When my Non-Capoeira Friends ask me Why I do it, and Why I Love it so much… 8 Things I can respond off-the-bat

When it does come up, I get filled with a range of emotions that goes from outrage (I mean, who would NOT love Capoeira?!?!) to confusion (what exactly is it that I’m feeling? Beyond, of course, absolute love, fascination, excitement, relief, peace, provocation, challenge, serenity, pain, longing, enlightenment…) So here is a list of reasons why Capoeira is in my life, and why it is so (so, so, so) important to me.

1. It called me

Obviously, I start with the aspect of my relationship with Capoeira that’s going to make me look the craziest. It called me, man! I swear, the way I came to meet capoeira and my academy, Sinha’, was mystical, yet totally mundane. I was walking down the street, I saw people training some sort of dance-martial-artsy-discipline through a window, and three days later (after a Google search and an inquiry e-mail) I was on the other side of that window. Since then, I just never left.

2. It’s pure beauty

This one is pretty self-explanatory. If you don’t think that the acrobatics, flow, and overall eye-exhilarating movements are just as beautiful as humans can make moving look, then I have no argument for you. You’re lost and I hope you find your way. I am exaggerating, of course (lolz and all!) Taste is undebatable, but capoeira is beautiful, and everyone should aspire to such beauty, not one of mere stillness or genetic magic, but one of integrated understanding of body, and transformation.

3. The music!

At this point in your life or maybe in a little while (I don’t mean to be presumptuous but…) you’re going to think about taking a music class. Whether you’ll challenge yourself with facing the humiliation that comes with taking a beginners singing class as an adult, or trying out guitar for dummies in your mid-twenties. Music is probably going to want to make a comeback in your life, and being a spectator just won’t be enough. Thanks to Capoeira I ripe the psychological, cognitive, and spiritual benefits of singing my little heart out, with my friends, a little more than twice a week on average.

4. #Emotions

The thing with music in Capoeira (and other types of music, I’ll give you that) is that, it generates an incredible amount of vibrations in your stomach, in your vocal cords, but also, and especially, in your heart. Often times I get goose pumps when my mestre sings. The songs can be poetic, and extremely emotional. Here is a healthy portal for you to open your heart, tell a story, and be heard beyond the ear (hope that makes sense). Music isn’t just singing, it’s not just playing a myriad of diverse instruments (which you probably haven’t heard about), it’s not just about clapping your hands and knowing simple to intricate lyrics. It’s about feeling. It’s about being human at a level that is so raw, your heart will explode and diffuse in every pore of your skin.

5. Anything to pull people a little closer together

It’s 2014, we’ve got Facebook, Tinder, Twitter, Snapchat, and Starbucks. Yet, without Capoeira, I’m a twenty-something with a long, sad, frustrating list of half-assed acquaintanceships. Like anybody my age (or maybe not), around Boston, life goes really fast, I’m busy all the time, with a feeling of accomplishing nothing (and honestly, not much recognition or appreciation from society… #millenialproblem). Sinha’ provided me with awesome people I can rely on at all time. Everybody is a piece of a beautiful puzzle! And this feeling of belonging, good luck finding it on Amazon…

6. It is, actually, a jeito de ser

I can’t really explain this, nor am I even fully comprehending it at this point. Capoeira is a life style, it defines you, and becomes a frame of reference as you wander head first into this crazy world. It fuels my drive, inspires my discipline, and informs some of my newly found character traits. I don’t know man, call my cellphone, I feel like we’d need to sit down for this one…

7. Sinha’

A little while ago, I was talking with one of my peers, and they told me that they were unsure whether they loved capoeira as much as they loved Sinha’. I understood exactly what they were saying. Now, this wasn’t meant as a negative thing toward Capoeira (spoiler alert: we’re all crazy about the art, period), but more as a love declaration to our beautiful Sinha’ family. Sinha’ has a story, it has a vision and a mission, it has a strong purpose in all of our lives. It has a heart, and a spirit. Sinha’ protects us and we protect it. (So, tears are flowing down my face at this point, and I’m gonna stop. Hopefully you got the point…)

8. So, you like working out?

I mean, name the muscle, and I will tell you a way Capoeira can use it to lift you entire body weight. At this point, the sport itself is about the least amazing aspect, yet Capoeira is amongst the most intense and efficient workouts of.my.life.

[To bE ConTinUed]

-Angoration