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Agora Sou Capoeirista!!
A couple of weeks ago I started to do capoeira. My one friend, Mara, from Germany had been telling me about it and after a little confusion with my parents, I decided it’d be good to diversify my activities. So, I decided to study another rich part of Brazilian culture.
What is capoeira? Capoeira is: is a Brazilian art form that combines elements of martial arts, sports, andmusic. It was created in Brazil mainly by descendants of African slaves with Brazilian native influences, probably beginning in the 16th century. It is known by quick and complex moves, using mainly kicks and quick leg sweeps, with some ground and aerial acrobatics, knee, elbows, punches and headbutts.
The word capoeira comes from the Tupi-guarani language, referring to areas of low vegetation in the Brazilian interior. (Wikipedia)
in my own words, it is a type of fighting that was used by the slaves during the time of enslavement. Brazil has very deep roots in slavery. Brazil imported almost 3x as many slaves as the US and for that, African culture is very present in Brazilian culture. In Brazil, there are mais ou menos, 3 main “slave drop offs,” Rio de Janeiro, Salvador, and São Luís. THe most attractive slaves were sent to Rio and the least attractive were sent to SLZ (probably why everyone always complains of SLZ not having any hotties…que pena!!) I don’t know why I never go around to writing about my Northeast trip from Nov/Dez, tô perguiçosa! (a única resposta válida…lol) but anyway, one of the cities that we visited, which I absolutely adoredddd, was Salvador, Bahia. Bahia, the state, in general, is a very “black” state. A majority of the slaves were sent to Salvador and as a result, Afro-Brazilian culture is bangin’ in Salvador. Side note: Salvador is filledddddddd with sexy hott chocolates with dread locks and like hott bodz. Omg, died and when to candy heaven when I was there lol. Ok, anyway, as a way to protect themselves from their white owners or people in general, the slaves began to “dance.” Although capoeira isn’t a dance, the slaves were forbidden to practice any form of self defense because they needed to be “easily controlled” by their owners. As a way to get around this, they added singing, instruments and a distinct rhythm that is only capoeira.
When it comes down to it, capoeira is about fighting. Your basic stance, or ginga, needs to be firm because it’s your way to attack or defend yourself. Here are some common attacks and defense moves:
Aú- An aú, in its base form, is performed very slowly, with arms and legs bent in order to keep a low target profile. Also the back can be curved in order to perform a kicking maneuver.
Cocorinha- One of the simplest defense movements. With the feet flat on the ground the player squats with the knees to the chest so as to close the body and covers the side of the torso and head with one hand while the other is flat and to the side for support. Another variation of this involves squatting with the balls of the feet
on the ground and arms crossed in front and above the face.
Meia-lua de Frente- Meia Lua de Frente (Front Half Moon) is an outside-inside crescent kick seen in other martial arts. This kick involves using the hips to generate enough force to bring the foot of the kicking leg across the face of the player. While it can be used as an attack itself, it mainly is used as a poke or trap for another attack. Other uses for it can be as a combination with cartwheels and other acrobatic moves therefore working as an escape.
When you are fighting with someone, you have a series of back and fourth motions that are a series of moves that are either attacking or protecting. Here is some videos of capoeira.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8xxgFpK-NM (really good)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYV-_TFcKng&playnext=1&list=PL698C86A8C22027B7
As I said before, music is a large part of capoeira. There are a series of drums called the bateria. The most important instrument is the berimbau, which is played with a stick and stone. The berimbau creates the rhythm for sparring.
You also have pandeiros (tambourines), a reco-reco (rasp), and an agogô (double gong bell).
tambourines/drums 
agogô My teacher, Senzala, has said that capoeira is not soly about sparring, but learning about the rhythm, learning how to play the instruments that makes this rhythm, and how to sing the songs are crucial to the practice of capoeira.
I personally really enjoy going to capoeira because I eel like it’s an overall great work out, body, mind, and soul. I love the feeling of leaving Acapus Capoeira Studio, completely covered in sweat, totally acabada from training for 2 hours, shoulders/back/overall body sore, and falling asleep as soon as my face hits the pillow. Even though some could find my sweating rather gross, I feel like I’m releasing all of the toxins in my body and giving my body a well deserved work out. Side note: honestly, I haven’t run run since PC/GA Day 2009…embarrassing, I know. Mega lawl. Anyway, the various twists and positions that my body is forced to make allows fo me to get stronger in all aspects, but by using my body as resistance. My arms get stronger by learning how to carry the weight of my entire body. Ah, I love it! When my parents arrive in a couple of weeks, maybe I’ll take them. w8, bad idea, I can hear Turk complaining about his back already… lol <3
Maybe when I get home to the US, I’ll open up a “Little Brazil” restaurant/studio/night club type jawn. Where you’ll get delicious Brazilian food whenev you want. You can learn how to dance forró, tecnomelody, samba, etc, and learn how to do capoeira. And then you’ll have a place to practice everything you’ve learned! OMG best idea ever!! Who wants to sponsor me? I’ll bring real Brazilians to teach etc. Straight up authentic etc. holl@. Ficam aguardando!!
Beijão,
kf
