Hit Rio hard. From beautiful, calm beach towns to an overpopulated metropolis. From serene beaches and friendly locals to heavy traffic and over stimulation. Now that a 2 weeks have passed I have adapted and learned to appreciate this special city, but remain with saudades for Pichilemu.
how to be open?
How to open? I can start by opening my chest. The shelled and hidden crab can step out of the sand, out of its’ shell and step forward. Emerging as something new. Displaying its’ truth and power within.
In capoeira there is a strategy or method of playing in the game one can use called, corpo fechado or closed body. As it sounds it is playing and moving without any clear openings or windows for the opponent to enter or attack. Historically, corpo fechado may have been seen more as protection gained through magic. Either from blessings, skill, and experience with the game and/or by wearing a protective amulet known as a patua. In modern times, this concept is more of a technique and style of play. Though it can be beneficial for obvious reasons, it can also work against you in a variety of ways. It can prevent the opponent from revealing any openings themselves causing a type of stalemate leading to a boring and uneventful game, thus the conversation of the game is not allowed to develop or grow.
There are still some today with great skill who can achieve corpo fechado while appearing completely open, standing feet together and arms open wide. For the rest of us it is a technique meant to be used in necessary moments, while others may play this way the entirety of the game.
When applying this idea as a metaphor, many of us walk around our day to day lives with corpo fechado, in fear of social attacks and judgement. Avoiding eye contact, maintaining only short small talk, etc. As within the game, living this way limits us tremendously. It prevents the game of our lives from flourishing. Prevents connections from being formed and blocks opportunity for intimacy. Negating the opportunity for an interesting and fulfilling life.
Another common term in capoeira is a chamada or a call. A chamada is typically a type of game within the game, used as a punctuation to add significance to an important moment, while also placing both players in very vulnerable positions. To not stray far from my point, a chamada can also be anything that literally calls. It can be a taunt, or an intentional opening to lure the opponent to attack a particular place, like sticking your face out for them to kick to set up a trap or counter attack.
My own focus as I have been traveling and training here in the motherland of the sport, has been to learn how to play dynamically with both concepts. To be open and to call in the opponent to play their own game so I may adapt accordingly while also being closed enough to be able to defend myself and be protected. By focusing on my base and flow I know I can be there soon. Being able to play loose, calm, surrendered (to the flow/moment), vulnerable… In complete trust. Playing in this way can allow the very best of both players to be expressed. It allows a true connection to each other, the music, atmosphere, to the entirety of the ritual, and roda (circle). This trust requires trust in my own ability. I know I am fast enough to get out of the way when I need to, I have eyes to see the attacks that may come before they do. I know I can respond accordingly to most actions. But I must trust in myself, my training, and my teachers.
As this training manifests from the microcosm of capoeira, it all also applies to the macrocosm of my life outside of the capoeira context. To bridge the gaps between my family, friends, communities, and connections from past, present, and future. I must learn to be open. I do not need to be afraid of the judgements or personal attacks of others, I do not need to be afraid of not being enough or being left behind. I know the work I have put in and have the self assurance necessary to stand firm. I can trust in myself to appropriately respond to the challenges and kicks (figuratively and literally) that life sends my way. And I can trust myself to learn from each of these encounters.
Trust in the reasons why these challenges are presenting themselves to me and begin to call them in.
How to be open? To start, I can trust.
Blessings,
Marcos Del Valle
Beautiful 🤍