Capoeira

Capoeira is a Brazilian martial art that combines elements of music, self defence techniques, acrobatics, dance and tradition. It was created by the African slaves in Brazil around the XVI Century as a way to resist opression and fight for freedom.
Capoeira is a dance like a fight, a fight like a dance. Capoeira is a "jogo" (game), where partners exchange movements of defence and attacking a constant flow utilising the rhythm of the music. Ritualised combat, trickery and grace. Capoeira is an acrobatic and beautiful avoidance of physical combat. Besides the skills developed through Capoeira such as concentration, self defence, endurance, balance, flexibility, co-ordination, rhythm and confidence. It is an excellent cardiovascular practice to keep you fit while having fun.

Capoeira Angola
With the advent of Mestre Bimba's Capoeira Regional in the 1930's. The traditional Capoeira Angola is generally performed to a slower rythm and movements are closer to the ground than in Regional. Angola games usually last longer and a premium is placed on the body dialogue, the aesthetic qualities of the game and the 'malandragem' (a tricky or deceitful act.)

Capoeira Regional
A capoeira style created in Bahia in the 1930's by Mestre Bimba (Manuel Do Reis Machado). Bimba modified many of the exisiting kicks in the traditional Capoeira to create a more upright and aggressive style. Reginal is usually practiced to a much quicker beat and rythms are created by Bimba. Today the Regional style of Capoeira practiced by Bimba and his pupils is rarely seen.

Contra Mestre Bene created the Associacao Batukege Capoeira at the end of the 1990's in Salvador Bahia. Instructor Vira Lata has been involved in the development of the group since 2000 in Brazil, the United Kingdom and now Melbourne, Australia.