Capoeira Forca de Arte - Osaka, Japan - Batizado 2014

What an amazing weekend it was in Osaka, Japan! I recently attended the batizado for Forca de Arte under Contra Mestre Espeto in Osaka, Japan.

There were so many guests and teachers there it was marvelous. These included Mestre Marcelo of Capoeira Mandinga, the Capoeira master who motion captured Eddy Gordo's moves in the video game Tekken, and Contra Mestre Omi from New York.   Then there were a ton of teachers and individuals from around Japana as well.

During the batizado presentation I seen the best Samba band I have ever seen, and they were all kids. I was truly delighted by their precision, timing and the energy they gave off in the presence of some astounding guests, visitors and parents. The youth and adults also did Macule, Puxa de Rede, Coco, Samba, and then of course the best roda you could imagine. The energy coming out of all of the players in Japan was phenomenal.

Here Mestre Marcelo plays with Contra Mestre Espeto

Here Mestre Marcelo plays with Professor Neguinho

Thank you again to Contra Mestre Espeto for a great time in Osaka, Japan. I wish you another 20 years of playing and teaching!

I also have to say a special thank you to Mestre Marcelo for some great words of wisdom. He said, You are going to have some hard times in Capoeira (just like in life), where you will say to yourself maybe Capoeira is not for me, or maybe I should try something else, or someone with my body and abilities can't excel, but you have allow yourself to have hard times. Keep training through those hard times and your love for Capoeira will return, and when it does you will have appreciated going through those hard times.

Thank you Mestre.

The teachers who were present were Professor Neguinho, Mestre Marcelo, myself(Foguete), Contra Mestre Espeto, Contra Mestre Lua Cheia, Contra Mestre Omi, Professor Onca de Mao, Professor Falcao and Formado Cacapa.

Micro Improvements - How to Improve Your Fitness Level Step by Step

Some people think you have to make big fitness gains in a week, or that somehow fitness goals should happen faster than a drive through restaurant. Well, you can lose your level of fitness that fast, but it works a bit slower when trying to build a better body. However, just knowing that you are improving bit by bit, every day may ease your mind in this area.

Enter, Micro Improvements.  Just like investing money and dealing with the monetary phenomenon that is compound interest, fitness works the same way. If you consistently put in the time and effort, you will begin to incrementally and eventually exponentially grow towards your fitness goals.

You can make Micro Improvements everywhere, whether you are improving your cardio, burning fat or increasing your dynamic or static flexibility. Maybe today your legs got .05% stronger, your cardio increased by .025%. Very small numbers but over time they begin to multiply and overlap helping to push each section and system of the body to greater feats. The human body is a phenomenal machine.

The big take away from this small, hopefully, thought provoking post, is that your body IS a machine. Each movement or exercise you do should incorporate your whole body working as a unit to make each movement as natural and efficient as possible. Machines are called machines because the individual parts work together, and if you steadily improve each part of the machine, the machine’s overall performance will improve.

Benjamin Moriniere aka "Sensei"

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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. 

Do 1,000 Kicks at Day they Say - Technique vs Conditioning

When I was a younger martial artist, though I am not so old yet, I had many training ideas that in hindsight were not so good.  I used to think doing 1,000 kicks or 2,000 punches in a night was how you trained. Repetition, Repetition, Repetition right?

Fast forward to 2013 and my ideas are a bit different. After having trained so many years now, I have come to understand some nuances of better training.

One thing a teacher or a student has to determine before the workout is what they will be working on; technique or conditioning. What is the goal for the day, and what is your goal for that session of training?

TECHNIQUE

Working on technique is exactly that. If you are trying to throw a harder roundhouse kick then it is much better to go high power with low repetitions than thrown 1,000 roundhouse kicks with 900 of them being completely weak and with bad form because you are tired.

As a trainer and instructor you have to notice when people are veering from the course and goal of the workout. If people are tired when they are trying to work on form and technique, then tell them to take a break. Once they recover, get back to work. Typically you will find that many of the sports injuries that occur simply come from over training. So, the last 900 of 1,000 roundhouse kicks were with bad form, that means that a person is spending 90% of their training time (exerting 100% of the energy they have left) into building bad habits. This equates to inflamed hips, strained muscles, broken toes, etc. In other words you may end up with a student with horrible technique or lose them due to injuries and reoccurring injuries.

So, watch your students carefully. When they start to lose their form, let them take a slight break and get back to it. The payoff will be far greater than students trying to will their way to a better technique and form when their energy is at a low point.

CONDITIONING

So, how does conditioning training differ from technique training you ask? Well conditioning has a different focus. You are still concentrating on technique but you should be focused on building strength, speed, agility, rotational power, etc. through full and several planes of motion. This could be through high intensity or explosive power drills or partner drtills, etc.  It could also be longer, more aerobic drills or some type of endurance training. The drills are important, but the drills should be driven by the goal.

Tailor your conditioning to what you are preparing for. If you are just conditioning to stay in shape, then the session may be a bit longer and a little slower paced to burn more calories. However, if we are preparing for a competition, fight or BJJ tourney then you also need short circuits filled with explosive power working in a way that builds muscle memory related to martial movements.

Thank you for taking the time to read this short blog about Technique vs Conditioning. Train Hard, Train Often, No Excuses.


Benjamin Moriniere "Foguete"
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Does it Pay More to Have a Bad Attitude in the World of Combat Sports?

Does it pay more to be bad in combat sports; to be a jerk, a heel, to curse like a sailor? What about to rant and rave, have tantrums, or pop hot for enhancement drugs?

You know nowadays you have to realize that no matter if you are watching wrestling entertainment or watching Bellator, UFC or even Tiger Woods golfing, it is ALL about show business. Unvariably the people and athletes in the world that have truly honed and owned their stage presence are the ones that will stand out from their peers. They don't even have to be the greatest at what they do, they just have to sell themselves.

I remember growing up as a kid and watching the old WCW and WWF stars as some played the good guy, the All American, etc. and some played the heel, or the bad guy. The dramatic stories sold so many tickets, even though we all knew it was fake. Sure they are professional athletes and a lot of them were hurt and some even died. For the most part though, we just loved the entertainment.

In today's combat sports it is no different. There are so many "characters" and roles that people play today. What we have to realize though is that some people are doing this because they are just great at dramatic theatrics. Others, not so much. You would be surprised how hiring a marketing firm can really change the dynamics of a career. I mean, after all, that's why people hire marketing firms right?

In the case of Ronda Rousey, well... She is really good. She knows it, we all know it. Right now she is at a place in her career where she really does not have to prove anything else to anyone. Like a younger Anderson Silva unmatched in skill, she is just judo tossing contender after contender.  So, my point is, with nothing else to prove, why not switch your role and become a good girl?

When it comes to legacy and long lasting stardom, being a person who made a positive influence in people's lives is what will make the difference. Having up and coming ladies and kids wanting to be and act just like you, or any other females that fire back in like manner, is absolutely shortening your staying power. Once you are no longer the baddest thing walking around, no one will remember you. From there, just like most stars that want to keep shining bright after their heyday, stars will have to resort to pulling crazy stunts, or publishing crazing announcements, interrupting award shows, or marching for every kind of organization there is... just to stay in the news.

If that is what you we have resorted to, being bad, to seek fame and fortune, I would remind you of something that Henry Ford said, "If you chase after wealth and fame, you won't find it. Wealth and fame comes from providing useful service." I don't know of a bigger or longer lasting useful service than SERVICE to your fellow man. So in essence, your staying power revolves around the useful service, in this case to mankind, that you provide.

Use star power to connect and change the world in a positive manner. When anyone reaches the pinnacle of their careers, when they are at the height of their influence and power, make a difference, don't just make a buck. Making a difference is fulfilling and leads you to want to do it more. Just like buying an expensive Christmas gift that you know a  kid is going to play with for a day and forget, you don't give it to them but for one reason, the few moments when you can share a smile.

As a star, with star power, start working on making everyone around you smile. That is what will last well past your star power days and give you a distinguished place in history.

You Might Live in Japan IF...

1. All of your friends and their kids pull their pants up pass their belly button because they don't want to catch a cold.

2. If you give your friend a gift wrapped present instead of tearing it open, they carefully take it apart and fold the paper into origami.

3. If you can't change any condiments on any order at any restaurant. "Can I have mustard instead of Big Mac sauce?"    "No, I am sorry we cannot do that, it is a set."

4. If your dream home is the size of your college dorm.

5. If you are trying to choose something off of the shelf at a store and you realize the person behind you has been patiently waiting for you to move for like 5 minutes, but they never said excuse me.

6. If speeding on the expressway means that you were travelling in excess of 45mph...

7. Your soda machine has hot and cold drinks, and ice cream bars too.

8. Your cell phone from 10 years ago did everything and more that American phones are just now marketing as new services and features...

9. You now consider fermented beans to be delicious...

10. You just got served a slice of cold meat, and it has taken you five minutes to decide if it is safe enough to eat.

11. You try to explain something in Japanese with your translator or even a friend who speaks Japanese to help, only to find out months later when you run into them again, that the person spoke perfect English in the first place.

12. You have ever did a double take and thought about going to the FREE market! (In Japanese, the L and R sounds are the same).

13. The only time you stop trying to speak in Japanese is when you realize it is solicitor calling...  "um, um... chotto wakarimasen... go... gomen... gomenesai."

14. You got mad because you were at a drive in restaurant and when you tried to order in Japanese, they started talking back to you in English...

15. Having a good customer service voice means trying to make your voice sound like a 10 year old, no matter what age you are.

16. Your friend gives all of his money to his wife and he only gets an allowance...  "HUSBAND: So I need some money to go pay bills. WIFE: When do you need it? HUSBAND: Friday WIFE: Well, I will give it to you on Friday."

17. The large drink you just ordered is the size of a baby's sippy cup.

18. You asked for no ice with your drink, thinking you would get more to drink, but instead your cup was only filled up half way.

19. It takes you 20 minutes to walk to your destination, 10 minutes to jog or 2 HOURS by car.

20. All the ladies are enjoying the beach in high heel or platform shoes.

21. Your toilet has as much computing power as your smart phone...
22. Guys are pretending to be Jamaican by buying music, flags, car stickers, etc. just to pick up girls.

23. The most popular singing groups are still color coded, 80's boy bands.

24. The ladies are wearing designer tank tops, daisy dukes and high heels when there is snow on the ground.

25. People are trying to find a good angle to sneak you into the background of their photo without you knowing. (They like to take pictures of foreigners).

26. Random adults and kids are touching your kid's hair.

27. Your first grader is wearing a $400 bookbag.

28. Bills don't come at the first of every month, they break the monthly bill up into like 10 seperate bills and send them to you every three days!

29. If your drive to work includes avoiding multiple, insane, hell's angels sized moped groups...you just might live in Japan! - Joshua Aldrige

30. If the online company you are ordering from actually takes Cash on Delivery (COD)...

31. If you are completey mesmerized by watching 600 pound guys wrestle in Conan the Barbarian loin cloth.

32. If a melon the size of a soft ball costs you $8.00. - Tremain Bowman

33. If no one ever takes the last piece of candy or food, because it is the "lucky" one.

34. If mini-skirts are popular with two age groups... under 20 and over 50.

35. If you drive a 10 passenger family van with a 3-cylinder motor cycle engine.

36. If your pain prescription is Motrin or really hot and spicy ramen...

37. If you can buy the biggest Hollywood Box Office movie in a little DVD box by the time it hits your local Japanese theater... .

38. If the way to the prettiest girl's heart is gaining as much weight as possible and wrestling with another guy while wearing loin cloth.

39. If the TV you got for free costs $70 dollars to throw away. ~ Roxanne Modeferi
40. If you see your dream car at a sales lot for more than $6,000 and you are like "Whoa that is way too much."

41. When the maintenance man is sleeping on the ground in your driveway during his lunch break - Christina Brown

42. If stores put up their Christmas decorations and start playing "Here comes Santa Clause" the day after Halloween.

43. You are so lucky that you always get an entire row to yourself on the airplane.

44. You have been waiting to get a parking spot at the local mall, but all the spots have been taken by people who have been just sitting in the parking lot for hours.




Thank you for coming by, leave your "You might be living in Japan comment and I will add it to this growing list."




Benjamin "Sensei" Moriniere
Okinawa, Japan
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