Nina Capoeira in Brazil

18 Comments / Appreciation, Learning skills, Life, Travel / By

Many parents ask me which activities, sports, martial arts, dance, they should enroll their kids in and how early. My answer is always the ones they enjoy most, and as early as they’re able. The only thing to watch for is to not force them into anything, or be one of those horrific backstage Moms or wannabe- coaching Dads.

There’s no greater kill-joy than to have a parent project his/her desires or life’s longings of what could have been onto their children. Let them be authentic expressions of themselves while celebrating and supporting their individualities.

Nothing brings a wider smile to a parent’s face than to watch their little munchkins discover and explore their hidden potentials. Kids approach everything with zeal, curiosity, intensity, and fun. If it ain’t fun, they don’t want none.

Knowing this, my sister Adele decided to encourage her three year old daughter Nina Simone who had shown an interest in Capoeira from having seen it on YouTube to check it out.

Since our family believes in learning things as close to the source as possible(to avoid bad imitations of the real deal), the natural thing to do was to take Nina to the mecca of Capoeira in Brazil to experience it for her first time.

They went to the Angoleiro Sim Sinhô school to observe an adult class, when Mestro Freguesia Damasceno suddenly invited lil Nina to join. They normally do not do that, but Mestre Frefuesia told Adele, “This child has the spirit of Capoeira in her!”

Obrigado Mestre Freguesia Damasceno. Only great Mestres can connect without words, and earn the trust of pure hearts.

KaizenTao- Three year old Nina Capoeira from KaizenTao on Vimeo.

Congratulations Nina Simone! Cau Ba(uncle) is extremely proud of you!

18 thoughts on “Nina Capoeira in Brazil”

    1. Thong Nguyen

      Thanks Ken. I know you know this feeling of pride very well. Nice to see our future generations blossom! 🙂

  2. Yoshihito Shibata

    Very nice, Thong! Nina is awesome. So fun to watch how kids learning. We learn so much from them!

  3. Russell Jacobson

    Thank you so much, Thong!!! First thing I read and watched after getting home from work.. What you said is so true! I was SO impressed with Mestro Freguesia Damasceno and the interaction with Nina Simone (love that name by the way! ). She is a natural and I was smiling and clapping in joy watching her absorbing Mestro Freguesia’s guidance. 🙂

    1. Thong Nguyen

      Thank you Russ. Mestre Freguesia Damasceno is a natural with kids. Nina is a natural with movement. A perfect union! 🙂

  5. Morna Sulaiman

    Love her spirit,Thong. Indeed..to have exposure to Capoeira Angola at such a tender age would be extremely beneficial for Nina. Thank you for the video. Jogo Bonito!! ( Beautiful game)

  6. Kevin Wallace

    This is a terrific story! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and about Nina’s triumphant day, Thong. It was excellent to watch Mestre Freguesia Damasceno work with talented Nina so harmoniously. 🙂

    1. Thong Nguyen

      Thank you Kevin. I know you can appreciate Nina’s incredible development. She’s amazing! 🙂

  7. Roy Leshchiner

    Thank you sharing this beautiful video and your insights with us, Thong! Nina looks like she’s having a great time was soaking up and interacting with Mestre Frefuesia’s movements. Thanks to Adele and Karl for exposing NIna such a great experience and sharing it with us.

  8. Youssef Koriche

    Thank you for sharing this wonderful article Thong! Pure awesomeness! Nina in this dance shows what being means rather than doing! Mestro Freguesia Damasceno moves beautiful and has great teaching skills in a non-verbal way!

    1. Thong Nguyen

      Thank you Youssef. Nina is both doing and being. What she’s not engaging in is trying, and being self-conscious which leads to analysis-paralysis. When children “See-Do”, it is delightful to behold. An important lesson for grown ups.

  9. Jerry Regan

    Thank you Thong for sharing about your niece and her introduction to Capoeira in Brazil. Her desire to explore and talent for movement are abundantly clear in the video with Mestro Freguesia.

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