My First Capoiera Class

Let me first start off by saying I LOVE CAPOIERA! The beat of the music and the moves are so awesome. Of course I just had one class but that one and a half hour session really made me want to continue. For those of you who do not know what capoiera is, it is a Brazilian type of martial arts. It looks like you are dancing but you are really preparing to fight. Back in the day, slaves in places like Brazil and Haiti were not allowed to train to fight, so they developed their own fighting style that looks like they are dancing and getting into the beat of the music, but they are really training. Here is a video to give you a better idea of capoiera:



Before I came to class, I had to go all the back home to Klosterneuburg because I forgot my stuff at the house. After getting ready and packed some food and stuff, Raffy drove me back to Heligendtadt. He said I was going to be early and I told him I didn't want to get lost. I hopped on the Schnellbahn (S-Bahn) which is more like a light rail to those of you in Sacramento or MUNI for those from the Bay Area. Then I took the tram (like a trolley) to Kreuzgasse 74, where my class is. And true to Raffy's word, I was AN HOUR EARLY. I hate when he's right. Grr. Luckily for me there was a SPAR (a name brand grocery store) where I was able to walk through the aisles until it was time.

The actual instructor was not present so there was a substitute. She was pretty good herself. First rule of capoiera, you have to be barefoot. So by the end of the class, our feet were dirty. But, I digress. We started with basic steps and of course, EVERYTHING WAS IN GERMAN. I was able to pick up by watching the instructor. What was nice was that she repeated every step at least five times so that not only did I get the movements but I was able to memorize the moves.

At one point, she pointed out to me that I was on the wrong foot but I wasn't sure what she was telling me. Luckily for me, my friend Heidi was close by and she pointed out my mistake.

We got into more complicated moves like a kick-cartwheel and back kick twists. Those are not the proper names for it but that's how I describe them. More or less, it was a lot of dance movements and kicks. I REALLY like the music. At the end of class, we got into a circle and chanted in Portuguese (or I think it was) and some people would spar. They were more advanced of course but it was so cool to watch.

Unfortunately, I couldn't hang out with my friends (being it was Friday night) because I had to work at the General Conference again. Early. So I hopped on a tram I saw. Silly me, I got on the wrong one so I had to get off on the next stop and walk myself back to the school. From there, smooth sailing. Except the fact it was raining A LOT. Once I got home, I crashed. I can't wait for next week. Until next time . . . ciao!