First Capoeira Class

On the second day, we got to experience Capoeira Angola for the first time.  Capoeira Angola is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance and music.  Casa do Jardim has a building solely for this.  The building looks like your typical dance studio with hardwood floors, benches that line the walls, and hooks and tables to hang and store the musical instruments.  Arubio (Joanne's husband and head capoeira teacher) led us in our first class.  We began by stretching.  Then, we slowly began dancing and learning the moves.  To be honest, I didn't even realize we had started the dance until I was already doing it!  HAHA!  Before we knew it, we were moving our feet and hands following Arubio's every move.  The next part was learning how to kick our feet in the air with our hands on the ground.  We swung our legs over each other one at a time between two people.  The moves primarily use upper body strength, speed, and lots of leg sweeps and actions.  Man, my arms and legs were tired!  I definitely worked up a sweat.

I guess the word capoeira comes from the word Tupi, which refers to areas of vegetation in Brazil.  I can tell this art is a big part of the Brazilian culture.  You can clearly see how much they want to learn it and hold it dear to their heart.

Next, we formed a Roda (pronounced Hoh-da), which is a circle formed be people with capoeira musical instruments.  One of the instruments is called a berimbau.  It looks like a bow (like bow and arrow).  The bow has a hallow coconut thing attached that is called a cabaca.  A coin-like object and stick are used to play different notes.  Whoever plays this instrument is the leader of the group.  They determine when to start and end the music.  The music is quite rythmical.  The other instruments involve striking hallow coconuts, metal cones, a tambourine, and a hallow bamboo with cut-out ridges.  As the roda plays, the kids practiced their capoeira in the middle.  It was such an amazing experience!  I instantly felt a part of a family and connected to everyone.  It is very true when they say Brazilians are very welcoming.  I have experienced it first-hand!

Berimbau

Roda de capoeira