I’m someone who loves trying new classes – though I think it is more fun to try something new with a group of people who are also new (i.e. I started doing Core Fusion® when Exhale first opened in Boston, so none of the other students knew what they were doing either; same with Zumba® and Budokon®). It’s really hard to try a class when you’re the only new person and EVERYONE else is experienced.
So this Sunday, I jumped at the chance to attend a demonstration of Capoeira at the Sports Club/LA. Capoeira is a brazilian martial art, and something I’ve been wanting to try for like 4 years (not exaggerating here). You might say that I couldn’t have wanted to try it that badly if it’s been on the list for 4+ years. . .but the problem is that there aren’t a lot of classes in the Boston area and the ones that do exist don’t work due to scheduling and/or location (Cambridge is a pain in the ass to get to/from, I’m sorry, but it’s true).
The class was EVERYTHING I thought it would be. They had all the mandigueiros (Capoeira “players”) demonstrate how the roda is played. The roda is a circle of mandigueiros, and they take turns competing/playing in the center of the roda while everyone else plays music/claps/sings. The way these people move is absolutely incredible – the amount of control it takes to float, kick, dodge – and they make it look so easy!
Once the demonstration ended, they taught all of the non-mandigueiros (translation: Capoeira novices) some basic moves (base, ginga, half moon kick, dodge), and we were able to pair up with some of the mandigueiros to practice them. Then we learned how to aú (cartweel), which is one way two players can enter the roda.
It was SUCH a fun workout (sweat inducing, and tough on the legs), and the mandigueiros had such a great sense of community. It actually reminded me a lot of the way the Budokon community was at the SCLA before all that drama went down.
I really hope they add a Capoeira class at SCLA, but even if they don’t, I might have to make the trek to Cambridge or Brookline fit into my schedule – this is a discipline that would definitely be worth doing that for.