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Salim Rollins is a yoga and capoeira teacher based in Nairobi, Kenya, where he co-directs Synergy Yoga with Francisco Morales. Blending Eastern philosophies with African and Brazilian traditions, he leads transformative retreats and workshops. Deeply respected in his community, Salim inspires others through his commitment to wellness, cultural connection, and empowering African youth to embrace their heritage through movement, mindfulness, and self-discovery.
Visit Salim here: https://synergy.yoga/
Key Takeaways:
- Salim Rollins shares his move from the U.S. to Kenya, drawn by cultural roots and the enriching environment to raise his children.
- His exploration into yoga began in high school, evolving as a practitioner and teacher after experiencing the blending of yoga with capoeira.
- The episode highlighted the philosophical depth of capoeira as an art form from Africa that underwent a cultural metamorphosis in Brazil.
- Salim detailed his innovative retreat ‘Bush to Beach,’ combining Kenyan safari with cultural immersion and wellness activities like yoga and Thai bodywork.
Discovering Synergy: Yoga and Capoeira Across Continents
Understanding the Cultural Connection
In a world increasingly focused on globalization, the crossing of cultural boundaries fosters mutual understanding and growth. Salim Rollins, a prominent figure residing in Nairobi, Kenya, exemplifies this union by connecting African roots and international awareness through the introduction of Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art, in African communities.
Rollins describes Capoeira as not merely a martial art but “the art of liberation, the art of resistance.” Its roots, steeped in a history of survival and resistance among African enslaved peoples in Brazil, strike a profound chord when taught in Nairobi. Here, Salim integrates his cultural heritage into this art form, creating a bridge over centuries that connects contemporary African youths to their ancestral past.
Salim’s work also highlights the potential of Capoeira as a tool for cultural reclamation and self-empowerment, akin to other cultural expressions like yoga, which he practices deeply. He shares, “I think being in a country as well where it’s not hyper-racialized… influences their self-esteem, their vision for what and who they can become as people.” Both Capoeira and yoga serve as vehicles that transcend mere physical practice—they are pathways to understanding identity and building community.
Adaptive Practices in Capoeira and Yoga
Both Capoeira and yoga adapt to the needs of their practitioners, offering solace and strength in equal measure. Salim recounts finding his first true teacher in New York and how yoga provided balance during his intense Capoeira training. This adaptability is central to the transcultural journey of both practices. Yoga has famously spread from India to gain worldwide prominence, a narrative echoed in Capoeira’s journey from Africa to Brazil and back.
The flexibility of Capoeira is evident in its duality—”We like to call it the art of liberation… it brings together music, percussive music, call and response songs. The physical movements are very graceful,” Salim explains. While it maintains its martial roots, Capoeira’s game aspect indicates a cultural shift towards inclusion and artistic expression, showing its ability to transform according to contemporary cultural contexts, just as yoga has.
Salim’s portrayal of Capoeira’s return to Africa is reminiscent of yoga practitioners in the West seeking authenticity by studying in India. Just as yoga adapts its practice to align with modern lifestyles, Capoeira, through Salim’s efforts, reintegrates into African communities while honoring the essence of its origins. “It’s not a definitive one way or the other,” Salim notes, emphasizing Capoeira’s adaptable nature in being both playful and profound.
Collaborative Spirit: Building Global Communities
Collaboration and community-building lie at the heart of both yoga and Capoeira, and Salim Rollins embodies these values through his work fostering connections between diverse communities. His collaboration with Francisco Morales of Synergy Yoga exemplifies this, with their retreats offering profound cultural experiences and personal growth through the combination of yoga and Capoeira.
Salim eloquently describes integrating Capoeira into Kenyan communities as a process that “ignites this thing that’s already within… they understand it as theirs in an essential way.” His work with Capoeira illuminates a vital aspect of these practices: empowerment through community and heritage. By facilitating retreats and educational experiences, Salim and Francisco create spaces that encourage dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect among participants from around the globe.
Conversations between practitioners can often spark new insights and foster a deeper understanding of one’s own identity and the world. Salim suggests that through “genuine conversation and sometimes talking to someone who may have a different perspective,” one can truly understand the value of cultural exchange.
Both Capoeira and yoga, as global practices, allow for unique collaborations and the sharing of diverse perspectives. They encourage practitioners to learn from each other—an approach echoed in Synergy Yoga’s philosophy of partnership and collaboration. Through retreats that are more than just physical practice—they are journeys that honor culture, community, and personal growth—these ancient traditions continue to evolve in their expression and reach.
As experiences like Salim’s show, the intersections of yoga and Capoeira across continents invite a deeper exploration of tradition, cultural exchange, and personal identity. Unlocking the potential of these practices to foster understanding and connection across borders holds promise for a more inclusive and interconnected world.
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