THE STEPS
The Beat of Drums The drumming sounds resounded in deep echoes of calmness while the other instruments joined in creating a perfected raggae charm. The battle of wits had begun as they moved ever so gracefully in search for convergence in a joyful ebb and �low of motion. White fabric �luttered through the air as if with a life of its own each time their legs so e�fortlessly sliced through. The drums and chants, now rising like incense to �ill the room, grew in tempo and the feets moved faster, kicks grew violent and dodges became closer. In these few minutes, it is a true experience in synchopathy and the merging of the minds.
Capoeira, like all other dances, is inherently a cardio exercise. Since capoeira requires a substantial training time, one can expect improvement in stamina..
STAMINA
STRENGTH
Cyclical in all sense, the process of learning back�lips and various kicks builds up strength and agility. With this new found dexterity, one would be able to proceed to learn moves of greater di��iculty.
THE LIST
BASIC MOVES
G I N G A / / N E G AT I VA / / R O L E / / A U
GINGA
This move is the foundation to the rest of capoeira. It allows you to constantly be on the move, measure up your opponent and keeping in time with the music like you would in a dance.
Video for this move is available here.
Stand in a half-squat position as shown in the picture. Keep you arms at shoulder height.
Move your left leg to the back, and keep both legs bent.
Move parallel to the ďŹ rst position, and move the left leg to the back. Keep your arms up.
Do not cross your legs (the path) to prevent losing balance as a result.
NEGATIVA Video for this move is available here.
1. Perform three gingas to get into momentum. 2. After that, when both feet are parallel, turn 90 degress. 3. Bending one leg and keeping the other straight, as shown in the picture, go down. 4. Your arm should be covering/protecting your face.
ROLE
Role is like a roll on the �loor, but with only the hands and feet touching the ground, and sometimes the head. It is o�ten used a�ter ground movements like Negativa as above, to get up from the ground and back into the Ginga position.
Video for this move is available here.
After 2 gingas, go into a negativa, only this time, raise your arm above your head.
Turn and allow the outstretched arm to touch the floor. Look between your legs while you do so.
When the role is complete, go back into a ginga position.
AU
Au is like a cartwheel, but the player will be able to see the opponent during the motion. One of the most important skills of capoeira, it cannot be treated lightly, as it can be used to dodge or �lee attacks from the opposing player, to move closer to the other player or to simply confuse the player by moving about. As such, this move is much more important than learning new �ighting techniques, for it can be used as a strategy to be beat the opposing player.
Video for this move is available here.
Perform 3 gingas, place one hand on the ground. It should be inline / parallel to your feet.
Push with one leg, and lift the other up. Lay the other hand down for support.
You should land parallel / in the same line, so that you can return to a ginga.
Capoeira is joy, it is good humor, it is not that competition business; it is spontaneity.
// IN THE NEXT ISSUE More infomation about what to wear and basic kicks will be discussed. Meanwhile, practice these capoeira moves with free music available here. More capoeira moves, videos and music available at Capoeira Moves.
P R O U D L Y
P R E S E N T E D
B Y
/ / S R S L Y I N C / / / / R I C H E O L Z I E G N N / /
D I S C L A I M E R WE D O N OT O W N A N Y O F T H E I MA GE S U S ED IN TH E P R O D UCTIO N. NO CO P Y R IGH T INF R INGEMENT I N T E N D ED. T H I S P R O D U C T I O N S H O U L D U N DER NO CIR CUMS TA NCES BE R EP R O DUCED F O R CO MMER ICIAL PURPO S E S N O R SH O U L D I T B E DI ST R I B U T ED CO MMER ICIA L LY. INTENT O F S A ID P R O DUCTIO N IS F O R S O LE PURPOS E O F I N F O R MAT I O N A N D N O C O MMER CIA L INTENTS WIL L BE P UR S UED. A L L INF O R MATIO N A ND T E X T A RE O WN E D B Y S R S LY I N C. C H A R GE S WIL L BE P UR S UED IF MO R E TH A N 1 0 CO NS ECUTIV E WO R DS ARE LI FT ED OFF T H E P R O D U C T I O N A N D R EP U R P O S ED WH ETH ER O R NOT F O R CO MMER CIA L P UR P O S ES.