“There are not more than five musical notes, yet the combinations of these five give rise to more melodies than can ever be heard. There are not more than five primary colours, yet in combination, they produce more hues than can ever been seen. There are not more than five cardinal tastes, yet combinations of
them yield more flavours than can ever be tasted.”
― Sun Tzu, The Art of War“
Capoeira Angola is a defensive martial art known for its intricate trap-like defenses designed to catch opponents off guard. It encompasses 8 basic defenses, each with unique unexpected attacks and counter attacks based on the opponent’s positioning. Mastery of these movements enables capoeiristas to defend against individuals carrying various weapons, including sticks, clubs, knives, and potentially even firearms with the appropriate skills.
In this installment, we’re actually going over 2 basic movements, the RESITENCIA, and the COCORINHA.
RESITENCIA
Resistência, also known as ‘Passo a Frente’, is a fundamental dodging movement in the mesmerizing art of Capoeira. It is a skillful technique where the practitioner masterfully evades attacks without the need to shift their feet or retreat, thus maintaining a strong and assertive stance. This maneuver requires the utmost precision and agility, allowing the capoeirista to remain in control of the encounter while gracefully avoiding the opponent’s strikes.
(However, when I was learning the resistencia, my teacher called it the negativa, albeit another variation)
The fluidity and grace of the Resistência embody the essence of Capoeira, blending defensive maneuvers with the mesmerizing rhythms and movements that characterize this captivating martial art form.
COCORINHA
Cocorinha is one of the most straightforward esquivas (defense) in Capoeira. This movement is not only effective for evading attacks directed at your sides or head, but it also allows for quick and seamless transitions to counterattacks. When executing the cocorinha, practitioners have the opportunity to maintain a low center of gravity and swiftly return to an upright position to launch a response, catching their opponent off guard.
Beyond its defensive capabilities, the cocorinha embodies the graceful and rhythmic nature of Capoeira, showcasing the fluidity and agility inherent in this traditional art form. By incorporating this movement into their repertoire, practitioners can enhance their overall Capoeira experience, honing their defensive skills and adding an element of finesse to their performance.
Jogo Corpo Fechado 