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, extremely Brazilian and sometimes spiritual
martial art...
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.
You don’t need to be particularly fit,
flexible or have previous martial arts experience to learn Capoeira. 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 to about yourself and about
life from its own unique perspective. Capoeira is extremely social and you will
meet many interesting people through this art.
"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
‘Grupo Muzenza de
Capoeira’ is located in Foz do Iguaçu. The group ‘Muzenza’ 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 stat 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 cultural.
“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!
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…
PRICES
To see the Prices of this project and all
our other projects in Brazil, please
click here
Prices
include
Accommodation
and breakfast while on your project,
2 T-shirts, if required
for your project
All support and backup
during your programme
Meeting you at the
nearest airport, where appropriate, but exclude international travel.
.
+44 01903 502595
