“If school isn’t maximizing your child’s boundless energy, or they’re in need of a more involved outlet for their creativity, capoeira is an excellent resource that can stay with them their whole lives. Join Graduada Tasha with Grupo Unçao Capoeira for Kids’ Class, Saturdays at 2:30 pm at Breathe Yoga Studio on East Carson St. in Pittsburgh’s Southside.

As a martial art, a dance, and, most importantly, a game, youths learn kicks, dodges, and simple acrobatics based around the cartwheel. They’ll learn to sing songs in Brazilian Portuguese, as well as get acquainted with the traditional musical instruments of capoeira. Don’t forget the self-discipline of structured learning and the etiquette of play!

Class begins with the standard formal greeting, “Salve!” while taking a step in “ginga”, the foundation of the dynamic movements. Next comes the warm-up: typically running in place, jumping jacks, and high-knees. After this we stretch and shake it out.

Now for the agilities! Kids are welcome to practice a handstand, a low step used to dodge, or a moving “role” (pr: ho-LAY) used to sidle around a playing partner, for example, all demoed by Graduada Tasha–sometimes with an adult capoeira student helper. The adult class is right afterwards at 3:30 pm, so it’s extra practice for them, too! Feel free to stick around for it if your child’s not too tired.

After drills across the floor, Graduada Tasha teaches kicks, where kids’ developing sense of balance really gets activated. Depending on height, students learn to sweep kicks over yoga blocks stacked in front of them. Once we’ve done our pushups (don’t worry: we start at just five), we combine the travelling moves with escapes and kicks.

It all leads up to the “roda” (pr: HO-da), the circular game where children play the instructor and fellow students, each taking time to appreciate the back-and-forth, conversational aspects of capoeira. They learn to follow the traditions of clapping and singing when not in the center with a partner, and the best way to “buy into” the game, not to mention being “bought out”.

After roda, Graduada Tasha teaches the form for playing the atabaque and pandeiro–a drum and tambourine–as well as the lyrics to capoeira songs.

Class ends the way it starts: “Salve!” We then clap for yet another successful class, happy to be learning every day, every week, our whole life!

For any questions, email Graduada Tasha at capoeirapittsburgh@gmail.com.”

We are currently on winter recess; capoeira classes will resume on Wednesday, January 9.  Beginning that day, classes will meet on Mondays & Wednesdays at 7:30pm at Bellefield Hall, and on Saturdays at 3:30 at BYS on the South Side (2:30pm for kids).  Please email capoeirapittsburgh@gmail.com with any questions.

Make a new year’s resolution to train hard in 2013!  Hope to see you there!

Our fall class schedule begins this Wednesday, August 29.  The schedule will be as follows:

Monday & Wednesday 6:30-8:30pm, Bellefield Hall Aerobics Studio (University of Pittsburgh campus).

Saturday 3:30-5pm, BYS Yoga (South Side).

Kids: Saturday 2:30-3:30, BYS Yoga.

All classes are open to both students & non-students.  Cost is $12 per class, or $65 per month ($40 per month for kids).  For additional information, please email capoeirapittsburgh@gmail.com.

Axé!

Our final class before the winter break will be on Tuesday, December 20 at 7:15pm in Bellefield Hall.  Classes will resume in 2012 on Saturday, January 7 at BYS Yoga.  The spring class schedule will remain the same as the fall term–we’ll continue to meet Tue & Thurs at 7:15pm at Bellefield, and Saturdays at 11:45am at BYS Yoga on the South Side.  Please feel free to email capoeirapittsburgh.com for more information.

Boas festas e feliz ano novo!!

Our weekday capoeira classes now meet on Tuesdays & Thursdays at 7:15pm in the aerobics room on the 2nd floor of Bellefield Hall.  Saturday classes meet as usual at 11:45am at BYS Yoga on the South Side.  Come celebrate the changing of the seasons by recommitting to capoeira this fall.  See you there!

Capoeira game at the U. of Pittsburgh Brazilian Festival, Spring 2011