What is Capoeira?

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art, which incorporates offensive and defensive strikes and movements, take-downs and sweeps, with acrobatics, dance-like movements and music. Much like eastern martial arts, Capoeira was developed as a form of defense. The African slaves, brought to Brazil in the 1600’s, constructed Capoeira as a way to defend themselves and gain their freedom by force. The slaves disguised their fighting method as a dance to avoid punishment by their slave masters. It is for this reason, that Capoeira is as beautiful as it is dangerous. In spite of the fact that Capoeira is uniquely different from other martial arts, it also shares many of the same qualities as it’s eastern counter-parts. Like Tae-Kwon-Do, Capoeira shares many of the same kicks and hand strikes, only in Capoeira they are referred to by different names. Capoeira also holds some similarities to traditional Tai kick boxing in that they both include music as a strong element of the sport. As with many other martial arts, Capoeira also includes acrobatics to its form.

What makes Capoeira uniquely different from all other martial arts is its multi-faceted structure and it’s spherical as opposed to linear approach to the combative arts. The attack and defense approach of Capoeira is not just back and forth like some fighting styles. Capoeira is up, down, in, out and around. The focus is to use the total space available in an effort to control or shut down the other person’s actions. Capoeira is both a martial art and an art-form; it is a fight, a game, and a dance, and the only thing that differentiates between the three is the person you're up against. Capoeira is a conversation, which is spoken through body language, a call and response. When not in “the streets” this conversation takes place during sparing sessions in the Roda ( circle, where people practice Capoeira). It’s in the Roda where one learns when it is time to play, when it is time to dance, and when it is time to fight. Your opponent is considered your partner and the space around you, be it big or small is considered your weapon. Capoeira is for both the young and the old, anyone can do it. Capoeira is here. Come and join our Roda.