Fitness Vibes: Soka Tribe

 

Working out is easier if it’s fun! A great teacher and high energy music make working out fun. Shermica “Sokanista” Farquhar combined her love for her Trinidadian roots and professionally trained dance skills to create Soka Tribe.  Sokanista founded Soka Tribe to unite people heavily interested in Caribbean and African  music and culture. Soka Tribe is a cardio dance fitness workout class that brings carnival vibes to a gym. More than just a fitness class, she’s created a community in Washington, D.C., not as heavily Caribbean populated like her home borough of Brooklyn. The Soka Tribe members get down in the classroom and on “de road.”

What made you start Soka Tribe?

It started with a very personal journey as a “re-plant” to Washington D.C. as an adult (I attended college in DC). I found that it was really hard to find my “tribe.” Although, I’m pretty good about staying connected to loved ones, the lack of proximity was wearing on me- in short I was homesick. I tried a few doing different things around the city and couldn’t find the right fit. I felt like a fish out of water. In search of this community, I was introduced to the dance fitness world. For an hour, I got to forget it all and connect with a room full of people who always came ready to wuk and de-stress! It was like bi-weekly carnival fix. They enjoyed the music and I realized if you can’t find what you looking for build it the way you want. So, four times a month, carnival rinse and repeat, culture sharing, workout, getting gains and everybody’s winning.

Photo by Michael Tutu Jr.

What can people expect taking a Soka Tribe class?

First they should expect to join a community! Soka Tribe members love the experience of freedom, connectivity and intense workout they get when they come to class. In fitness terms, Soka Tribe Class is High Intensity Interval training, alternating between periods of high and low intensity movements.

What are the advantages of taking a class vs. just working out?

Because of the class’ pace and movements, not only do you burn more calories, but all the intense exertion pushes your body’s repair cycle into hyperdrive. That means you burn more fat and calories in the 24 hours after the class than you do after, say, a steady-pace run. Soka Tribe members take the carnival vibe wherever we go and as seen in our latest Miami adventures we were the life of the party!

Photo by Michael Tutu Jr.

What are the basics to a proper whine?

Confidence, motion and rhythm, not in that order! When you whine you want to make your body like an extension of the music, your own instrument. Whether your preference is slow whine like symbols brushing or a fast whine that rivals a drum roll. Show casing the combination of movement and rhythm is key. And the finishing touch is confidence. It amplifies any whine to the next level.

 

Soca music is synonymous with Carnival, how do you infuse that into your classes?

Three ways:

1. I provide facts and anecdotes about carnival during the intro and short breaks
2. I “beat iron” during class to keep the vibes going. “Beating iron” is very common on the road at carnival and this practice of making rhythms with iron objects precedes the large music trucks and live djs we have today during carnival.
3. We have road “simulations” during class where the movement and set up is intended to mimic being “on the road’ at carnival

For Soca newbies, what artists would recommend?

I can’t just pick one, Soca music, like many others is going through a melding process with other genres. I am a huge fan of Bunji Garlin, his music pushes boundaries and always gets me moving . At concerts I battle between wukking up and making sure I don’t miss the double entendre lyrics his  freestyles. Machel Mantano is known as the King of Soca so listening to his collection, from his first hit  “I too young to Soca” from the early eighties to recent Road March Waiting for the Stage you get to hear how the music has changes. Kerwin Dubois also another Soca artist with staying power and crowd favorites. Now, the ladies of Soca represent as well! Alison Hinds, Destra Garcia, Fay Ann Lyons and Patrice Roberts have been moving the bodies, and hearts of Soca lovers as well. Their musicality is amazing, their lyrics often push women empowerment AND road thrillers. The Soca genre wouldn’t be the same without these women.

 

What’s next for Soka Tribe?

Soka Tribe is back on tour in January! Starting in Philadelphia. Last year Soka Tribe touched 5 cities this year we are expanding the movement to 8 in the US: Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, DC, New York,  Orleans, Oakland & Philadelphia. We hope to make a few international stops as well!

 

How would you describe your Style & Vibes?

My style is easy and my vibes are high energy.

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Check out Soka Tribe’s schedule for regular classes in the Washington, D.C. area and a class will be in a city near you. Keep up with the Sokanista on social media Instagram | Facebook | Twitter

Photo by Michael Tutu Jr.