This is part of my continuing "notes on a blog" feature. This post references Four Capoeira Festivals at Bryan Farley Photography.
My son turned 11 a few days before the recent capoeira festival. He received his first adult belt. Capoeira belts have many shades and colors. I don't understand how the belts are awarded in capoeira or any other martial art.
Capoeira is a martial art, but it is also dance and music. I have included this link for a reference. Capoeira started in Brazil, but there is some mystery about Capoeira's origins. African slaves were probably instrumental in capoeira's development. Since slaves were not allowed to practice fighting and military training, some argue that slaves incorporated music and dance to hide their subversive activities. Did the rhythm help with the training or did the training evolve?
I recently watched a show about evolution. Supposedly, humans are special, because we use and develop tools. In many schools, our children do not have the opportunity to use tools. In capoeira, the students work with their hands and make musical instruments. The students also play the same instruments. Somehow, working with our hands has become devalued, despite the brain science that proves humans thrive when we move and create. The students literally connect learning from their hands to their brains. Learning becomes relevant at the cellular level.
My son needs to move. Often in school, kids are rewarded for sitting still. I think that educators must be cautious of rewarding students for sitting still and being quiet, especially considering our world's complex history. My son often finds himself caught in the middle... between parents who recently divorced, between two languages, between two (or more cultures. He often wants to speak out against injustice, and he is often told to remain quiet by both sides. He needs space to move.
My son is the kid jumping in the air with his hands above his head. This pictures was taken at the end of third grade.
This picture was taken in December, 2013. My son was in second grade and he already loved capoeira. His confidence was growing, along with his coordination and commitment. He seemed unable to stop playing some days. Fortunately, he had people to guide him... who will continue to guide him.
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