I know very little about the martial arts style known as Capoeira and what little I know I picked up from my friend Bron who studied this for a little while and from the movie The Bourne Identity which has a fighting style that was apparently influenced by Capoeira. I looked it up and found the following on Wikipedia:
Capoeira (IPA: [ka.pu?ej.???]) is a Brazilian martial art developed initially by African slaves in Brazil, starting in the colonial period. Some people believe that capoeira was created in Africa. They say that capoeira originated in Nigerian tribes where they fought with music and the winner won a partner, usually female. Participants form a roda (circle) and take turns playing instruments, singing, and sparring in pairs in the centre of the circle. The game is marked by fluid acrobatic play, feints, subterfuge, and extensive use of groundwork, as well as sweeps, kicks, and headbutts. Technique and strategy are the key elements to playing a good game. Capoeira has two main styles, known as "regional" and "Angola."
When I watch this I realise how flexible the human body can be. If ever there was a martial art that is an expression of how fluid and magnificent the human body can be, this is it. Here is another video from a competition or exhibition of some sort:
Tags: capoeira, martial arts, human movement, brazil, martial art, fighting style, dance
What do you think?