetarian food, so do not fret!

Don't forget to bring:
- umbrella (just in case!)
- extra clothes & towel
- waterbottle
- extra pocket money in case you might want to eat along the way!
- and of course, positive energy and axe!
- ID to rent the bike

If you have any queries, please contact:
Van (82355 988) and Liani (8317 0059)
Also, please remember to confirm if you are going (and where you would like to meet) to either one of us by this Wednesday night.


2) Monthly Roda & Pre Roda Floeiros session by Aliff at Scape

30th January 2011, Sunday @ SCAPE

Hey guys!

Its our time of the month again! Time to put on your whites for the time of the month! This sunday, 30th January at SCAPE, same spot, same place.

By the way, 1 hour before the session there will be a floreio session by Alif!

Time for Floreios: 330pm - 430pm

TIme for Roda : 430pm - 630pm

3) Lou Yu Sheng @ NUS or Chinese Raw Fish & Fish Maw prosperity luck producing salad for all those who need a translation After our training on Tuesday, 1/2/2011

4) Helping out @ an orphanage, Faizal will update us about this up coming event but it is our club's CIP event, in short we are gonna bring Fun, Laughter, Peace, Joy and most importantly AXE to the people.


Happy lunar new year 恭喜发财, 步步高升 or in Portuguese: Avante e para cima!

Salve
~Kelvin

It's that time of the month!

..nope, am not talking about mass-PMS ><..

Monthly roda, yay! And I quote:

"This sunday, 30th January at SCAPE, same spot, same place.

By the way, 1 hour before the session there will be a floreio session by Alif!

Time for Floreios: 330pm - 430pm

TIme for Roda : 430pm - 630pm

Love Love

TK "

If any new member happens to read this, monthly roda is just like what Arnold said, the usual axe multiplied by 10! It might even be life-changing, camaradas! =D

shiela *I should ask someone else to post something soon else I'll be accused of hogging the blog >< *