Below is Master China's own words about Capoeira and some of the goals for New Zealand:

Capoeira is a sport, a martial art that teaches many important skills. The musical side of Capoeira teaches the students about different rhythms and another language.

Capoeiristas (people who play Capoeira) learn how to use their bodies in a new way and they develop physical fitness and confidence levels as well. The training incorporates observation and awareness skills, the study of body movement, appropriate responses to various situations and a very effective form of self-defense. Students improve their coordination, their body, awareness and their self-expression.

The training environment that Capoeira is learned in is challenging, fun and safe. It offers an excellent alternative to the activities that many youth today are involved in because of idle time on their hands and a lack of programs to interest them and develop their talents, while still remaining in the realm of "cool". However, as a Master who has worked with both street kids and upper class youths, I know that the skills they learn are very far-reaching despite being disguised by the high level of enjoyment that surrounds the sport/art.

Capoeira is viewed as a "cool" cultural thing to do and thus attracts a wide variety of young people. Widespread exposure to the youth of New Zealand could only result in a stronger presence of Capoeira in Aotearoa. It is an activity that students are likely to continue to do as part of their lifestyle even when they leave school. As a PE teacher, I know that one of the most important aims of a PE Curriculum is to foster the awareness of the importance of regular physical exercise. I firmly believe that Capoeira provides an excellent alternative or complementary to traditional sports.

I am also aware of the implementation of dance in New Zealand Curriculum. As Capoeira is recognized as a dance, an art and a martial art it is sometimes difficult to categorize it. As a Master of Capoeira I teach my students two other forms of dance that go alongside Capoeira. Maculele and Samba de Roda are two dances that are done in the Roda (circle) of Capoeira. These dances are used to elevate the mood and set the rhythm of the ensuing games to be played. At the end of 2001 most schools received an educational publication addressing dance in schools written by Ralph Buck of Otago University. One of the accompanying articles refers to Capoeira as movements outside standard rhythmical structures. The music and vocals are applied as a "beautiful tool of atmospheric manipulation".

The Influences of Capoeira as a support to sport teams:

As a teacher in Brazil Master China taught a wide variety of students both male and female.
However, in Brazil, one of the most common forms of group participation was sport teams. It is well documented now that dance-like training improves an athletes' eye, hand and foot coordination which directly translates to an improvement in other sporting endeavors. As a carded Professional Soccer Coach Master China can personally attest to this.
Playing Capoeira involves learning set movements that the players then have to piece together themselves and improvise to play out of their opponent's way. Because it is a very fun activity played one on one, and to music, Capoeira has a mass appeal. Girls can play boys and vice versa. The interaction is literally moving art.

The Graduation System in our group:

Regular students can be recognized if they desire so. In Capoeira belts can are awarded as in any martial art. To check our school's Grading System click here.

The Difference between Capoeira and the other Martial Arts:

What sets Capoeira apart from other martial arts is the intention of the game. When two people play with each other their aim is not to hurt one another. There is no intentional aggressive contact. Each player "shows" the other players "gaps" by moving inside and pretending to get the other. This is the "game" that is a series of tricks played on one another to trap your opponent. The finesse of the game is the ability to move out of the way with originality and dramatic effect and defend with a counter attack all in one sequence of moves.

Master China owes and manage the Association of Schools of Capoeira.
I would really love to have our classes in your school. Currently I work with four Tertiary Institutions and a couple of colleges and a dance studio. I feel that having our program in schools is really the best way through to develop Capoeira in New Zealand. We can incorporate classes as weekly lessons or we can run workshops at camps, after school, etc.

We look forward to hearing from you in the near future. Please call us if you have any further questions about Capoeira. A display can be arranged at your school if you wish to see Capoeira first hand.