Author: Shayna

“Who are you?” a boy asked his father. The father replied, “I am the link between you and your grandfather.” There’s so much to learn in capoeira that the …

I still can’t get over the fact that I’m 22. I’m not sure why the whole finding-myself-an-adult thing astonishes me, but it does. I think because the process of …

I’ve been making a list of the “key words” that Mestre Valmir and his students emphasize with frequency in the trainings. Here they are, as well as an explanation …

It’s a little disconcerting being in “real life,” that is, outside the normal and well-established path of high school – college – grad school – postdoc – guaranteed job …

What to say about capoeira? I am LOVING it!!! Specifically capoeira angola, and (more specifically) capoeira angola with FICA. What I feel about regional/contemporânea (the capoeira style I used …

Two weeks left until my trip to Bahia!!!!!!!!! My time here has paradoxically passed both quickly and slowly, as time is fond of doing. When I arrived in September, …

Last night was one of my rare depression nights. I feel a bit better, but I’m not completely over it. I’ve gotten progressively more dissatisfied with my life here, …

One thing that annoys me: when people see my digital camera, or laptop, or (this is where it especially happens) hear about my planned 2-month trip to Bahia, and …

Proximity to my family and friends. Although I’m not by any means in a super-remote or underdeveloped area – I have plenty of internet and phone access in São …

Out of all the things in my life here – all the capoeira rodas, all the interesting conversations, all the great food, all the new experiences – the thing …