Martial Art with an Afro-Brazilian Flair

Capoeira. Many people may have seen this word and probably wondered: 1) How do you pronounce it? and 2) What is it?

Capoeira, or “Cop-o-eh-ra,” is an Afro-Brazilian martial art, rapidly gaining popularity all over the world and right here in Medford.

With high kicks, somersaults, handstands, flying kicks and cartwheels, Capoeira may not seem like a self-defense act, but behind the dance moves and impressive tricks, Capoeira teaches serious techniques and develops flexibility and balance.

“It’s a perfect combination of dance and martial arts,” Capoeirista Danielle Freiberg said. “It’s a lot more improv as well.”

Because of its fast-paced music and sometimes demanding movements, Capoeira requires agility, strength and patience.

There are different kinds of kicks, punches and rolls you can incorporate to match the beat of the music, but instead of a strict rehearsed choreography, students read one another while performing and simply go with the flow.

“You move around a lot. Your body is always in movement, one side to the other and up and down,” instructor Guerreiro Italo said.

As with other forms of martial art, such as Tae Kwon Do and Judo, all Capoeiristas start from the very beginning.

Raw cord signifies a new trainee with full potential of growth, and from there, trainees move up to yellow/white, yellow, orange/white, orange, blue/red, blue, green, purple, brown and eventually black. Freiberg said it usually takes about a year to move up from one level to the next.

Typically, after three to six years of training, students who earn blue cord can become an instructor. At purple cord level, a Capoeirista officially becomes a professor, and with the final and most prestigious black cord, a Capoeirista reaches the level of Mestre and can oversee and supervise a national or international group.

Mestre Paulinho Sabia, the head of Capoeira Brasil, said he has more than 30,000 students all over the world. He frequently travels to different countries to meet with Capoeristas and evaluates trainees who are hoping to move up to the next cord.

Capoeira originally started when African slaves in Brazil began teaching themselves various movements. 

“They were trying to find ways to defend themselves against their owners,” Instructor Guerreiro said. “But they had to do it without letting their owners know that they are practicing self-defense movements...in disguise.”

In the beginning of the 20th century, Capoeira developed a more structured form and began attracting trainees. Over the years, it became a more accepted and even popular form of martial art, spreading beyong Latin American in the 1950s.

In Boston, there are multiple clubs and studios that teach Capoeira, including the following:

• Capoeira Boston – Mestre Chuvisco offers classes every weeknight, except Monday and Saturday mornings at the YWCA or the Dance Complex in Central Square
• Brazilian Cultural Center of New England offers classes Wednesday evening and Saturday afternoons at the Dance Complex. 
• Capoeira Brasil Boston
• Sinha Capoeira offers classes every weeknight at Roshankish Martial Art Center in Medford.
• Abada Capoeira Boston offers classes Monday and Wednesday eveningsa at South Boston Yoga on West Broadway.

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