So, I joined Capoeira this week. If you are wondering what the heck that is, it is Brazilian martial arts…if you will.

Capoeira dates back hundreds of years to the slave trade period in Brazil. African slaves were brought to Brazil to work in the tobacco and sugar farms. They were brought in from many different parts of Africa and there began a melding of cultures. While their conditions looked bleak, the slaves kept their hopes of freedom alive by practicing their native traditions. Then, disguised as a cultural dance, the slaves began to practice Capoeira. Acrobatics, sweeps, kicks, ginga… Capoeira was born. But Capoeira gave slaves more than hope.

In Pernambuco, a group of forty slaves used Capoeira to rebel against their master and burned down the plantation house. They then set themselves free and headed for the mountains. Eventually they reached what they felt was a safe place and named it Palmares, because of the abundance of palm trees. In this place, an African community was born. It lasted nearly a century and grew to a population of more than twenty thousand.”

From CBPEast

So far, I’m really loving the class. Everyone is really nice and fun to be around.

The workout though is a whole other story, I didn’t know I was so out of shape (lying to myself) until I started the workout routine they have. OMG I thought I was going to DIE! Today was my second day…or well yesterday and I still hurt everywhere. Especially my legs, I think it has to do with me breaking my ankle once upon a time and fracturing the other a couple of times…sports does that to ya. But I know that if I keep on with this class, I’ll get back into shape in no time and also learn some cool moves along the way!

Good luck for me!