Trinity

For some years, I've been trying to balance my life practicing at least one thing in each of three spheres: study, sport and art. Recently a friend also reminded me of social, but even when I wasn't much sociable in Brazil (what would be from mid-junior high to mid-high school) I still had some sort of social life, so I never considered actively "looking" for it.

But then considering average social life in Japan, I can understand why that's something to be reminded of. Not for foreign students anyway... My social life is fine so far. In part because I already had friends in Himeji too and need just some events with close friends to be satisfied. (Yes, I'm a low-key person, so what?)

Aham, back to the subject, one of my problems in Japan is that I haven't been able to keep that balance since I came. I've been trying to restore it, and it led to some interesting situations.

First study. That's the field I've had less problems. There's always something to study: Japanese, engineering stuff (and it demands some extra effort since I'm changing my field and parts of it are in Japanese), other languages (usually expressions taught by other international students)...

Sport is the one I regret the most not being able to do. My body surely feels the effects of the lack of exercise already. Don't have the same resistence and flexibility than before, for example... I try to walk and cycle around, but it's not enough.

I tried joining the universitiy's aikido circle after an excellent experience in Himeji. But I wasn't so successful this time. Practice time and location didn't help. I'd also like to practice futsal, but they don't usually do that indoors here. Besides, in some cases it's soccer, not futsal. For a goalkeeper, it's a huge difference.

Then a friend invited me to check the place where he practices tae-kwon-do. The atmosphere reminded me more of the dojo I used to practice judo in Brazil: a master present, people with different ages and backgrounds (not only university students)... Things I just noticed I've missed in the circle. Body hurts after practicing, but I'm thinking if it's not worth a try. Even as an experience of a "clashing" martial art (judo and aikido involve more projection techniques). I just can't ignore the irony that after practicing Japanese martial arts during a good part of my life, I came to Japan and may start learning a Korean martial art...

As for the art part, recently I'm considering resuming violin lessons. I've had some three months of classes before coming to Japan and I like it. the problem is finding someone who can teach when I'm available... and for a reasonable price.

Another possibility came from an unexpected source. I had ballroom classes in Brazil for some time. Although I'm far from being good, I can teach the basics to someone else (only where Brazilian rhythms are concerned. I know a little of other things, like waltz, bolero or salsa, however my confidence level is lower). Still, other than dance a little when Brazilians gather (like the Gifu BBQ for example), I didn't think I'd have any possibility of using this ability in Japan... until I saw a post in Marilia's blog mentioning she found a place to dance samba gafieira in Tokyo. Too bad it's in Tokyo...

However, some foreigner friends in Kyoto mentioned they have interest in learning... although their interest lays more in salsa, since there's a place where we can dance salsa. Still, I showed some gafieira and forro and they seem to like it. Let's see how it turns out. My former dance teacher would be very happy to hear that I managed to teach someone... and so would I.