National Geographic's Fight Science recently had an episode about Stealth Fighters.   Among the various stealth martial arts they examine are Parkour (the above video) and Capoeira (no video available, but photo below).   Fight Science hooked up a myriad of sensors and accelerometers to Capoeirista Lateef Crowder (who we've written about here and here) to measure the speed and force of Capoeira's kicks.  Hopefully National Geographic will post the rest of the Stealth Fighters episode online so we can see how Capoeira's kicks scientifically measured up to Muay Thai, Tae Kwon Do, and Karate.

Fight Science - Stealth Fighters

Previously:
Fight Science Capoeira

Comment (0)

Lens, the photojournalism blog of The New York Times, went on assignment to the Xingu National Park in Mato Grosso, Brazil to showcase the indigenous Kamayurá tribe and bring awareness to the Brazilian Amazon.

 

The article includes a beautiful  photo slide show (click picture above) with reporting narrative that plays while the pictures progress.  The written article is short enough to be a light read, but substantial enough to really set up the photo narrative presentation.  The photo show itself is a great way to experience their trip and passively take in the story. 

 

On Assignment: Xingu National Park, Brazil 

Comment (0)

Amichay Oren has three daughters, Shani, Inbar and Sapir. When Shani was five, she started playing capoeira.  When she started, he promised her that for her Bat-Mitzvah, they would go to Brazil.  Last year, when Shani turned 12, her instructor, Sapo, suggested that they wait a year so they could all travel to Brazil together.  2 weeks ago, the trio left Isreal and attended Capoeira Sul da Bahia's 4th annual Mundial de Capoeira in Arraial D’Ajuda, Bahia.

Despite not being a capoeirista himself, Amichay's post is remarkable because of his fantastic narrative and description of the trip, because of the multitude of photos and videos he took at the weeklong event, and because of how much it shows his complete support and encouragement of his daughter with something she loves to do.

This whole trip started some seven years ago.  About the same time of the year 2002 Shani started to practice Capoeira , with Amarildo (a.k.a. Sapo).  I made a promise to her than, that if she continues when she turns 12 I will go with her to Brazil.  However, when she did turn 12 and still continue to train, Amarildo suggested to delay this in a year, since than he’ll be able to join too.  And so we did.

When we set out to Arraial D’Ajuda in Bahia, Brazil it was not only Capoeira that I had in mind – it is also a rare opportunity for me to re-educate Shani on values that are dear to me: Keep an open mind to different culture, don’t criticize but observe and learn, see how people live on basics – little money, little technology, little possessions but big happiness, mutual respect and support – and live like they do, even for a short while.  It also an opportunity for Shani to live with no so many rules and boundaries and learn to loosen up, go to the beach, enjoy the sea and just have fun without thinking so much like she normally does.

Shani Bat-Mitzvah Trip to Brazil – EL-AL, Arraial D’Ajuda, first few days

Comment (0)