LDAN2503

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian practice that uniquely combines self-defense, dance and fitness. One "plays" capoeira - rather than "dances" or "fights" - as capoeira was created as a martial art and disguised as a dance to hide its dangers from slave owners in Brazil. In this studio course, students explore capoeira in a challenging, yet safe, class that builds strength, flexibility, balance, agility, reflexes, and coordination. Playing capoeira with a ​Treinel​, students learn the "ginga," a side-to-side swinging movement that is capoeira's base; the "aú," a capoeira cartwheel with eyes on one's opponent; and "r​olé," a roll from the ground to standing. Students learn how to play the game of capoeira, which emphasizes ​harmony​ and dialogue between two players. The course also explores the importance of music ​and philosophy ​in capoeira, and students practice singing in Portuguese. The course provides a supportive environment for the practice of mindful capoeira, welcoming those with prior capoeira experience, as well as total beginners.