Capoeira 

Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7pm till 10pm, in the Main Hall

 Please call Ben on 07811 405901

 

The word Capoeira comes from Tupi-Guarani (an indigenous Brazilian language) and means (Mato Cortado - an overgrown area that has been cut back).

Capoeira arrived in Brazil in the sixteenth century with the African slaves, many of whom came from Banto, Angola and The Congo. The slaves played Capoeira in their slave camps but had to disguise it as a dance to avoid punishment.

Capoeira is a combination of many skills but principally fight, dance, music, game and art. Players form a circle (roda) whilst two capoeiristas "play" Capoeira in the centre, to the rhythm of the berimbau (a one-stringed instrument), the atabaque (a drum) and pandeiros (tambourines). Usually one person playing the berimbau starts a song and the players in the circle respond and accompany the rhythm by clapping their hands.

There are two major styles in Capoeira; Regional, created by Mestre Bimba and Angola (Mestre Pastinha).

The game itself consists of fluid, continuous movements connected principally by the 'ginga' (pronounced 'jinga'), a kind of rhythmic step that enables quick attacks, dodges and evasions, and interlocking 'responding' moves. Play is mostly non-contact, with only more advanced players occasionally interacting on a more combative level.

As a capoeirista's experience of the game grows, so does their understanding of the many layers of communication that unfold between not only the players, but the teachers, watching students, musicians and the group as a whole.

In terms of physical fitness, Capoeira is both aerobic and anaerobic and can therefore encourage both increased stamina and fat burning. The classes begin with a cardiovascular warm-up followed by a joint and muscle warm-up. Students train to traditional Capoeira music, which helps to develop a strong sense of rhythm and overall co-ordination. Training can be very diverse, but usually includes focus on the basic steps (ginga), defensive (escaping/ avoiding) movements, attacks (mainly kicks, sweeps and some take-downs), 'floor moves', and various 'maneuvers' around the roda, as well as strength conditioning and stretching. A thorough warm-up and warm down is obviously integral to the session. Most people surprise themselves with the speed at which their ability develops, and their confidence to try more apparently difficult moves...

As the group grows in experience, players learn the songs sung in the roda (in Brazilian Portuguese), the instruments and the various rhythms we play Capoeira to. In time all aspects of Capoeira become a part of the player's vocabulary.

People of all ages and physical conditions practice capoeira. Students are never asked to work harder than they want to- only to focus on the training as they practice, and be respectful of the group.