Brooklyn: Kick, Dodge and Dance at These Free Capoeria Workshops

DOWNTOWN BROOKLYN, NY — Perhaps you've seen them in the park: people in athletic gear, standing in a circle, clapping in unison, one on a drum, another playing a bow and arrow-like berimbau, while in the middle, two people whirl and kick and dodge and tumble. Are they fighting? Are they playing? Are they dancing?

All of the above, explained Manouela Koudonis, an instructor at Brooklyn's Capoeria Guanabara, which next week will celebrate its fifth year in operation with five free capoeria classes.

The adult classes will take place on Monday, Nov. 14 from 6:45 p.m. to 8:45 p.m.; on Wednesday at the same time; on Thursday from 7:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m.; and on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. There's also a kids class for ages 5-11 on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Capoeria Guanabara is located at 112 Schermerhorn St.

You don't have to RSVP for the classes, but Koudonis suggested wearing workout clothing and pants with long legs rather than shorts.

The instructor says capoeria, born in Brazil, combines martial arts, acrobatics and dance. It's a full-body workout, she said, but it "really is for everybody," not just athletes. "You can really be yourself and find your place in capoeria."

Koudonis said she started practicing in her 30s, and now finds herself "doing things that I never though I would be able to do."

While capoeria looks like a form of combat, there's no hitting or grabbing, she said. Instead, there's lots of cartwheeling, kicking and dodging.

Koudonis said the introductory classes will focus on capoeria basics, including its trademark side-to-side motion, known as "ginga," and a few key kicks and dodges. Participants will also get to try their hand at the tambourine, which adds to the music everyone moves to.

For more information, you can call Capoeria Guanabara at 917-940-9321, or email capoeriaguanabaranewyork@gmail.com.

Top photo courtesy of Eduardo Otubo/Flickr