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| CAPOEIRA COURSES AND LESSONS IN RIO DE JANEIRO |
BRAZIL |
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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:
PROJECT OVERVIEW
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:
"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."
Your Capoeira School The ACCARJ is located in the ‘Catete’ area of Rio de Janeiro, within a 5 minute-walking distance away from your accommodation, and the space is open to any beginner in Capoeira, or true ‘angoleiro’ that wishes to participate, furthering the work of Capoeira Angola. Its purpose, then, is to make the space available, as well as unite and receive ‘angoleiros’ from Brazil and abroad, promoting and spreading Capoeira Angola. This work is currently being done by the group’s members through classes, presentations, events, and workshops. The groups that participate in the Association of C.C.A.R.J. are authentic representatives of Capoeira Angola. They come from the same root, planted by ‘Mestre Pastinha’ through the work of ‘Mestre Moraes’. Each group is represented by its Master or Countermaster, maintaining autonomy in relation to other groups.
The Course In addition, you will get a free t-shirt upon your arrival, so that you can feel yourself as a true ‘angoleiro’.
Placement Availability
Beginner? – YES YOU CAN!
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. Fabio, our Project Co-Ordinator is a Capoeira instructor himself and would be happy to chat to you about the sport, what's involved, or whether it'd be suitable for you. We're a slightly based 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:
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What is Capoeira? Click here to find out
Got any questions? Please email us: |
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| A PERSONAL CAPOEIRA EXPERIENCE by Letitia Hardy | |
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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 |
| ACCOMMODATION, TRAVEL, AND LIVING IN RIO DE JANEIRO | |
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Accommodation is situated in the Flamengo
region of Rio - just a hop, skip and a jump away from famous Copacabana
beach! This is a great place to be as you will be only 3 minutes away from
the metro station, opposite the Catete Palace and you will be able to visit
Sugar Loaf Mountain and the Christ the Redeemer statue with great ease. If you'd like to upgrade to a double or
single room, just let us know at time of booking and we can arrange it for
you. There will be a small supplement for the upgrade. All rooms have their own bathroom and
individual cupboard with a key for security.
TRAVEL:
As there is so much to do in Brazil, we recommend that you do some travelling around the country
once your placement has finished. If this is the case, we can arrange your
flights accordingly.
Support & Backup:
To read about the excellent Support
& Backup we provide before you leave and during
your programme,
please click here. |
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Suite 2A, Caravelle House, 17/19 Goring Road,
Worthing, |
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