Celebrity fitness trainer Amir Solsky is a Capoeira Contra Mestre and the founder of Fundamentals of Movement and Capoeira in Los Angeles. t2 caught up with the man who has devoted much of his life to the study of body movements –– from martial arts to aerial arts –– before he lands in Calcutta for a three-day workshop.

What’s Capoeira?

It is an art that came from African slaves in Brazil. It involves music and singing, and the slaves mixed in fighting techniques, so they could practise fighting while pretending to dance.

And what does Contra Mestre mean?

In Capoeira there are belt systems, and each belt has a name. Contra Mestre (which literally means against [the] master) is a high level. I have been practising the art for 23 years. 

How long do you work out each day and do you also visit a regular gym?

My routine keeps changing. On an average, I train four-five hours a day, at times eight to 10 hours, and then there are days I take off. I rarely visit regular gyms because I find them a bit restricting. When I do go there, my practice might look like a show to the people training there! I can do many of my routines anywhere, even in my bathroom. I like to train at the beach; I like the sun and fresh air... that is my favourite environment.

Is there a diet you would recommend? 

I eat what I consider food, and what is healthy. It mainly comes down to meat, veggies, and good fats. Now I don’t expect anyone –– not even the people I work with –– to eat the way I do. I believe people have a reason to eat what they eat, and I like to keep them in their comfort zones while making small changes.

What are some of the common mistakes people make during workouts?  

They don’t listen to their body. They go through the motions, but don’t pay attention to the details which doesn’t offer good  results. Also, wrong techniques cause injuries and that affects long-term training. I also think many people don’t know why they have taken up training in the first place.

In the past you’ve said you don’t believe in the way the West approaches medicine. 

What I don’t believe in is their methods as well as their philosophy of treating symptoms and not the real problems... most of the time the reason behind an illness is “unknown” to them. Any other practitioner would put more attention to preventing rather than fixing what’s broken. A good lawyer avoids the court and finds a settlement. A good plumber puts in quality pipes, so he doesn’t have to come back every week. Only doctors have no idea how to prevent sickness. Keeping people healthy is what I do.

When did you move to America and how were you received?

I grew up in Tel Aviv, Israel, and I arrived in the US at the end of 2002. By then I had already made my first demo and people were quite impressed by it. It was easy to find students, and soon I started my Capoeira school here. 

What: Fundamentals of Movement 
Where: King’s Court,46B Chowringhee Road, entrance from Shakespeare Sarani
When: August 14-16, 9.30am to 6pm
What to expect: Amir Solsky’s Fundamentals of Movement programme, which involves the rudiments of gymnastics, Capoeira and acrobatics. 
How to register: Contact Shweta Bux at shweta@212degrees.info
Fee: Rs 25,750