HANDSTANDS, cartwheels, forward rolls…I couldn't do them when I was a kid and more supple. What hope did I have now?
That was the thought that surged through my mind initially when challenged with the idea of trying capoeira, a traditional Brazilian martial art/dance.
I'd watched it being performed in the squares of Salvador and it being practiced in Buenos Aires, Argentina and on beaches in Ecuador. It looked fun - and amazingly acrobatic at times.
Not being especially flexible, I shied away at trying. Jamie had always wanted to give it a go, but it wasn't possible after she became pregnant and then gave birth to Kobra.
The opportunity to learn the art instead came my way. I said yes, mainly to encourage Zenchai to try. However, I've ended up being a regular and Zenchai, who loves to show off his capoeira skills in the streets, has only dabbled at it.
It's an excellent workout, particularly on the legs and shoulders. Now I am doing cartwheels and high kicks, sort of. Zenchai and I have been going twice a week and we are trying to encourage others in the eco village to participate.
To those who aren't familiar with it, capoeira was introduced to Brazil by African slaves in about the 16th century. There are two main styles, Mestre Bimba, which is more of what I have been taught, and Angola, which is slower and practiced lower to the ground.
The slaves used capoeira as a way of defending themselves but also to keep their morale high and preserve their culture. In 1892 it was even outlawed for 20 years (though some claim it was even longer). The punishment if caught doing capoeira was to have your Achilles tendons severed!
Zenchai and I visited a famous capoeira academy in the old part of Salvador and watched and listened as one of the teachers played music and talked to us.
Capoeira is now a national sport in Brazil although it's not competitive. It feels more like play and the idea is to keep moving - never be a still target.
Usually, you will see demonstrations of capoeira in city squares. Be warned in Salvador, though (especially in the Old Town), that if you try to take photos someone will likely approach you for some money. You may also be invited to participate!
"Capoeira"?!?!! THAT's the word. When I told everybody I wanted to practice Capybara, they threw me into a pond full of succulent water plants!
Posted by: Bill Moss | 27 June 2011 at 08:36 AM
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Posted by: クロエ 札幌 | 13 September 2013 at 07:02 AM