Capoeira trainings

Frequently asked questions

What is necessary to start learning?
A trousers (sweat-pants) in what you move comfortably and a t-shirt for what you are not sorry if it would tear. The Capoeira in outside and inside equally exercisable. According of this if you practise outside prepare the clothing being equal to the weather conditions, the essence not to disturb in the movement. The baggy clothing, baggy trousers and skirt because of that not good costume. For example when you turn cartwheels the dresses may hang down into our face, at this time you or anothers may caught in it and it makes injuries.

Is there something else?
practically not. Big portion of good mood. Optional opportunity to purchase a couple of musical instruments but it is not necessary. we recommend them who would like to do more deeperly the capoeira. There are several musical instrument in capoeira:
berimbau this a bow reminder string instrument, the string of it is made from a steel thread. pandeiro, tambourine, reco-reco scraper musical instrument, and the agogo - double bell. The atabaque the ancestor of the current conga drum although a dispensable musical instrument according to many people.

Necessary some pre-experiences to this?
(I never practised martial arts before it).
Not necessary. You can study the most easily way if your spirit and your soul are clear yet. We teach all necessary bases in the practices in order to you to be able to do it safely. What you will learn sure:

• Basic acrobatics elements
• Foot sweepings
• Better rhythm sense
  (rhythm clapping, singing, samba)
• play on different musical instruments (berimbau, atabaque and pandeiro)

In order to keep the mood high you need to cooperate. When you game (roda) Rhythm clapping and empathy are very important.

Why should I start learning here (or let me continue)?
You may learn from a teacher who is master in more martial arts. He understands the message of the Capoeira, He has great competence of fight, he operate with techniques clearly. He execute techniques of Capoeira easily, powerfully and punctually at the same time. We can provide musical instruments with a minimal supply for the acquisition of the music. If you would like to practise independently then purchase some musical instruments your-self.

released on 2009.06.17 | H.M.C - Hungary, Budapest

Meaning of the Capoeira

For most of us, the word "Brazil" means nothing else but football, samba, party-time and carnival. Yes, this is the heart of Brazil - but there is something missing: the capoeira. During the last decades the fact that capoeira also makes an integral part of the Brazilian culture, has arrived to a good number of people, but there is still missing a lot - especially here in Europe.

Accordingly, we are trying to give you insights here on the history of this sport that is usually described as a mix of fight and dance.

Capoeira is a martial art with its roots in Brazil. A compound of music, art of movements and temperament of various cultures that has undergone several phases of development following the social-economic changes in the past centuries. An ancient form of self-expression in a culture that took roots here approximately 300 years ago, and ever since then, always has succeeded to resist all kind of suppression. The evolution of capoeira is strongly interwoven with that of the Brazilian people.

This latter is characterized by a clash of powers, one trying to subordinate the rest of the population, using various means to reach its aim. Those oppressed intended to wriggle out of this situation, bringing up all the resources they had, always attempting to fight for their freedom in an era of being deprived of their human rights, including the right of using their proper body skills.

This special social and economic background flavored with the peculiar culture of the African slaves brought to Brazil gave way to a symbolic resistance of slavery: the practice of ancient tribal dances. Ancient tribal dances combined with local Brazilian features cleared the way for fight; the ban of open fight created a simulation of game, and all this - the tribal dances, the fight and the game - gave way to the birth of one of the most compound sports of our world, that is, the capoeira.

The new phase of persecution of capoeiristas lasted some 40 years. At the beginning of the 20th century, Manoel Dos Reis Machado (Mestre Bimba) reformed capoeira giving it the name: "Gimnastica Regional Bahiana", putting trainings in gyms with his peculiar rules instead of letting disciples train on the streets out of control. Thanks to these changes and his strict rules concerning the art of capoeira, the doors opened for the educated, white working population as well, giving them a chance to acquire this part of their national culture and tradition. After years of illegality, on 9th July, 1937 Mestre Bimba received official permission from the government to teach this kind of "gymnastics", enabling his disciples as well to train and practice freely.

After the liberalization of capoeira, its popularity has risen considerably, above all, among the educated population with financial resources and social influence. Some decades later, capoeira can already be found in almost all parts of the world, making it possible for all of us to get closer to the Brazilian culture and history; some trying to pick up a little of it, and others working hard to master it.

released on 2009.06.17 | H.M.C - Source: cordaodeouro.hu

Roda

The Roda ( Hoh-Dah ) or "Roda de Capoeira" is the circle of people within which capoeira is played. Its circular shape is maintained to keep focus on the players and musicians and retain the energy created by the capoeira game.

The people who make up the roda's circular shape clap and sing along to the music being played by the musicians in the bateria or drum set for the two partners engaged in a capoeira "game" (jogo). The "mouth" of the roda is located directly in front of the bateria. It is at this point where the players begin every game and generally where any new players must enter. In some capoeira schools an individual in the audience can "buy in" to engage one of the two players and begin another game.

The minimum roda size is usually a circle of about 3 meters (10 feet) in diameter. Though they can be smaller and are often larger, up to 10 meters in diameter (30 feet). The rhythm being played on the berimbau sets the pace and goals of the game played within the roda. Slow music limits the game to slow yet complex ground moves and handstands.

Contact in capoeira is generally not made but rather feigned or done theatrically.

In Capoeira Angola, the game rarely involves contact but the danger and possibility of it is always present. In capoeira contemporanea, during some rhythms (e.g. Benguela, Iuna) strikes are shown but not finished while in others (e.g., Sao Bento Grande de Regional) the players have more freedom to strike each other and make contact. Often games with contact are played at a fast pace, however it is the specific "toque" played on the berimbau, regardless of its speed, which dictates the type of game to be played.

For the participants, the roda is a microcosm of life and the world around them. Most often in the roda, the capoeirista's greatest opponent is himself and philosophy plays a large part in capoeira. A good teacher will strive to teach respect, safety, Malicia, and freedom.

Modern capoeira is often criticized by more traditional practitioners of capoeira as being in the process of losing its playfulness and dialogue due to the prevalence of impressive acrobatics and martial elements over the playful and intricate interactions of capoeira Angola[citation needed].

Dominance in the roda is as much psychological and artistic as it is a question of who is taken down. Capoeira is uniquely social. Networking with other groups and students from other teachers can teach a capoeirista more about the art and improve their skills.

released on 2009.06.17 | H.M.C - Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira

Music

Music is integral to capoeira. It sets the tempo and style of game that is to be played within the roda. The music is composed of instruments and song. The tempos differ from very slow (Angola) to very fast (sao bento regional). Many of the songs are sung in a call and response format while others are in the form of a narrative. Capoeiristas sing about a wide variety of subjects. Some songs are about history or stories of famous capoeiristas. Other songs attempt to inspire players to play better. Some songs are about what is going on within the roda. Sometimes the songs are about life or love lost. Others have lighthearted and playful lyrics. Capoeiristas change their playing style significantly as the songs or rhythm from the berimbau commands. In this manner, it is truly the music that drives capoeira.

There are three basic kinds of songs in capoeira[citation needed]. A ladainha (litany) is a narrative solo usually sung at the beginning of a roda, often by the mestre (master). These ladainhas will often be famous songs previously written by a mestre, or they may be improvised on the spot. A ladainha is usually followed by a chula or louvaçao, following a call and response pattern that usually thanks God and one's teacher, among other things. Each call is usually repeated word-for-word by the responders. The ladainha and chula are often omitted in regional games. Finally, corridos are songs that are sung while a game is being played, again following the call and response pattern. The responses to each call do not simply repeat what was said, however, but change depending on the song.

The instruments are played in a row called the bateria. The rhythm of the bateria is set by the berimbaus (stringed percussion instruments that look like muscial bows). Other instruments in the bateria are: two pandeiros (tambourines), a reco-reco (rasp), and an agogô (double gong bell). The atabaque (conga-like drum), a common feature in most capoeira baterias, is considered an optional instrument, and is not required for a full bateria in some groups.

kiadva 2009.06.17 | H.H.E - Source: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capoeira, cordaodeouro.hu