CAPOEIRA COURSES AND LESSONS IN BRAZIL

LOCATION: Rio de Janeiro:

Speak to anyone who has ever been a part of a Capoeira 'roda' and you’ll see their eyes light up at the mention of this powerful Brazilian (and sometimes spiritual) Martial Art...  You don't need to be particularly fit, flexible or have any background in martial arts or dance to learn capoeira. All that you need for capoeira, capoeira will teach you. You don't even have to be a typically 'sporty' kind of person, as capoeira really isn't much like the average sport.

Also on this page:

• Courses and Certification

• A Personal Capoeira Experience

• Travel, Visas, and Support & Backup

PROJECT OVERVIEW
Capoeira is not only a martial art, a dance and an art form steeped in Afro-Brazilian culture... Capoeira is a language, a form of self expression and an avenue which will help you to find a new freedom inside yourself. It’s also the perfect way to get to grips with a deep understanding of Brazilian culture. If you enjoyed running about as a child, flipping upside down, jumping around and playing games with your friends, you will love Capoeira. The basic moves are simple and with a little practice they are easy to learn.

Born of oppression and slavery in Brazil, the unique style of Capoeira brings beauty and power together, developing mental balance, physical conditioning, self-defence, music and a profound sense of art. The music dictates the way the game or jogo (jo-go) will be conducted.

Capoeira is a discipline that requires great flexibility, strength, rhythm and physical control based upon the principles of spontaneity, energy, interaction and trickery. Yet capoeira is also about freedom, the freedom to move, to interact, to communicate and to be, without limitations.

Capoeira teaches you about yourself and about life from its own unique perspective. Capoeira is extremely social and you will meet many interesting people through this art.

WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS COURSE:

• An exciting, never-to-be-forgotten adventure into Latin America.
• New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional development.
• An entry on your CV/resume that will put you head and shoulders above most others in the job market
• The enormous satisfaction of learning or improving your Portuguese language skills.
• And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!

"Capoeira is a completely unique Brazilian art-form. The two players try and outsmart each other, avoiding incoming kicks and transforming their defenses to attack from different angles. The spectators stand around the players playing the music that dictates the style and pace of the game, all the while singing songs that recall Capoeira's past history and culture. Capoeira has evolved over hundreds of years, assimilating elements of modern martial arts whilst retaining its cultural heritage and influences to produce a dazzling show of skill and interaction." Amazonas Brighton

The group Grupo Muzenza de Capoeira’  was first founded in May 1972 by Pulo Sérgio da Silva (master Paulâo). In October 1975, Master Bourgeois (Antonio Carlos de Menezes) arrived at Curitiba, the state capital of Paraná. It was in Curitiba that he decided to founder a headquarters of Grupo Muzenza, establishing and developing a methodology and philosophy for teaching. Grupo Muzenza’s main purpose is to spread capoeira and its philosophy, seeking the technical, theoretical and pedagogical development of capoeira as a cultural art, a wrestle, a job and a way of life, whilst always trying to bring back the value of the elder masters as credible representatives of the true Brazilian culture.

“Capoeira is Capoeira.” So that you can understand this definition better, you must live it. – Master Burguês.

‘During the walk around the world (‘volta ao mundo’) you will find all there is in life, good and evil. The success of the walk will depend on your capabilities as a player, particularly, your personality, your disposition, and lots of malicia.’ – Master Burguês

This placement would suit: Adventurous souls looking to do something different and gain a profound understanding of Brazilian culture.

COURSES AND CERTIFICATION
Grupo Muzenza teaches the art of Capoeira 6 hours-a-week, with the time split down into three sets of two-hour lessons. The teaching style is focused, but informal, and revolves around the old adage that practice makes prefect. Lessons will be held by Master Cid, Master Burguês, or one of their highly experienced assistant teachers. The lessons are held in big gymnasium in Niterói city (just outside Rio) although sometimes you might move out to Icaraí beach, which is 10 minutes walk from the gym, for a lesson under the sun!

In additional, some students may from time-to-time be lucky enough to have the opportunity of gaining their first Capoeira belt – the grey belt. To be gain a belt you must take part in a grading event - ‘The Batizado’ - involving the participation of many masters from all over Brazil.

Certificates are issued on each new level or belt achieved. If you are on a three month course then you will normally have the opportunity to take part in an event known as ‘Batizado’. Here you will have the opportunity to participate alongside many masters of Capoeira some who come from all over Brazil. The first level or belt which you achieve will be the grey. For each new level or belt achieved a certificate will be issued.

The Batziado events are held sporadically throughout the year in various different locations in Brazil. The admission fee to participate in the Batizado event is included within your placement cost.

(Please note that all costs (excluding entrance fee) in attending the Batizado event, such as Transport and accommodation are not included within your placement cost and will have to be paid by the attendee.)

Beginner? – YES YOU CAN!

Capoeira is good for everyone. The first time you experience capoeira (probably as an open mouthed passer-by on a sunny afternoon somewhere), it seizes you. Its intoxicating energy, skill and beauty captures your attention and stays in your imagination until the next time. It also strikes as intimidating and something that you yourself could never do. This is not true! If you liked running about as a child, going upside down, jumping around and playing games with your friends, you will love capoeira. The basic moves are simple and with a little practise they are easy to learn.

You don't need to be particularly fit, flexible or have any background in martial arts or dance to learn capoeira. All that you need for capoeira, capoeira will teach you. You don't even have to be a typically 'sporty' kind of person, as capoeira really isn't much like the average sport. All that you need right now is intrigue and that small voice inside you quietly saying to you... I could do that

Let capoeira change your life. Let it happen in the sunny hedonism of a country beating with the sacred rhythm of the berimbau. Allow the freedom in!

If you have any doubts about whether Capoeira would be for you, please don't hesitate to chat to us. Elizabeth, our UK Project Co-Ordinator is a Capoeira fanatic herself and would be happy to chat to you about the sport, what's involved, or whether it'd be suitable for you. Fabio, our Rio Organiser, is a Capoeira Teacher and we can provide his e-mail address if you'd like a word with him about his passion. We're a slightly biased team when it comes to Capoeira, and all pretty keen to get you booked onto this project so that you can experience this magical world for yourself!

Additional Activities you can do while on this Project:
Add to your travel experience in Brazil by doing some additional exciting activities - you never know, you could develop a passion for Latin American dance, or learn a new skill!

• Brazilian Music courses: Choose from a variety of local percussion/styles

• Portuguese Language Courses: Immerse yourself in the language and you'll be amazed at the effects it brings!

• Yoga Courses

• Photography courses

• Latin Dance Lessons

• Watersports, Treks and Adventure Activities

OPTIONAL ADD-ONS

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

What is Capoeira? Click here to find out
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Yep, this is me!

A Beginners Tale: I properly discovered Capoeira 6 months ago, after first seeing a display of it at a festival in outback Australia. From the first time I saw it, I was fascinated with this unique martial art and was compelled to learn more. The moves were extremely impressive, the players so strong, fit and flexible and the music and energy it created, completely captivating.

The players were in a circle, 4 or 5 of them were playing unusual instruments, drums or tambourines and every one was singing passionately in a language I didn’t understand. The rest of the players would take turns in cart-wheeling into the circle in pairs, to play one another, turning and spinning, kicking and ducking and moving in circular flow with one another, occasionally surprising the other with a clever or cheeky move. I later found out that this is the roda (pronounced hoda) and this is where all Capoeirista’s practise and enjoy their art.

The games were non contact and unlike other martial arts, it wasn’t just about defence and attack moves, it was also a beautiful and primal dance. There was a sense of the ancient African tribal alongside the enticing Brazilian samba.  All the players had their own distinctive style of movement and some of them looked nothing short of superhero in the complete control and natural ease they had of their bodies.

I didn’t really understand what Capoeira was about then, or even how to pronounce it! I couldn’t imagine that I would ever be able to do the things I saw the players doing, or would even have the confidence, as I’d only ever danced – and not often in the middle of a circle – when drunk! I couldn’t imagine learning the instruments or singing songs in Portuguese. However, the intrigue of Capoeira stayed with me, as I am sure it does with everyone who witnesses it, and my next opportunity into the world of Capoeira came two years later when I saw an advert for Amazona’s Brighton and began to train.

I used to be sporty when I was younger and always loved the buzz of the endorphin release when you exercise, but I had forgotten how good it felt to be fit, healthy and in control of your life. Capoeira is certainly a challenge but I can now do things that I never dreamt I would be able to do. I can walk on my hands and I can throw high spinning kicks without falling over! I can dance freely (without the tequila) and I can sing songs in Portuguese. I can play the drum and am learning the sacred birembau instrument. There is still so much I can’t do, but I know that with training, time and enthusiasm, one day I will be able to. It’s not difficult to keep training because it’s so much fun. Like when you were play fighting or running and jumping around for the pure joy of it, as kids.

More than anything else, the sense of achievement is in the transition from watching in awe on the side lines, to being in the circle. It’s a comparison you can make with life also.

Capoeira keeps people young and there is no age limit. A good friend of mine from the class was 37 when she started, after a big life change and a divorce. Today she is one of the best in the class, looks 27 and has found the strength and happiness from Capoeira to transform her life into the one she wanted. Others start at 17 and by 27 they will be invincible! The people involved in this sport are friendly and welcoming and from many different backgrounds. Capoeira is no longer an elite game, but a philosophy of life that should be shared with all ages, races and genders.

I have been training for 6 months now, twice a week and whenever the sun is shining and there is a park or beach to play on. I know that it has changed my life. My confidence, my ability to deal with stress, my energy levels, my social life and my strength in body and in peace of mind have all increased greatly. My teacher Boneco is from Brazil and to go to Brazil to learn and play Capoeira intensively would be an incredible experience that will have lasting positive effects on any ones life. Anyone reading this who knows Capoeira needs no explanation. Capoeira is Capoeira.

For those of you who are like I was, still in the stages of intrigue, trust me, you can be a singing, dancing, superhero also, and Capoeira is just waiting for you – on a beach, in the place where it all began, Brazil. Step off those sidelines and into the circle…

Pictures courtesy of Amazonas Brighton