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09/28/2002 Entry: "Capoeira"

Yesterday KC (my bro's girlfriend) brought me and Tara to the Rockwell Club to try Capoeira, a Brazilian dance/martial art. An enthusiastic capoeirista named Cookie taught us all the basic moves -- she says there's no actual mestre (master) here in the Philippines, but she's the only one who's had some formal training, so she's leading a group of other passionate capoeiristas and they train for 3 hours every Saturday. Her goal is to spread capoeira all over the Philippines. Just looking at her dance inspires me, but I know I don't have that natural grace. I still like it though. Seems like it's something very fulfilling -- the more you practice, the better you get, and the moves are impressive and captivating. Besides, it's a GREAT butt and thigh workout! :)

Capoeira can get really crazy, the mestres can slide across a room on a headstand! I can't even imagine such an act. In Brazil, you can see people playing and dancing on the beach, on the streets -- little kids, old people, bums, it's just a part of their culture.