Capoeira Community, Fellowship & Mental Wellbeing
- Danielle Chevalier
- Jan 12, 2023
- 3 min read
Why Capoeira Part 3 of 3
Positive Mental Attitude & Mood
We know that exercise can promote healthy mood, in terms of generating endorphins- natural positive hormones. Capoeira definitely does that. Capoeira also builds positive mental patterns by building self-efficacy. When we keep up at a challenging activity, though it is hard we eventually realize that we can move past mistakes. We improve slowly and consistently with commitment. This builds self-efficacy, a foundational realization that we have the ability to achieve the tasks we set forth.
Mental Emotional
My first 3 months practicing being with a partner in the hoda was a shock. I was surprised to see how much I froze. Without any experience in martial arts, at 42 years old, I thought I would have the spirit of a fighter because I was always arguing or pushing my personal limits...but when it came down to it, being in an actual one to one, I froze. This freezing went on for months of practice, whenever I was face to face with an actual physical opponent. In my normal daily life, I never thought of myself as a "freezer". I always chose to fight. and occasionally I would run or "flight".
When faced with stress or fear the adrenaline that pumps through our body will set us into fight, flight or freeze mode. Training martial arts is an opportunity to train our system reactions to those emotions. And I am sooo thankful, at 43 years old to finally find these tools. In Capoeira, you can always lean back into the sway- the rocking- the ginga. The sweet lull, that gives you just enough peace and momentum to prepare you for the next step.
In Capoeira there is the fun, the joy, the humbleness and the support positive environment in the spirit of community.
Social Cultural
Capoeira tradition is 500 hundred years old with roots in the Portuguese slave trade. The training to fight for freedom, dignity and respect was concealed by dancing. In Brazil it was outlawed in the 1800's. It's continued to grow and change. Break dancing can trace its roots to Capoeira. The spirit of community and resilience is still at the heart of the practice. It is a celebration of community. Now, in a time of post lock downs, working from home and virtual communities, gathering in person for live singing, dancing and play is incredibly appealing.
At Kalahi Martial Arts Academy our Capoeira group is small, but we would love to grow it. Come try it out. The first week is FREE. If nothing else, you'll gain the experience of laughter in group.
Capoeira builds community with singing and encouragement. It's for all ages and abilities. It is multi- sensory, and this helps improve health wholistically.
Kalahi Martial Arts Academy is dedicated to creating community. Kalahi Martial Arts Academy is a non-profit, is supported by volunteers. We value the fellowship that comes from training and commitment to the practices we love that keep us strong and vital.
So if you want to build community, resilience, strength, flexibility, power and cardiovascular endurance, mental, physical and emotional agility all at the same time, this is the place to get it.
Join with your kids or do it for you and your one and only body.
Kalahi Mixed Martial Arts. Day Classes. Evening classes. Saturday class. Kids class. Adult classes. Beginner. Intermediate. Advanced. Young. Old. Fast. Slow.
Links:
Kalahi Martial Arts Academy:
If you work hard, want to move pain free and feel amazing in your body consider joining Rhythm, Energy & The Movement Remedy and The-Adventure Wellness Circle-This winter we are travelling to the Caribbean to practice Kalari Martial & Healing Arts. Schedule a FREE 1:1 see if we might be a good fit:
FB Group THE MOVEMENT REMEDY: The Movement Remedy | Facebook
FB EXERCISE IS ENERGY MEDICINE: Exercise Is Energy Medicine | Facebook
More on Capoeira Strength Flexibility & Cardio. Why Capoeira part 1/3: https://www.fieldsofrecovery.com/post/capoeira-strength-flexibility-cardio
More on Capoeira Brain & Body power. Why Capoeira part 2/3:
More on How Kalahi Martial Arts & Yoga helped keep me from being an asshole to the people I love: https://www.fieldsofrecovery.com/post/mad-yoga-highwater-farm
Comments