Floreio Workout number 2

Floreio fans, the Floreio Art project is growing bigger and bigger by the minute. I am completely shocked by the response so far, with hundreds of subscribers, emails, comments and people flowing on the ground. This is world wide response - USA, Europe, Asia, Middle East, Australia and Africa. (Yes, even Africa...) This is also multi - diciplinary interst - I get letters from ordinary people, crossfitters, capoeiristas, martial artists, dancers, breakdancers, weightlifters, yogis and more.
The response only makes me want to put out more material for you all, and today we are going to explore some new movement possibilities and increase the size of our arsenal.

AU CORTADO

Au is one of the most basic Floreio movements, and it is maybe the most ancient acrobatic skill in our history - the Cartwheel.
Au Cortado ('Cut-up Cartwheel') is a variation on the basic cartwheel, and there are many many other variations you will get exposed to later on.
The Au Cortado can be broken up into two symetrical, equal halfs - the Half Au Cortado.



Beginners to Floreio practice need to get exposed to this position first and practice it often, creating a new neural pattern in their brains.
From the Squat position push up into the Half Au Cortado, pause for a moment and push off the leg on the ground into a small hop - to feel the weight shift into your hands. The arms can be kept bent a bit, this is not gymnastics, people, we want to keep this natural expression also also use the body in a natural, flowing way.
Dont look at the ground. Try to feel the weight on your hands.
Breath out when lifting into the position, flow back to squat and repeat on the other side.


After enough practice with the Half Au Cortado, and if comfortable on your hands, you can try the full Au Cortado. Basicly, starting in the Half Au Cortado, push off the leg that is on the floor and transition to another Half Au Cortado on the other side. The more comfortable you are on your hands, the higher you can transition between the two halfs, but a low transition can be done when starting out. The objective is to do it smoothly, without holding your breath and to reach the floor without making any noise, transitioning into the Squat. The next rep can be performed to the same side for a desired number of reps before you change direction, or right and left, alternating sides.




A more advanced variation, used to build strength, control, balance and stabilization in your Floreio practice is the Au Cortado Presses.
Basicly, after being able to complete a lot of reps of the normal Au Cortado and with smoothness that signals one does not use a big jump into the motion, you can try this advanced variation.
In the Au Cortado Presses one completes the full Au Cortado, only using no momentum at all, and in slow motion. Restricting momentum is a trick used in many movement systems to increase tension and strength demands.
Start out with a big bend in your elbows, while taking the head forward towards the headstand position. This will allow you to complete the press a lot easier. After a while straighten your elbows more until you reach an almost locked out elbow position, but dont lock it completely. Again, this is not gymnstics, we want to maintain that 'organic', natural feel to our Floreio movements.



ROTATIONS INTO HIGH BRIDGE


As I have written before, in Floreio practice there is use of both low and high back bridges. Today we will practice Rotations Into High Bridge, to create a different challange for our body.
If you cannot complete the Rotations Into Low Bridge Beginner variation - go back and practice that first. The Rotations Into Low Bridge are a prerequesite for the High Bridge variations. An addition of normal high back bridge work from a lying position on your back - like in yoga will prove useful when combined here with the Rotations Into Low Bridge work.
Start in the squat, and place your hand behind you, finger pointing back. Using the same details of the Rotations Into Low Bridge from the first floreio workout post, only remaining on full flat feet the whole time, rotate into high arched back bridge.
Make sure the hand smoothly rotates on the point on the side base of the palm, as shown before, keep the elbow as bent as you need it to be, fingers sliding around the axis point on the palm base until pointed towards the feet when in the full back bridge.
The hand should be placed in line with the same side's foot, but play with the distance from it, until you find the correct placement. It depands on the amount of low back and shoulder flexibility and your tools to fight against those problems are bending your elbows enough (will help to a certain degree only) and... practicing more.



An Advanced variation is also presented, to keep everyone happy. It is the Rotations Into High Bridge Advanced. Again, you will 'handicap' yourself to one arm use only, go into the back bridge using only the first arm, reach for your ankle from around your body, grab it, and come back to the squat. Repeat on the other side for reps.





Floreio Workout Number 2 - Beginners and Intermidiates

A1 5 min of total body joint mobility (If clueless about this - educate yourself! Youtube is a great friend)
B1 Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 2 sets / no rest
C1 Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set

D1 Slide Into Low Bridge X 5 reps of 5 seconds holds in position (each rep)
D2 Rotations Into Arch Using The Wall X 10 reps

or

D1 Rotations Into Low Bridge X 10 reps

D3 High Bridge hold - total time 30 sec (you can break this up into a couple of subsequent attempts, but dont continue to the next exercise until 30 seconds have been completed)

or

D3 Rotations into High Bridge X 10 reps

D4 Half Au Cortado X 14 reps
or
D4 Au Cortado X 10 reps
D5 QDR Rotational Push Ups -Beginner variation X 10 reps

Complete the whole D1-D5 circuit 3 times, without resting between exercises, but resting 90 seconds after the complete circuit.



Floreio Workout Number 2 - Advanced

A1 5 min of total body joint mobility (If clueless about this - educate yourself! Youtube is a great friend)
B1 Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 2 sets / no rest
C1 Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set

D1 Rotations Into Low Bridge X 10 reps / 1 set
E1 Rotations Into High Bridge X 10 reps / 1 set

F1 Rotations Into Low Bridge Advanced X 10 reps
F2 Au Cortado / Au Cortado Presses X 10 reps
F3 Rotations Into High Bridge Advanced X 10 reps
F4 QDR Rotational Push Ups -Advanced variation X 10 reps

Complete the whole F1-F4 circuit 3 times, without resting between exercises, but resting 75 seconds after the complete circuit.

Flow away and enjoy,
Ido.



 

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Floreio workout number 1

Friends, finally, we are ready to start some Floreio work with our workout number one.

First I will go through the various new routines and exercises we are going to use today and then I'll outline the workout structure.
Please go over the details carefuly, watch the video clips and examine the details before you post a question on the comments section.

Breathing instruction - in most cases, if not mentioned otherwise, breath out completely when going into position in case of a stretch, or breath out partialy if it is a strength and balance move.
Breath in when going back to neutral position.
Notice the nature of the movement, if the abdomen or chest is being pressurized by the movement - breath out.
Breathing is performed using nose and mouth, starting with the nose for breathing in and allowing mouth to join the effort when in need.
All of this is very basic, natural and common sense, I will go into more breathing techniques in the future, right now just make sure you are not holding your breath and creating a small 'oxygen debt' that later on will make you work much harder to repay.


IDO'S SQUAT CLINIC ROUTINE



This is a small sequence of movements used in my training facility to open up the hips and rehab the low squat position.
The squat position - an ancient, primal pattern in humans, still exists in many traditional societies that were not 'spoiled' by the use of the modern chair.



It is an essential component to Floreio work and we will dedicate a lot of effort and work to improve it, feel more comfortable while squatting, transitioning in and out of it, (In many ways not only the traditional 'squat down - come back up' used in traditional exercise systems) and moving while in the position itself.

The first exercise is the Soleus Dynamic Squat Stretch.
Grab a hold of an object about waist high and squat down while grabbing it. Drive your knees forward towards the wall while keeping your heels glued to the ground, extend back and repeat.
This is an exclenet specific strech for squatting and it addresses a very common weak link - the ankle limiting flexibility.

Perform 10 reps and hold the knees forward stretched position of the final rep for 10 sec.

The next exercise is Hip Rotations On All Fours and it is performed supported on hands and feet - facing the cieling with the butt in the air while fully rotating the hips from external to internal rotation - one at a time.
First rotate your right hip out completely, while pivoting on the ball of your feet. Try to lead the motion from your heel and to point it to the cieling in the end position. From there rotate on the toes back and into a complete internal rotation until the knee touches the floor next to the other foot. Come back to neutral and repeat with the other leg.
If discomfort is felt on the inside/outside of the knee (a sign of unprepared knees - can be due to lack of strength/flexiblity/joint preparation, more on how to resolve such issues in future articles ) just use your arms and your other leg to support most of the weight and perform the motion in the range of motion that is pain free.

Perform 10 reps, (5 per leg) and try to increase ROM as you go.

The next one is the Squat Hip Rotations.
This exercise is more difficult than the last one due to more bodyweight placed on top of the mobile joint and a more challanging position - posturally.
Start in a squat on the heels. First externally rotate the right hip out, while shifing the foot from a center foot position to the outer 'knife' side of the foot. Pause momentarily and come back to neutral. From there internally rotate the hip until the knee touches the ground next to your opposite foot. Pause for a sec and repeat with the other leg.
Read the instructions for pain management in the last exercise paragraph.

Perform 10 reps alternating right and left.

The next exercise in the routine is the Toes Stretch.
It is very basic position in many martial arts, yoga practices, etc...
Basicly start on your knees and feet, curl your toes back and sit on them, lowering your butt as close to your heels as possible, without allowing the heels to drift apart.

Hold the stretch for 30-60 seconds, while trying to deepen it with each breath out.

The next exercise is the Dynamic Toes Stretch.
From the Toes Stretch position, place either the tips of your fingers or your full palm (depending on flexibility) on the ground next to you.
From there and while making sure you are not lifting your fingers, drive the heels back towards the ground while lifting the knees up and back. Come back to the toes stretch while again making sure you are not breaking fingers contact.
At first this will seem impossible to some. You can use something to elevate your fingers off the ground at start. (maybe two equally thick books - one at each side)

Perform 10 reps.

The next exercise is the Static Squat Position.
Just go to your new, deepest squat, on your heels and hold.

Hold for 30-60 seconds.

The last exercise in the routine is a normal Dynamic Squats, using your 'new and improved squat position'.
While supporting heavy weights on one's back it is essential to keep the natural curvature of the spine when squatting, but here we do not require this restriction. (Although, as you can see in my clip, it wouldnt hurt to go for that as a bonus during warm up)
In traditional cultures the squat is rarely performed using an upright posture, due to the high demand of various muscle groups to maintain that posture, and though a very non-economic way to perform it.

Perform 10-20 repetitions, go as low as you can, without any pain or discomfort.

QDR ROTATIONAL PUSH UPS - BEGINNER



This is an exercise using the QDR pose. If you havent already, please go to the link below, download and read my QDR article. Before starting out one should know the details of the position and practice it to some extent. If problems arise later on in flows using the QDR (and it will happen in most cases) always come back to the basic QDR practice and the details in this article.

QDR Article

This simple flow will start in the squat position. Place your hands forward and just a bit wider than shoulder width, knees outside of the elbows and balance your weight between you hands and feet.
Lower down as presented into one of the variations, while slowly rotating the knee inside the elbow on the active side. Come back into neutral and repeat with the other side.
Synchronize breath and motion, keep it flowing, start very slowly and notice the details.
Repeat for the desired number of reps.


QDR ROTATIONAL PUSH UPS - INTERMIDIATE AND ADVANCED



Choose one of the variations, repeat the same details going into and out of position as in the beginners variation.
In the first variation - just go in and out of QDR without putting your head down.
In the second variation - add a small rotation of the fixed QDR body position around the supporting elbow. Slide the head towards your hand and back while rotating.
In the third variation add a touch to the ground behind you on the ball of your feet only at the end of the body rotation.
In the fourth and final variation bend your knee and curl your leg under your butt while shifting back. Keep it smooth and breath. The head should pop in between the hands and return back while doing this version. Also, try to reach the ground behind you when in the Low Bridge One Legged position at a point in front and between your hands - creating a triangle between those three points of contact.

Repeat for the desired number of reps.



ROTATIONS INTO LOW BRIDGE - BEGINNER



In Floreio we will be using two back bridge positions - the classical 'high bridge' or 'gymnastics bridge' and the Low Bridge.
Each one mobilizes different parts of the body, and they are very complementary exercises.
The low bridge is the best to start out with, especialy for folks who started their bridge practice later in life. It will place more demand on your toes and quads as opposed to lower back and shoulders in the higher bridge.
If you are limited by injury, the two bridge variations will allow you to work around the problem , sometimes.

First we will learn the Low Bridge Slide.
Lie on your back. Bend your knees while sliding the feet back as close as possible towards the butt. Take your hands backwards and place them at the sides of your head with flexed wrists.
Slide your whole body forward, while shifting into the balls of your feet and taking the knees forward. Use your hands to initiate this slide.
When you reach the position - knees close to the floor, contract your butt and lift up into the low bridge. Hold for 5-10 seconds. Come back to the floor reversing the sequence described above.
Repeat for the desired number of reps.

After the Slide we will learn the Rotations Into Arch - Using The Wall.
Stand with your back to a wall, in the distance of twice the size of your foot.
Place one hand backwards, shoulder rotated in and fingers pointing up. Shift some weight towards the hand.
Slowly, from the side start to rotate into and arch, trying to look at the wall at all times. The rotation needs to happen on the lower base side of your palm (opposite to the thumb) while lifting the rest of your palm off the wall until you reach the middle arched position. Also externally rotating the shoulder while going into the arch is essential.
When you aproach the complete arch, place the other hand on the wall mimicking the Low Bridge hands position. The fingers need to point at the ground while in the middle position.
Slowly shift the weight to the second hand and start rotating out (on the same spot at your palm)
while internally rotating the shoulder and with lifter palm beside the point at the base of your palm.
When you reach the first position, only on the opposite side, push off the wall.
Place the last hand to touch the wall back into it and repeat the rotation into arch on the other side.
Repeat for the desired number of reps.

If you are feeling confident you can advance into the full Rotations Into Low Bridge.
Repeating the same details as in the wall variation, start in a squat position, place one hand behind you in line with the same side foot and rotate into the low bridge, while:
1. Shifting weight into the balls of your feet.
2. Fully rotating the shoulders.
3. Rotating on the spot showen on the base of the palm.
4. Contracting your butt partially. (50% is enough)
Keep it smooth and sinchronize breath pattern with movement.

ROTATIONS INTO LOW BRIDGE - ADVANCED



The advanced version is basicly 'handicapping' yourself to the use of one arm only. It requires balance and precision but pays off later on.
Start out exactly like in the beginner version of the exercise, rotate into the low bridge but instead of placing the second hand next to the first one, continue until it is glued to the side of your body. Come back with the hand and push out into the squat. Repeat on the other side and perform the desired number of reps. Read and reread the beginner section details. The answer to your question is probobly there.


How to read the workout description

When possible, I use Charles Poliquin's system for logging workouts.
The order is A,B,C, etc... When there are more than one exercises/routines per letter like
A1, A2, A3 - rotate through them one after the other and start over at the first for the noted number of sets.


FLOREIO WORKOUT NUMBER 1 - BEGINNER

A1 Perform 5 min of jump rope
B1 Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 1 set
C1 Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set

D1 Slide Into Low Bridge X 5 reps of 5 seconds holds in position (each rep)
D2 Rotations Into Arch Using The Wall X 10 reps
D3 QDR Rotational Push Ups -Beginner variation 10 reps
Repeat D1-3 for 3 total sets

FLOREIO WORKOUT NUMBER 1 - INTERMIDIATE

A1 Perform 5 min of jump rope
B1 Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 1 set
C1 Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set

D1 Rotations Into Low Bridge X 10 reps
D2 QDR Rotational Push Ups -Beginner variation (Lift both feet off the floor) 10 reps
Repeat D1-2 for 3 total sets

FLOREIO WORKOUT NUMBER 1 - ADVANCED

A1 Perform 5 min of jump rope
B1 Shoulder ROM and Stabilization routine X 1 set
C1 Ido's Squat Clinic Routine X 1 set

D1 Rotations Into Low Bridge Advanced X 10 reps
D2 QDR Rotational Push Ups -Advanced variation X 10 reps
Repeat D1-2 for 3 total sets

Enjoy!


Now for some Floreio news:

1. Facebook us! 'Floreio Art' is our user name.
2. Join the Floreio Art email list, send an email to floreioart@gmail.com soon some material
will be released only through the email list.
3. A website with discussion forum, articles and more features soon to be released. Stay tuned.
4. A new workout tomorrow. Check up on your email and visit us soon again.

Now flow out of here and go train! Ido.

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Preparations for our daily training

Friends,
I have been overwhelmed with the response for the Floreio Art project. In the last 24 hours or so I have been bombered with hundreds of responses to the video.
I have constructed the mailing list and it is already in use, please make sure to join it by emailing me at floreioart@gmail.com with the subject line 'floreio'.

Now for some preparations...
Some of the movements I am about to present here will create a big demend on certain joints and muscles in your body that some of you are not used to using.
In order to make sure you do will not get hurt and further progress will be made, I advice you start PREhabbing this 'weak link' problem areas and I will provide some tools:
1. Wrists. Most people are not used to the kind of stress that Floreio and Handbalancing work can have on the wrists. I advice you to stretch and strengthen them alongside your practice in order to prevent future issues.
The tools:
A. Examine this wrists routine in the first half of this clip and practice it often: (I recommend 3-5 times a week and every day when trying to rehab a wrist injury with very low intensity)



It can be used in two ways:
1. As a warm up - first the stretching for 10-30 seconds each variation and then 10 reps of each of the dynamic moves variation one after the other without rest. Work as slowly as possible.
2. As a prehab tool at the end of your session for 10 reps each X 3 sets of the whole routine.

B. Go read Coach Sommer on Wrist Pushups thanks to good friend and coach extraordine'r Christopher Sommer, great information on wrist re and prehab is available.

B. Shoulders due to their hyper mobile but not stable nature are very often a limiting factor in Floreio and Handbalancing practice. The problem is mainly not having enough ROM while also having weak stabilization around the joint. The issues are of course related. The body tries to protect its weak joint from injury and though, it limits the ROM.
'Opening up' your shoulders should be aproached as a slow and careful process. It is not something that happens over night.
I will not explain the reasoning behind the whole process, volumes have been written on the subject, I will just say this: I think one of the best tools for someone who is after more ROM and more stability is rubber band work. I have created over the years many different routines and exercises for the shoulder but here is a basic and quick routine:



I recommend doing it 2-3 times a week, again using it:
1. As a warm up tool. This is especialy for those with less than optimal ROM in the shoulder that limits them from performing the movements. Just do one 'run' through the routine.
2. As a prehab tool - perform 2-3 runs through the routine.


Last but not least, if you are not familiar with the Queda de Rinns movment:


Go read this article I wrote many years ago for the Performance Menu and start practicing your control of it:
QDR Article on the Performance Menu
It is free, thanks to good friends and amazing coaches like Robb Wolf and Greg Everett.

That is it for the preparations, for any questions you can comment on this thread.
Happy training.




 

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The Floreio Art

For a long time, since the creation of my 'Self Dominance' video I have been getting hundreds of emails asking me about the process of training and creating the flow presented. In the near future I intend to share through my blog the details behind the process, training tips, video clips and other useful information that will help people interested in this kind of practice achieve similar skills.





The daily posts I intend to present here will be a useful tool for fitness enthusiasts, dancers, movement artists, martial artists, Crossfitters, bodyweight trainees and of course Capoeiristas and will be completely free.


The name of the art presented in the videos above is called Floreio. For a lack of better term, I will use this word to represent what I intend to teach you. The Floreio Art.
Floreio means flower in Portuguese. and it is a sub-art of Capoeira which includes a very sophisticated form of floor flow work.
In the last 15-20 years this art has made big steps and developed a great deal, but only by a select talented individuals in the Capoeira world that showed a much higher level of Floreio work than the rest of the 99% of Capoeiristas.

I have taught Floreio work to all types of people - young children, women from all ages, (most of my trainees are women actualy) older folks who started to practice after 50, injured people, professional athletes, circus perfomers, dancers, etc, etc. Even though the demonstrations above may look like high end circus and out of reach for most people, basic and beautiful floreio work can be done by anyone and advancing into more difficult skills will occur with time.

Using this blog I will share knowledge, daily workouts, movement instruction and sequencing that will enable, for the first time, for people to learn, practice and reach amazing levels of development in this beautiful (but not only beautiful) art form.
I will try to provide material for beginners, intermidiates and advanced Floreio practitioners, I will provide insight into the training, guide you through it, help with plateus, make sure you are prehabbing problematic musclature and provide a daily template for this process.

To the best of my knowledge, this is a first and unique try to teach this amazing art of flow in its pure form. I am also not aware of anyone who has taken the instruction and teaching of this art into the levels I plan to present here, even within the Capoeira scene. I am talking about biomechanical analysis, breathing synchronisation, step by step instruction, video demos and multiple levels and degrees of dificulty.

The rewards for such practice?

Until today I have found very little in the world of movement, fitness and conditioning that aproaches floreio's rewards as a means of metabolic conditioning, joint mobility, strength endurance combined with balance, power (advanced movements include jumping into and out of various position on your hands for example) and relative strength. (The use of maximal strength both static and dynamic positions and movements through the flow - like in the 'Self Dominance' clip)

Other advantages:

1. Neverending truly chaotic and improvised practice that does not enable one to adapt completely to it. Never. The always changing joint angles, sequencing, entries and exists and the mental and physical advantage of improvised practice (The highest level of performance in ANYTHING is ... improvisation) are big factors in Floreio work.

2. The amount of different muscles in the upper, core and lower body under work during Floreio practice is just huge. The type of muscular work in Floreio is almost 100% closed kinetic chain, 'control your body or go home' - the most difficult but rewarding muscular work.

3. Floreio is a great substitute for people who are already training in other modalities: Crossfitters, fitness buffs, strength/speed oriented folks, dancers (control of the floor), martial artists, yogis and people who are interested in movement and dominance of their bodies in their environment. But, it can also become your central focus.

4. Floreio is a FUN, Big time rewarding practice, and will make you work hard without noticing it, just like any other 'tricks oriented' practice - BMX, skateboarding, rollerblading, etc. You will enjoy the experience of dominating new skills and movements and the hard work will take care of itself. Remeber riding your bike for the first time?..

5. Floreio provides amazing increases in REAL, USABLE joint mobility, range of motion, flexibility from different kinds and stability and strength to go hand in hand. It is not magic, it is just the nature of the practice. Watch the videos I present in this article and you will see what I am talking about right away. Floreio work speaks for itself, unlike other practices I do not hide behind those claims. Just watch the movement.

6. Floreio will open your mind to new possibilities of moving in space. Especialy for fitness enthusiasts, this will enable you to train your body in ways you could never achieve with the 'boxed' aproach to fitness. The reward is a much more balanced, controled body.

7. Ultimately Floreio is an art. We would treat it as one, and not only as a physical practice. Floreio in the higher levels will enable you to express yourself, communicate with others (Capoeira's use for it), move for the sake of flowing and moving and enjoying a new artistic output.

8. Floreio practice needed tools - your body& small amount of space. Nuff' said.

9. Due to many of the reasons above, Floreio work is a great tool for achieving and maintaining single digit bodyfat percentage. I carry the same amount of BF for more than 10 years now, due to consistent practice of Floreio almost daily. (Last time I got measured, by my good friend and fellow coach Scott Hagnas in Portland, Poliquin's Biosignature program could not register my BF, a couple of years before that, in a BodPod device I measured below 5% BF)



10. Floreio work brings to the table an aspect in physical training missing in most modern aproaches to fitness development - quality of movement. This is a trait that is missing from the training of most physical development enthusiasts nowdays - the beauty and the quality of their movement patterns. The best athletes - from Olifting to Soccer to Sprinters to Martial Artists will have this down naturaly - they move efficiently AND beautifuly, but less talented individuals that get into sport and fitness training get very little to zero instruction on the quality of their movement. It is mostly about efficient, healthy and correct movements that they will get guidance with, (if they are lucky) and little less.
In Floreio, due to its artistic aspect, this is very basic - quality of movement will be practiced and preached every time.



I will take you through a couple of aspects of Floreio work here:

1. Learning basic floreio templates. Movements, movement sequencing, and other aspects I developed over the years like 'Closed System Practice', (on that in future articles) special strength and conditioning and flexibility work geared for Floreio developement, prehab work and other advanced material.

2. Instruction in the creation process of new and interesting sequences and Floreio pieces glued together from the movements taught here - by you!

3. Guidance in improvisation practice, as an ultimate goal, and the ability to just 'Flow' on the ground with the use of your new abilities and knowledge.

Are you with me on this exciting journey? Email me with a subject line 'Floreio' to:

floreioart@gmail.com

And I will join you to the Floreio Art mailing list. You will get notices of new blog posts, video links, articles and special anouncements of workshops, meetings, and other content.

Join me for our first workout, sign up now,

Ido Portal.

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My students projects

Lately I've asked my students to work on a 30 day artistic project, using their Capoeira skills as a means of expression.
I asked for something innovative, new, fresh as opposed to the typical Capoeira video so abundant on the net.
Here are three of the projects that provided in my opinion a more refreshing presentation and didnt fell into the 'unoriginality pit' that is so easy to fall into.
Mind you, the girls presenting are young artists (all under 18) and has a long way to go, but still let us know what you think..

The first one is by Adi Pinhassi (Pantera Rosa) and it is called 'Brincadeira' ('Child's play' in Portoguese)


The second one is by Karin Bensabat (Avestruz) and it is called 'Shadow Game'


And the third one is by Gal Moskona (Apache) and it is called 'Thinking Inside the Box'





I hope you enjoyed them and we are waiting to hear your opinion..

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Playing Capoeira

For a long time I have been getting many requests for posting some clips of me playing capoeira.
I guess people are intersted to see how my thinking and physical abilities translates to a capoeira game.
Well, I dont have anything new and interesting to show you, but I found out if you search youtube you can find a lot of clips showing me playing around with some good friends. Here are a couple of examples:

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Things America taught me

1. Life can have brighter and stronger colors than any film.
2. Happiness can be a big, empty, depressing room.
3. Politeness is a big blanket you can hide many things under - stupidity, darkness, hostility, anger, love.
4. Success is not just a sum of items. It is a formula with a time factor. a+b+c at 10am does not equal a+b+c at 11am.
5. Too much knowledge can take you away from the goals that knowledge was aquired for in the first place.
6. Get off your fat behind. Now.
7. Lots of variety and endless selection does not allow you to make better choices, on the contrary.
8. 'We catch on quickly'.
9. Endless needless remarks CAN make up a conversation. Who said otherwise?
10. Brown water is not coffee. Calling it Espresso will only make me more angry.
11. It doesnt matter where you come from, home is way more exotic here. I wasnt aware Krav Maga and the secrets of the Israely special forces can be mine for 39.99$ a month.
12. Latest additions to the American-English dictionary: Superfoods, Metcon, Kewl (I wasnt aware it was back, or is it just Parafina?!), Cert (short for Certificate), Greens.
13. Some people still believe in 9-5 existance. Daring to dream of something brighter is supposedly dangerous...
14. I shouldnt loose my Israely accent. It is an asset.
15. America is a beautiful place. If I'll stop traveling outside of it from now on, I will still have endless and different sights to see until the day I die.
16. A hug is not a miometric movement. (concentric-eccentric) It is Isometric and can go up to 45 seconds sometimes! Just ask anyone. In Berkley.
17. Competition can take the fun out of anything. Sometimes there is no going back. People should be careful when implementing it.
18. America is big on Quantity. Quality? ok, but only in large quantities.
19. Quality Originality is a Rarity.
20. If you are born and grow up inside the box, it is very difficult to see the box and to think outside of it. If you come from another box on the other hand..
21. When parking one should never use the Hand-Break!!! (Also known in Israel as 'Ambrex'...) Apparently that is a dangerous habit. Americans! The damn thing exists for a reason! Give me a break...
22. I wouldnt let anyone else run this world besides America.


Ido.

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