How to Do Capoeira Acrobatics

Capoeira is a combination of martial arts moves, dance moves and acrobatics that began in the sixteenth century by slaves in Brazil. Capoeira was the way in which these slaves released their frustration about captivity. Acrobatics play a huge role in capoeira.

Instructions

    • 1

      Prepare yourself to do acrobatics. You should spend a few minutes stretching your leg and arm muscles before you attempt to perform capoeira acrobatics.

    • 2

      Squat down but do not allow your knees to touch the floor. Place your hand behind you on the floor.

    • 3

      Bring the other hand around in a circle towards the back and push off with your legs doing a complete flip. The entire motion happens in a circular motion.

    • 4

      Follow through with the flip and stand back up.

    • 5

      Perform the same acrobatics from a standing position by performing a few ginga steps then reaching down and placing your lead hand onto the floor. Follow the above steps to complete a flip, then stand back up to continue more gingas or other steps. Make every step in acrobatics combined and smooth, making it appear more like a dance than a defensive maneuver.