Yesterday, I had some errands to run in an adjacent town. It was getting dark and I hurried to catch the bus back home. Suddenly, I stopped walking as I came upon a kids' capoeira performance.
I was attracted by the rhytmical music, the brazilian-portuguese language of the instructor, the special percussion drum, and of course, the versatile performance of the small group. It was a mixture of acrobatics and apparent fighting moves.
They were obviously enjoying every bit of it: the dynamics, the interraction with the others, the physical challenge, the rhytm. It started with them standing in a circle, then two entering to play simulating a fight without touching the opponent.
That brought back memories of a conversation I once had with an adult capoeira fan. Both he and his wife participated in adults' capoeira events, as well as in their kids' capoeira performances. He said that it was family strenghtening, that it helped kids to do well as part of a team and as individuals, and that it was one of the best extra curricular activity options.
I would also add as side benefit that ....it takes them away from the screens:)
group preparing to leave ; instructor's orders
