Handstands, cartwheels, high kicks and low sweeps—think you’re up to the challenge? If so, then the centuries old art of Brazilian dance fighting, Capoeira might just be for you.

A graceful display of physical agility and mental acuity the dynamic martial art of Capoeira draws on a rich history. Though its origins are not entirely clear, scholars agree that African slaves brought to Brazil in the 16th century were responsible for its creation and subsequent development. Some even argue that Capoeira’s dance-like appearance was an inspired disguise that allowed slaves to hone their defensive skills without arousing suspicion.

After the abolition of slavery Capoeira fell into disrepute and became associated with criminal behavior. In 1892 it became illegal to perform Capoeira in Brazil and its practice went further underground. It would be more than forty years before the integrity of the art was reclaimed and brought to life for future generations.

A game or jogo de capoeira takes place between two capoeristas or players within a roda (pronounced ho-da) or circle made up of other capoeristas who sing and/or play traditional instruments. The berimbau, a large one-stringed bow instrument, is the most important instrument in Capoeira. It sets the tempo of the game, fast or slow, for the two players within the roda.

The interaction between two players inside the roda has been described as a dialogue between two people. But this is no ordinary conversation. Capoeiristas draw on a physically challenging repertoire—kicks, cartwheels, and handstands—in their attempt to maneuver one another into indefensible positions, the main object of the game. Blows rarely land but the absence of contact reveals the high skill of the capoeristas involved rather than their intentions.

Fast or slow, the pace of Capoeira is demanding. Maintaining the flow of play is priority number one—there is no time-out to catch your breath—and if not attacking or defending players are doing the ginga, a side-to-side shuffle.

Capoeira is traditionally divided into two main branches, Regional and Angola, and these two styles of play are associated with their founders, Mestre Bimba and Mestre Pastinha respectively.

Founded by Manuel dos Reis Machado, ‘Mestre Bimba’, in the 1930s, Regional is considered the more spectacular form as it highlights athleticism and acrobatics and involves sequences taken from the African fighting art of Batuque. Created by Vicente Ferreira Pastinha, ‘Mestre Bimba,’ in the 1940s, Angola emphasizes the traditional aspects of the form. It moves at a slower pace and moves are played lower to the ground.

For Mestranda Edna Lima, (www.ednalima.com) the world’s first female teacher of Capoeira and the first Mestranda in the Abada Capoeira Assocation, one of the largest Capoeira organizations in the world, Capoeira is a way of life.

“Capoeira is the most complete and most complex art form I’ve ever done. I tried a lot of different things…Judo, Ikedo, Kendo, just to understand Capoeira. And I realized Capoeira was the most complex and the most interesting—it takes all your body can possibly do.”

Teaching and practicing Capoeira for more than 30 years, Lima created a Capoeira youth program in Brasilia, Brazil. When she’s not conducting training workshops for teachers throughout Brazil and around the world, she teaches Capoeira at the Alvin Ailey Dance Centre, and Capoeira Workout™, a step-by-step introduction she created to bring the exciting martial art to a larger audience, at New York Sports Clubs in New York City.

Lima’s belief in the benefits of Capoeira extend beyond the physical

“For me, the first health benefit of Capoeira is self-confidence and to have fun, to laugh. My philosophy is not about how much you weigh, it’s about how happy you are, how coordinated you move. The benefit is not to lose weight—eventually you will lose weight—this is a consequence. Little by little the person is going to feel more motivated, more dynamic, say to themselves, ‘I can move better, I am more agile’. Those are the things I focus on.”

• Capoeira in all its various forms is available worldwide. Many organizations offer reasonably priced drop-in classes--no more than what you'd pay for a yoga class—as well as workshops.
• For information about classes offered in your area:
• www.capoeirista.com has an extensive database that lists 1,000 schools from 83 countries.
• www.abada.org and www.capoeira-anglo.org lists their affiliate organizations around the world.

In the seventy years plus since Mestre Bimba brought Capoeira into the mainstream, it's popularity has soared. Edna Lima couldn't be more thrilled.

“I came back last Tuesday from Europe. I went to England, France, Spain, Israel and Poland teaching Capoeira. It was very interesting to see all these people so far from Brazil doing Capoeira like Brazilians... even mastering the language—we sing Capoeira songs in Portuguese. It’s so beautiful."