Origin of flipping and kicking in capoeira

This clip seems to show some reasonable origin of some capoeira kicks and flips. Quite amazing.

Training with the North Star

As of August 6 2007, I started to train with Iuri and Capoeira Angola Estrala do Norte again. I left the group for 20 months. It's great to be back. This was where I had the most inspirations since I started training capoeira. We had a roda on Monday because Iuri was hurt on his left foot. So glad to be doing angola again. Chris said that I had it in me. I did feel it whenever I was doing it. I didn't feel as much when I trained regional. I guess I am more of an angoleiro. I was also very glad to see Chris and Paul, who were with the group when I was there. Chris said that he spotted this blog a while ago. If you are back to check this blog out, Chris, here's a hi for you. One change that I had made is to add some Chinese to this blog so that people in Taiwan get to know a bit more about capoeira.

從本月份起，我回到Bloomington的北極星社，繼續練Capoeira Angola。二○○五年的時候，我曾在此練習，過了一個充滿身體與心靈啟發的秋天。這次將在此練到九月份。

一些簡單的葡文問候語

Bom dia! 【早安。今天好嗎！（念做/bon jia/，在葡文裡di或de念成ji（像國語的ㄐ），這是常見的語言顎音化現象－palatalization）】
Boa tarde! 【午安】
Boa noite! 【晚安】

Oi! 【嗨！】
Tudo bem!? 【一切好嗎？（很常用的問候語），回答一樣用Tudo bem.但語調向下】

Obrigado. 【謝謝。女生用Obrigada!】
De nada. 【不客氣】

Capoeira in Chinese

一直想用中文寫ｃａｐｏｅｉｒａ，回到台灣快一年後才真正有這個動力，畢竟並非每個人都說英語或懂葡語，希望藉由寫點有關ｃａｐｏ的雜感、記些學習筆記能把它分享給習慣用中文的朋友。

Axe Capoeira in Taipei

I am now back in Taipei, training with Axe Capoeira.

Last Roda in Bloomington

I thought last Friday was my last roda, so I asked FF to come see me play. It turned out that Iuri gave me my last roda tonight--a roda to say goodbye to Marionete. (I am going back to Taipei, andI'll be leaving Bloomington tomorrow. Today is my last day of capoeira in Bloomington.)

Before the roda, Iuri introduced what a roda means to new people, and then he talked about the masters and what it's like to play capoeira in Brazil. Upon hearing about the ambitions and prospects of the future of the group, I began feeling really sad about not being able to be part of it. Today's roda was for me, so I played through the whole thing. Each person played with me, until the berimbau indicates the end. The games, needless to say, were getting exhausting for me. I wished I had had more energy when I was playing with Katie, Chris and Iuri at the end. But I was worn out.

Being able to play non-stop with different people while keeping your breath and pace is something to learn in playing capoeira games. Strength does not come out of the blue. They are built upon constant practicing and training. I am aware that's what I needed.

I am grateful to my teaacher Iuri and friends at the Bloomington Capoeira de Angola group (the official name is now the Nothern Star). I will keep doing capoeira in Taipei for sure.

Obrigado. Boa viagem.

Travel with the Clave

Sounds of Latin Music enchanted the hall
In Auer shone the golden fall
Bugni my friend, Mariano Morales the master
Omar R-O the percussionist, kept beats laster
Nightful of rumba and tango and latino
Entwining, enchaining, enflaming,
Yielding Siboney, my mysterious amor.