Speak and be heard.
Yakans Earl “Mr. Earl” Fernandez and Kyle “Tron” Christian (MSMB NYC / PTK Elite) demonstrating the empty hands (pangamut) techniques of Pekiti Tirsia Kali.
#msmb #ptta #ptkwf #kalimundo #ptkelite #msmbpnw #beaconptk #msmbstudygroups #webelieveinlife #exploretheart #traineveryday #traineveryway #health #wellness #fitness #eachoneteachone
Martial Arts: Capoeira Angola
By Njoli Brown *Entrevista em Português
Conheço o Mestre Mestre Baba há muitos anos e fiquei honrado pela disposição de me dar essa entrevista e de compartilhar um pouco de sua jornada na capoeira, nas artes culturais e na vida, juntamente com algumas das idéias ele ganhava. Agradeço a todos por abordar este primeiro dos meus artigos em português e estou ansioso por mais oportunidades para apresentar trabalhos multilíngues.
Njoli: Você pode falar um pouco sobre a primeira vez que você foi exposto à capoeira?
Baba Jan: Primeira vez quando conhecia a capoeira, na realidade ja existia varias capoeiristas na rua no bairro de Massaranduba que eu cresci. Então minha Mae e meu pai conhecia a coordenadora Ana Rosa responsável pelo Grupo de União e Consciência Negra – nesse grupo tinha varias tipo de atividades que envolvia manifestações de matriz africana. Era teatro, capoeira, samba, maculelê, poesia, musica e mas. Eu entrei a participar e tomar aula com esse grupo com 8 a 10 anos de idades, e eu ia juntos com 2 irmão meu. Ai eu comecei a capoeira com Grupo de Capoeira Angola Pelourinho, núcleo Mangueira projeto Ginga Moleque com Mestre Moraes. Depois Mestre Moraes manda Mestre Valmir, Mestre Poloca e Mestra Paulinha para dar aulas no projeto. 
Njoli: Como a capoeira e a cultura “negra” foram vistas e recebidas em sua família e comunidade?
Baba Jan: A capoeira sempre existia a perseguição e descriminação. Muitos pais não queria seus filhos dentro da capoeira que pensava que capoeira era coisa de marginal ou vandalos. Mas eu começo capoeira e muitos amigos também começava que nosso pais sabia que nos estavam nas boas Maos dentro do Grupo de União e Consciência Negra e de mestres que queria ver nosso bem da parte do GCAP.
Njoli: Você pode falar um pouco sobre suas primeiras experiências de treinamento? Quem foram alguns de seus colegas? Quais foram as coisas que você achou desafiadoras? Quais foram as coisas que te inspiraram a continuar?
Baba Jan: Meus amigos de capoeira que sempre andava juntos da escola, no bairro e na capoeira pra treinar, tocar berimbau e tudo. Ricardinho, Moises, Lourival, Virgilio, Marquinho, Ricardo, Jeane, George, Iverson, Marcelo, e mas. Hoje em dia a única que continuou na capoeira sou eu. Quando comecei no treinamento começou quando mestre falava ‘Ginga’ e ninguém sabia oque era. Nos tinha visto mas capoeira regional na rua então começava tentar movimentar nosso corpo assim. Desafiadora era tentar entrar na roda de capoeira. Nossos pais levava pra roda de GCAP no dia de domingo no Forte do Santo Antonio. Na roda la tinha muitos referencias para nos criança de querer ser que nem Mestre Moraes, ou Valmir, Poloca, Cobra Mansa, Paulinha, Cizinho, Pepeu e dai quando a roda começa tinha que estar pronto no uniforme, no horário certo, e quando tinha momento de entrar na roda com adulto, e vc criança, pequena. Ai era o desafio de jogar com adulto, entra na vida de capoeira, tomar rasteira de qualquer jeito. A inspiração de continuar era e ainda ate hoje são as referencias de pessoas boa, dos mestres levando a tradição da capoeira a seria.
Njoli: Como sua experiência com a capoeira tem dado conta de sua perspectiva social e política?
Baba Jan: Capoeira me ajudou na perspectiva social de viver no meio da sociedade misturar com varias tipos de pessoa, de saber entrar e sair em qualquer lugar, fazer trabalho com crianças, incentivar a fazer capoeira e atividades pra tirar da rua e mal caminho.
Njoli: De que maneira você fez a capoeira por conta própria? Quer dizer, como você inclui sua identidade pessoal na arte?
Baba Jan: Ninguém começa capoeira por conta própria, eu penso que sempre tem o incentivo de alguém. O aprendizado da vida ajuda a pessoa pega coragem pra se expressar com povo, os alunos, em dia dia pra saber oque falar e como orientar os alunos do jeito que eu aprendi com os mestres.
Njoli: Qual o papel da sua família no seu desenvolvimento como capoeirista e como artista?
Baba Jan: A minha familia que me botou na capoeira e ate hoje me apoia.
Njoli: Quais são alguns dos benefícios que você vê ao usar as artes afro-brasileiras como uma ferramenta para a construção de comunidades?
Baba Jan: O que eu vejo e que as artes afro-brasileiras não existem sem comunidade. E essas comunidades são importante para fortalecer qualquer pessoa, participante nessas artes de ter um apoio de amizade e ate un tipo de familia maior para poder apoiar e depender na vida. Eu penso numa sociedade como aqui nos Estados Unidos, pessoas tem visao muitas individualistas e precisam mas desses tipos de comunidade e apoio na vida de cada um.
Njoli: Quais são alguns dos desafios que você enfrentou na construção da comunidade?
Baba Jan: Desafio na construção de uma comunidade e voce começar com um trabalho e aparecer pra compartilhar sua sabedoria, e ninguém aparece o dar valor daquilo que vc sabe nem o tempo que você estar la. De chegar todos os dias no seu espaço e nao tem ninguém pra querer aprender. Ai voce volta pra sua casa triste. Mas ai que precisa a forca de continuidade que aos poucos aparece alunos. Com 20 alunos ou 1 aluno o professor precisa esta presente e resistente pra nao desistir da comunidade.
Njoli: Quais são algumas das aspirações que você tem para o seu projeto atual?
Baba Jan: As minhas aspirações e manter o grupo firme e forte, de samba e de capoeira. Tentar conseguir que o povo veja meu objetivo e trabalho, e que as pessoas reconheço o esforço que dou pra estar presente cada dia pra ver os alunos progredir. Quero ver o Espaço Cultural Samba Trovao crescer cada vez mas, com projetos com crianças ate os adultos. Quero também que os meus mestres reconhece o meu trabalho de manter a tradição com dignidade fora do Brazil.
Njoli: Quais são algumas maneiras pelas quais você chamaria sua comunidade para ajudar e apoiar?
Baba Jan: E a comunidade sempre comunicando e participando. E eu convidando e sendo presente de sempre abri o espaço pra qualquer um chegar e sentir respeitado.
Adicionando:
Livaldi “BabaJan” da Cruz was born and raised in Massarunduba, in the Lower City of Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. He has been training Capoeira Angola for over 30 years and has been a practicing and performing musician for more than 20 years.
In 2003 Baba was invited to come from Brazil to Washington DC to be the director of a residency program at Kamit Institute for Magnificent Achievers (KIMA) public charter school. There, using Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian music, he developed a unique program of physical education and music studies for high school and middle school students. At this time Baba also became one of the teachers at FICA DC and founded the samba reggae group Samba Trovao. In 2013 Baba started his own chapter of FICA in Maryland. In 2015 Baba Jan received the title of Contra Mestre in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil at the 20th conference of the International Capoeira Angola Foundation (ICAF or FICA) and soon after began his own project Capoeira Angola No Mato.
Martial Arts: Health & Fitness
For those of you who like to nerd out on their fitness practice, if you’re the type with specific exercise questions that never seem to get a full and comprehensive answer, if you’re a complete novice to resistance training, this really is the YouTube channel for you.
I mean, come on, he’s not just demonstrating movements, he’s literally taking a marker to his body, indicating muscle groups and attachments and speaking science in a way that translates to results. All the while indicating effects in relation to proper body mechanics.
One of the things I like best about Jeff Cavaliere’s program is that he doesn’t seem to promote abstract aspirational ideals of immediate fat loss and muscle gain. But he does talk about an objective of increased athletic ability. That’s something, as a martial artist, I can get behind. Check him out.
Martial Arts: Training Tips
By Njoli Brown
WHY TRAIN OUTDOORS? Because our parks, plazas, yards, forest areas provide all the tools. For many practitioners it can hearken back to another era when master instructors looked at their classes more as very personal mentorships, creating a family vibe and inspiring creativity in the methodology.
In urban and rural settings alike, footwork happens on hillsides, mulch, pavement, grass, up and down curbs and benches. Drills go on in the rain (and sometimes snow) and on the warmest of days. The sessions staying engaging as folks figure out how to make their practice relevant in all the terrains in which they spend their day-to-day.
There’s nothing here saying we don’t appreciate our indoor space for all the convenience it allows. But take another look before you write off a group that trains in the park. Often these groups are cost saving, student focused and have the flexibility to maintain small classes because they don’t have to concern themselves with matching the overhead it takes to rent an ongoing location. Are you looking for artifice or art? Take your training outdoors this summer.
Martial Arts: Training
Sometimes keeping the training engaging is as simple as changing the landscape.
#msmb #kalimundo #ptta #ptkwf #webelieveinlife #traineveryway #traineveryday #ptk #silat #grappling #capoeiraangola #boxing #mma #wellness #fitness #health #outdoors #community #martialarts #selfdefense
Martial Arts: Methodology
By Njoli Brown
Combat Geometry: I’d heard that language used quite a bit but it always seemed somewhat abstract to me. When I arrived at my first Semangat Baru silat class with my roll of blue painter’s tape it was very clear that geometry was the law in that space. We measured out strides 2.5 foot lengths, worked tirelessly off the langka (tiga, sliwa, etc.), and methodically investigated balance, angle, body position and timing. I’ve enjoyed this style of penjak silat because of its emphasis on close quarter fighting. I’ve continued in this practice because of this both practical and academic attention to detail and the way it has informed much of my teaching pedagogy.
#msmb #semangatbaru#kunomartialarts #webelieveinlife#traineveryway #traineveryday #health#wellness #fitness #science #itsnotmagic#martialarts #selfdefense #community#poc #indonesia #penjaksilat
Capoeira Angola with families is more than an opportunity to cartwheel and kick. It’s a practice that integrates physical, emotional and historical learning. It takes all of those things we learn (or don’t learn) in schools and puts them in the context of real lives and real people. And, yes, there are cartwheels too…
I hear a lot of commentary that some of the classical elements of PTK don’t have the same amount of relevance as the more contemporary iterations. I look at elements like “seguidas” as vocabulary which enhance my “Tri-V” practice. The difference between “I want water” and ” I want a glass of cold water.” The more familiar I am the greater capacity I have (with practice) to integrate it into my applications, both sparring and otherwise. The 3rd set of “seguidas” focuses primarily on stick grappling. Not as a work unto itself, but to familiarize us with positions and opportunities so they are more recognizable when they arise or when we are able to tactically maneuver ourselves into that range. #msmb #kalimundo #ptta #ptkwf #webelieveinlife #ptk #kali #fma #grappling #silat #capoeiraangola #health #wellness #fitness #mixedmartialarts #selfdefense #martialarts #fighttraining #sparring
Black, Brown, Colored: Martial Arts / Opinion
By Clarence Jackson
There have always been threats to Black life. There have always been threats to human life. In America those threats became one of the most dominating factors of life. With all of the White Supremacist actions we should remember the KKK never left, the hate groups and the hate, the politicians that support them, their institutional support systems are all part of American tradition. I invite you to consider that you are being irresponsible if you are an African American and are not devoting a considerable amount of time to the study of self defense by the many trained professionals that offer it.
I have spoken with numerous police officers about their difficult jobs and been told time and again that you should arm yourself. If you call them they try, but it takes time to get to you. Officers and military have been offering training for years. Good, solid working people trying to raise families and thrive in this world need to not only be able to protect themselves and ensure the lives of their children, they need to be networked to ensure the safety of communities. Decent hardworking people should not be victimized by anyone. Including people inside of their communities, but we certainly can’t continue to be surprised by the underbelly of American society. Love each other, grow food, participate in society and live well, but safeguard your life in the American way. And always remember self defense is always paired with legal study, knowing the laws, I would even argue knowing lawyers, officers and possibly politicians to ensure that you are not only properly following the laws, but connected enough to it to create the best options for safely navigating any aftermath in the horror of having to defend yourself.
Martial Arts: Massage
By Njoli Brown
About 3.6 million people actively participate in the martial arts industry in the United States each year. Some of those people, over some short period of time. But many others determine to make their martial practice part of their lifestyle. The fatal mistake can often be an incomplete understanding of the physical benefits of the practice along with the necessary responsibilities we have to take on in order to maintain our bodies and perhaps to grow forward. This is where self care and, perhaps more specifically, massage comes in.
Muscles undoubtedly receive huge benefits from massage. But did you know, an array of research supports the understanding that massage:
The rewards end up being both physical and psychological, increasing our capacity to think clearly, maintain psychological balance, recover quickly and utilize our muscles to their maximum potential. 
Massage is also a tremendous support of tendon health. We cannot isolate tendons from the rest of the physical structure. Tendons are fairly resilient if we’ve managed to bank some muscle health. Because of the limited capacity of tendons to contract or relax, they rely on the pliability of muscle. Imagining the burden we place on them by allowing that muscle tightness to present constant tension, we can imagine how tendons under this level of stress are more prone to rip or tear.
The martial artist is the human animal in need of the optimal access to his/her tools. Vertebrate animals exploit the elastic properties of their tendons, saving metabolic energy as tendons stretch and then recoil. Whether in the arena of sports or in a self defense practice we are constantly working to manage or energy in order to have it to draw on when most vital. Tendons store and return elastic strain energy while losing and regaining kinetic energy. They also, recoil elastically much faster than muscles can shorten, enabling us to jump further to strike and retract with more rapidity and to change direction more quickly. This elasticity affects the control of muscles, enhancing force control.
Mental health, muscle health, tendon health. Along with the over all sense of internal wellness, we can see there are very pragmatic reasons to make massage an essential part of our martial practice.
