Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Capoeira?
Capoeira – pronounced cap-wearer – is a martial art that originates from Brazil. Elements of traditional martial arts and self-defence moves are combined with acrobatics, music, dance and song to create a flowing, rhythmic martial art.
Capoeira is ‘played’ in a circle formation, which is called a ‘roda’. Each game is performed by two people and accompanied by music and singing. The most basic move in capoeira is ‘ginga’ which translates from Portuguese as ‘sway’. Ginga is fundamental to the game, and all other capoeira movements stem from it.
What Is the History of Capoeira?
The sport was originally developed at the beginning of the 16th century by the community of enslaved Africans in Brazil. The Atlantic slave trade saw Brazil develop a large population of slaves from Africa; capoeira is thought to have been based on a ritual dance from Angola (at the time known as Kingdom of Kongo), which included elements such as kicking, slap boxing, headbutting, evasion and walking on one’s hands. This multi-disciplinary sport was designed by slaves to disguise the fact that they were practicing fight moves, hence the addition of dance, music and acrobatics.
What Are the Benefits of Capoeira?
There are many benefits to taking up the sport, including improved reflexes and greater agility, as well as increased mobility and flexibility. Unlike many other sports, capoeira uses the entire body, giving an overall workout that focuses on bends, curls, stretches and twists. Thanks to this breadth of movements, capoeira develops mobility in all of the joints and muscles.
Improved balance and coordination are also associated with the sport, and it increases stamina and boosts the heart rate too. Capoeira is a fun and exciting sport which offers a great workout, as well as encouraging study of traditional Afro-Brazilian culture, music and dance.
Musical and language training are part of learning capoeira, making it much more than just a form of exercise or martial art.
What Equipment Will Beginners Need?
Beginners to the sport can start to practice and learn immediately, as capoeira requires very little equipment or specialist items. Tracksuit bottoms and a t-shirt are all that is required, and students can go barefoot or invest in non-slip shoes such as those designed for low-impact exercise or Pilates.