A while back I began to do research on a fun way to exercise that wouldn’t make me feel bogged down, or bored. I came up with the idea of dance first, and after a few weeks of dancing to the radio in my room this idea too became boring. Once again I was faced with the dilemma of a great exercise program that quickly became incredibly boring. That is when it occurred to me that I was looking for something that was designed to get my heart going, but I was leaving out my brain. It was then I went back to research. I wanted something that I could do and learn from at the same time. That is when I found Capoeira, the 400 year old African Brazilian martial art dance form.
Originally developed by slaves, Capoeira (cap-o-ei-ra) has recently gained popularity in pop culture as well as in your local neighborhood gym or fitness club. Capoeira is a fighting style based heavily on martial arts, dance, acrobatics, culture and music. The slaves were able to practiced Capoeira by convincing their masters that it was ritual tribal dancing. Yet in actuality they were cleverly disguised fighting moves that the slaves used against slaves catchers. Because of its underground beginnings Capoeira was outlawed for many years before being allowed back into society. It’s been building and gaining popularity until now it is nearly a household name.
Capoeira is typically taught with sweeping moves, kicks, and head strikes. Recently teaching punches and hand strikes have become the norm although it was not always that way. Some experts have hypothesized that this is because it was originally developed by slaves that were in handcuffs and fighting against their guards. Another possibility for the primary use of feet is the common West African belief that hands are for creation and feet for destruction. Capoeira is usually played in a circle or "roda" (ha-da). The roda is constructed with a circle of people within which Capoeira is played. Although Capoeira may have been meant for battle the way it is currently taught it does not focus on injuring the opponent. Instead, it emphasizes on the skill.
So now you know the background, why is it so good for you? Simply, Capoeira is guaranteed to give you not only a cardiovascular work out; but also work your mind and body. While you sweat, your mind will be focused on anticipating your opponent's next move. Although all of this sounds overwhelming, only you can get in the way of your progress. This sport will help you to be more creative with your moves to keep your opponents on their toes. What’s more you’ll spend so much time learning and perfecting your moves, you’ll hardly notice your thighs toning, your upper body strength improving, your vigor and stamina increasing. Essentially your entire body will become healthier. Most aerobic exercises only tend to focus exclusively on our physical being, Capoeira also helps us to train our mental being. Below are a few of the mental and physical benefits that Capoeira can offer.
Gain a singing voice
Enhanced Mobility
Spatial awareness
Increased Flexibility
Development of another language
Rhythm
Provides a personal creative outlet
Strength
Gain self-confidence
Endurance
Foster cultural identity
Cardio-vascular fitness
While this is a great way to get and stay in shape it should be noted that people thinking of beginning a life as a Capoeirist need to be certain of their flexibility as well as their strength. For more information on strength and flexibility please see: http://www.planetcapoeira.com/comments.php?id=12_0_1_0_C. This site beautifully describes flexibility, the types of flexibility and strength training one can begin to prepare one’s self for Capoeira. As always before starting any new exercise program you should always seek the advice of your health care professional. You should always ensure that you are training with a licensed fitness professional.
Copyright © 2006
The original article was posted on October 9th, 2006 on EDGE Boston.
See the original article posted below at:
http://www.edgeboston.com/index.php?ch=health_fitness&sc=fitness&sc2=features&id=2884
Monday, October 30, 2006
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Bio for Author Anya Nicole
Being raised in the ghetto of West Philadelphia has not stopped this young writer from seeing her dreams come to fruition. Anya Nicole was unwavering in her strength to preserve to make life better for herself.
Anya’s childhood was spent with her older sister in a single parent home. Watching her mother go from job to job and use welfare to fill in the gaps had a profound effect on a young Anya. Her mother did her best to ensure her daughters grew up right and had all that the needed. In turn the aspiring author took that lesson and applied to her own life. She received a BA in Communications from Temple University and a Masters in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University. It has always been Anya’s hope that she would create a life that would be comfortable for herself and her family. She knew that her vast education would help her provide that life.
Yet while fostering her desire for a sound education the joy of writing entered her life. In the 3rd grade when Anya won a poetry writing contest she suddenly realized that words brought her world to life. She had found her calling when she discovered that through words she would be able to bring her life to the eyes of others.
Anya has said, “I am a writer who writes about what she sees and encounters. I want people to see what I see.” That is exactly what she has been able to do. She brings street life situations and methodically interlocks them with drama and intelligence. She has spent most of her time fine tuning her ability to describe stories in vivid detail. This was something that became of great value to her when she began writing for Philadelphia Metblogs.
While Anya has always been set on making her dreams come true she has had an amazing amount of support behind those dreams. Writer, Karen Quinones Miller has been a true mentor and believer in Anya’s ability to succeed. Karen comes in second to Anya mother; who Anya counts as the loudest person in her cheering section.
With so many behind her and while admiring Urban Literature writers such as Nikki Turner, and Kwan Foye, Anya became driven to finish her first manuscript.
Yet life continued to intervene, Anya proved she wouldn’t be broken. Although to some people, difficulty in life and seeing people that she loved struggle and die everyday may have been a negativism, to Anya it was fuel for the fire. “Growing up not knowing where we were going to get the money to pay the electric bill or put food on the table; and seeing my mother put cardboard in her shoes to preserve them so we could have new shows and clothes on our back, changes a person.”
After college was over, and her success had been acknowledged by her friends and family, society still threw Anya a rough deal. While working at a store as a checkout clerk she was looked down on, disrespected and robbed at gun point. “There were people throwing their change at me and looking down at the job I did. Here I knew that I was just as educated as they were. I hated it, knowing I wanted to write and being stuck behind a counter bagging groceries.”
Even though she had hit a low point Anya looked back to the determination that her mother had raised her to have. It was always her intention to become a role model for other young kids in the ghetto, so that they would know they too could be more than society suggested to them. She was able to find a job in her community and began focusing her attention on finishing her first novel, which she completed in 2006.
Her novel Corporate Corner Boyz pays homage to Anya’s knowledge of the streets and her vast college education. This is an author to watch and a woman who is destined for more than greatness can define.
Anya’s childhood was spent with her older sister in a single parent home. Watching her mother go from job to job and use welfare to fill in the gaps had a profound effect on a young Anya. Her mother did her best to ensure her daughters grew up right and had all that the needed. In turn the aspiring author took that lesson and applied to her own life. She received a BA in Communications from Temple University and a Masters in Health Education from Saint Joseph’s University. It has always been Anya’s hope that she would create a life that would be comfortable for herself and her family. She knew that her vast education would help her provide that life.
Yet while fostering her desire for a sound education the joy of writing entered her life. In the 3rd grade when Anya won a poetry writing contest she suddenly realized that words brought her world to life. She had found her calling when she discovered that through words she would be able to bring her life to the eyes of others.
Anya has said, “I am a writer who writes about what she sees and encounters. I want people to see what I see.” That is exactly what she has been able to do. She brings street life situations and methodically interlocks them with drama and intelligence. She has spent most of her time fine tuning her ability to describe stories in vivid detail. This was something that became of great value to her when she began writing for Philadelphia Metblogs.
While Anya has always been set on making her dreams come true she has had an amazing amount of support behind those dreams. Writer, Karen Quinones Miller has been a true mentor and believer in Anya’s ability to succeed. Karen comes in second to Anya mother; who Anya counts as the loudest person in her cheering section.
With so many behind her and while admiring Urban Literature writers such as Nikki Turner, and Kwan Foye, Anya became driven to finish her first manuscript.
Yet life continued to intervene, Anya proved she wouldn’t be broken. Although to some people, difficulty in life and seeing people that she loved struggle and die everyday may have been a negativism, to Anya it was fuel for the fire. “Growing up not knowing where we were going to get the money to pay the electric bill or put food on the table; and seeing my mother put cardboard in her shoes to preserve them so we could have new shows and clothes on our back, changes a person.”
After college was over, and her success had been acknowledged by her friends and family, society still threw Anya a rough deal. While working at a store as a checkout clerk she was looked down on, disrespected and robbed at gun point. “There were people throwing their change at me and looking down at the job I did. Here I knew that I was just as educated as they were. I hated it, knowing I wanted to write and being stuck behind a counter bagging groceries.”
Even though she had hit a low point Anya looked back to the determination that her mother had raised her to have. It was always her intention to become a role model for other young kids in the ghetto, so that they would know they too could be more than society suggested to them. She was able to find a job in her community and began focusing her attention on finishing her first novel, which she completed in 2006.
Her novel Corporate Corner Boyz pays homage to Anya’s knowledge of the streets and her vast college education. This is an author to watch and a woman who is destined for more than greatness can define.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
