Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art that would have its roots in the fighting techniques and the dance of the African people of the time of slavery in Brazil. It differs from other martial arts by its playful and often acrobatic side. The feet are very widely used during the fight although other parts of the body can be used such as, mainly, the hands, head, knees and elbows. “Players” can take a stand or balance on their hands to kick or stunt. In various forms, capoeira is played and/or fought at different levels of the ground and at different speeds, usually accompanied by instruments, songs and hand strikes.

Duration of the workshop: 1 hour

For whom? Children – Teenagers

The animators: Association NEK IN

The association NEK-IN has been specialized in capoeira and percussion for 15 years and brings together many artists and animators who each develop their own style.
NEK-IN is an association that owns a rich know-how of more than 15 years of practice of the field thanks to its animators who travelled all over Belgium to give representations and animations through the artistic disciplines that they like and wish to propose to the Belgian people.

Its missions are:
To propose cultural activities accessible to young people.
Work on the  personnal development of young people.
Valuing the graduates by making a change of rope (grade) (baptism)
Realization of shows.
School reintegration of young people in social difficulties.
Through this educational and sporting project, the ASBL “NEK-IN” demonstrates a great sensitivity towards young people in particular those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Its instructors :
Graduado enguia : Akram aka “Graduado Enguia” is a multi-disciplinary sportsman. When six, he began practicing martial arts such as Taekwondo. A year later, he turned to the trend of the 90’s, the Hip-hop where he discovered urban dance, which allowed him to develop his artistic skills for almost 4 years. Brewed in this cultural and sporting mix, he discovers Capoeira and Brazilian percussion in 1996 that perfectly match his identity. Currently Azul-verde (blue-green) in the Federation Abada-Capoeira, he continues to practice and evolve regularly. In parallel, he practiced other martial arts, Thai boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, MMA, CrossFit. His travels during competitions or internships in Europe, Africa and North and South America allowed him to have an open look at the outside world.

Sapphire: Rich in various trainings in sports coaching, he has developed a unique training in everyday well-being, specially designed for companies. This experience gained in the corporate sector, he wants to put it to the benefit of the disadvantaged young people who do not have the chance to afford this kind of personal reflection. Sapphire also practiced Capoeira, Brazilian percussion and tricks at an intermediate level for almost 5 years.

Workshop content and pedagogical approach:
Acrobatics are the “floras” of capoeira, these elements of play that mix aesthetic and technique. These are traditional movements.

Trainers train young people in the various basic techniques of capoeira in particular in the following figures:
Afterlife-The wheel
Afterlife sem Mao-without hands
Afterlife Cabeça-With head
Afterlife Batido-one hand on the ground and the foot in the arms
Macaco
Macaquinho
Corta-Capim
Roda piao – Piao de mao
Ponte Bridge
S-Dobrado
Shho da Lùa-kick to the moon
Mortal Salto-Salto back

The figures will first be taught separately. When they are mastered they can be chained in more complex sequences.
These apprenticeships are subject to individual and collective follow-up by 2 teachers. The figure is first shown in its details by the teacher.

It is then repeated individually by the students and the teachers corrects them individually. Finally, the figures are presented in turn in the circle of participants with the encouragement of each.

From a certain degree of technical mastery, children are invited to develop their own choreography according to their preferences and aptitudes.