Untitled-in-sydney

I was right. There were drum circles, just not at home.

As I've mentioned before, Gillian and I have started Capoiera (good link - especially for those whose total knowledge on the subject comes from playing Eddy in Tekken on the Playstation or off the BBC ad's from a few years back). Whilst it is a martial art, it's also kind of a acrobatic dance (well it is when its done by proficient people).

I'm sceptical about it's efficacy as a fighting style but really that shouldn't be too much of a concern given my enthusiasm for staying out of bar brawls, and I have to say it's pretty good fun. I fail to see how you can do it and not gain flexibility and balance. Certainly the majority of the folks at the class look pretty healthy.

Given its origins and the need to hide the real purpose behind the movements the dance-like and ritualistic elements are key. As is the singing and percussion and hand holding.

It's here that I run into difficulties as this part of it sadly feels just like a hippy freakout except without the vast quantities of acid. I don't like it at all. I managed to get through Tuesday's class without leaving, but it was not all that enjoyable at all.

Ordinarily my idea of dancing is to stand in the corner and maybe, just maybe, tap my foot a little - but not in time to the music. White guy - no sense of rhythm you see.

The class last night was better. Still a bit heavy on the musical stuff for my liking, but this class had a larger number of particpants who mostly knew what they were doing (as distinct from Tueday were it was 5 beginners all shuffling around feeling decidely uncomfortable about the whole gig).

We did the stuff we've been taught in the circle with a more experienced opponent (or partner?) which felt awkward, but concentrating on not getting belted in the face was for me, enough to forget about the chanting, clapping people around me.

After Tuesday I was certain that I'd complete my beginner course (after all, I've paid) then find something else (there's no shortage of physical exercise in Manly, with at least Karate, Jui-Jitsu, Kick Boxing nearby), but watching the more experienced people do there thing, I can't help feel that I'd like to be able to do what they were doing.

Stuff like this, for example (some random picture off the web).

Kinda cool huh? The people are nice too and it's quite a social activity so I'll give it a little more time and see what happens I guess.