ANGOLEIRO

I won't lie; the first time I recall hearing the word Capoeira and saw it performed was on BBC1 with two men playing dressed in red and white. However, now I know its influential spirit first touched me during the early 80’s while break dancing totally oblivious of its historical roots. Break dancing captivated and intrigued me like many other inner city youth back then, and as a child I’d watch in amazement, mesmerized as some of Capoeira physical movements were expressed through one of the hip-hops elements.

Last year April 2007 I decided to start Yoga to help ease the pain in my lower back but one morning passing my local bookstore I noticed a flyer for Capoeira classes in my local gym. It read; Capoeira, an African-Brazilian martial art of self-defence, acrobatics, music and dance.

Inspired, I went to my first class cautiously as I sure didn’t want to create any more pain to my back. My first class was tough, as I was unfit and hadn’t done a cartwheel since my childhood. Yet, that night I made my way home feeling like a child full of inner energy, excitement and a warm homecoming feeling. I had fallen in love with Capoeira from that moment. I couldn’t help myself from mentioning it to nearly every person I met, as though I were a disciple? I spent hours on you-tube and bought books to learn about its sad, yet beautiful history.

I've done Karate, weight lifting and Kickboxing but nothing compares as Capoeira is more than a martial art, it’s a way of life. Its philosophy, history and physical movements are just some of the elements that consumed me into its culture. The mystical melodies of the berimbau and the ancient sound of the atabaque transcends me through time, both new and old. And there’s a surprisingly profound way of learning some of life’s games through playing the game.

My physiology, mental state and inner being has developed and yes, my back has improved. Though I do have one regret, and that’s that I didn’t find Capoeira at an earlier stage in my life. However I feel I’ve been awaiting this fusion with Capoeira as I feel an internal fullness.

Now, my fascination with Brazil is not football, carnival or even the women, as beautiful as they are. The lure is Salvador De Bahia the spiritual birthplace of Capoeira and its rich, colourful African-Brazilian history and culture.