JACOB

My journey into Capoeira first started when I first feel in love with martial arts. As a kid I really look up to Martial artist like Bruce Lee, the whole philosophy behind it really called out to me. The skill, order, strength and peace of martial arts, these were things I wanted to obtain for myself. However there was no really access, or training in arts where I grow up, so I turn to the next best thing, knowledge. Maybe it was fate or just a lucky accident that I came across Capoeira in one of the many martial art books that I was reading. As I turn the page I notice huge different, these fighter where black, and as I look back at it, I’m a little embarrassed by the fact that this shock me, regardless of this Capoeira had sparked my interest, and I wanted to know more about this afro-brazilin fighting style. However all I had was images, and few meaningless words, that served as poor representation this rich and diverse art.

Many years late, I was in France with Sabu, when I stated that I could do a Cartwheel (au), he didn’t believe me when I said this, seeing how I haven’t done one in years. I was badly out of shape and over weight, not to mention the fact that I was fully dress in a suit. But I was determined to prove him wrong. So in front of a room fully of strangers, with my tie swing in the air I did Cartwheel. I probably was as shock as he was when I done, but it felt good. I keep do Cartwheel for the next few minutes, with a grin on my face that is rare seen. It was a feeling of youth, a feeling energy that I had felt since my children. I didn’t want it to end.

Now I'm not going to lie to you, training in Capoeira is hard; I know physical fit or a practice martial artist, who bodies have ache the following day. It is a very hard thing to turn around from this feel, these aches and the muscle pain, and return the following day for more. And I use to make dumb excuses, to not go. “I’m not fit effort to train”, “I’m can’t afford it” or “I’m too busy”. And this keeps away for two years. But with a sense of purpose I invested in training.

And it was wroth it, the feeling I got from it is this inner energy that has awakened part of me I didn’t believe existed. This was the effect I got from it; it was as I was a sleep and when I start training Capoeira I finally awoke. I’ve gotten confidence, inner strength and a true feel of serenity. I have started to look at things differently, my life, my diet, the earth, even the sound of music or the movement of dance. Months later, I become so use to the ache that accept it and look forward to them. If I don’t train I left with excess energy, and the longer I leave the more I feel this energy getting away from me. It that feeling of peace I feel you get from studying the right Martial Art, for me it Capoeira.

But don’t take my word for it, this is my story and my experience of Capoeira, I recommend you come down to one of the class and get your own experience. You might fall in love with its movements, its energy or you might turn out to hate it. Either way you should try, if you’re interested Martial Arts, African history or music, Dance, become more flexible or getting shape, it something you should at least try once.