What is Capoeira?
Capoeira is a unique Afro-Brazilian martial art that combines elements of dance, acrobatics, and music with kicks, dodges, strikes, and throws. It is known for quick and complex moves, using power, speed, and leverage for a wide variety of kicks, spins, and highly mobile techniques. Capoeira is played as a game in a roda rather than a competitive match. A "roda" is made of a circle of people playing instruments, singing, clapping - even dancing - with the capoeristas playing in the center of the ring. There are different "game modes" with different styles that are grounded in tradition and culture. In these games the goal is not to hurt your opponent but get him or her to mess up in some way, ranging from forcing your opponent out of the roda to performing a takedown. Although sometimes viewed as not viable in street fights or UFC, Capoeira can be modified to be one of the most deadly and versatile martial arts in the world.