Do you experience prejudice in Japan, like in America?

Prejudice in Japan? That is a great question. 

Well unfortunately you can experience prejudice in most places in the world, not just America and not just in Japan. I think what you have to keep in mind is the history and culture of both America and Japan. In America, prejudice is mostly based on skin color, due to the history of our country, whereas in Japan, prejudices that I have experienced are not based on my skin color per se, but mostly due to the fact that I am a foreigner period. So, if I had to compare my experiences with prejudice in America vs Japan, I would say Japanese express many of their prejudices in more subtle, less controversial and confrontational ways. So you don't FEEL it is as much as in the US, but you do have the occasional "shaking my head" moment in Japan. All that being said.... One thing I find though, in any country, is that if you show yourself friendly, you will gain friends and overcome a lot of obstacles.

Thank you for visiting,

Benjamin Moriniere "Foguete Sensei"

How do you Teach all of those Kids, I would go CRAZY!

QUESTION: "How do you teach all of those kids, I would go crazy!"

ANSWER: This is a common question I get all the time, especially from new parents that come into our academy. I always tell them that teaching kids, especially a Capoeira class that is generally supposed to be full of crazy energy, is much like directing a rushing river. I don't try to stop the water and make kids act like adults, because they can't, they are kids. So, I don't try to stop the water from rushing I just direct the energy in another direction. Same as directing the flow of water by using trenches, walls or runoffs. Also, teaching kids is a gift that not everyone has, but even if you do have it, you have to work at making it better. You also have to work at making classes run smoother, and eliminate bottlenecks in time and training, while keeping class FUN and relative. Lastly, you have to have a LOT of patience.