I have been stiff like a board lately. It's mainly because I've been focusing so hard on getting stronger, I completely forgot that I will eventually lose in explosiveness and mobility, the more muscle mass you acquire, the more slowly you get. It's always the risk when you focus on one area, and neglect something else.
I am very interested in mobility, and how to use my body in the most efficient way, that's why I decided that I need to find playful ways to move again, and capoeira has always been the best way to keep flexibility and to work on all muscle groups. It will also help me lose any excess of fat I've gained since I arrived in France and enjoyed the food and wine 🤣.
Today's focus was on the balance, and one kick in particular, "mela lua de compasso". I did not managed to keep my leg straight enough and will have to work on it again, slowly this time.
If you are interested in Capeoira and its history, I will gladly write an article about it soon, even if I am probably far from being a specialist. I started capoeira in my teenage years, and one very specific style of Capoeira called "Angola", which is a bit more slow than the flashy moves you can see on tv, more grounded and very playful. As lately I was working on more straight kicks and punches while shadowboxing, I completely forgot the importance of circular motions, and capoeira is all about it.
My teacher at the time was a part of the "Macaco"(monkey), and all the moves he taught me were just pure fun, we never really took ourselves seriously while doing so, and that's how I learnt the most. There is also an actual move with the same name, which I tried to do but failed haha.
My ginga was a bit rusty, I felt a little bit off balance and not finding my centre. I was also looking for a specific shot and time it, a cartwheel with one hand, the goal was to eventually take the hand off, but you need to have a good impulsion for it
The other day I was really impressed with 
For now, not at all satisfied with the result, but it's really about muscle memory and getting the body used to it.
What's important is to feel ok with falling at first, and getting comfortable with being uncomfortable. I actually got few splinters that I sill have few days later, I wouldn't even think of doing capoeira with shoes, it just doesn't work 😌.
I then attempted a "au" (cartwheel), which went relatively well:
A while back, this was my favourite move, it's actually something I used in BJJ (Brazilian Ju jitsu) to escape, and someone rolling with me would always expect one of these stingy moves. With an extra 40 pounds, I don't exactly look as gracious, but I clearly have a better intent, in my moves if it makes any sense.
Everything that I worked on in the last few years had an intent to create damage, very straight forward punches, kick and elbows, in straight lines, whereas capoeira is like water, everything is about the waves, circular movement,
It's really cool to get back to something I enjoyed doing, lately I've been very interested in pure movement to improve mobility, some of these movement are already there in the roots of capoeira, the fact that you add a rhythm for me makes it even more digestible, and easy to practice.
