Capoeira for beginners: self-benefit for, and community action by, new Capoeiristas

Abstract

Capoeira could be defined as a Brazilian martial art and game to be played. This research explored how capoeira play might be considered to facilitate connectedness amongst newlyrecruited persons, plus any other ramifications of capoeira involvement. A beginners' course of capoeira was provided to participants, free of charge, in an English city in the West Midlands -new capoeiristas in a new venue for capoeira. Researchers attended classes to collect/construct overt non-participant observation data. In addition, semi-structured interviews were undertaken with the new capoeiristas post-course. This article explores researchers' observation fieldnotes and interviewees' narratives. These qualitative data-driven debates include the concepts: self, identity, escapism, multiparty endeavour, community, temporality, enjoyment, and transcending boundaries. Capoeira is theorised in a fresh manner that highlights social benefits of capoeira -for example as an enjoyable and supportive group endeavour which includes elements of social play and community-building -plus benefits for self that can transcend the boundaries of the class. Findings highlight how capoeira can be considered an inherently multiparty endeavour whereby social actors form, and experience, a community in order to embrace capoeira play. Data suggest capoeira can facilitate group playfulness, joviality, and laughter. Further, capoeiristas can enact and experience -some mode of -escapism via capoeira, whereby new place and pursuit can facilitate hedonistic diversion from the mundane.Capoeira appears to provide adventure and liberation into a relatively unburdened part of, or place in, social life. Corporeal and discursive boundary-empowerment can also be experienced by capoeiristas, fostering positive identity work in the wider world. Capoeira can be argued to facilitate mutuality (e.g., community experience and group work) and egoism (e.g., an individual's identity work) concurrently. This research suggests that modified capoeira for beginners can be beneficial for both the new capoeiristas themselves and for positive community action during and beyond class.

“Like I’m flying”: Capoeira dance experiences of youth with visual impairments

“…This study supports these prior assertions, where participants found the capoeira training program to be an exciting and enjoyable experience. The findings of this study support the utility of the capoeira training program for youth with VI, which may make this Afro-Brazilian martial dance (Jordan et al, 2019) a viable option to implement elsewhere for this population. Through the current inquiry, we identified some important considerations for designing such programs.…”

“…The capoeira dance program’s content was designed to create an environment of freedom, social interaction, and enjoyment among participants, instructors, and volunteers (Assunção, 2005, 2014). In keeping with earlier programs designed for beginners, instructors selected capoeira techniques that were most suitable for novice learners and emphasized aspects of capoeira training that were centered most around dance, rather than combat-related strategy (Jordan et al, 2019). Training sessions were held twice per week for 3 weeks.…”

“…In keeping with earlier programs designed for beginners, instructors selected capoeira techniques that were most suitable for novice learners and emphasized aspects of capoeira training that were centered most around dance, rather than combat-related strategy (Jordan et al, 2019). Training sessions were held twice per week for 3 weeks.…”

“…Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian art form that can be conceptualized as a “blurred genre” (Downey, 2005, p. 490) that incorporates elements of non-formal PA, dance, martial arts, acrobatics, and games (Jordan et al, 2019; Levin, 2016; Radicchi et al, 2019). Physical techniques in capoeira training include dance-based footwork, acrobatic kicks, strikes, and feints; while musical techniques in capoeira include playing percussion instruments, clapping, and singing (Downey, 2005).…”

“…Physical techniques in capoeira training include dance-based footwork, acrobatic kicks, strikes, and feints; while musical techniques in capoeira include playing percussion instruments, clapping, and singing (Downey, 2005). Although research centered on capoeira training remains scarce, evidence suggests that such programs confer physical health benefits, including improved cardiovascular fitness and flexibility (Moreira et al, 2017), and quality of life benefits, such as social belonging and positive self-perceptions, among adults (Jordan et al, 2019).…”