Capoeira Fitness
This art was developed by African slaves in Brazil around the 16th century. Some people view Capoeira as a fighting style designed for rebellion, but disguised by a façade of dance. Supporting this view are drawings by Johann Moritz Rugendas in the 1835 Voyage Pittoresque dans le Brésil (Picturesque Voyage to Brazil) dubbed Capoeira or the Dance of War.
Capoeira is performed in a Roda (Hoh-Dah) – a circle of players and musicians who clap for the two partners in the jogo/game ring, singing along to the music from the drums. The Roda has an entrance from which players begin every game and from where new players must enter.
The art focuses on skill rather than on injuring an opponent, with Capoeiristas preferring to show the movement without completing it, to illustrate superiority in the roda. Opponents unable to dodge a slow attack, are not expected to be subjected to a faster one, as each attack is an opportunity for players to display an evasive manouever.
Ginga movements refer to the fundamental movement in Capoeira. It means to swing or rock back and forth, accomplished by keeping the feet shoulder-width apart and then moving one foot in a triangular step backwards on the ground and returning the foot to its starting position, while positioning the arms in a defensive stance to protect the torso, leaning back to avoid attacks and forward to demonstrate an attacking motion. All the while, the motions match the rhythm from the bateria (the row of instrumentalists).
Capoeira attack movements involve kicks, sweeps and head strikes and occasionally punches and hand strikes, while defensive movements consist of evasive moves, rolls and ducks called esquivas /escape.The combination of rhythmic attack and defense motions gives Capoeria its perceived ‘fluidity’ and choreography.
Ranks
On entering the art, Capoeiristas receive the rank of aluno (student), from where they graduate to the rank of graduado when they have can be trusted to teach the art. This is the equivalent of a black belt in eastern martial arts. A graduado can then become a formado (formed student), who is an instructor in a school. Formado goes on to become a professor who owns his own school. The final rank in capoeira would be a mestre (master). As the name states, the mestre is a master of capoeira. This rank is not assigned but appointed by community recognition. Capoeira is believed to have inspired US urban Rap Battles in which rappers/MCs aim to ‘diss’ or break down their opponent through clever lyrical ability and skill in front of a live audience.
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