What is Capoeira?
Two million African slaves were imported into Brazil between 1540 and 1800 and sent to work on sugar and coffee plantations. Capoeira began to be developed during this time by the slaves who, in the face of cruel and intolerable treatment managed to maintain a strong cultural identity through this expressive art form. Capoeira is said to have been born under the shadow of oppression and represents the triumph of good spirits overcoming adversity.
The Brazilian sport of Capoeira (cap-oh-WHEY-rah) is a combination of martial arts, acrobatics and dance and is rapidly becoming a popular past-time for children and adults worldwide. When two people face-off in Capoeira, it is considered a “game” not a fight, and the “players” exchange a number of kicks, cartwheels, flips, handstands, dodges, and turns while other students set the pace by creating rhythms and songs using African instruments. The goal of the game (or “jogo”) is to have fun with the moves and catch the opponent off-guard.
Capoeira is a martial art that can be healthy for people of all ages and has a place for everyone who is willing to learn.
The Brazilian sport of Capoeira (cap-oh-WHEY-rah) is a combination of martial arts, acrobatics and dance and is rapidly becoming a popular past-time for children and adults worldwide. When two people face-off in Capoeira, it is considered a “game” not a fight, and the “players” exchange a number of kicks, cartwheels, flips, handstands, dodges, and turns while other students set the pace by creating rhythms and songs using African instruments. The goal of the game (or “jogo”) is to have fun with the moves and catch the opponent off-guard.
Capoeira is a martial art that can be healthy for people of all ages and has a place for everyone who is willing to learn.
About Raymond Capoeira 101
I have studied many styles of karate, kung-fu and other martial arts throughout my life and have been an instructor for several years. I will be teaching the Capoeira class in the manner that I was trained in Boston. Classes will be an hour and a half, and will start with basic warm-up exercises, move on to cover strength training, flexibility, fighting techniques, partner training, acrobatic moves and we'll usually end the class with some freestyle Capoeira in the Roda. We might not necessarily cover all of those items each class, but that's the basic outline. Students will be encouraged to challenge themselves, but the class will be run at a pace that can accomodate all levels.
The end goal for this course is to work together through an action-packed, but light-hearted class to increase endurance, reflexes, self-awareness, flexibility and strength, and introduce people to Capoeira, and a great new activity for all ages that can safely be practiced with friends anywhere.
If you're looking for a good full body workout there's nothing like a good Capoeira class.
The end goal for this course is to work together through an action-packed, but light-hearted class to increase endurance, reflexes, self-awareness, flexibility and strength, and introduce people to Capoeira, and a great new activity for all ages that can safely be practiced with friends anywhere.
If you're looking for a good full body workout there's nothing like a good Capoeira class.
