Capoeira

[Twinkle]

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art developed initially by African slaves in Brazil, starting in the colonial period. It is marked by deft, tricky movements often played on the ground or completely inverted. It also has a strong acrobatic component in some versions and is always played with music.

There are two main styles of capoeira that are clearly distinct. One is called Angola, which is characterized by slow, low play with particular attention to the rituals and tradition of capoeira. The other style is Regional (pronounced 'heh-jeeh-oh-nahl'), known for its fluid acrobatic play, where technique and strategy are the key points. Both styles are marked by the use of feints and subterfuge, and use groundwork extensively, as well as sweeps, kicks, and headbutts.

The derivation of the word capoeira is under dispute. One possible meaning is that it refers to an area of forest or jungle that has been cleared by burning or cutting down. Afro-Brazilian scholar Carlos Eugenio believes it refers to a large round basket called a capa commonly worn on the head by urban slaves selling wares (a capoeira being one who wears the basket). Alternatively, Kongo scholar K. Kia Bunseki Fu-Kiau thinks that capoeira could be a deformation of the Kikongo word kipura, which means to flutter, to flit from place to place; to struggle, to fight, to flog. In particular, the term is used to describe rooster's movements in a fight.

Ive tried to find someware to train in this, but have had no luck what so ever, anyone know anything ?

[blueangel]

Its not one i have actually heard off but i will have a look at google and my local library to see if i can find some information for you.
If i find anything i will get back to you and get it posted here.

[mmmariap]

OMG I really wanted to try that, but there aren't any clubs where I live. But if I go to like Vancouver or something I sooooo gonna try it. It looks like fun, break dancing AND martial arts, can't get much better then that.

[KarateKid]

What kind of acrobatics are involved here?
Do they do flips, handstands etc, or is it even more hardcore than that?

[Twinkle]

From what I've seen K-kid, there is some pretty full on acrobatics involved in this MA, handstands and back filps yes, they incorperate kicks into the flips, cartwheels. Mostly you never stand still, constantly moving around like a acrobatic version of drunken boking.

[Raven]

I heard this is like dancing, which would explain the constant moving.
Its supposed to take alot from breakdancing, hence all the handstands, and flips.
It would be a great martial art to learn though, could even help you ona fryday night down at a nightclub :P

Thanks for the capoeira info. I did capoeira for 1year. It was awsome. I've also seen lots of demonstrations and did lots of research on it. It's among my favorite style and its strikes me with great interest. If anyone have any questions about capoeira don't hesitate to ask them here. I love talking about capoeira

[baldmonkee]

I bought a book called "Capoeira Conditioning", some of the exercises contained within are incredible, I incorporate some of them into my workout regime every day

[eYoon]

this one girl i liked was talking about a friend of hers that did capoeira. "it's like dancing and martial arts, how cool is that?"

then she went on to say "he can do a backflip just like that *snaps finger*"

then went on about how she'd go crazy for a guy that did a backflip in front of her and said "i'm head over heels for you!"

then i thought to myself.... 'note to self, learn to do a backflip'

[disgruntled]

lol..... it is really crazy the stuff that they do. i wanted to get into that, but i think realistically it would be too hard on my hips

anyone here take it? is it hard on the hips?