Massa’s birthday celebration in Dufferin Park in 2020 — his family was there to play and sing with us. A magical day! Salve Salve, Filhos de Bimba Toronto Folks and Friends! October has arrived. A chill is in the air, but fear not… Capoeira is here to warm your bodies, hearts and souls! We continue to train at the Capoeira House -- home of Beija Flor, Orquidea and Ariranha -- on Wednesday evenings from 6-7:30 pm. I will also continue the Music and Roda practice in Dovercourt Park on Monday evenings, weather permitting. Times will vary - this Holiday Thanksgiving Monday will be from 2-4 pm — bring some snacks to share! Maybe a drink or a hot chocolate, as well. This will be our monthly Roda (we can take advantage of the nice weather to play outside), so please wear your whites! The Fee for October is $120 — you can send your e-transfers to [email protected] Muito obrigada! If you would like to come out for the Roda or the Music, but cannot make the classes, you are welcome. You can make a donation of your choice. Last, but not least, please check out the piece below — I’d like include something in every newsletter that will bring capoeira to life. If anyone wants to write something or to contribute any photos for November, do send them to me! Axe, Profa. Langi The Capoeira House
It’s not every capoeira school that trains in someone’s living room… The traditional model, at least since Bimba brought capoeira from the street into the Academy, has been to train at an outside location. I have had a least twenty such rentals in my capoeira lifetime. As time passed, however, and I felt that this model no longer suited our group, I opened myself up to the idea of something very different. The Lams are not your typical family either. From the moment they entered my life, I sensed the spirit with which they do everything — a spirit which I caught a glimpse of in the martial arts, back in my Jiu-Jitsu days. It is no coincidence that Otto (Ariranha) gave himself heart and soul to Aikido, and then met his wife, Shizu (Orquidea), in Japan. Or that their daughter, Hatsu (Beija Flor), embodies this spirit of adventure. Traditional Aikido, much like traditional Capoeira, is not something you “do” -- it is who you are. It spills into every aspect of your life, family and community. Of course, in today’s modern, industrialized world, it is not easy to give one’s heart and soul to anything, for unlike our ancestors, we live in a world that is built on profit, where we are forced to fight for survival on our own. And unlike our ancestors, we can no longer depend on neighbours, family and friends to help us build a house, gather the harvest, or raise our children. We are often spread across the globe, always on the move, unable to grow deep roots in any place. And while this brings about great opportunities, we also lose something our ancestors took for granted — belonging. Perhaps this is why there is something so heartwarming to me about a family opening their home, welcoming us into their intimacy and taking such good care of their teacher. Perhaps this is why, despite the small space whose walls we keep bumping into, my heart feels expanded, and I know in my core than I have never been so close to the true spirit of capoeira. When the lesson is done, sometimes we have to run, but many times, I sit with them and am offered a beverage, a snack, a friendly ear. And in this way, capoeira travels deeper and deeper into my bones. Capoeira is a house. A house with open doors and warm hearts. Lang Maria Liu Toronto — October 3, 2022.
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