Toshi (Toshimitsu Tsuha / 津波 利光) who is the owner of the building at which I stay during the week, is an instructor of Capoeira Angola Tokyo. A few weeks ago he along with two capoeiristas (Hiroko Sawada / 澤田 弘子  Capoeira Angola Tokyo & Ryuta Yonekura / 米倉 竜太 Gueto Capoeira Tokyo) gave a capoeira class in the Seto Juvenile reform school in Aichi.

This is his 4th capoeira class in the juvenile reform school – an extraordinary capoeira class, nonetheless it is capoeira, the art that has been cultivated by underprivileged, the art that represents connectedness and communication without direct contacts in basic movements, the art which has rhythms and melodies which become our breaths and steps and expressions, the art that creates a circle of people which is a circle in itself – so it is perhaps an excellent opportunity for the boys in juvenile detention to start reconnecting with the world. That said, such a class does require a careful preparation and a tremendous commitment. Under a strict surveillance apparently 8 boys participated.

You can tell immediately how successful it was and just how meaningful it was to the boys, when you hear what sort of responses were given by the boys – in a form of reports they were obliged to hand in.

They were amused. Astonished even. They were motivated, pictured the life after detention – to go look for a capoeira class, to go visit Brazil, to learn more about the culture behind capoeira. So colourful.

They were amazed by how much they could learn by watching the partner’s movement carefully, and moving at the same speed. Synchronization that creates synthesis.

Seeing the world from a slightly difference angle.

Toshi says he wants to expand activities such as this with other capoeristas who are interested, transcending the boundaries of groups and styles. While the chance to encounter, try, and to engage in the art of capoeira is increasing, for people of diverse backgrounds, and in a variety of settings, those who seriously want to know and practice capoeira are not necessarily in the proximity of a welcoming and inclusive group. (Not implying certain groups are not welcoming – many groups have difficulties from time to time in managing the activities, internal communication etc.) A trans-group/style network of capoeristas may however increase the chance of individuals to find a welcoming group which makes them feel connected, included. So Toshi wants to experiment more new classes, events, encounters with more capoeristas. For capoeira to expand. For people to connect. Here and there.

A capoerista or not, if you have a brilliant idea to try, don’t hesitate to contact him. It might lead to a novel challenge many can enjoy and perhaps benefit from it.

Thanks to Kyoko Mimura