Capoeira: A martial art hidden in the form of a dance. By Sidartha Murjani

What is Capoeira? Capoeira is an Afro­Brazilian martial art developed by Africans and natives of Brazil over 400 years ago. Martial arts were not allowed at that time, so they hid the art in dance, and combined acrobatics and music.

Why was it created? Capoeira was created as a means of liberation and self­expression; it also played a vital role in abolishing slavery in Brazil.

How has it evolved in modern society? Today, Capoeira—like Bhangra—has become a vital means of bringing many different cultures together. It has also become an important expression of basic human rights, as capoeira can be practiced by people of all ages, races, and beliefs.

Sidartha Murjani – student of Axé Capoeira for one year I was initially attracted to capoeira because, unlike any other martial art, it combines dancing and fighting. Not only does it teach you self­defence, it also teaches you how to dance while fighting. Training is very intensive and can be hard, but it’s very rewarding if you keep at it. The other fantastic thing about capoeira is that there are no limits, and there is no one way of doing things. Our bodies are all different, and capoeira allows us the freedom to do the same moves in different ways. As we each advance through our capoeira journey, we start to add our own self­expression into it: every move, every beat, every word has a meaning.

The best thing about the Capoeira community is that it is an actual community: different people from all sorts of backgrounds, ethnicities, sexes, body shapes, and ages coming together to learn. A great example of how we learn, share, and have fun together is during the Roda (pronounced Hoda), which takes place every Friday night at Axé Capoeira. During the Roda, a circle is formed of people clapping and singing to the music of live instruments, led by the Contra Mestre. Two people enter the middle of the circle and challenge each other—not to hurt each other—but to play the game of Capoeira. The best Capoeristas can make their opponents look bad without hurting them. Check out these videos to see what I mean!

Axé Capoeira in Vancouver https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Exxc5Qsg­WI

Axé Capoeira Carnaval https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FZjZVOclFFU

Where can I learn capoeira in Vancouver? There are a number of capoeira studios in the city. Here’s what Marcus Aurelio (AKA Contra Mestre Barraozinho, son of Mestre Barrao), says about his experience of learning and teaching this amazing dance ­ fight form:

My journey has been a great one doing capoeira. At 28, I have travelled to over 30 countries teaching and learning the art of capoeira around the world. I have also participated in many movies and TV shows, commercials, and motion capture for movies. I have ranked very highly in competitions ranging from MMA, to jiu jitsu, to capoeira. I continue to strive to better myself and my students through regular training. Our academy is located at 1739 Venables, in Vancouver. Please visit ​www.axevancouver.com​ for much more information and our class schedule.