I don't know if you know this, but I play Capoeira. And, lovely enough, I like kids!
I have been practicing Capoeira for about 11-12 months by now; I started in Istanbul, moved on to Santa Ana, CA, and now I'm in Denver, CO. I'm hoping to continue my practice in Morocco when I move there in the next few weeks. If there is not already a group, maybe some young people will be intrigued enough to learn a few things.
To practice-- and prepare myself-- for the possibility of teaching others Capoeira solely in order to have somebody to play with, I took a Capoeira teacher training course. Also, I wanted to hang out with my friends some more and become an awesome-r Capoeirista (someone who plays Capoeira).
What I learned is, first and foremost, that I have a loooong way to go before I will feel comfortable calling myself a Capoeira teacher. I respect those who have been putting the sweat an' tears into practicing too much for that.
What I learned next is, I am TERRIFIED of being upside down. So, naturally, I spend the majority of my time with my head on the ground and feet leaning up against the wall.
Lately I have been helping out with the kids class (3-4 weeks), to see if I can get a better understanding for how to teach the little people. Monday, I "subbed" for my first kids class, and it went okay. My teacher-ness didn't shine through, and one of the kids kept peeking at my curriculum.
Today though... today I turned it around a little! After we did our basic warm-up, we learned a dodge called a "cocorinha", where you bring your feet together, squat down on your feet, and keep one hand above your head for protection. I think of it as the best dodge, or duck.
Speaking of ducks! I placed 7 yellow rubber duckies on the floor around the room (7 kids) and explained the game we would play. Just like musical chairs, the kids would run, skip, or walk around the room. When the music stops, the kids crouch down in cocorinha. The last one to find a duck and duck into cocorinha was out--and took the duck out, too.
Using a "fist of 5" strategy--5 fingers on a hand, 5 is the most positive, 1 is "I hated it"--the kids all gave it a 5. It definitely needs some subtle tweaking, but the kids had a lot of fun with it, and everyone could participate.
I like teaching kids! Today was a happy day.
Showing posts with label Capoeira. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Capoeira. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Monday, February 6, 2012
Mola (one month to go!)
Right now, I am sitting at a Starbucks during my teaching break, sipping on a hot cider and listening to elevator music. Gonna miss this.
As the title foretold, we've got about one month until I officially ship out. On either March 18th or morning of the 19th, 120 people are flying from all around the country to DC for STAGING!!! We will be receiving/organizing our plane tickets 2 weeks prior to that date.
IE>>
March 1-10th, receive plane ticket!
March 18-19th, fly to DC!
March 19th, Staging and heading to Casablanca!
Once in Casablanca, we are finagling over to Rabat for our two month language and cultural intensive program until we are sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers!
So exciting.
Despite all the ridiculousness I have witnessed while subbing over the past five months, I'm going to miss these kids. At times they can be insufferable, stubborn, and just plain rude. Yet, they've taught me more about what kind of teacher--and person-- I want to be than sitting in a classroom could ever do.
Plus, I've pretty much mastered the various glares.
"You did NOT just do that"
"Pick that up"
"Detention!"
"Say please, please" (also=manners??)
"You get a Bling Buck!" (Bling Bucks are what the scholars use to purchase additional school supplies. They are dealt out as rewards for exceptional behavior)
....
Last week, I went to a Batizado (t=pronounced "ch") with my Capoeira group. A Batizado is a ceremony that can be translated as "baptism". Around the world, Batizado's occur at different times. Depending on the cord level, you may not be an active participant until your teacher says you are ready.
The more inexperienced capoerista fights against a mestre (master) or someone with a much higher cord level. It is like baptism by fire. At a lower level, one fights until they are tripped--last time, the guy I played against tripped me, picked me up over his shoulder, and carried me over to get my next cord level. The tripping signifies the humility-- and humiliation-- necessary to join a higher rank. Not only do you get a cord, but also have a greater responsibility to pass on the knowledge and teachings that were given to you.
"With great power (of knowledge) comes great responsibility (to pass it on)"
This time around, I didn't get as much time on the floor. However, I did get a nickname!
Part of (most) Batizado ceremonies is receiving a nickname by your peers. Historically, it was illegal to practice Capoeira, and the punishment for being found practicing the sport was vicious. To maintain secrecy, the capoeiristas gave each other nicknames-- usually from a particular trait or characteristic of the person--to protect one another from persecution. This tradition is continued today, usually during the Batizado ceremony.
... and I finally got a nickname!
Mola. It means "spring".
:)
As the title foretold, we've got about one month until I officially ship out. On either March 18th or morning of the 19th, 120 people are flying from all around the country to DC for STAGING!!! We will be receiving/organizing our plane tickets 2 weeks prior to that date.
IE>>
March 1-10th, receive plane ticket!
March 18-19th, fly to DC!
March 19th, Staging and heading to Casablanca!
Once in Casablanca, we are finagling over to Rabat for our two month language and cultural intensive program until we are sworn in as Peace Corps Volunteers!
So exciting.
Despite all the ridiculousness I have witnessed while subbing over the past five months, I'm going to miss these kids. At times they can be insufferable, stubborn, and just plain rude. Yet, they've taught me more about what kind of teacher--and person-- I want to be than sitting in a classroom could ever do.
Plus, I've pretty much mastered the various glares.
"You did NOT just do that"
"Pick that up"
"Detention!"
"Say please, please" (also=manners??)
"You get a Bling Buck!" (Bling Bucks are what the scholars use to purchase additional school supplies. They are dealt out as rewards for exceptional behavior)
....
Last week, I went to a Batizado (t=pronounced "ch") with my Capoeira group. A Batizado is a ceremony that can be translated as "baptism". Around the world, Batizado's occur at different times. Depending on the cord level, you may not be an active participant until your teacher says you are ready.
The more inexperienced capoerista fights against a mestre (master) or someone with a much higher cord level. It is like baptism by fire. At a lower level, one fights until they are tripped--last time, the guy I played against tripped me, picked me up over his shoulder, and carried me over to get my next cord level. The tripping signifies the humility-- and humiliation-- necessary to join a higher rank. Not only do you get a cord, but also have a greater responsibility to pass on the knowledge and teachings that were given to you.
"With great power (of knowledge) comes great responsibility (to pass it on)"
This time around, I didn't get as much time on the floor. However, I did get a nickname!
Part of (most) Batizado ceremonies is receiving a nickname by your peers. Historically, it was illegal to practice Capoeira, and the punishment for being found practicing the sport was vicious. To maintain secrecy, the capoeiristas gave each other nicknames-- usually from a particular trait or characteristic of the person--to protect one another from persecution. This tradition is continued today, usually during the Batizado ceremony.
... and I finally got a nickname!
Mola. It means "spring".
:)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Capoeira (Turning Life Upside-Down)
I'm afraid of being upside-down. Who knew?
Should have been obvious from the abject attitude towards all things roller coasters.. Yet, I'll climb to the tallest tree in the country-side on a whim.
Yesterday was my first day of Capoeira teacher training, and I'm being to believe it will teach me a lot more about myself and my capabilities--and limits--than about teaching students. And it will teach me a lot about how to guide students in the future, that's for sure.
Part of the structure of Teacher Training is making sure that all of us Potential Teachers have a 4-5/5 on all of the most frequently made moves. Backflips are not exactly on the top ten topics for beginner classes, after all...
There are a good many moves that I need to work on, and I have no illusion about that fact. One especially that I have Always had difficulty maintaining and perfecting is a Bananeira, or handstand. When I modeled it for the class (we had to have a baseline from which to improve), I was given a 3--and made it a 2, because I am not quite as confident in my ability to do a standard handstand.
For practice, my mestre suggested I practice against the wall. Now, every single person I have ever told about my ability to do a handstand--my yoga teachers, capoeira teachers, roommates-- have always suggested I use the wall. "You can't fall any farther than the wall", they say.
I may have a fear more founded on Roald Dahl and The Twits than anything else.
Once I got my heels over my heart (this phrasing is significant) I started to yell. Not on purpose, but out of fear. Of all the martial arts and activities I could have chosen, why would I become involved in the one that centered around being upside all the time? Why would I do such a thing to myself?
I came down, wiped away some laughter-tears, and tried again; this time as a head stand. I promised myself I could be afraid, but I had to do it without making a sound. I made it up there for a few moments, and found a beginning to grounding and clarity.
This experience of Capoeira is similar to my soon-to-be experience in the Peace Corps. It is something unique and unlike I have ever done in my life, but not something just anyone would do. Very few people would argue that going to the Peace Corps is anything but turning my life upside-down.
When I go to the Peace Corps, I will be putting my heels over my heart. Despite that there are people in my life that I love, family that I appreciate every moment even when I don't tell them, and a life that I am settled into, I am preparing to turn my life upside-down. It will not be easy; it will not come without a lot of work and dedication.
Sometime in the nearby future, I'll be able to do that perfect handstand, with control, and I'll be able to keep my heels over my heart without feeling out of sorts. It's a process.
For more information about Capoeira, here is a link to my group:
http://www.cap-denver.com/index_2.php
Should have been obvious from the abject attitude towards all things roller coasters.. Yet, I'll climb to the tallest tree in the country-side on a whim.
Yesterday was my first day of Capoeira teacher training, and I'm being to believe it will teach me a lot more about myself and my capabilities--and limits--than about teaching students. And it will teach me a lot about how to guide students in the future, that's for sure.
Part of the structure of Teacher Training is making sure that all of us Potential Teachers have a 4-5/5 on all of the most frequently made moves. Backflips are not exactly on the top ten topics for beginner classes, after all...
There are a good many moves that I need to work on, and I have no illusion about that fact. One especially that I have Always had difficulty maintaining and perfecting is a Bananeira, or handstand. When I modeled it for the class (we had to have a baseline from which to improve), I was given a 3--and made it a 2, because I am not quite as confident in my ability to do a standard handstand.
For practice, my mestre suggested I practice against the wall. Now, every single person I have ever told about my ability to do a handstand--my yoga teachers, capoeira teachers, roommates-- have always suggested I use the wall. "You can't fall any farther than the wall", they say.
I may have a fear more founded on Roald Dahl and The Twits than anything else.
Once I got my heels over my heart (this phrasing is significant) I started to yell. Not on purpose, but out of fear. Of all the martial arts and activities I could have chosen, why would I become involved in the one that centered around being upside all the time? Why would I do such a thing to myself?
I came down, wiped away some laughter-tears, and tried again; this time as a head stand. I promised myself I could be afraid, but I had to do it without making a sound. I made it up there for a few moments, and found a beginning to grounding and clarity.
This experience of Capoeira is similar to my soon-to-be experience in the Peace Corps. It is something unique and unlike I have ever done in my life, but not something just anyone would do. Very few people would argue that going to the Peace Corps is anything but turning my life upside-down.
When I go to the Peace Corps, I will be putting my heels over my heart. Despite that there are people in my life that I love, family that I appreciate every moment even when I don't tell them, and a life that I am settled into, I am preparing to turn my life upside-down. It will not be easy; it will not come without a lot of work and dedication.
Sometime in the nearby future, I'll be able to do that perfect handstand, with control, and I'll be able to keep my heels over my heart without feeling out of sorts. It's a process.
For more information about Capoeira, here is a link to my group:
http://www.cap-denver.com/index_2.php
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