The Art of Capoeira
All the way from Brazil, capoeira (pronounced as cap-wear-a) has finally made its way to all over the world. It is an Afro-Brazilian art form that combines together with several elements such as martial arts, music, and dance. Based on wikipedia, it stated that capoeira is originally founded by by African slaves that were brought to Brazil after the sixteenth century. Back then it was developed in the region of Quilombo dos Palmares, located in Brazilian state of Alagoas, which was the state of Pernambuco before dismemberment and has great influence on the Afro-Brazilian generations, with strong presence in the state of Bahia, Pernambuco and Rio de Janeiro.
In order to perform capoeira, the participants need to form a roda, and take turns either playing musical instruments, singing, or sparring performing the capoeira. Usually it will involves with acrobatic plays, feints, and extensive use of sweeps, kicks and headbutts. But there are also another movement such as elbow strikes, slaps, punches, and body throw but these kind of movements are rarely seen.
Nowadays, capoeira is no longer an art performed by Afro-Brazilian, but it is also widely accepted in the whole world. As example, many performers in US used it for their livings, and many clubs are founded, and many competition based-on capoeira was conducted (click here). Even capoeira now is becoming one of famous self-defense technique which practiced by all people in the world. As well as appealing to people of all ages, capoeira is good for developing a whole range of skills too. The energetic kicks, ducks and twists involved help to increase agility, flexibility, strength, speed and coordination. Capoeira's not bad for weight loss either, as it requires a lot of movement.
Click here to see the beauty of capoeira
Wikipedia mostly eh?
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