This is a short about Project Abundant Life and their capoeira school, Free Angola Capoeira Society in Austin, Texas.
Free Angola Capoeira Society Capoeira Angola Classes
Turner/Roberts Recreation Center
7201 Colony Loop Drive
Tuesday & Thursday 7pm to 9pm
Sunday 2pm to 4pm
Classes are $50.00 a month for adults
FREE for youth under 18 years of age
For more information on classes, please call 512-294-7872
“It is the practice of this science, my comrades, you yourselves don’t know what you have in it. If it is yours, try to perfect the nature it gave you; trust in yourself, love your sport, don’t trust in the egoist, and verify the truth. In summary, it is an infinite fight, the general and abstract definition that characterizes every existence, and every being.” -
Mestre Patinha
Youth Capoeira Program
Capoeira Angola is a multiform phenomenon. It draws elements from dance, fight, ritual, and musical performance. It is a person's way of defense, and it is also a form of entertainment. This is shown by some of the words used in referring to it, such as "brincadeira", "vadiação", meaning merriment, entertainment; and by the fact that it was frequently played when individuals were resting from their work, particularly sailors and laborers on the docks. An ancient martial art of African origin, it is one of the many cultural weapons used to break the chains of enslavement in Brazil. Played close to the ground, Capoeira Angola combines fluid, dance-like movements with kicks, head butts, tripping sweeps and the appearance of playfulness or vulnerability. Music is played on traditional instruments to accompany the players, to teach the rhythmic heart of the art, and also to mask its power. In the eyes of the enslavers it appeared to be a joking and playful acrobatic dance, but eventually its power was realized and Capoeira was outlawed. Death was the penalty paid by those caught playing Capoeira during the slavery era. For almost 400 years Capoeira Angola was taught and practiced in secret, and only in the 1930's did this African martial art become legal to teach and practice.
Why Capoeira Angola?
Young men and women in the program discover a discipline that allows them to express themselves artistically in a way that also allows them to channel pent-up emotions in a positive direction. They discover an art form that combines dance, non-contact fighting movements, music, song, rhythm, theatrical improvisation and more. To perform Capoeira proficiently, students must learn both the ways in which the human body can move and express itself, and the discipline needed to control those movements. As classes proceed, the students open up and express their inner-most emotions, while at the same time creating movement that is beautiful and artistic. Gradually, students learn the much-needed skills of self-discipline, respect for others, tolerance and the joys of cooperation, all which transfer into their daily lives.