Capoeira, Inclusivity, and the Virtual Format


Capoeira has a rich history of championing inclusivity and promoting social integration. It's historical roots and development through time stand out uniquely amongst other martial arts. We believe that virtual capoeira is a natural and necessary extension of capoeira's traditionally inclusive nature. The concept and practice of inclusivity has been part of capoeira since it's creation.

  • Historical Roots: Capoeira originated from Africans who were enslaved in Brazil during the colonial period. These people developed this art form as a means of self-expression and resistance against oppression. As a result, Capoeira has always been associated with marginalized communities and has served as a symbol of resilience and unity.
  • Cultural Exchange: Capoeira is an art form that encourages cultural exchange and cooperation. It blends elements of African traditions with indigenous and European influences, creating a unique and inclusive cultural expression. The music and songs played during Capoeira sessions reflect this fusion and invite participants from diverse backgrounds to engage and share their heritage.
  • Non-Discrimination: One of the fundamental principles of Capoeira is non-discrimination. The roda (circle) in which Capoeira is played serves as a space where people of all ages, genders, races, and skill levels come together without prejudice. Everyone is welcome to participate and contribute, fostering a sense of community and respect.
  • Social Cohesion: Capoeira emphasizes the importance of working together in harmony. Participants learn to support and challenge each other in a constructive manner, creating a positive and inclusive environment where individuals can grow and develop both physically and mentally.

Capoeira taught in a virtual format is a natural extension of these traditional underpinnings. As inclusion, fairness, respect for all are *central tenets* to what capoeira is at it's core, we believe that access to virtual capoeira is actually a necessary step to ensure that capoeira remains true to it's roots.

Many individuals and families today are living intentional Covid-cautious lifestyles (our family included). Much of the rest of the world has stopped paying attention to the realities of the ongoing pandemic, which has served to make safe participation in the world for families like ours even more difficult. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, our in-person capoeira academy and community brought our family a lot of joy. We felt true grief to lose access to something we loved so much.

Bringing this joy back into our lives, and hopefully into the lives of others living similar lifestyles to our own, is our main goal with Ignite Capoeira. We believe we all deserve access to enriching and healthy activities, and that capoeira has something for everyone. We are so excited to grow our capoeira community, and include all sorts of different people who share a common vision for connection, inclusion, and play.

Can't wait to play and train with you all!

Vespa & Coruja (Jenny & James)

http://www.ignitecapoeira.com



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Unity in Capoeira Traditions

Image
Capoeira, the Brazilian martial art that is often mistaken for a dance, is a mesmerizing display of physical prowess, music, and culture. Within the world of capoeira, the "batizado" ceremony stands out as a special tradition. This blog post explores the significance of the capoeira batizado and its role in promoting unity among practitioners.  Unity is our Fita Focus for the month of November here at Ignite Capoeira, and we thought it would be interesting to explore the link between unity and our upcoming batizado event! To understand the essence of a capoeira batizado, one must first delve into the rich history of this art form. Capoeira emerged in Brazil during the era of slavery when African slaves disguised their martial training in the form of a dance. Over time, it evolved into the dynamic blend of acrobatics, music, and martial arts that we see today. The term "batizado" translates to "baptism" in Portuguese. In the context of capoeira, it refers t...
Read more

Capoeira: The Ultimate Holistic Extracurricular

Image
Greetings Ignite Family!  As we head towards a new school year, it got us thinking about all the wonderful ways capoeira complements different areas of learning.  Read on to see how we think capoeira is a great option for homeschooling kiddos! ---- Capoeira is an ideal extracurricular activity for homeschoolers, as it provides learning opportunities across multiple content areas.  Combining martial arts with creative movement, music, geography, history, and language.. not only is it unique and fun, but it's an incredible way to offer a comprehensive and engaging learning experience for kids. Physical Exercise Through capoeira, children develop their physical fitness, coordination, and motor skills. Capoeira's dynamic movements, including kicks, spins, and acrobatics, give children a challenge that's within reach, while helping them build strength, flexibility, and stamina. The fluidity and rhythm of capoeira help develop coordination and timing, honing children's mot...
Read more